God Created Us for His Glory
“Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory” (Isaiah 43:6-7). God made all of us in his own image so that we would image-forth, or reflect, his character and moral beauty.
Every Human Should Live for God’s Glory
“Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The way to live for the glory of God is to love him (Matthew 22:37), trust him (Romans 4:20), be thankful to him (Psalm 50:3) and obey him (Matthew 5:16). When we do these things we image-forth God’s glory.
We Have All Sinned and Fallen Short of God’s Glory
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “Although they knew God they did not glorify him as God or give thanks to him…but exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images…” (Romans 1:21-23). None of us has loved or trusted or thanked or obeyed God as we ought.
We All Deserve Eternal Punishment
“The wages of sin is (eternal) death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Those who did not obey the Lord Jesus “Shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thessalonians 1:9). “They shall go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matthew 25:46).
In His Great Mercy God Sent Forth His Only Son Jesus Christ to Provide for Sinners the Way of Eternal Life
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). “Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18).
Eternal Life Is a Free Gift to All Who Will Trust in Christ as Lord and Savior
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). “By grace are you saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God—not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8). “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Written by John Piper
In the eternal punishment statement you said, Those who did not obey the Lord Jesus “Shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). I Referenced it and that verse does not say that! In fact eternal punishment is not exclusion from God's presence,because it is the wrath of God. So if you really think that it is exclusion please tell me by scripture. Hope to hear from you as you greatly discern what I said and be a good bearean!
ReplyDeletePlease note that I am not being rude. I am greatly concerned for people to have sound doctrine. The doctrine of Hell has changed and slipping through the cracks. The Bible verse should be 2 thess 1:9. However, rev 14:9-12 points out that hell is in the presence of the holy angels and the lamb. So I believe the presence in thess. is more in the context of God's grace(common grace). I thought I clarify a bit.
DeleteHi Justin thanks for the comment here. The passage should actually be 2 Thessalonians 1:9, not 1 Thessalonians. It says, "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might..." It is true that God is everywhere present, and in hell God is present in His wrath. But the idea of this verse is that they are separated from the goodness and love of God. Hope that helps!--eric
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