Is God's forgiveness just conditional, or total? I hope your belief is the latter.

神的赦免只是有條件的？還是完全的？我希望您的答案是後者。

So then, what is total forgiveness? Is it only of some sins or all sins? Is it only for some people or all people? And is it only for a while or for all eternity?

那麼，什麼是完全的赦免呢？是只有一些罪，還是所有的罪？是只有一些人，還是所有的人？又是只有一段時間，還是永永遠遠？

If we doubt God's forgiveness we don't believe how good He really is. 

如果我們懷疑神的赦免，我們就是不信祂竟然是這麼的好。

Adam and Eve sinned because they doubted God's goodness; the Israelite wandered in the wilderness for forty years because they didn't believe in the promise of God.

亞當與夏娃的犯罪是因為他們懷疑了神的善意; 以色列人在曠野流浪四十年就是因為他們不信神美好的應許。 

If we don't believe God is so good even to forgive those who deny Him, who betray Him, even those who mock, torture and kill Him, the promise of grace is not ours to have and we continue to sin in unbelief.

如果我們不相信神有好到願意原諒那些否決祂，背叛祂，甚至取笑祂，拷打祂，和謀殺祂，那祂從恩典給予的應許並不屬我們，而繼續犯罪在不信。

And the doctrine of hell is prime indictment of man's unbelief in that God's forgiveness extends to all -- even the worst of the worst and the hardest of hearts.

而地獄的教條就是最大證明人的不相信神會赦免每一個人 -- 甚至那最惡劣的惡者和最剛硬的心腸。

But God's love is long-suffering, and His patience endures. Some are warmed by His holy fire, others burned, but to all the door of forgiveness remains unlocked; knock and it shall be opened for you (Matthew 7:7).

但是神的愛是長期等待著，祂的耐心是永恆持久的。有些人從神的聖火得溫暖，有些被燒著，但是赦免的門永不會鎖住 ; 每一位敲門的，就會為他而開 (馬太福音 7:7)。

This is the goodness of our God unmeasurable, His heart unsearchable and mercy unfathomable. Who are we to pass judgment on how He shall judge the damned?

這是我們神量不出的善，祂尋不著的心，和測不到的憐憫。我們是誰，還要論斷神應該如何審判那些該死的?

He will save who He wants to save, and He wants to save all. He is merciful, He is El-Rachuwm: "For the LORD thy God is a merciful God; He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them." (Deuteronomy 4:31)

祂會拯救祂要拯救的，而神就是要拯救每一個人。祂是憐憫的，祂是 El-Rachuwm: "耶和華你的神原是有憐憫的神，祂總不撇下你，不滅絕你，也不會忘記祂啟示與你列祖鎖力約的 (申命記: 4:31)。

To hold on to the justice of casting fellow brothers and sisters to hell is unbelief in God's total forgiveness and His unsurpassing goodness.

在繼續的堅持把自己的弟兄姊妹丟進地獄，那是不相信神完全的赦免，與祂不能超越的善好。

But living in grace we come to understand the heart of God who denies salvation to no one...for it is in the shedding of His blood we were purchased, and not by choice, repentance, obedience or even faith of man.

但是當我們活在恩典，就將漸漸體會到，祂的心不會拒絕救贖給任何人...因我們全然是從祂的流血被買回的，而不是由人的選擇，順服，甚至不是從信而得到的。

Amen

報復比恩典更甜蜜 / Vengeance sweeter than grace

I suspect many who hold without doubt to the doctrine of hell and eternal torment of unspeakable pain and agony is not that they believe God can't forgive even the sin of unbelief, but they themselves won't.

我猜想那些堅決強調地獄的教條，

讓還未信主的人永遠遭受到不能形容的痛苦，求生不得，求死不能，他們不是不相信神不能原諒不信的罪，而是他們自己心中不願意。

They cannot forgive the hard of hearts because they have not tasted of themselves (by the revelation of grace) the sacrificial death Christ had made in overlooking every trespass. In their minds justice still needs to be served, and in their hearts punishment is still deserved.

他們不能原諒鋼硬頑固的人，因為他們本身還未嚐到 (由恩典的啟示) 耶穌為了赦免一切的過犯，那般自我犧牲的願意。在他們的理念中，公義還是必須要爭取的，和在他們的心裏，罪的懲罰還是應得的。

But the clear message on the cross is this: No sin escapes the wrath of God, yet no sin is imputed to the sinner, for the lamb of God has taken all the fiery judgment of His wrath.

