Anathema Maranatha

"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." (I Cor. 16: 22)

What shall the destiny be for those who do not love God or Christ? Paul says they shall be "accursed" ('anathema'). Dr. Gill says that "anathema maranatha" means "let him be anathema in the coming of our Lord." He says that it is a reference to "the second coming of Christ to judgment, when all the wicked of the earth shall be accursed by him, and all such that love him not will be bid to depart from him." But, the Hardshells teach that many of the called do not love God, do not know and love Christ, and yet will be finally blessed with salvation.

"Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me." (John 8: 42)

This is another verse that destroys hardshellism, for hardshellism teaches that not all those who are children of God, who have God as their Father, believe in or love Christ. But, Jesus plainly says that if one is a child of God, then he will love Christ. If a man does not love Christ, then he reveals the fact that he is not a child of God. Ask any Hardshell this question - "do all the regenerate love Christ?" They will say "no." But, what does Jesus say? Can a man love one without cognition? Can he love sub-consciously and unknowingly?

(Taken From The Gospel - The Means of Grace XII - here)