Surrender, yes, infants definitely manifest selfish behaviour. But, I'm not sure about the idea that everyone is saved until they choose to be lost?

Will, what do you make of the idea that the unsaved will be punished according to their works? some receive more "stripes" than others?

Luke
12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes].
12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

EW 294
Satan rushes into the midst of his followers and tries to stir up the multitude to action. But fire from God out of heaven is rained upon them, and the great men, and mighty men, the noble, the poor and miserable, are all consumed together. I saw that some were quickly destroyed, while others suffered longer. They were punished according to the deeds done in the body. Some were many days consuming, and just as long as there was a portion of them unconsumed, all the sense of suffering remained. Said the angel, "The worm of life shall not die; their fire shall not be quenched as long as there is the least particle for it to prey upon." {EW 294.1}

Mike,
The end result is that all unrepentant sinners will suffer that are cast into the lake of fire. Ideas of lightly punished sins make it easier for people to feel safe in telling little lies to get by, or to maybe sort of cheat on taxes cause they know better than God.
The end does not justify the means i.e. lightly burnt to a crust for evil world dictators vs others who will be instantly burned for tax evasion.
I personally would much rather prefer not to even be close to the heat, but enjoying eternity with Christ.
God Bless,
Will

Will, I'm having trouble understanding your point. I assume you agree with this statement:

quote:

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God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man (SC 30).

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Even without the inspired quote, this concept is patently obvious. Lusting after a woman in one's heart is not the same as committing adultery with her. Being angry at someone is not the same as killing them. They are the same in principle, and are the same in the fact that they are sins, but are quite different in degree. It takes a great deal more healing to be rescued from the sin of murder than from the sin of anger.

I'm really having trouble understanding how your view coincides with this:

quote:

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God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man (SC 30).

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Plus, it's clear to anyone who has lost a loved one by murder or who has been "adultered" against that murder/anger lust/adultery are worlds apart. Or to anyone who has committed these sins. The sin of adultery requires much more healing than the sin of lust. Both require healing, however.

My view is based on the Bible. Whether it coincides, is contradictory to what Sister White says is completely immaterial and carries zero weight. If her writings are in contradiction to the Bible then choose the Bible. She said it herself. If you find that her words are infallible because the same Spirit that inspired her also inspired the writers of the Bible, then I suggest looking at it in a much broader scope and realizing that hell was made for the devil and his angels, God doesn't want to destroy the wicked sinners on this earth, but to instead turn away, and if you don't you will find yourself with a rather rude awakening. Its that easy.
God Bless,
Will

I'm looking at the bigger picture. being cheated on by a spouse is very sad, having a spouse that is flirtatious is just as bad if not worse. Still the person is adulterous and it is sin. A murder acts out the hatred physically, and you can hate someone where you kill them in your mind. The common thread is that your heart was in that place. The end result if you dont repent and are converted is going to be... destruction in a physical lake of fire that is going to be very very hot. There will be gnashing of teeth also. Whether you are a church leader who watered down the Gospel to have people live in sin, or are a cannibal in north america. The wages of sin is death.
God Bless,
Will