但是在十字架上，清清楚楚的信息是這樣: 沒有一項罪可以逃過神的憤怒，然而沒有一項罪將會估算在罪人身上，因為神的羔羊已經替受了一切神的烈火審判。

In God's love, grace has already swallowed up the justice that still rages in man's mind and and burns in his heart -- against his own brothers.

在神的愛，恩典已經吞滅了那還狂奔在人的意念與燃燒在他心中的公義 -- 敵對著他自己的弟兄。

But God says, "Forgive, for I have forgiven you; love, because I first loved you."

神卻說，"原諒，因為我已經原諒了你; 愛，因為我先愛了你。"

I have heard a minister admit that "Sometimes in a believer's sinfulness vengeance is sweeter than grace." I ask, what is more vengeful than the doctrine of hell?

我聽過牧師感嘆的說，"有時在信徒的罪性，報復還比恩典更為甜蜜。" 我問，有什麼還比地獄的教義更懷報復的心?

Only those who still do not accept the total forgiveness of grace find vengeance sweet, and project such sense of self-righteous justice upon the hands of God to carry out the measure of man's own wrath.

只有那些還沒有接受在恩典裏那完全的赦免，才會感覺復仇是甜蜜的，而把這自我的正義投射在神的手上，為了判刑出那份屬於人心的憤怒。

When we were nailed to the cross with Christ in repentance of sins, it was not just that our old nature of flesh that died but -- ever more important -- the new nature of spirit that lives in the rebirth of soul. And that spirit is of God's total love and forgiveness -- grace.

當我們悔改而與基督同釘十字架的時候，並不是只有我們的肉體老我死了，更重要的是，我們已經重新誕生在新的屬靈生命。在這新生命裡，這靈就是有了神完全的愛與赦免 -- 恩典。

Therefore in moments of our righteous yet unforgivng anger we live no more under grace that gave us new life in Christ. When we forget how loved and forgiven by not being under the constant washing of grace the flesh once again takes over the soul; and in living by the law of obedience we become blinded by the veil of justice against man.

所以，如果還處在雖然有正義，但不願原諒的憤怒時候，我們就不是活在耶穌生命裡的恩典。當我們因沒有活在恩典時時的灌溉而忘了神有多麼的愛著和原諒了我們，肉體將會再一次霸佔靈魂，而被遵守律法的公義心態遮住眼睛，對人不放棄審判。

For truly, unforgiveness and punishment is often justified and fair for the offense committed against man and God, but a heart of law cannot rise above justice to forgive. Only a heart of grace can and will. Mercy and grace is patently unfair for the giver -- just look upon the cross and be reminded what a spirit of love looks like and lives for.

說實在的，正義的不赦免與懲罰常是公平的，而且對人和對神所犯的罪多半也不是無辜的; 神的公義不會判錯人。只是，一個懷抱律法的心，流不出誠懇的原諒。而只有一顆屬恩典的心會願意做也做的到。憐憫與恩典本來就是對那付出的人不公平 -- 我們只需望著十字架就會看到愛的形象，和祂是為了什麼而活。

So when justice is on the mind, forgiveness lives not in the heart. God already satisfied the bloody vengeance of His justice upon the body of His only begotten son; justice now lives inside grace who took all our punishment.

所以，只要公義還在一人的信仰上，他的心中就沒有原諒。神已經將公義的報復燒燼在祂的獨生子的身上; 如今，公義只是活在接受了我們所有應得懲罰的恩典。 

By one sacrifice of Christ God is righteous in making sinners righteous, for justice is no more in searching out man's every last sin, but evermore in forgiving man from the depth of His heart. Justice now lives inside grace to guarantee our being forgiven, and never the executioner of punishment!

由耶穌一次的犧牲，神的正義就是將罪人提為正義的，因燃燒過的公義已經不再追尋人的一切罪惡，而是永久在神心中賜予人的赦免。公義現今活在恩典裡，作為原諒我們的保證，永遠不作懲罰罪的劊子手。

God now extends to us His nail-scarred hands of that very grace and asks, "Won't you join me, and be as one?"

