There's a reason it's called faith. No one said it was easy, nor that everything (or anything for that matter) is cut and dry, black and white. I think like someone said in this thread, the very fact we strive to know and understand more is a good sign. I know my intentions for questioning, wondering, and even sometimes doubting, but in the end, I'm comfortable knowing my faith is growing.
Herein lies the answer to your questions Jeff. Plain and simple. We are given commands to obey, and if we don't do (strive to do) Gods Word, well that makes us disobedient. There is more to it than just believing, to get into heaven. Its all in the book, and you will find it. I know you will.
Then you're calling God a liar, Bobby. He tells me over and over....if I believe, I'm "in". I guess you know better. Remember my "class-envy" talk from a while back? Thanks for proving me right.
I hear what your saying. But how disobedient do we have to be? Whats the cut off? How strong is the blood of Christ? Is it strong enough to cover all of our sins, or just some? These are questions Christians should wrestle with daily.
Jeff, if that is the only part of the Bible we need, to make heaven, then the rest of it is written for nothing. Anyone can believe. You really need to read the rest of the story. I am in no wise saying these things in a condescending way. And the Class Envy thing is not a part of my life at all. I know what the Word says about respect of persons, and I also know what it says about judging trees by the fruit they bear. It is all really quite black and white "to me". Good luck. God bless.
I used to wrestle with this BC, until I realized how true it is that we must "live a repented life". I always thought we only had to repent once and we were done. Now I know, from studying the Word, we must daily repent, because we daily sin. The blood of Christ is strong enough to cover them all, but He said we must humble ourselves and repent, or else we are not forgiven. On the "How obedient do we have to be?" question, the answer lies in the Word. Jesus said "Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them...". That is what is required. To do what He says. If we fail, we have an advocate. We can ask for forgiveness. I also strongly believe we should never sin just because we can ask for forgiveness. God knows our thoughts and the intent of our hearts.
I believe very much in God. The existence of a spiritual presence that created and supersedes the laws of nature, the universe, and eternity seems self evident. I have also been personally aware of the spiritual side of existence if I needed any further proof. But the grandpa in the sky concept doesn't quite work for me.
So Bobby....is the murderer who repents on the table, just before getting his lethal injection.......going to Heaven? I mean....based on what you "know".....is he?
The thief on the cross did ... right before he died ... Jesus told him, "Today you will be with me in Paradise" You got it right, Jeff. Now for those of us that have given our lives to Christ and have NOT died yet ... we are a new creation ... old things have passed away, behold all things have become new....
I dont know? If that makes any kind of sense, but I would lean more toward NO. Faith has not been with me for a while now. I can say though, there was a time in my life when I had no doubt about my relationship with the Lord but like anything in life when someone or something gives you reason to doubt than thats usually what happens. I would love for myself and all us non-believers to be wrong. Maybe at another time in my life this question gets a different answer.
So what happens to the tens of thousands of people who are never ever even introduced to the word??? Hell?? Wait, maybe they follow a different religion much, much older than christianity. Whos to say one religion is right and one is wrong. Not all religions can be right, but all can be wrong.
Yes, without a doubt. It wasn't always that way. Some of you know a bit about my past. It was pretty dark. I made bad decisions that led down some dark and troubling roads. There were times I close to death, both from my own actions and the actions of others. I have been shot at, stabbed, ODed, alcohol poisoning, been to prison, car wrecks, ass whoopings, you name it I was there. I never thought I would live to see 30. My older brother Stephen Goodrich died by his own hand after murdering two people in a drug deal gone bad. You can google it, put in his name and Deltona Florida, the story will come up. I used to run and gun with him regularly. By the time that happened I had turned my life to Christ and just wasn't the same person. I know God is there because he released me from hell. All I had to do was accept His son as my Lord and Savior. I am amazed on a daily basis, and thank God daily for the transformation in my life. I never thought I could be a loving, responsible, father and husband. I am a good employee and a supervisor at work. Today I KNOW there is a God. No doubt! Here is the story about Steve. I have often wondered why the drugs that were present are not mentioned in any news story. I spoke to his girlfriend that night. there was over an ounce of coke involved. Man Kills 2, Then Shoots Himself By Purvette A. Bryant, Sentinel Staff Writer, September 20, 2001 DELTONA -- Two men were shot to death Wednesday when an apparently jealous man went on a rampage with a 12-gauge shotgun and then turned the gun on himself, authorities said. Stephen D. Goodrich, 41, the suspected gunman in the slayings, was found by neighbors, lying fatally wounded in the driveway at 1096 Prescott Blvd., near his red Camaro. Volusia County deputy sheriffs think Goodrich killed himself after shooting two Deltona men inside the house in what may have been a racially motivated crime.
Very good question. God only knows. God did not provide a clear cut answer to the question in His word. None. That is the great thing about our God. He will never completely reveal Himself (or all of His ways) to us. If He did, we would have no reason to seek to know Him more. That would cause us to become high-minded and prideful. This was before the the dispensation of grace was started (new covenant). And besides that, Jesus can do whatever He wants. One thing is for certain, He will never do anything that is against His own Word. Yep, and we that have been born again know full well that the old nature has been buried with Him in baptism. When it does pop up, speaking of the old nature, and it will pop up, we must repent. (Or else we are trampling under foot the precious blood of Christ and it was shed for naught)
I pray for forgivness for my past. I have done many things that would keep me out of Heaven. If my past transgressions mean I don't make it that is OK with me. The life I have been blessed with today, and being released from the hell I was in is reward enough. I do however believe I am forgiven and will enter the Kingdom.
One thing I do know is YOU are going to heaven. If a man of your character does not get in, I do not want in. I mean that, I think that highly of you.
I think a big stumbling block is using the word "belief". There's a hug difference between believing in Jesus, and making him Lord over your life. The Devil and his demons believe in Jesus, and I personally don't think they will be found in the Kingdom of God. Believing in Jesus is the easy part. Letting him get his way in your life.... that's where it gets messy.... I also don't think He has a check list that he consults on the day of judgment. I "believe" he knows us all, to the depths of our souls. He knows who'll be there and who won't. That's going to have to be good enough for me. I hope I'm there. I hope to see you all there. ... but it's not my place (or anyone else's place) to say who will be or won't be there.
TELL ME this I'm in NEW ZEALAND and if you watch the news you would see we had a major earthquake in our second biggest city . now one of our oldest cathedral's the house of the lord 20 people lay dead under the rubble inside.....tell me what god would have this happen in his house
