Parents and GU Students!

We just ended a 3 week theme talking about The Goodness of God.  Naturally when that is the subject matter it forces us to confront our paradigm of who God is to us.  Is He really good?  Does He love us?  Is he Just?  If he is good why do bad things keep happening?  What happens to people that don’t get a chance to hear about God? etc.  These questions are natural and healthy to ask.  If you’re a young person reading this chances are you have mulled over this quite a bit in your mind.  Is God really as “good” as they say He is.  We covered three main areas…  a new focus every week.

Week 1 we covered that Jesus did not save us FROM an angry God.  On the contrary God SO LOVED the world He SENT His Son into the world to SAVE it.  Jesus is the merciful and grace filled expression of a loving Father.

Week 2 we covered that while man judges our outside, God looks past all that and sees our hearts.  There is a seeming contradiction of two scriptures, one in Romans 4 and the other in James 2.  One says Abraham was justified by his FAITH ALONE and the scripture in James says he was justified when he offered his son Isaac and his WORKS were working along side his FAITH to fully justify him.  We examined the differences and found the answer was in the context.  Romans 4 is Paul showing us that our Righteousness with GOD depends on Faith alone, and James is showing us that in order for people to SEE our FAITH we must have WORKS. But God is SO GOOD he gives us righteousness and justification freely by grace through faith.

Week 3 we dialogued  the lens we look through as we read scripture.  We encouraged our students to see through the lens of God’s goodness and love every time they read.  While it can be challenging at times to wrap our minds around the way God works and deals with people we can trust that His ways are higher and He does ALL things well.  When we see through the proper lens the scripture comes alive and we see His grace and mercy shown brightly on every page of the Bible.  God is a GOOD God!  Worthy of praise and He loves the world and is working ALL things together for the good for His saints!  After the series ended we opened up the microphones to see if students had any questions.  Man, they had some tough ones.  Questions they deal with all the time at school. Questions that linger around the corner of conversations when they are trying to share Jesus with their friends.  We tried our best to tackle as many questions as we could in our final week of service.  The response was pretty overwhelming.   We have posted the questions and answers here for you to review!  Complete with scripture references for your study. Take special care to notice the kinds of questions the students were asking… I think it gives us a glimpse into the heart of this generation.  We are blessed with amazing students who care about people.  Hope you enjoy.      *side note… two of the questions are not yet posted…  I will be getting those pulled together this week.

Answer:

The Bible doesn’t directly say yes or no, BUT the evidence overwhelmingly points to Yes, Children and Babies go to heaven.  When we talk about the goodness of God often times we have questions about the “Justice” of God.  Is He fair?  Would He judge things the way we would etc.  Well I can assure that while He doesn’t always judge things the way we would, He is perfectly just. In the case of children as an example I think Jesus calls it the way we would call it. The Bible is pretty clear that He loves children desperately and takes them into His presence in Heaven if they leave this earth.  There is a great example in Matthew’s gospel where Jesus calls a child over to himself as a visual aid if you will.  As He stands there with this child He tells the disciples and all listening that unless we become like the child standing there with Him then we will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  He goes on to say that whoever welcomes a child in His name… welcomes Him personally! The idea that Jesus says it’s better for you to tie a millstone around your neck and jump into the ocean rather than lead a little one astray.  Shows the high regard our Savior holds for His precious ones.  Many say this verse refers to leading “Christians” away from the truth.  My opinion is that He means literal children, BUT when He talks about His saints He often refers to us as His children.  The entire segment of scripture is drawing the parallel between innocent children and the people of God… even sinful adults can be made like children again.  In Christ we are made innocent and blameless in the sight of God.  Jesus also says unless we become like children we will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  If the Son of God uses children as the example of someone humble, innocent and blameless that can enter heaven then we can safely draw the conclusion that innocent children will ACTUALLY be in heaven if they leave the earth.

JESUS USING CHILDREN AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW SAINTS SHOULD BE
[1] At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” [2] And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them [3] and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [5] “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, [6] but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. [7] “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! – [Matthew 18:1-7 ESV]

DAVID LOOSES A CHILD AND DECLARES HE WILL SEE HIM AGAIN IN HEAVEN
[22] He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ [23] But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” – [2Sa 12:22-23 ESV]

*I shall go to him – refers to David going to heaven and seeing his son as it’s safe to assume David was going to heaven when he died
*He shall not return to me – refers to the child staying in heaven and not coming back to earth

EXAMPLE OF PAUL SHOWING CHRISTIANS ARE LIKE INNOCENT CHILDREN
[14] Do all things without grumbling or questioning, [15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, – [Philippians 2:14-15 ESV]

*I was asked this same basic question live during the service, but the above title is a copy and paste from an email a student sent to me.  They had hopes of clarifying this question and getting a clear answer.  So cool to see our students heart for people in difficult situations.

Answer:

Again the Bible does not directly and definitively say whether or not any person “automatically” goes to heaven. However, it is accepted that children are taken to heaven when they die until they reach the point in which they are able to make a decision for or against Christ.  David had a child die, and he comforted himself with the thought, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). David knew that he would see his child in heaven one day.

