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Thanks coemgen, good explanation.
nbcrusader said:
We all stand before the Judgement seat. But, no matter how good or bad I am, I still will have sin before God. The only thing that removes all of the sin is God's grace through the blood of Jesus.
I take this seriously as a Sunday school teacher. Teachers of the Word are held to a higher standard in God's eye.
I'm hoping that U2kitten reads this. Not all proclaimed Christians love their neighbors as themselves, and there's quite a few who don't take God's message seriously.shart1780 said:Also, I know not everyone who claims to be a christian will go to Heaven. The Bible says he will spit luke-warm christians out of his mouth. He clearly doesn't want believers following him half-heartedly and he says he won't accept it. Don't think everyone in the church is a christian because there's alot who most definitely are not.
U2Kitten said:But don't you think it's wrong for a person who gets saved to not bother to curb his/her behavior, thinking, oh well, I'm in no matter what? I have known people who would actually plan to sin ahead of time, and then when questioned say, oh well I'll just tell the Lord I was weak next Sunday! I can't believe salvation was ever intended to be that way. While we all sin and no one is righteous, what I'm saying is that it's hard for me to swallow that a 'saved' person who makes no effort to be good, doing whatever they want, hurting people and being greedy and hateful is going to be judged ahead of a person who was never officially dunked but spent a much more virtuous life. It's like some I know have abandoned all conscious and don't even try to do the right thing, declaring only that they are 'forgiven' and "God is their only judge.' To me a hypocrite or a backslider can't be okay, can't just get by with it. I also have a problem with deathbed confessions of lifelong murderers, sure it's too easy to live the life you want and recant on your deathbed. It's not fair to those who have tried hard to do the right thing in this life.
nbcrusader said:Between you and me, I believe we both have received God's grace. Please do not interpret my comments as suggesting that you are not saved.
We both are responsible for giving an answer for the hope we have. I know we both grow from these discussions.
U2Kitten said:
But don't you think it's wrong for a person who gets saved to not bother to curb his/her behavior, thinking, oh well, I'm in no matter what? I have known people who would actually plan to sin ahead of time, and then when questioned say, oh well I'll just tell the Lord I was weak next Sunday! I can't believe salvation was ever intended to be that way. While we all sin and no one is righteous, what I'm saying is that it's hard for me to swallow that a 'saved' person who makes no effort to be good, doing whatever they want, hurting people and being greedy and hateful is going to be judged ahead of a person who was never officially dunked but spent a much more virtuous life. It's like some I know have abandoned all conscious and don't even try to do the right thing, declaring only that they are 'forgiven' and "God is their only judge.' To me a hypocrite or a backslider can't be okay, can't just get by with it. I also have a problem with deathbed confessions of lifelong murderers, sure it's too easy to live the life you want and recant on your deathbed. It's not fair to those who have tried hard to do the right thing in this life.
coemgen said:I'll be honest guys. My wife and I have NO money right now. None. We have rent and a number of other bills and our account is overdrawn. We just applied for food stamps too. I know that if I didn't have God, I'd be freaking out now. But I'm not. He's in control and I've given my life to him. He's going to lead us out of this situation. I know it! He's never let us down. He sticks to his promises, which are everywhere in the Bible. That's the best testimony I can give you guys — this peace I feel now despite the situation my wife, and child (soon to be two) are in. God is good!
coemgen said:The thing is why should they wait until judgement day? Eternity, where ever you spend it, doesn't begin when yo die. Eternity with God can begin NOW while you're still alive here on Earth. It's as simple as calling out to God, knowing he died for your sins, asking him for forgiveness of those sins and then accepting him as Lord. Then the rest of your life, as long as you stay focused on him and his word, will be the greatest adventure ever! I'll be honest guys. My wife and I have NO money right now. None. We have rent and a number of other bills and our account is overdrawn. We just applied for food stamps too. I know that if I didn't have God, I'd be freaking out now. But I'm not. He's in control and I've given my life to him. He's going to lead us out of this situation. I know it! He's never let us down. He sticks to his promises, which are everywhere in the Bible. That's the best testimony I can give you guys — this peace I feel now despite the situation my wife, and child (soon to be two) are in. God is good!
nbcrusader said:
This is not a matter of interpreting one or two verses. There are dozens and dozens of verses that all point to one conclusion. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The clearest statements are found in:
John 14:6
Acts 4:11-12
Acts 16:30-31
1 Timothy 2:5
1 John 2:23
1 John 5:11-12
Luke 10:16
Luke 12:8-9
John 3:18
John 3:36
John 8:24
We can go on from there with verses that support
1. Jesus is the only source of salvation for the world
2. Jesus is the Father's choice
3. Rejection of Jesus is rejection of the Father
4. Rejection of Jesus brings judgment; belief in Jesus rescues from wrath
5. Jesus is the only one who provides forgiveness from sin
6. There are no other alternatives for salvation
Keep hanging tough, coemgen. I'm glad you have so much hope in your situation.coemgen said:I'll be honest guys. My wife and I have NO money right now. None. We have rent and a number of other bills and our account is overdrawn. We just applied for food stamps too. I know that if I didn't have God, I'd be freaking out now. But I'm not. He's in control and I've given my life to him. He's going to lead us out of this situation. I know it! He's never let us down. He sticks to his promises, which are everywhere in the Bible. That's the best testimony I can give you guys — this peace I feel now despite the situation my wife, and child (soon to be two) are in. God is good!
BonoVoxSupastar said:I don't think the child born in Africa who never heard of Christ is denying him. Christ has already fulfilled his gift of grace, so why is this child doesn't get to partake in this gift because we didn't spread the word, because of geography. This is the part I'm trying to understand. Now I know I've simplified it a little too much by saying the door is open come on in, but really none of these versus say exactly what it is everyone needs to do to go through Jesus.
From www.relevantmagazine.com:
According to MTV, Eminem has been bestowed the honorary title of "priest" by the cult group the Raeleans for his anti-war anthem "Mosh." Not only are the Raeleans extreme pacifists, but they also believe that God is really an alien.
coemgen said:Plus, maybe God's word hasn't reached everyone, but he still can through creation and other ways. An aboriginie who hasn't heard the Gospel can still cry out in his heart toward God with the wonder of the beauty found on the Earth. He may not know Christ, but I'm sure God will work where he's at. I don't have any firm, backed up answer to that question, but I know God likes to work with us where we're at.
coemgen said:You're in my prayers U2Kitten. Hang in there.
BonoVoxSupastar said:
Here's where I'm getting at I think the power of God transends religion and it trandsends a name. God's son has made his sacrifice. If a man is living a life as close as he can to the example set by Jesus without even knowing Jesus how is it that a just God will deny him heaven but take your neighbor?
Dreadsox said:I would bet that he gets taken while someone sitting in the pew on Sunday doing nothing for his brother finds out something different.