神的恩典伸出祂留著釘痕的雙手，問我們，“要不要跟我來，合而為一？”

Amen

祂的慈愛永遠長存 / His loving mercy endures forever

Does God love His children only in this life time, or forever? The Bible says, "...for His loving mercy [endures] forever" (Psalm 136, 118), (1 Corinthians 13:13)

神對祂子女的愛只有在今生呢，還是永遠? 聖經說，"...祂的慈愛永遠長存。(詩篇 136, 118), (歌林多前書 13:31)

If His love is forever, it endures beyond man's death -- even if he still had not turned back to Him.

如果他的愛是永久的，那這愛不會因人的死而停止...甚至這人還未轉回歸祂。

So then while suffering the torment of "hell" God still loves each one the same as those in heaven.

這樣，就算是在地獄裡遭受懲罰，神對他的愛與那些在天堂的是一樣的。

And if His mercy endures forever, how is the mercy shown to the ones He loves still? Abandonment or salvation?

而且如果祂的憐憫是永久的，這憐憫是會如何對待祂還所愛的人? 拋棄，還是拯救?

Some insist it comes down to free will of man that sends him to hell, so don't fault God.

有些人會堅持，被打下地獄是因為人的自由選擇，所以不要責怪神。

But is it really free will that saves man or God's grace that offers faith? And is it really free will if it can be taken away? Left in our own flesh, will anyone choose God?

但是，人的得救是因為他自我的選擇，還是神由恩典給的信呢? 而如果是真實的選擇自由，那這權力可以就被拿走嗎? 留在自我的肉體裏，我們有誰會選擇神?

No, it is the mercy of God that chooses and saves man by allowing him to see mercy and freely choose grace.

不是的，是神的憐憫選擇了要救人，讓他從看到神的憐憫而自由選擇恩典。

For what is mercy but an open heart and open arms waiting for the lost son either in life or in death; however long forever is, however long the father awaits.

什麼是憐憫? 那不就是神打開他的心門，張開祂的手臂，等待著祂的兒子，在生或在死; 永遠有多麼的長，多麼長父親就會等待著。

And if it is pride that keeps man from choosing grace, how is it man keeps his pride when suffering in hell, knowing what he didn't know, seeing what he didn't see?

那如果是人的驕傲讓他不選擇恩典，這驕傲還會在地獄中的受苦存在嗎，特別是那時知道他以前不知道的，和看到以前沒有看到的?

The first thing that burns away in hell is pride, like the lost son who came to himself while feeding swine.

在地獄的火焰，第一被燃燒掉的就是驕傲，就像浪子在餵豬的時候，從心裡先跪下。

Will we ever be outside God's mercy or live beyond forever? If not, then repentance is not rejected even if there is a hell.

我們有可能活在神的憐憫之外，或是不在永遠的時間內嗎? 如果不可能，那誠心的懺悔，也不會因是從地獄中發出的哭泣而被否決。

God is ever patience, and make His face shine upon one and all whom He created.

神的耐心無限，祂使祂的臉光照在每一個祂所造的。(Deuteronomy 6:25)

The love of Christ is for all, and He draws all to Him when He is lifted up (John 12:32).

耶穌基督的愛是捨給所有的人，祂從地上被舉起來，就要吸引萬人 (每一個人) 來歸祂。(約翰 12:32)。

To man salvation is for himself, but to a sovereign and loving God His work of Salvation is incomplete if one remains in hell.

在人，拯救是他一人的事，但在全愛全權的神祂所開始的救贖工作，只要一個還留在地獄，就還是不完全。

Amen

Free will and Christian Universalism / Hell is a state of lonely separation from God

Hi Exxx,

Haven't forgotten about our conversation. But I assure you that the justification for universal reconciliation is more than just wishful thinking, discarding of God's justice or making void the gift of free will.

I found one interesting observation made about your personal difficulty with the lake of fire. So you don't think it is a literal place of burning as many good Arminians believe. Instead you think it is a symbolic interpretation of eternal separation from God. From this I believe there may still be a closet Universalist in you! Except you just can't get over the problem of free will. But curiously, if it is separation from God, shouldn't hell be freezing cold instead of blazing hot? For God is a burning fire that not only nurtures but also refines. If hell is where God doesn't exist (is that even possible?) then neither shall it be eternally burning.

I will get to free will later, but may I first ask: removing your understanding of the Scripture, How is your most natural initial reaction to a assumed confirmation that ultimately all will be saved -- does it make you love God more in such assurance, or is it upsetting and makes you lose faith in Him for abandoning justice? I believe an answer to this reveals one's core belief and true intent.

