Which Is More Logical & Biblical?
By Dr. David M. BonnerJesus Christ died upon the cruel cross of Calvary to pay for the sins of the whole world. He died for all the sins of generations PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE. In Lk. 13:3 Jesus said, "EXCEPT YE REPENT, ye shall all likewise perish." When it comes to the need for repentance, there are three options of belief.
1) Everyone is saved regardless of repentance.
2) You only have to repent at the time of initial salvation. Since you are once saved, always saved at salvation, future repentance of any sins committed later is immaterial to salvation.
3) God not only requires repentance of sins at the time of your initial salvation, but also requires us to repent whenever we may sin in the future.WHICH IS MORE LOGICAL & BIBLICAL?
Those who believe in universal salvation say option #1. They say the whole world is already saved, even without repentance, since Jesus died for everyone's sins (past, present, and future).
Others pick option #2. In a recent lecture I attended in another town, a seminary professor said he could leave his wife, run off with a 16 year old girl, live in adultery for the rest of his life, never repent, and he would still go to heaven. He said he was not advocating sin, but said there are good, better, best and even though it would be best if he did not live in adultery, he believed God would still work it out to his good if he did. He preached once saved, always saved.
Friends, that kind of teaching is not only contrary to the Bible, but its effect is contrary to promoting morality in our nation! Hebrews 10:26 tells Christians, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Jesus Christ did not die for sins we willfully commit and will not repent of.
This means options #1 & #2 are incorrect. In Acts 8:22 the apostle Peter told Simon, "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee." Jesus had already died for this mans sins (past, present, future) and he had become a Christian, but the Bible says these new sins were not forgiven until he repented of them.