When it comes to other religions, what is the bottom line?

[FrankDux]

The Holy Spirit cares more that you try to be a better person through faith and living, despite being human and having to struggle

That's more important than arguing who's temple is better, or who is using " God's correct name "

 

[enigmadi]

The only unforgivable sin is rejecting God's Holy Spirit.
Men have given God many names and writings.
I think Jesus was the real son of God but millions don't
know the story.

Yes, the only unforgivable sin is rejecting the Holy Spirit...that means NOT responding to the Holy Spirit's conviction about the need for Christ. The only way to God is through His Son, Jesus Christ and his sacrifice and resurrection. One must believe.

 

[Toro]

Christ is the only way. Hell is not punishment, it's a choice.

You want to live your life separate of God how would it be loving of Him to FORCE those that wanted to live their life apart from Him to be with Him?

We are ALL deserving of punishment. Those accepting the blood of Christ and laying down their life and taking up their cross denying themselves the desires of their flesh. We are all in flesh so we ALL have temptations and will stumble at times..... but there is a difference between excusing sin by saying "Well no body is perfect" and continuing to live in that sin and falling to temptation because the flesh is weak, repenting and giving it to God.

God gave us ALL free will, what we choose to do with it is up to us. We are either accepting of truth that a merciful, loving and amazing God knew that we could NEVER save ourselves and thus paid the ultimate price through the blood of His son.... or we believe we can save ourselves and find out how wrong we are when it comes time to pay the bill.

Yes, it means putting aside many of the things this world comes to label as "fun" but God doesn't want us doing those things because He loves us and those rules are a warning. NOT because God is against fun. You wouldn't let your child play with a loaded gun nor play in the street.

Yes, God is merciful, God IS love, but just because He is merciful, patient beyond belief and IS absolute love..... that doesn't mean everyone gets a free pass.

You wouldn't accept someone coming into your house and telling you "I know you dont like this, but too bad." Why do you think that Almighty God is going to allow sinners to come in that never gave one ounce of respect to His laws? Because they place more value on the things of this world.

Jesus said
Matthew 7:21-23

21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’…

Luke 6:46

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

Yes, none of us are nor will be perfect in this flesh..... but again, difference between excusing sin and allowing God to cleanse your heart even though you stumble at times.

"Good people", we are all sinners and all deserving of punishment. The question is, how much one truly desires relationship to the Father and those that would instead choose the shiny things of this world.

Obedience is not something WE do to be saved. Obedience is a result of loving God. "Good people" is a social term, not a spiritual one.

 

[Humble me Lord]

Are you familiar with CS Lewis? In the last one of the Narnian Chronicals, "The Last Battle," there is a Calormen soldier who has grown up in a country where the religion is the worship of a demon named Tash. Now the true God is the Great Lion Aslan, son of the Emporer over Seas. The Calormen soldier meets Aslan in heaven and immediately bows down, loving him with all his heart; he is surprised that Aslan does not irradicate him immediately for he has served Tash with all his heart for all his life. Aslan explains that Tash is as evil as He is good, that they are so different, that no act of love can be credited to Tash and no act of evil credited to Aslan. So all the acts of love and service and bravery that the soldier had done were all credited to Aslan,that indeed it had been Aslan he had served all his life, though he knew it not.

In my opinion, CS Lewis has many great books.
But I don't base my beliefs on what other fallible (flesh) humans write, who are imperfect. So logically why would I base my beliefs on what someone else wrote who is imperfect.
I know you can give me many references to what other "people" wrote, but the fact remains they are still human, therefore imperfect.

In Romans 14 it teaches about not squabbling over doctrine, In the end we will all be judged by the father, Romans 14:10-12
God Bless

 

[JESUS=G.O.A.T]

When it comes to other religions, what is the bottom line?



So bottom line, if you are not with Christ you go to hell? Or in the case of those who don't believe in a literal hell, to eternal separation from God?