Regarding free will, I am sure you agree that it is one of God's gifts for man out of His virtue. But it is not the only virtue from His heart accorded man. First and foremost there is love, and all other gifts are from love and cannot contradict love. There must be a purpose to, and higher purpose for God's gift of free will, which means it must serve a purpose for the good of man if it was given out of love. 

But we seem to think it as separate from a purpose of love but more of a test of sincerity and even just a game to play to determine winners and losers. And not only does it serve no constructive purpose to the plan of salvation, it may even be an obstacle to God's will to bring back all of His loved ones. Viewed this way it seems the most logical explanation of God and free will is like a store vender wanting us to buy his goods but we are free to buy or not buy, take it or leave it. Whatever the choice it really doesn't matter so much as to break the heart of God, and the entire exercise is simply a process elimination to Him.

However, God's plan is not merely a choice of business transaction. The free will given man is to allow him opportunity to learn of God's heart and to trust in Him for all man's needs. It is limited free will that operates within the will of love, just like as parents we also give our children freedom in our relationship not to worry about punishment beyond loving correction, but will not allow them to suffer the consequences of action outside our protection (such as a toddler running out in the street). For when freedom is given to that extend then it is not an act of love but mere tolerance of indifference. Yet within the protection of love there is still freewill to be who we are -- and to hurt Him who loves us. Yet love forgives all our transgressions from lack the of faith and knowledge. 

And such unlimited (and purposeless) free will contradicts the love of God. Many will say that in saving all it contradicts with God's justice. And that is where all the logical dead ends evolve from -- the incorrect relationship between God's love and His justice. God is  love. Nothing else. Justice, mercy and even free will are all manifestations of love and only to serve love. Justice is not equal to love, for without love justice is meaningless and becomes only as a control mechanism. But if we believe that God is above all else -- love, then we can accept and understand the purpose of free will to draw ourselves closer to Him, and may even for a time stray away. There can be allowed seeming contradiction for now in our growth, but love wins in the end that will not compromise nor be compromised by free will. And the meaningful exercise of free will is in seeing God's heart, and understanding His sacrifice that we choose from loving Him to return to Him who loves us first.  

Some more food for thought: There is no free will in unbelief, neither does it exist without the possibility of doubt. Think about it. Until next time...

Assured of heaven

Many scripture verses the church interprets as evidence of the existence of hell and eternal punishment are also words that instill doubt in one's assurance of going to heaven. Even many professing great faith and the love of God will be denied entry to heaven. With that, if one hold true to the doctrine of hell, and no clear assurance of entering heaven even in all sincerity, what is the predominant emotion that drives his spiritual journey? Is it peace in his faith or fear in his doubt?

So many teachings say just confessing faith in Jesus as savior is not enough and empty, but demanding fruit and more fruit. The obsession with fruit-bearing is based on fear that one is not good enough or doing enough to assure of salvation. Is that really the faith Jesus wants us to have? To constantly prove our faith? I say it is not the adornment of our faith in all its false glitter that pleases the Lord, but our faith that He is faithful in saving us and loving us that brings peace not as the world gives. For the world gives peace only upon payment (the Hebrew root word for "shalom" is "shalam," which means "making compensation"), where God's peace is without demand but wholeness restored fully in grace.

God's will is to save us, and if we believe he will do so no matter what by our seeing His love on the cross, then that is the faith He receives as fragrant offering. yet the church teaches: Do not be self-assured of salvation but be fearful of not being acceptable in His eyes, and constantly adding credit in the form of work (confession, obedience, mission...etc.) to show Him on the day of judgment. But Jesus will deny knowing them because these are the fruits of self-righteousness, selfishness and fear, and not of true acceptance of Christ living out His life through faith.

Therefore, the doctrine of hell and not knowing one's ultimate destination keeps a believer in bondage and fear, and the natural consequence of that is an obsession with earning entry into heaven. But if by the ample evidence of love in His shed blood we are assured of God's will to save us, the peace within allows the flow of living water where true faith is revealed in all manners of good fruit on earth.

A loving father's heart grieves when his child does not trust him to abide by him always, but may one day abandon him for whatever condition not met. A loving father does not give up looking into the distance for His son's return, but waits day after day, and without rebuke upon the son's change of heart...

How much more our Father in Heaven?

