But this is based upon your own belief, true? Which may or may not be correct (even though I'm sure you're of the mind that you are saved, and doing things "rightly"). In fact, there are many Christian denominations (Church of Christ being one of them) who would say, you have deceived yourself. You are wicked, and not worshipping rightly. You have willingly persisted in rebellion against God because you do not understand the bible as they do. Therefore, brother, you are going straight into hell along with every other "willingly ignorance sinner who persisted in continual sin"; and moreover, that God is just, and good for doing this to you. You see, love cannot ignore justice. That is why you are going to burn in horror forever.
1st question. This is based upon what the Word of God tells me. Doesn't matter what i believe, only that is what i believe in to be true. And I believe the bible to be true.
My question for the other denominations is, where do they get their information from? If it's contrary to the Word of God....it's wrong.
Now, again, do you find this "just" and "good"? If this happens to you, as they adamantly teach it will, do you think you deserve this fate? I will stand here and say, there is no way you deserve a fate such as that. Would you? I'm not asking you to say "I think the bible says that the wicked go to hell to suffer forever, and so if I'm wrong I deserve that fate" I'm asking you, if you think you deserve this fate? That it would be just and good to torture you for all of time? Not "I deserve to be tortured forever, but thankfully Christ has saved me from that" but "I deserve to be tortured forever"?
Again, we all deserve it, but God made a way for us to get out of it.
Also, I'm not talking about other denominations. I'm not even speaking of mine. I'm speaking about what God's word tells me. And the experience I have with Christ right now. Which is why I know I'm Born Again. Doesn't matter what the other denominations say. What matters is what does God say. And He says "Repent and put your trust in me."
At least, you believe that. According to the Church of Christ, you're wrong. Dead wrong. So if they are right, and you are in theological error, and all of your faith has been one big lie - do you deserve eternal torture? If God says, "The fact is, you have misunderstood the bible, and have worshipped Me in a way I did not wish; but your judgment is in your own hands right now" would you reply "I deserve eternal horror"?
Okay, then I would ask the Church of Christ to show me scriptural where I'm wrong.
I'm sorry, you don't sin "on purpose"? Then why are you sinning? As opposed to the "sinners" who do it "on purpose"?
When I repented of my sins, which were many. God forgave me of those sins and I now live my life for Him. As paul said it for me to die is to gain, to live is Christ.
I no longer go out and do the things that I used to do in the world of sin, I don't go out and use God's name in vain. I don't lie to anyone for any reason. I don't steal and most importantly I place God before everything in my life. Before my family my children, everything. I didn't do that when i lived a life in sin. It was all about me. Not anymore, it's all about Him.
So when and if I make a mistake, the Holy Spirit lets me know by pricking my conscience and reminding me of what the word says about sin. How it goes against God directly, how it show disrespect to God, and my family. He reminds me that there is no condemnation for me, that I have an advocate to the father. Christ and I go to him in prayer and ask him to forgive me. Trusting that He will keep me and knowing that nothing can pluck me from His hand.
We sin, because we are fallible. The only perfect man, was Christ. He carried our sins, yet never sinned.
So, do you no longer sin? Is that the claim? Do you realize that someone who steals one time, is guilty of, idolatry? Adultery? False witness? Coveting. Murder? James 2:10?
I relate to Paul here:
1Ti 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did
it ignorantly in unbelief.
1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1Ti 1:15 This
is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners; of whom I am chief.
Or maybe they don't "do it on purpose"? Maybe they just, don't believe your understanding is true? Why should they? Or, in your eyes, are all "sinners" out there, tweaking their moustaches and saying "I just love to steal and murder? I'm so evil! Full power to the DEATH RAY!"
Sure they do. The bible tells us that they do. They refuse to deny themselves and follow christ.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any
man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
If you don't follow Him, You do this on purpose, because your given the chance to do so.
If a man says to you, my five-year-old said "No!" to me today, so I'm going to put cigarettes out on his entire body, would you nod and say "It's what he deserves; it's what we all deserve"? Or, would you call the police and report him?
Now you step into the absurdity of non reasoning people.
There is a difference between God and His justice and child abuse.
Of course i'd call the police, but before i did, I'd stopped the so called dad. Would you?
But of course. Everyone has the choice to understand what the bible says, just like you understand it, right? But all those people that aren't understanding it like you - well, they're doing it on purpose, and they'll get what they deserve: eternal torture? Again, I ask in all seriousness: is this the measuring stick of your judgment, really? Because I'll call into remembrance the words of Jesus: Matthew 7:2
Let's do the whole chapter 7
Let the Word be my measuring stick.
Are you really going to use that measuring stick? You're certain you want to use that measuring stick?
Matthew 7:1-29 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
This isn't about what you think it is. We can judge, judge righteously. This is speaking about judging brother's and sister's in Christ. And how as Children of God we are to act toward one another. And I have cast out the beam out of my own eye, I've repented and placed my trust in Jesus. Have you?
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
By that which is holy, and pearls, are meant the truths and doctrines of the gospel; by dogs, and swine, debased and utterly profligate men. The sentiment is, that religious instruction is not to be urged upon men who are so sunk in depravity that they will receive it with imprecations and blasphemy.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Again, Christ is talking to those who have followed Him. This is one of the many promise Christ has given us. Seek and ye shall find. He even promises this to the lost. If they seek out Christ in repentance, He will save them.He will keep them, He will protect them,and He will give them eternal life with Him and not in the lake of fire. But you must first repent and place your trust in Him.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
The Golden rule. Treat people the way you want to be treated.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Here even Christ speaks of those who will make it to hell and to heaven. The way to hell is wide and broad, many go that way, and it's to destructions.
The way to heaven, strait, narrow, few find it, and leads to life.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Herein lies the danger of wrong theology. False prophets come, and if you don't have sound theology. You will follow them. Because you won't know if they have the fruits of the spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
If your church, pastor, and other in the congregation do not show any of these fruits. I would pray for them in earnest. And find another church.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Christ telling us what happens to those that don't bring forth good fruit. They are cast into the fire. Hell.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The reason why they are cast away. Is because of the pride of life in them. It's all about them, not about Christ. Nor do they obey God's will.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Is your faith and assurance of Christ build upon your understanding? It shouldnt be, that's like building your house on the sand. We are told to not lean unto our own understanding, but unto the Word of God.
We do the things Christ tells us to do, through His Word. Obey Him and Trust Him, is building that building on the Rock. It will not fall.
I've been asked on what Authority.....Christ is the Authority,given by Him, for Him and about Him.
I don't have a stick. But God has a two edged sword, His word, that He left those who trust and believe in Him. I don't need a stick.
