If Everyone Gets Saved, Why Preach?

Critics of the greater hope have often asked some similar question to this. If everyone is saved, then why would the wicked want to leave their wickedness? Or, hey, let’s party on. Everything’s gonna work out!

First, I want to address the misconception that Universalists teach there is no Lake of Fire, no judgment, nothing to fear, God is only cuddly love and will bring everyone safely into the comfort of his embrace.
The only thing about judgment that Christian Universalists disagree with is its eternality!

Ps 94:10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

God is in the business of chastening all those He loves. Look around you, everyone is getting chastening even now in this life. Chastening takes on many forms, sickness, weakness, frustration, heartache, wounds, loss, even death. Family issues, imprisonment, war, the list goes on and on. Some turn at God’s reproofs, others don’t. When we turn to Him we begin to get to know Him. This is aionios life. Some will go to the final reproof of the grave where they will come face to face with the reality of their own foolishness. It appears that some will have a change of heart, just like Jonah did. Just like the rich man, but then they must serve their time. Mt 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. When they have paid the uttermost farthing, the implication here is, they shall come out. They were objects of wrath. They went through the discipline necessary to shape their free wills to choose to willingly submit to Jesus, who has saved them, though as if by fire.

God not only judges the wicked, but he also judges the believers. Ah, this we don’t like to hear but it is true. God is no respector of persons. Ac 10:34

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
1Sa 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
Re 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

God forbid that we should take lightly God’s warnings of judgment, only because they aren’t infinite! What foolishness that would be!
God’s judgments are right and just. He disciplines the son in whom he delights. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.God’s judgments are real, they are fearsome, they are a form of encouragement to good works, but more so for those who believe than those who don’t. When we preach the contradictory message of an unchanging God of Love who will one day hate most of His children, we give excuse to many to not believe and benefit from the laws of God. God does not need our help in motivating sinners to come to Him by adding to His word, making His judgments infinite when they are proportioned to the sin.

Lu 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Christian, if these words are disconcerting to you, cheer up, after you are judged for your deeds you will be delivered into perfection in Christ. Now does this make you want to indulge in a life style that is displeasing to God? Or would this encourage you to be obedient and share the Good News with others?
Those who truly know Him, have a greater hope. If we judge ourselves, we shall not be judged. If we die to ourselves we shall experience the fullest life. If we forgive everyone who has offended us, we shall be forgiven. If we do not deny Him before men, He will not deny us before His father.

If we serve the Lord out of fear, our service will not bring the joy and peace that serving Him brings when it is motivated by love. Perfect love casts out fear. The child who willingly serves a good father out of love, has joy and peace but no fear, whereas a child who serves His father out of fear, has no peace or joy. Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.. If we serve our heavenly Father motivated by love, we enter the Kingdom, we receive the rewards of righteousness, peace and joy, but if we serve Him out of fear, where are we? 1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We consequently remain in torment when motivated by fear. When we know the love of Christ which passes knowledge.

Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.