All Roads Lead To God?

Eccl 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. KJV

Many years ago I was having a discussion with my supervisor during naval reserve training. I was still a young Christian and he wanted me to donate to a cause for children sponsored by a group that claimed to be Christian, but I did not believe that it was Christian. He got a bit upset and I tried to explain to him that while I was all for helping children I could not give in good conscience to that group. I was not as erudite as I am now and a lively discussion ensued.

At some point, he made a comment that all roads lead to God and made a reference to this verse. Again, being very young in Christ, though in bible college at the time, I had to believe that God helped me in my ignorance. I asked him to lend me a pencil. He took one out of his drawer and I wrote something down and gave it back to him. I asked him what he was going to do with it. He said put it back in the drawer. I asked him to give it back to me. I scribbled on the page, broke the point and then broke the pencil in several pieces. I gave it back and asked what he was going to do with it now and he promptly tossed the pieces in the trash. Yes, he was a bit puzzled and I was glad he did not get mad.

I told him that both times he had given me the pencil and both times it was returned. What he did with it was determined by the condition of the pencil when it returned. The first time it was still able to be used and you planned on keeping it. The second time it was no longer useful and you threw it in the trash. The spirit does indeed return to God who gave it. No matter what you believe or do you will ultimately stand before God so in that sense all roads lead to God. The issue is what will He do with the spirit when He gets it back?

If that spirit was born again by faith in Christ's death, burial and resurrection for the payment of his/her sins then even though it may return used and with teeth marks, a broken point and half an eraser God will keep it with Him eternally. He will completely remake it. If however, that spirit returns without having its sins forgiven in Christ then no matter how it may have beautified itself with a paint job, engravings, encrusted jewels, a special eraser and making sure it had a fine sharp point it will be from God's perspective the same as the pencil I returned to you in pieces. He will then take and throw it in the trash can called Hell. Well, the conversation ended after that with him disagreeing with me but the subject of the donation was also done.

The question remains for all spirits/souls. You will meet God, but what will be the outcome of that meeting? Saint, if you arrive battered and broken after a life in service to Him you will be accepted in the Beloved and changed from a mortal, corruptible pencil into a immortal, incorruptible writing utensil that God will use forever. Unbeliever, you will also be given an immortal, incorruptible frame but you will be tossed into Hell where the memories of all you wrote in your lifetime will be rewritten throughout eternity in your mind as part of the punishment of Hell. You will remember everything in detail including every opportunity Christ gave you to have your sins blotted out and your name written in His book of life. Why go there? He wants to save you from yourself and forgive you. Hell was only designed for satan and his minions, but if you reject grace there is nothing left but judgment. Why spend eternity in a place with those that always hated you when you can be with the One who has always loved you. Write a new page in your life so that when you get to the end of the road you will be treasured instead of trashed. Maranatha!!!