I once heard about the Pope saying that even atheists can be saved if they are genuinely good people.

What are your thoughts?

It doesn't' matter what the pope says...the bible is clear.


Acts 4:12King James Version (KJV)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.



Luke 9:26King James Version (KJV)
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.


Luke 9:26King James Version (KJV)
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.


Conclusion: If JESUS isn't the one you serve then you have no chance is my point.

 

[Tetra]

When it comes to other religions, what is the bottom line?



So bottom line, if you are not with Christ you go to hell? Or in the case of those who don't believe in a literal hell, to eternal separation from God?

I once heard about the Pope saying that even atheists can be saved if they are genuinely good people.

What are your thoughts?

My thoughts are, who am I to say if someone is going to hell or not? I don't know that, only God knows that.

My best friend is an Atheist and I often see God in her more than I do Christians.

In the end, I think we will be surprised who is in heaven.

 

[RaymondG]

You want to live your life separate of God how would it be loving of Him to FORCE those that wanted to live their life apart from Him to be with Him?

You wouldn't accept someone coming into your house and telling you "I know you dont like this, but too bad."

I dont understand your arguments. If I see my child walking into a fire, or out into the street you feel that it would be more loving to sit back and say "free will" instead of forcing them to safety?

When a rebelling pre-teen states that they hate their parents and dont want to live there anymore and would rather live in the streets....you feel it more loving to cry "free will" and let them go than to force them to stay?

Grown men crucified the Lord, yet he still said "They know not what they do" Is this how you think we should treat our children, or is this just the actions of a more loving parent?

 

[mkgal1]

So bottom line, if you are not with Christ you go to hell?

From what I'm understanding of the SOP for this particular sub-forum--that's the ONLY response that can be given here (in General Theology). This thread would be better suited--IMO--for the "controversial theology" sub-forum ( Controversial Christian Theology )

 

[chilehed]

I once heard about the Pope saying that even atheists can be saved if they are genuinely good people.

What are your thoughts?

I think that none of us can comment on what the Pope said unless you can tell us what he actually said. For example, I once heard about Sarah Palin saying that she could see Russia from her house... and it was a total fabrication. She never said it.

So, can you provide a reference to an exact quote?

 

[SkyWriting]

Yes, the only unforgivable sin is rejecting the Holy Spirit...that means NOT responding to the Holy Spirit's conviction about the need for Christ. The only way to God is through His Son, Jesus Christ and his sacrifice and resurrection. One must believe.

Evidently, that's not the case.

Romans 1
19For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

 

[Toro]

I dont understand your arguments. If I see my child walking into a fire, or out into the street you feel that it would be more loving to sit back and say "free will" instead of forcing them to safety?

When a rebelling pre-teen states that they hate their parents and dont want to live there anymore and would rather live in the streets....you feel it more loving to cry "free will" and let them go than to force them to stay?

Grown men crucified the Lord, yet he still said "They know not what they do" Is this how you think we should treat our children, or is this just the actions of a more loving parent?

That was NEVER what I said, but its okay. I will pray that you have eyes to see and ears to hear the truth

As for your examples of preteen children, i do not believe that children are responsible for choosing Christ nor for NOT choosing Christ they are innocent. The issue is with adults. I used the children example of not letting them come to harm by playing in the street or playing with guns because WHY would God be "okay" with sin when He loves His creation and KNOWS that sin will do nothing but destroy the "child" he loves.

As for my first reference to "His child" is a reference to an adult (NOT a preteen child). Just because His followers are called "His children" does NOT mean they are children.... they have the ability to reason, they have the ability to understand consequence. Therefore they are accountable for their actions. So yes, given those truths.... it IS loving to let them go and honor their choice even if its the wrong one and to honor their free will because we AREN'T talking true "children" here. We are talking adults that made their choice.

