>>> I have a wonderful relative. He wanted to be a priest. Went to seminary and changed — now an agnostic, but a wonderful humanitarian.
>>> My relative goes to hell and they don’t?
If your relative truly gave his life to Jesus, then it doesn’t matter what is going on right now. If his name was ever in the Lamb’s book of life, it will never be removed.
This is a separate issue from what your relative will have to give an account for on current actions or beliefs. He will most likely suffer much loss of reward... but he will still be in heaven.
The sins of Hillary and Bill Clinton have already been paid for, just as the sins of your relative have been paid for.
Receiving that gift is their own choice. How is that not fair?
If your relative truly gave his life to Jesus, then it doesn’t matter what is going on right now. If his name was ever in the Lamb’s book of life, it will never be removed.
Sorry, to disappoint you, but this isn’t Scriptural.
Following up on what you’re saying, I recall in Scripture of a man who accepted Jesus as his Savior, but after that he did nothing at all for the Lord.
He still went to Heaven, but when it came time to hand out the rewards, ‘there were tears’. I assume they were tears of shame and regret.
I cannot quote book, line or verse, but I know it is in the New Testament. One of Paul’s Epistles I think.
‘Receiving that gift is their own choice. How is that not fair?’
It’s not just a matter of hearing the Word, it’s a matter of hearing it WELL.
Some never hear it, some hardly hear it, and some never truly get to hear it with the proper emphasis.
In the case of my relative, he stood among theologians who knew doctrine, etc — it HURT his faith. He walked in a Christian and walked out an agnostic.