James

Chosen people

God's elect is nothing new in the Bible. And it certainly does not mean the unelected were not loved and deserving of God's grace. But some would have you think only certain people will go to heaven because they are the "chosen" people of God. God played favoritism throughout the narrative of Judeo-Christian history. He favored Abel over Cain, Jacob over Essau, Issac over Ishmael, David over Saul. He did so because Christ was on His mind and the shadow of His son was in each favored character. God made the Israelite His people not because they were more righteous but to tell the world of His gospel plan through their story. But in it God loves each and every one of His children, and shed His blood for all.

Israel probably thought they were the only special people to be saved by God, and not the Gentiles. But God's love went beyond their understanding when Christ went to the cross for both the Jews and the Gentiles. Joseph had a special love for Benjamin, but he did not forget his other brothers and took cared of them as well. Now that the Gentiles are the "chosen" favorites and body of Christ, they reject others who are not part of the elect, the bride of Christ, and eagerly accept their fate in hell. Many see that as divine justice and even uphold the logic of damnation.

But Christ warned of such pompous self-righteous attitudes many times in the Bible. He especially had contempt for the pharisees who profess to know God, love God and obey God to the point where they reject all they see as sinners unworthy of their holy standards. These Jesus will deny knowing in the days of His coming. Yet, the church is full of teachings that exult the self-righteous and look down upon sinners not fit to step into the inner sanctuary of God. Many who are forgiven forgives not others and insist on their fate to burn forever in hell. They defend the Justice of hell with even more fervor than the love of God.

We will be judged not by how much we profess to love and obey God, but how much He lives in us in our love and forgiveness of one another. It is then that even if damnation is inevitable we protest earnestly in the heart and shed tears for the brothers of such fate, and believing that the God we love will somehow justify not the punishment of sins but the forgiveness in love, for He is above all else -- love. Amen.
James

Love wins

If God is love, does He not want to save all His children? Is He satisfied with 99 sheep in His bosom and find justification to abandon the one that strays?

What makes Satan the happiest but to see God's children burn in eternal torment? If just one is left in hell, who wins in the end? God or Satan?

Even if Satan is destroyed, he is victorious to perish with just one child of God.

If God's love does not save all in the end, Jesus have not conquered death.

Is salvation complete with only a few saved? Can a perfect God do an incomplete work?

Is it so that hell is necessary to justify heaven? To argue that is saying God can only be defined by the existence of Satan. No. God's light defeats darkness and even shines into hell.

If in Adam all died no matter their goodness, then all (not some) will be made alive in Christ no matter their sin.

In the "mystery" of eternal torment for God's children, does love win?

Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess of His name.

Love saves all...

Amen

師母的淚

沒多久前, 有一位弟兄提出 "加爾文主義" (Calvinism) 和 "阿民念主義" (Arminianism)。我不是很熟悉，但是印象中知道這是有關救贖的選擇，與所謂的"預先決定" (pre-determinism) 在觀點上有不同的意見。

在做了更深入的了解後，發現這個神學主題實在是很大很廣，而在這兩個觀念裏也分成幾大項可以獨立成章的看法。如果要徹底的了解，真的是要花不少功夫。以前聽到有些人主張，人的救贖完全是由神的揀選(加爾文主義)，而且沒有什麼清楚的理由，就是有些人會得救，有些人不會。這與人的自由選擇一點都沒有關係。就是我們想要得救，如神不揀選，我們還是會被留下，滅於地獄。那時我想，這應該是少數人的信仰，因這與這位愛每一個人的神是有莫大的觀念衝突。雖然我們不能夠完全了解神，但是福音還是絕大部分要講道理的，也是要乎合思想與情理的邏輯。

但是我發覺好像不少人有這樣的想法。猜想是因為他們把神的主權彰顯到極限，而容納不了一點決定權在人的手上。他們不能容許神有失敗的可能，但是沒有理解到: 只有在被拒絕的允許，而且沒有控制，沒有威脅的自由選擇下，才是真愛的表達。這兩個主義的不同所帶來的信仰誤差，其實還比恩典與律法的關係理念還更大。想到這裡，我不禁的想笑，因為我一直強調恩典的完全力量與改造，而反對信徒要盡力成聖的想法，因為那是毫無影響的自我意識。雖然揀選與恩典的重點不同，照理我是應該贊同加爾文主義的，把恩典救贖的榮耀完全交給主。但是我是比較偏向阿民念主義的 (如果一定要選一的話)，因為加爾文主義有更多的問題。

