Universalism is not a new theology. It is largely based on verses such as 1 Corinthians 15:14-22 - verse 22: For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.And Romans 5:12-18 - verse 18: Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
We can see where this idea is coming from based on a selection of versus standing alone. But we can also see where Scripture gives us a basis for understanding this. We have the obvious John 3:16-18, but more poignantly , we have John 3:36 – He that believes the Son has eternal life: and he that does not believe the Son, shall not see life.
And of course we have Jesus' conversation is Nicodemus, unless you are born again, you can not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We can see other similar verses, John 5:24, Ephesians 2:1-6, Colossians 2:12-13. Romans 10:9-13, Acts 16:30-31, Romans 3:22, Galatians 3:26 all say that it is by faith that we receive him.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them he gave to right to become the sons of God, even to those that believe on his name. Children not from a women, not the purposes of natural man, nor of a man, but born from God.
Some will still argue this is automatically imputed in the New Covenant. But the Word is clear this is by faith and if were automatically imputed, then everyone would also automatically have faith in Jesus.
This universalism has evolved into more mainstream theology, especially in the charismatic circles. This growing form of universalism has developed into the idea that Christ, is within everyone already, and they only need to be awakened to it. You will often see terms such as the Divine spark or Light and that all posses it, and their conscious just needs to be awakened to God already in them.
This can sound right, because it is still Christ centered. And I won't suggest that people coming to Christ this way, can not have an actual encounter with Jesus and receive him as their savior. You can't awaken to the Light inside you except you are born again, unless you believe you can accidentally be born again as a by product. But John 1:12 is clear, it must be received. There is a difference between being in Christ and Christ in you. (click for post).
So the problem is the premise. And it can give both the allusion and illusion that every road leads to God, that the Light is there, regardless of whether you look to Jesus, Buddha, Mohamed or no god at all.
The premise starts with something that is Scripturally untrue. No one automatically has His Spirit in them, or they would be reflecting Him before they even knew they were supposed to. The Spirit of God is transformative by nature.
2 Corinthians 5:17 If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away and all things are new.
Galatians 5:20 I am crucified with Christ; but I live, not I but Christ lives in me.
2 Corinthians 3:16 But when we turn to the Lord, the veil is removed. 18: All of us, who have no veil over our face, reflect the Lord's splendor. Being transformed into the same image.
Some might argue, the veil is lifted when their consciousness is awakened to the Light already inside them. But Ephesians 5:8 says you were once in the dark, but now you are in the Lord's light. Verse 13 everything that is brought to light is revealed by the light....
John 1:5 And the light shines in darkness, and the darkness did not suppress it.
So if everyone automatically had the Light of Christ within them, they would not be in darkness. Their consciousness wouldn't have to play catch up. His Spirit, Life and Light are part and parcel.
1 John 1:5-6 God is light, there is no darkness in him at all. If we say we are in partnership with him, but are living our lives in darkness, we are lying and we are not acting in the way truth demands.
Someone can not be in darkness, with His Light inside them, just waiting for their consciousness to be awakened to it. We have to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of Christ, who is the Light of the world.
John 20:22 And having said that, He breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit”.
And if that's not enough to satisfy the question at hand, let's look a final Scripture that says it plainly.
John speaking of the New Jerusalem:
Revelation 21:27 And nothing unclean will ever enter it, now will anyone who deos anything unclean or anything which is an abomination or false. The only ones who will enter it are those whose names have been written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Revelation 22:14-15 Happy are those who wash their clothes so that they may have access to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside the city are the shameless, sorcerers, pornographers, murders, idol worshippers, and all those who love and practice deceit.
So there are those outside the gate who can not/do not enter; not everyone is automatically in the Kingdom of God.