When Jesus said "Forgive them for they know not what they do" it was because the full scope of what they were doing, who they were crucifying was NOT yet revealed to them. He did NOT speak it as a license to sin and that ALL would get a pass to Heaven. They simply did not see that their enemy is NOT found in flesh but in the enemy that deceives. It also allowed for even they, the ones that took part in the crucifying of Christ for the good of us all.... which was in Gods design, might also be reconciled if they so chose to turn to Him.

 

[Open Heart]

But I don't base my beliefs on what other fallible (flesh) humans write

I said what I said because it makes perfect sense, and I quoted CS Lewis because he articulated it it perfectly.

 

[Dwight55]

Simple, easy, Christianity 101: submit your will to God, through repentance for sin, and being born of the Spirit. All humans have a "natural" birth where the mother's water is broken, . . . in order to go to heaven they need to be born first of that water, then of the spirit. It is a spiritual re-birth, where the person spiritually recognizes that their present life will send them to a devil's hell, and they do not want that. Therefore, they ask God to forgive them of their sins, truthfully, fully, and unashamedly, . . . then they live for Christ the rest of their life.

No atheists, no bhuddists, no moslems, no Jews, no wiccans, . . . no other "religion" has the open door to heaven. The door is Jesus Christ, . . . no Jesus means no heaven, . . . succinct, plain, simple, easy, . . . and the truth.

 

[GabrielTheWorshipper]

Hello! This is an interesting question, and I would love to give you my beliefs. God is absolutely necessary in salvation. In no way will anyone be saved if they deny his existence, refuse to follow him or follow other gods entirely. God is not only our savior, but also Lord.

First of all, you need the REAL gospel. The Bible explains thoroughly how we must be saved.

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

To summarize things, the first important thing to note is that we all have sinned and deserve Hell and God's wrath. We are in a terrible situation.

Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

Ecclesiastes 7:20
"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."

Romans 3:10
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"

Isaiah 64:6
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags"

And God's word makes it clear to us that he is the only way.

John 14:6
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Acts 4:12
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

We must repent and turn from our sins. We all still sin, but should put in an effort to be more moral as believers.

Luke 13:5
"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Acts 3:19
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"

We must have faith and trust Jesus' death on the cross for forgiveness.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

2 Corinthians 5:21
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

We must believe that Jesus Christ is God.

John 20:28-29
"And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

John 8:24
"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."

We must surrender our life to Christ and serve him as Lord.

Acts 16:31
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

Luke 6:46
"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

Hebrews 5:9
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"

1 John 2:3
"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."

I hope some of this helps. I have been a Christian my whole life and I believe we all must serve God to be saved.

 

[Midnafan97]

I've seen and met a lot of good people who wouldn't hurt a fly who aren't even Christians. I've always thought about "Even if they are a good person, they'll still go to hell because they don't believe in Jesus or God?" or "Even if they have the belief system of Buddhists, they'll still go to hell because they don't believe in the God of the bible?" I would be confused about it and ask God why that is. Now, I just don't believe in hell or eternal separation from God. I believe that everyone should believe what they want to believe and have peace in their lives as long as they are kind to one another and give out love to everyone.

 

[Jonathan Mathews]

When it comes to other religions, what is the bottom line?



So bottom line, if you are not with Christ you go to hell? Or in the case of those who don't believe in a literal hell, to eternal separation from God?

I once heard about the Pope saying that even atheists can be saved if they are genuinely good people.

What are your thoughts?

"Before Abraham was born, I AM" - Jesus Christ

"That which is Born of flesh is flesh, but that which is born of spirit is spirit" - Jesus Christ

"Unless a man is Born Again, he CANNOT see the Kingdom of Heaven" - Jesus of Nazareth."

"You MUST be Born Again" - Jesus Christ

"Both He who sanctifies (Jesus) and those who are being sanctified (His followers) are from the same Father (God). Therefore, He is not ashamed to call them brothers."