這兩派主義都有被分為五項的大綱，而如今已經沒有那麼絕對的分別，大多數教會認同某些，否決其他，甚至在兩方上都有採取之處。所以這兩個神學主義已經不再是今天大半的信徒熱門討論的議題了，但是它們所帶來的影響還是繼續在塑造今天的信仰。在神學的探討，這一定是非常有趣，也很有意義的辯論。但是如再深入，一定很多人會睡著。

我所以會提出這個，是因為我最近也聽到我媽媽自己說出她很高興我被神揀選而得救，但是她沒有，所以不要再跟她講福音了，因為沒有用，神沒有揀選她。媽媽做了大半輩子的師母，她對聖經也很熟悉。她講這些話也是因為聖經上的一些章節所寫的見解。但是我聽了覺得非常難過。那時我們正在車上開往 Arizona 要去我妹妹家過感恩節。她會這樣說也是我一直在跟她形容神的愛與恩典，強調著，如果知道一切都是因為神的愛所賜給我們的，那該有多少可以感恩的地方。我跟母親對美術都很有興趣，常常開車時會注意到不同風景的各樣色彩，特別是天空雲彩的千變萬象。我感慨的說，人人都會欣賞美，但是偶然的找到，或者是花錢訂做的，是一種感覺。但是如果是因為要討所愛的人喜悅而特意精心製作和樂意送給的，那得到這禮物的感受又是截然不同。心中的感恩又是更加扎實。

我只是很想讓媽媽感覺到那被完全愛著和照顧的感覺，但是沒想到她聽到的是一針一針的諷刺。我不知道在她心裏，她認為她是被基督教的神拋棄的垃圾。在這漫長的高速公路上，我真心的讚美神，帶來的只是母親的眼淚。在她心的深處有一個還沒被醫治的創傷。我以為認識恩典的感恩會帶來她渴望的溫暖與依靠，但是當我聽到她嘶啞的怒言，看到她滿臉怨恨的表情，合一滴一滴流下的眼淚，我心中的讚美剎那間感覺到的是多麼的空蕩，多麼的毫無意義。她說，她恨她自己在教會裏所帶給她心裡面的恨。

在剩下無言的路程上，我覺得好無助。平常裏我完全聽媽媽的話，真的是無理的順服。但是為了帶領她回到主前，我一次又一次的與她"爭論"。雖然好意，但是好像只是引發出她已經淡忘許久了的悲傷。我跟她說，如沒有覺得自己是罪人，就不會接受神的救贖，以及如心裏沒有感恩，就不能放下自己來追求神。我不是在教訓她，而只是試著分析一個認識這位全愛的神的機本觀念。但是我錯了。真的好像除了聖靈的感動，沒有人能夠認識耶穌? 我再如何的勸講，只會讓她的心更加鋼硬。但如果確實只是由神無原則的揀選，我火熱的心將冷卻 ; 如果恩典只有給某一些人，就算我得到，我也不覺感恩，因我的心放不下沉淪的親人，不管他們是否值得下地獄，或這是不是神的公義。雖得救，卻心死!

不! 這不是愛我們的神!

屬靈的爭戰真的是不能鬆懈的，特別是從教會本身傳出來的信息，有的時候會讓我們懷疑神真的是愛我們每一個人嗎 ? 祂真愛得那麼深嗎? 聽那些愛護神的公義與主權的人所講的教訓，神的救恩不是選擇性，不就是淘汰性。多少追求神的人被這些理念排斥遺棄在窄門的外邊，因這窄門的定義被扭曲，被論解為一個高標準或抽獎。雖然神說的很清楚: "神愛世人、甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們、叫一切信他的、不至滅亡、反得永生。" 但是有些人還是不同意，不是光是信還不夠，就是連信都不及。

福音的一切真理都成全在約翰3:16。我們的見解都必須從這節經文上過濾，只要有衝突的或不符合這真理的都不能接受。神愛世人，不是聖人或被揀選的人。叫一切信他的不至滅亡，不是只有一些，也不是遵守祂的。是的，只要有這一句神的應許，就是由心感恩的確據，不管生活上的成功失敗，甚至在傳福音所受到的挫折。我相信神愛我，愛媽媽，愛全世界每一個人，也迫切的等待每一個兒女快快回到祂身邊。我有這個信，有這個真理，聖靈一定會聽我的祈禱，為我祈禱，賜給我力量，把恩典啟示在身旁的人。Amen

James