The 96th Thesis

In the end, people will not be saved or lost based on their guilt or innocence – contrary to popular opinions about that matter. Never mind the traditions of centuries of theologians insisting that God is dealing out rewards and punishments based on performance criteria. Everyone is guilty and no, we are not made innocent or even pardoned because of what Jesus did, at least for God's sake. The reason is that our problem with God is not a legal one to start with but a problem of trust. That is why arguing about guilt or innocence is barking up the wrong tree. This legal mentality infiltrated Christian theology hundreds of years after Jesus left and has led millions into fear and confusion as a result.
People have mistaken assumptions about their status with God rooted in the idea of 'deserving'. We think we deserve certain things as rewards for good behavior. And we are sure that certain others deserve severe punishment for their bad behaviors. But we can earn neither arbitrary rewards nor punishments in God's system. That notion is all rooted in the subtle psychology of the counterfeit system and is nonsense in the eyes of heaven.
Jesus made it very clear what the criteria was for living with Him for eternity. It is not our performance or earnings or deserving but rather the quality of our personal relationship with Him. Again, contrary to popular mistaken opinions, our problem lies not in what God thinks about us but is rather in our mistaken beliefs and fears about Him. Only those who are willing to radically change their minds about who God is and how He feels about them can be transformed to be ready to live close to Him free of all resistance.

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