We can postulate from this that people who do not have the mental capacity to make a decision for Christ are covered by this principle as well. Because it is not a child’s age that makes them “innocent” it is there inability to recognize their own sinfulness and repent. Knowing the love, grace, and mercy of God, this would seem consistent with His character. Any person, who is “unable” to be aware of his or her sinful state and “unable” to comprehend Christ’s redemptive work for salvation, is in the same category as a child and it is not unreasonable to assume that person is saved by the grace and mercy of the same God who saves babies and small children.  I use quotes around the word “unable” because we cannot know for certain if and when someone is truly “unable”.  Only the Lord knows as he sees into their heart and mind.  What a blessed assurance it is that the God who judges sin can see clearly into the motives and heart of all mankind. Remember it is God’s desire is that ALL would come to know Him.

WHAT WE SEE ON THE OUTSIDE IS NOT WHAT GOD SEES
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

- [1 Sa 16:7 ESV]

*Pastor Burt said, “It’s not an unforgivable sin to be born… it’s an unforgivable sin to blaspheme [reject] the Holy Spirit, who leads you to Jesus, who makes you right with God.”  I love that way of looking at issues like this.

Answer:

The Bible doesn’t say.  It is safe to say that a person should make a decision for Christ as soon as they are able, as we are not promised tomorrow.  While there is not an age we can rest assured that God sees the heart and judges each person accordingly.  Romans 1, declares that all mankind will stand before God without an excuse because we can discover God by seeing his attributes in His creation. These evidences clearly show our creator’s handiwork yes, but a young child is just not able to “get it”.  At some point in every healthy person’s development they will reach a mental maturity where God will be clearly revealed to them and they will be able to respond to the Holy Spirit who has been drawing them to Jesus.  At that point they can choose to seek the truth or suppress it and they will become responsible for their “decision for Jesus”.  Acts 17 says that Jesus is not far from any of us… in Him we live and move and have our being.  Amen!

Answer: *Warning* long answer but worth the journey.  All scripture is included.

Following His crucifixion, and prior to His resurrection, Christ Jesus descended to a place in the heart of the earth known as Hades in the New Testament, or Sheol in the Old Testament.

At that time, there were two areas in Hades.  One area was known as Abraham’s Bosom (Paradise), and the other area was the area of the unsaved. (Luke 16: 19-26)

It was to Abraham’s Bosom (Paradise) that Christ Jesus descended to proclaim victory over sin and death on the cross of Calvary as the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Abraham’s Bosom (Paradise) was where Old Testament saints who had died  (people of faith in the one true and eternal God Jehovah) were held captive awaiting atonement of their sin debt.

When Christ Jesus ascended to heaven forty days after His resurrection, He took these Old Testament saints to heaven with Him. (Ephesians 4:8)  Paradise is now in heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

Jesus did not go into the area of the unrighteous dead when He descended to Hades, only into the area of the righteous dead (Abraham’s Bosom: Paradise.)

BELOW IS A SCRIPTURAL STUDY OF THE ABOVE EXPLAINATION

JESUS REVEALING HADES OR SHEOL AND ABRAHAM’S BOSOM
[19] “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. [20] And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, [21] who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, [23] and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. [24] And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ [25] But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ [27] And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house– [28] for I have five brothers –so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ [29] But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ [30] And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ [31] He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” – [Luke 16:19-31 ESV]

*the word Abraham’s side also translated Abraham’s bosom
*the word Hades is used here for the Hebrew word Sheol

WHERE WE GET THE IDEA THAT SHEOL IS IN THE HEART OF THE EARTH
For a fire is kindled by my anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol, devours the earth and its increase, and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains. -
[Deu 32:22 ESV]

So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. -
[Num 16:33 ESV]

Will it go down to the bars of Sheol? Shall we descend together into the dust?” – [Job 17:16 ESV]
O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. – [Psalm 30:3 ESV]

“If they dig into Sheol, from there shall my hand take them; if they climb up to heaven, from there I will bring them down. – [Amos 9:2 ESV]

*these above verses are 5 of the 63 verses with the reference to Sheol… all of them associate Sheol with words like down, the pit, under the earth, low, dark, grave, burry, dig etc.  Hence we draw the conclusion that Sheol is somehow in the Earth.  I especially like the first reference which can infer that the molten iron core at the center of the earth “that sets the foundations of the mountains on fire” ie magma or lava might be the source of the fire in Sheol fueled by God’s wrath.  Of course this is pure conjecture on my behalf, but I do like the imagery from the scripture in Deuteronomy links foundations of the mountains + fire + depths of the earth.  Sounds a lot like a piping hot molten core to me ;D
http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=sheol&t=ESV&sf=5 Here is a link for you to see the 63 verses on Blue Letter Bible.

JESUS DESCENDED INTO THE LOWER PARTS OF THE EARTH
[7] But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. [8] Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” [9] ( In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? [10] He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) – [Ephesians 4:7-10 ESV]

*Paul is quoting Psalm 68:18

PARADISE IS IN HEAVEN NOW AND SAINTS GO TO BE WITH JESUS NOW
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. [3] And I know that this man was caught up into paradise–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows– [4] and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. – [2 Corinthians 12:2-4 ESV]

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, [3] if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. [4] For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. [5] Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. [6] So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. [7] For we walk by faith, not by sight. [8] We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. – [2Corinthians 5:1-8 NKJV]

*the words Paul uses “the third-heaven” is the phrase used to denote height.  The idea here is that paradise is no longer in the depths of the earth with Sheol, but now in heaven with Jesus.  In the second reference Paul goes on to explain that while in our earthly bodies we are not in Christ’s full presence because our earthly bodies are corrupted and cannot go to heaven with us… but when this earthly body dies we will be present with the Lord having been translated into the glorious new bodies.  I will be buff!  Our mortality will be swallowed up by LIFE!!