Does every person receive the Holy Spirit and decide of their own free will to follow the light?
If they do not, and truly then have no reason to believe God's word is true, how can those that live a moral but non-Christian life be sent to eternal damnation? Is there nothing we can do without receiving salvation through Christ to be a 'good' person?
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Asked January 14 2014
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Anonymous
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Vin Smith
The actual core query here is a question that very few people are willing to ask! Here it is: "I am confused! It seems to me--dare I say it--that salvation is a bit elitist... Like God has a special flock, and if I am an outsider...well... Bye bye salvation!
The problem is that those who preach the gospel do not always emphasize the prodigal son-nature of mankind! For every child who remains on the straight and narrow, there are many more who
stray from God part of their lives.
But the Lord is steadfast in pursuit!
2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
God does not forget those who stray. He is also aware of all who have never been exposed to his message of love! God knows each and every child He has created! He knows how to give each one of us an invitation for everlasting life!
"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
"...That still small voice! (1 Kings 19:12)
"The Son of man came to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10)
"I have found my sheep which was lost. (Luke 15:6)
Sam Boateng
On the first point I believe receiving the Holy Spirit at Salvation is different from the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. But both can also happen at the same time frame. The Holy Spirit helps convict you unto repentance and faith towards our Lord Jesus and give you power over your life as in John 1:12. Baptism of the Holy Spirit brings about the call to ministry, for effective witnessing and Power to deal with issue concerning others.