I am a Christian and I think I am stuck

qbit · #1 18th March 2004, 04:59 PM

Mk 16:15-16: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned."

A Christian should love his neighbour as himself; the ultimate example is Christ who laid down his life for us. It's my Christian Duty to spread this Good News to all the world.

God is very fair, initially a person from a Hindu country must have the same chance of going to heaven as a person from a Christian country. But once he hears and understands the message of Christ's gift he has to make a critical decision; reject it or accept it.

The probability that a person over a certain age accepts a new faith is very low. So in many cases we should not pass the Christian message on because the message could force a friend to make a critical decision that is likely to send him to Hell. His chances for Heaven are better if he does not know.

I love my neighbour, I want to save as many people as possible so I will not spread the Good News to the world. I would rather go to Hell myself then risk damning a friend by passing on information that is statistically likely to lead him to make a decision that will send him to Hell.

I should provide people with information, but the information is likely to hurt them and I don't want that because I love them!

If a person could have been saved by not hearing, such as a Hindu and hearing forces people to make a choice that is more likely to be the wrong choice, then hearing is bad for him.

I can stop people from hearing and it may help them. So I will sacrifice my own salvation because I love them!

Why did God give us a mind to think it limits my faith?

My problem is that there may be no truly self-sacrificing Christians in Heaven?

Is this true, I am stuck?

elivi · #2 18th March 2004, 05:46 PM

qbit,

I think you are overthinking this a bit. We need to learn to obey Christ even when it doesn't make sense to us. And sharing the gospel is the Great Commission, we are told to do it.

Also, there might be a slight problem with your theology. I do not know my Bible as well as I should, but I know I've read there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. I'm not sure we should ASSUME a Hindu child has a great chance of going to heaven. Ultimately God is the judge and not us, so HE will make the decision, but Paul does say something in the New Testimate (again, sorry, I do not know the exact verse) like "How can they come [to Christ, to salvation] unless they are called [ie, told about Jesus]?"

Also, you know firsthand the joy of fellowship with a God who has adopted you as His child, and we should desire to let others in on the "secret."

But I think the bottom line is that He has told us to do it, so trying to rationalize why we shouldn't is a bad idea.

Spader · #3 18th March 2004, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by elivi

I think you are overthinking this a bit. We need to learn to obey Christ even when it doesn't make sense to us.

Ah, don't question, don't think, don't react, don't decline. Just do. Brain washing at it's finest.

BigBrycer777 · #4 18th March 2004, 06:53 PM

I've questioned, I have thought, I have reacted...
And my decision is to follow Christ.

Mistblood · #5 18th March 2004, 11:57 PM

Spader-
"Brain washing," isn't the best thing to say. That makes Christianity sound like a lie, which we all know it isn't. It is not only important to know what we believe, but also to believe in what we know. Having information to back up our faith is an excellent ally, not only because of the evangelical aspect, but also because of the reinforcement that it can give to our own faith. There are great books out that offer excellent, backable, and compelling evidence that Christ is truly our Savior; something that everyone should understand.

As for the actual topic of this thread, I can see your concern. But you have to remember that, no matter what country a person is from, there is still a good chance that they have been exposed to Christ already in some form, whether it be missionaries, churches already in the area, or the mass media. God has given people so many opportunities to see and understand his Son that there is almost no way for them NOT to have had a run-in with Jesus in some form. The rule of thumb that acceptance to Heaven is based on what you know really should only apply to small children or people who have lived out on a rock in the middle of the ocean for 50 years. If a person lives in mainstream society, they DO know about Christ and the Bible in some way, shape, or form. My advice is to still evangelize, but to go in prepared, with evidence to back Christ up. The more reason there is to belive, the more likely the people you speak to are going to understand.

dnich163 · #6 19th March 2004, 03:43 AM

Originally Posted by qbit

Mk 16:15-16: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned."

A Christian should love his neighbour as himself; the ultimate example is Christ who laid down his life for us. It's my Christian Duty to spread this Good News to all the world.

Why did God give us a mind to think it limits my faith?

My problem is that there may be no truly self-sacrificing Christians in Heaven?

Is this true, I am stuck?