 

[Jonathan Mathews]

"Before Abraham was born, I AM" - Jesus Christ

"That which is Born of flesh is flesh, but that which is born of spirit is spirit" - Jesus Christ

"Unless a man is Born Again, he CANNOT see the Kingdom of Heaven" - Jesus of Nazareth."

"You MUST be Born Again" - Jesus Christ

The Holy Spirit cares more that you try to be a better person through faith and living, despite being human and having to struggle

That's more important than arguing who's temple is better, or who is using " God's correct name "

No. You are not teaching the Word of God. The Name ENTIRELY matters to the Holy Spirit who has already spoken thru Peter in Acts 4:8-12 saying...
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is NO OTHER NAME (Jesus/Yeshua/Joshua/"I AM Salvation") under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Elaborate.

It is written "the soul that sins SHALL DIE"
The only Way to overcome Death, Hell, and God's Wrath against your sin is to accept the free sacrifice of Jesus Christ, because Jesus was the only perfect man, and therefore only His blood can remove Sin. As it is written "without the shedding of blood there is NO REMOVING of Sin."

Anyone who rejects this Man (Jesus) is accursed, condemned already, because they have not believed in the only born Son of God.

But to him who believes (trusts in the perfect Son of God and His righteous blood shed for Sin), to that man God gives the right and power to become the Sons of God.

 

[Widlast]

When it comes to other religions, what is the bottom line?



So bottom line, if you are not with Christ you go to hell? Or in the case of those who don't believe in a literal hell, to eternal separation from God?

I once heard about the Pope saying that even atheists can be saved if they are genuinely good people.

What are your thoughts?

It is not quite as simple as most would suppose, but to get to brass tacks...
Jesus is the only way to the Father, end of discussion. Doesn't matter what you like, believe, hope for, or anything else.
As far as Hell goes, only those who "want" to be there will be there (and surprisingly enough that is a LOT of people). But the choices are Jesus or Hell, there is no third choice.

 

[Standing Up]

There is another possible aspect that could change the narrative here.
Consider for a moment the great white throne judgement: the books were opened and they checked to see if the name was in the book of life or not. Most of us assume that nobody present at that event will have their names in the book of life. But why? Does it say that? No it doesn't.
It says that if anyone's name WAS NOT FOUND in the book of life was cast off. The reason the books were opened was to check. They were judged by their works, and I believe what the determining factor will be their intentions, motives and agendas.
So it seems that there will indeed be people who will go into eternal life based on their character and mannerisms. OK, some of this is conjecture, but this scenario aligns with the character of God, the shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to get back the lost one. Maybe the truly good people of other religions?

I read this weird comment someone made once that the Saints, the true church will become like Yeshua and the people found to be righteous will have eternal life with new bodies but confined to the earth. That's really out there, but it could even be possible.

Once argued the same point. But it does say the books are opened and the book of life. The dead are judged out of the books according to their works. The sea and hell gives up the dead and they are judge by their works. Works won't work. The name must be in the book of life.

How may one go from the book of works into the book of life?

The real question is whether any of those dead people will hear and repent and be saved or did they only have a chance here in life?

I believe, based on the principle of the second Passover (Num. 9:6-14), that they will be given a chance. They will hear, some may believe, whosoever repents of their works, and confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord will have their names in the book of life. It won't be by works, but by His grace through faith in Christ.

 

[Midnafan97]

It is not quite as simple as most would suppose, but to get to brass tacks...
Jesus is the only way to the Father, end of discussion. Doesn't matter what you like, believe, hope for, or anything else.
As far as Hell goes, only those who "want" to be there will be there (and surprisingly enough that is a LOT of people). But the choices are Jesus or Hell, there is no third choice.

That's sad. So there's no hope for anybody even if they are a good person who hasn't sinned.
Tell me, if you were God, would you allow even the smallest sinner into the gates of heaven? Would you give that sinner a third choice?