However, the second option is impossible as St Paul continued to write in the next chapter, Romans 3
Romans 3:9-26 ESV [9] What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, [10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; [11] no one understands; no one seeks for God. [12] All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” [13] “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” [14] “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” [15] “Their feet are swift to shed blood; [16] in their paths are ruin and misery, [17] and the way of peace they have not known.” [18] “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” [19] Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. [20] For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. [21] But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— [22] the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
lutillian@sh.itjust.works 8 months ago
Holy shit, a Christian who actually stidies the Bible… You’re basically a unicorn.
Romans 2:14;15 is my favorite thing to point out to the you’re going to hell because you’re not a Christian crowd. So baby of them like to preach that God is all loving and good and then are so quick to point out that because they pay lip service to their faith that they get to go to heaven and everyone else goes to hell despite them being obviously terrible people.
I like to think there are a lot more like you and your type just tends to be the silent majority because it let’s me keep some faith in humanity…
mods_are_assholes@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I’ve really wanted a reformation for a long time, and that other yahoo replying to you really illustrates why.
There are far too many who call themselves Christian that actively spread hate for the people that Jesus spoke most in compassion about, the poor and sick, the criminal and foreigner.
If more people actually read the Bible, as you point out how few there are, then maybe that change could get started.
Have the best week!
Flax_vert@feddit.uk 8 months ago
This is true! So many spread hate and try and use Christianity as a vector for that.
However, what you provided was still unbiblical. The fact of the matter is, EVERYONE is equally sinful. No matter of sexual orientation, past doings, etc. For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. A pious priest is no more deserving of heaven than a satanist. a charity worker is no more deserving of heaven than a mass murderer. It’s through Jesus that we are redeemed. And only Him. Salvation is a free gift which isn’t related to works, but to your heart attitude towards God and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Atonement.
Flax_vert@feddit.uk 8 months ago
You have to cut off the rest of Romans, though, to reach that conclusion.
Romans 3:9-26 ESV [9] What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, [10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; [11] no one understands; no one seeks for God. [12] All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” [13] “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” [14] “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” [15] “Their feet are swift to shed blood; [16] in their paths are ruin and misery, [17] and the way of peace they have not known.” [18] “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” [19] Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. [20] For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. [21] But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— [22] the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
And Jesus Himself said
John 14:6 ESV [6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Mark 16:16 ESV [16] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Universalism is a lie, unfortunately. And it’s a dangerous lie.