This idea of condemnation is the problem in many cases..what do we actually mean by "being condemned"
My view is that this is just an expression of the harm we do to ourselves when not living our creation correctly...........not being human and humane.

I suggest that if you love your neighbour as yourself,and live this out,then you will be one of the truly self sacrificing Christians in heaven one day.

What you state is the exact opposite about the mind, we need it to give us a glimpse of and come to know the vastness of God.
We need this mind to meditate on the scriptures, to contemplate our relationship with God and our neighbour, and to pray to him in thanksgiving.

What was it John of the Cross referred to...The Dark Night of the Soul....perhaps you are in a spiritual limbo,maybe healthily searching for God in your own way.

Good hunting,

David

Emmy · #7 19th March 2004, 05:42 AM

Dear qbit,I have read your question and also David`s answer.I myself am a mature Christian (in years and a walk with the Lord Jesus.)David`s answer is the same I would give to you.Follow his advice and may God bless you in your search of the Truth. Love and obey,there is no other way.The Lord will compensate you richly,as thousand and thousands of followers can testify to. In love,Your sister in Christ Emmy.

elivi · #8 19th March 2004, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Spader

Ah, don't question, don't think, don't react, don't decline. Just do. Brain washing at it's finest.

Spader,

I was raised in a very strict conservative, hyprocritical church so I can see where you are coming from. I totally agree that we should use the minds that God gives us, to question, ponder, explore, and seek God with all our hearts.

It was because of my willingness to reject the "brainwashing" I received as a child that I was able to leave my unhealthy church, search out the truth of God's word, and finally come to faith in Christ among a healthy body of believers.

Even so, my history with legalism follows me and it drives me continually to my Bible, to those I trust for Godly counsel, and to my knees to find out what is true, BEYOND what I was always "told". Because of this struggle I appreciate your reminder that we MUST, as you say, question, think, react, and even decline.

However, I have yet to be convinced that when GOD issues a command, when we are convinced beyond doubt that we have received a word from heaven, a direct order..., as believers we can please God by any other response than just to obey. This honors God above our little minds, above our ability to reason, above our rebellious wills.

We can ALWAYS think of a reason not to obey God. When Elijah told the poor woman in (I think) 2 Kings to make him something to eat, she was convinced in HER mind that she and her son would die if they obeyed. But because of her obedience, she and her son were preserved through the terrible famine, by an incredible miracle.

I guess what I'm saying is that God alone sees the BIG picture, knows the beginning from the end, knows all things. We do have to trust and obey, even when He doesn't explain everything to us in advance. This is an expression of love to Him who saved us, and a way to deepen our faith in Him.

Zen_Woof · #9 19th March 2004, 07:04 PM

qbit:

Your concern for your fellow human beings is wonderful and commendable. I hope you will find a way to keep this spirit of love and also find reconciliation with your faith. I think that you will ...

With metta,
ZW

joshua_cheung · #10 19th March 2004, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by qbit

Mk 16:15-16: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned."?

The question what is Gospel?
Why is it important?

Originally Posted by qbit

A Christian should love his neighbour as himself; the ultimate example is Christ who laid down his life for us. It's my Christian Duty to spread this Good News to all the world.

God is very fair, initially a person from a Hindu country must have the same chance of going to heaven as a person from a Christian country. But once he hears and understands the message of Christ's gift he has to make a critical decision; reject it or accept it.

The probability that a person over a certain age accepts a new faith is very low. So in many cases we should not pass the Christian message on because the message could force a friend to make a critical decision that is likely to send him to Hell. His chances for Heaven are better if he does not know.

I love my neighbour, I want to save as many people as possible so I will not spread the Good News to the world. I would rather go to Hell myself then risk damning a friend by passing on information that is statistically likely to lead him to make a decision that will send him to Hell.

I should provide people with information, but the information is likely to hurt them and I don't want that because I love them!

If a person could have been saved by not hearing, such as a Hindu and hearing forces people to make a choice that is more likely to be the wrong choice, then hearing is bad for him.

I can stop people from hearing and it may help them. So I will sacrifice my own salvation because I love them!

Why did God give us a mind to think it limits my faith?

My problem is that there may be no truly self-sacrificing Christians in Heaven?

Is this true, I am stuck?

I love your thought. You get the words of God in your heart.