The pastor employed tight logic to make his point about who gets to enjoy eternity with God after death. A simple 3-component syllogism (2 reasons leading to an assertion or conclusion) could summarize his core teaching.
Here is the syllogism with just the minor premise. (When we don’t explicitly articulate any of the 3 parts of the syllogism, we have an enthymeme).
Premise 2 went like this:
P1
P2 – I’ve led a horrible life of evil that would shock you if you knew
C – Therefore, I …….
What I found interesting was that the conclusion would vary depending on the first or major premise!
What possibilities exist? There might be more than these 2, but let’s look at the polar opposites:
- All those whose performances and record on Earth meet God’s standard are ushered into heaven with God
- All those who ‘call upon the name of the Lord’ (Romans 10:13) are ushered into heaven with God
Do you see what I mean? The pastor’s point was that the one who despairs that his wicked, wasted past has totally disqualified him from a forever life of fellowship with God doesn’t understand the Biblical God. And if he insists that his past is too dark and unworthy actually puts HIS despair and past in the sovereign place of God as being supreme. It’s arrogant to insist on one’s ability to trump God.
God has so set up the ‘system’ that only those who accept His offer of mercy as a gift are welcome. That way, no one can take credit for either
a) being sorry enough for one’s past
b) being good enough to qualify for Heaven
The pastor’s encouraging sermon grew out of this syllogism:
P1 – All those who call upon the name (the character) of the Lord, regardless of their past shall be saved
P2 – Even though I am wicked beyond measure, I am calling on God to save me.
C – Therefore, God will welcome me into His Eternal Kingdom
May you find rest for your soul this Easter, based on both his sinless life and the righteous work that Jesus did on the cross. He has paid for those evil thoughts and deeds of His children and God and met every standard of righteousness during his time on earth. Therefore, God is just to embrace those who take up His righteous offer of mercy. Be at peace!
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