A Salvation Debate

by Gary DeVaney

Composite scenario

Clergy: For you to get into Heaven, God had to have written your name into His Book of Life long before the World was formed. If your name is not found in there, you cannot get into Heaven. You are destined for Hell. If your name is in God’s Book of Life, no Satan nor any man can pull you out of God’s hand. You will get to Heaven.

Question: Mr. Clergy, are you sure that you are in God’s Book of Life?

Clergy: Absolutely! I am an elect! I am saved! Praise God!

Question: Do you think I am in there?

Clergy: No! Because you wrote a website criticizing God, you cannot be in there. You are destined for Hell.

Question: If I’m not in God’s Book of Life, what difference does it make what I do or don’t do? Under these written rules of the Elect, I’m lost due to pre-destination, a stacked deck.

Clergy: No! You have to be saved.

Question: How can you have it both ways?

Clergy: Faith! All things are possible through God. Don’t think, use logic or reason. Repent! Have faith! Obey! Worship! Be a slave to God and a bride of Jesus Christ!

Question: Aren’t you promoting a slave mentality?

Clergy: You are not with The Holy Spirit. You are going to Hell! I’ll pray for you.

Question: By praying for me, are you presuming to improve God’s business? Aren’t you assuming that God doesn’t know what He is doing? Do you presume to know what’s better for me than what God has pre-ordained for me to serve Him for His pleasure?

Clergy: All I know is that I’m going to Heaven and you are going to Hell.

Question: What would you have me do if my going to Hell pleases God?

Clergy: Repent! Join my church. Support God and my ministry. Pay tithes and Jesus will wash away your sins with His precious blood.

GWD: I will not support nor promote a fixed or unfair game. I’ll pass. I prefer to be a thinking and knowing human being rather than a faithful, believing puppet.