to gratify the carnal heart ! This is Satan ' s own doctrine , and it does his work effectually . Should we be surprised that , with such instruction , wickedness abounds ?
The course pursued by this one false teacher illustrates that of many others . A few words of Scripture are separated from the context , which would in many cases show their meaning to be exactly opposite to the interpretation put upon them ; and such disjointed passages are perverted and used in proof of doctrines that have no foundation in the word of God . The testimony cited as evidence that the drunken Amnon is in heaven is a mere inference directly contradicted by the plain and positive statement of the Scriptures that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God . 1 Corinthians 6:10 . It is thus that doubters , unbelievers , and skeptics turn the truth into a lie . And multitudes have been deceived by their sophistry and rocked to sleep in the cradle of carnal security .
If it were true that the souls of all men passed directly to heaven at the hour of dissolution , then we might well covet death rather than life . Many have been led by this belief to put an end to their existence . When overwhelmed with trouble , perplexity , and disappointment , it seems an easy thing to break the brittle thread of life and soar away into the bliss of the eternal world . God has given in His word decisive evidence that He will punish the transgressors of His law .
Those who flatter themselves that He is too merciful to execute justice upon the sinner , have only to look to the cross of Calvary . The death of the spotless Son of God testifies that " the wages of sin is death ," that every violation of God ' s law must receive its just retribution . Christ the sinless became sin for man . He bore the guilt of transgression , and the hiding of His Father ' s face , until His heart was broken and His life crushed out . All this sacrifice was made that sinners might be redeemed . In no other way could man be freed from the penalty of sin . And every soul that refuses to become a partaker of the atonement provided at such a cost must bear in his own person the guilt and punishment of transgression .
Let us consider what the Bible teaches further concerning the ungodly and unrepentant , whom the Universalist places in heaven as holy , happy angels . " I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely ." Revelation 21:6 . This promise is only to those that thirst . None but those who feel their need of the water of life , and seek it at the loss of all things else , will be supplied . " He that overcometh shall inherit all things ; and I will be his God , and he shall be My son ." Verse 7 . Here , also , conditions are specified . In order to inherit all things , we must resist and overcome sin .
The Lord declares by the prophet Isaiah : " Say ye to the righteous , that it shall be well with him ." " Woe unto the wicked ! it shall be ill with him : for the reward of his hands shall be given him ." Isaiah 3:10 , 11 . " Though a sinner do evil an hundred times ," says the wise man , " and his days be prolonged , yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God , which fear before Him :
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