God will save all men

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
God would like to help all people (even the worst, the weakest and most miserable) and bring them to a perfect knowledge of the truth. He does this, first, by changing “hearts of stone” into “hearts of flesh” and, secondly, by giving those who obey him a new spirit within them, who empowers to walk according to his divine statutes. (Ezekiel 11:19) And as soon as the Holy Spirit can pour the love of God into a heart, we have the necessary help to overcome sin and be led into all the truth. This is the good news (the gospel) which Jesus proclaimed, especially through “the sermon on the mount” which he concludes by saying:
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)
People dream of pleasure, joy, happiness, health, but above all of great wealth. They enjoy company, friendships and also (though more rarely today) their parents, spouses and children; But above all they appreciate themselves, without realizing that it is precisely this self-love that makes them unhappy. That is why Jesus proposes to the multitude that followed him to become blessed by following him on the narrow path that leads to the Kingdom of heaven; this new and living way that leads to justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. That is why he says:
If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:26)
Thus he who believes the words of Christ, renounces everything, hates everything and follows him as a Master wherever he goes will learn the obedience of faith. (Romans 1:5) But those who hesitate to fulfill the requirements will receive nothing, for Jesus says:
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27)
Many believers imagine themselves Christians because they frequent a Christian church or assembly; but are they also Christ’s disciples? Do they live in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit? Do not true disciples attach themselves to the teaching of Christ, and learn from him to become gentle and humble of heart and to be transformed into the same image from glory to glory?
What does it mean to “bear his own cross” if not, to hate himself and rather die than live according to his own will? They are those who are tired, laden and sad about themselves, who suffer under a heavy burden, which Jesus invites to follow him with this promise:
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matthew 7:8)
The one who knocks on this door which is Jesus (John 10:9) opens the narrow path that leads, beyond green pastures, to the kingdom of heaven. The sooner one repents of the vain thoughts and the sins committed, no longer living like pagans according to the desires of the flesh, the better it is for the rest of life. Jesus really thinks what he says:
So then, none of you can be my disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. (Luke 14:33)
In other words, it is enough for us to fulfill these conditions in order to receive the ability and competence to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, become happy, live a life of victory over sin and be able to bear witness that the words of Jesus Christ are truth.
To renounce everything does not mean, as some believers imagine humanly, that one must leave all earthly things (business, homes, families, etc.) and move into a monastery, even to live as a hermit. No, to renounce everything simply means not to consider earthly things as belonging to us and to behave like mere stewards and faithful housekeepers of God. In the manner in which the believers live, it is often easy to perceive which among them love the world and the things that are in the world, and which have a heart full of love for others, and those whose hearts are filled with love for others, and who in words and works do all things with gratitude in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The daily life of the saints and faithful testifies to what extent the words of Jesus, especially those of the Sermons on the Mount, have become a reality or not. It is evident that Jesus' disciples do not speak empty words and are neither hypocrites nor liars. Through the teaching in the school of Christ, they have learned to believe, to understand and realize that all things work together for their good. (Romans 8:28) And in spite of the many tribulations, trials and temptations of life, they become not only happier, but also receive grace to help those who listen to them to become blessed in turn. They follow in the footsteps of Christ and are thankful for the example he has left them. (1 Peter 2:21)
Nothing can overwhelm the disciple's courage; on the contrary, their strength is renewed day by day. The afflictions they endure produce an unsurpassable weight of eternal glory, surpassing all that can be imagined. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) They can unanimously testify:
But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter3:13)
But now the question remains: When Jesus comes back, what faith will he find on earth? Is it the faith in the existence of God? Is it faith that Christ will take with him all those who believe in forgiveness of sins (but continue to live in sin)? Or is it the faith in victory over all the sin of those who live or die in the expectation of its coming?
The dwelling that God holds for us in heaven depends not only on what Jesus has done for us, but also on the way in which we have become part of Christ's salvation, and lived according to our knowledge of the truth. The Word of God says:
As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. This is the promise which He Himself made to us: Eternal life. (1 John 2:24-25)

K. Woerlen