We rely on language to convey our experiences, and the Bible also uses words to articulate our experiences. The challenge lies in not simply equating our personal experiences with what the Bible outlines. The key to spiritual growth is not just using biblical language to describe our experiences, but rather understanding the full context of the words used in the Bible to accurately portray our experiences. This is my approach - interpreting and connecting biblical words in a way that provides a genuine depiction of our experiences.

The root cause of all our troubles can be traced back to the presence of anger, which stemmed from the curse that God imposed on humanity following the fall into sin. This curse, a manifestation of God's anger, disrupted our ability to find peace within ourselves, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, sorrow, and anxiety. This burden of negative emotions further separated us from God, hindering our capacity to respond with love to His anger. As a result, our anger is often directed both outwardly towards others and inwardly towards ourselves, manifesting as a desire for revenge or self-inflicted harm.

Some theologians argue that guilt can be beneficial as it serves as a response to moral laws, prompting individuals to turn to Christ for redemption. However, it is disingenuous to claim that one can grow through this process without experiencing guilt. In reality, individuals often deflect guilt onto others and only truly confront their own wrongdoing when faced with devastating consequences. Discussions about the necessary level of guilt or shame required for spiritual conversion are ultimately futile.

The futility of blaming others lies in the dual nature of God's actions towards mankind. While God has indeed cursed humanity with guilt, he has also cursed those who engage in blame. This apparent contradiction raises the question of how God can condemn sin while also punishing those who blame others. However, it is important to understand that God, in his wisdom, found a way to address this issue by personally dealing with the problem on behalf of certain individuals.

How did God eliminate the blame and curse on certain individuals? Was it solely accomplished through Christ's work? Not quite. He also prohibited individuals from approaching Him on their own terms. By placing angels with flaming swords around the tree of life, God ensured that no one could access it according to their own desires. Redemption was not just offered by God, but He also made it unattainable for individuals to approach Him autonomously.

If a person is inherently inclined towards universalism, then suggesting that someone should be chosen by God as part of the elect implies that their own judgment is superior to that of God's, who may have chosen for that person to die in their sin for reasons beyond human understanding. This problematic mindset diminishes the greatness of God by confining Him to human limitations. The apostle addresses this issue by emphasizing that salvation is not achieved through human efforts or desires, but through God's mercy alone. The apostle also reminds us that God operates on a pure and unwavering line between blessing and cursing, without making exceptions based on human preferences.

Why does God appear to be stern? It is because He is aware that the curse still holds power over us. God understands that if we were to take matters into our own hands, we would struggle to overcome our deep-seated anger. Ultimately, we would be cursing ourselves. Deep down, we would continue to question and doubt God's judgement. This underlying lack of trust is at the root of our struggles in addressing the curse within ourselves and in the world. I have elaborated on this concept extensively in my teachings on embracing the unknown.