The Dogma Does Not Want Humanity To Know About Divine Law
An unfortunate fault with the "be saved or be damned" dogma is that the retribution-and-reward aspect of the inviolable Law of Consequences is disguised and made of non-effect.
The pedantic Fundamentalist claim that a soul is saved by faith (in what really is a belief in a metaphysical concept) which they have derived from words in the Bible in conjunction with their own experiences with the supernormal activities of the Spirit. In their concept, they claim the soul is saved by faith and not by works. But, in this context, their faith is not actually in God (which would then enable them to work out their own salvation by God's grace), but rather their faith is in a concept, i.e. that the Master was a human sacrifice which makes them "saved" and instantly perfect if they just believe in such a concept.
This does not of course mean that the Literalists do not place faith in God, but rather their faith in salvation (their concept of salvation) pivots completely around accepting that a human sacrifice was made by Jesus to enable them to be made perfect (simply on the basis of acceptance of that fact without anything else, namely 'works', being involved). The pedant claims that 'works' cannot bring salvation at all, but it is faith in the acceptance of a single concept derived from a single event which in fact brings them salvation.
However, the Literalists either conveniently or unwittingly ignore the many statements in the Sacred Record which assert the opposite to their belief. Many Biblical statements tell us that we must "work out our own salvation" (Phil.2:12), and that we do indeed develop spiritually or involve according to our works. For instance, here are some statements which show this quite clearly i.e. that there is an inviolable and unalterable Law of Consequences which demonstrates the pure wisdom behind the "Golden Rule": "Do to others as you would have done to yourself", and indeed, "love others as you would be loved by others"...
Divine Law
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven...For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Luke 6:37"...be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows that he shall also reap..."
Gal.6:7"...every man's work shall be made manifest...if any man's work abide...he shall receive a reward. If any man's work be burned (destroyed) he shall suffer loss..."
1 Cor.3:13-15"...that everyone may receive the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
2 Cor.5:10"...God will render to every man according to his deeds..."
Rom.2:6"For he that does a wrong shall receive the wrong he has done, there is no favouritism"
Col.3:25"...The Son of man...shall reward every man according to his works..."
Matt.16:27"...And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work/labour (ergon) ..."
1 Peter 1:17"...And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man as his work shall be."
Rev.22:12"...dead were judged according to their works..."
Rev.20:12
The Bible teaches that every action produced has an equal consequence, good or bad. But the teachers do not teach it. If they did teach it then this world would have become a haven of peace by now because humanity would have consciousness of the effects of its own selfishness.
Dogmatic teachings that put doctrine before character development have misunderstood the meaning and purpose of religion.
As for the "everlasting punishment" doctrine where the majority of good people spend eternity in Hell for failing to accept a metaphysical concept, this is also a slur upon the God who is Love Itself. Jesus did not come to save just a few, but He died for the whole "world". The hells are a remedial pruning ground for those who live against the laws of God ('aionion kolasin', as spoken by our Lord in Matthew 25:46 = 'age-long pruning' or 'age-lasting chastisement' and not the 'everlasting punishment' favoured by the Fundamentalist). But Christ will seek the lost sheep until it is found. Certainly Christ strenuously warns about the abuse of the freewill and the consequences of opposing to the laws of God, knowing the anguish which the soul must undergo in the hells of man's own making. But this does not mean that the hells are everlasting or that God creates life only to allow it never to be saved in all eternity.
God is not a deranged magistrate desiring to send good and decent people to an everlasting torture chamber, but rather He has tried over and over again to save man from the consequences of violating those most merciful laws which He brought into being for the raising up and guiding of His children. The laws cannot be changed, they are based on Love and Love is the Source of all Life. The Literalists should come back into the Fold of Truth instead of diminishing the protection afforded to His children by the warnings about the consequences of violating the laws of Love.
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