What is the difference between Christianity and other religions?

yeshuaslavejeff · Sep 17, 2018

QUOTE="holo, post: 73186270, member: 21467"]My point is that you can't take any scripture, not even the words of Jesus, and just assume that it's a direct message or command to a Gentile believer today. There are lots of specific teachings to specific people in specific situations, and while there may be many things we can learn from reading them, they can't automatically be taken as instructions to us today, as they stand. For instance Jesus taught Jews about how to keep the law. That obviously applies to those who are under the law, namely Jews.[/QUOTE
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Don't assume anything. Spend a lot of frequent time, daily, with the Father in private prayer, listening to Him, and gradually the focus changes from yourself to Him (this may take decades, literally; or days/ weeks/ months or years - Yahweh knows).
DO what the FATHER SAYS DO, and SPEAK what the FATHER SAYS SPEAK.

Don't assume any Jews or gentiles are under the law. You likely have no way of knowing.
Jesus taught ALL the disciples how to live according to TORAH - Jews and gentiles - according to the Father's Will.

If anyone loves Jesus and the Father, they OBEY the Father. (love is a choice of the will, NOT an emotion nor a feeling)

yeshuaslavejeff · Sep 17, 2018

Everyone who hears Him knows.

holo said:
I'm not ignoring him, I'm just not convinced he is in fact the son of God.

yeshuaslavejeff · Sep 17, 2018

holo said:
Again, I'm just not so sure that Christianity has the right idea about who God is, or if there even is a God.

GOOD! Not all 'Christianity' has the right idea. Do not trust men.

If you think there is no God, the Creator of all, then you are already condemned as He says for your unbelief, along with all the others in unbelief.
It doesn't matter what all the other people do, Christian of not - nothing gives an excuse to not believe, since as Yahweh Himself CLEARLY SAYS - ALL CREATION bears witness of ME, the TESTiMONY that I AM,
and as HE SAYS " therefore NO ONE has any excuse not to believe in ME"
as well as also " EVERYONE who seeks ME will find ME"
(no matter what their previous condition was or how they grew up/ etc)

HIS PROMISES are all truth, every one of them.

holo · Sep 17, 2018

yeshuaslavejeff said:
Jesus taught ALL the disciples how to live according to TORAH - Jews and gentiles - according to the Father's Will.

But all the disciples were Jews, and Jesus said he was sent only to Israel, no?

holo · Sep 17, 2018

yeshuaslavejeff said:
nothing gives an excuse to not believe, since as Yahweh Himself CLEARLY SAYS - ALL CREATION bears witness of ME

But he doesn't in fact clearly say that. The bible says he does, so then you must first believe the bible, which I don't. Not in the sense that it's the word of God, anyway.

But that's something Christianity seems to have in common with most other religions, the idea that you should just take something on faith.

yeshuaslavejeff · Sep 17, 2018

holo said:
But he doesn't in fact clearly say that. The bible says he does, so then you must first believe the bible, which I don't. Not in the sense that it's the word of God, anyway.

But that's something Christianity seems to have in common with most other religions, the idea that you should just take something on faith.

He does in fact and in truth and perhaps DAILY say that.
As you confessed, you don't believe His Word, so you are already judged for your unbelief.
You do not have to believe nor to have faith, and with all others will be judged accordingly.

dlamberth · Sep 17, 2018

yeshuaslavejeff said:
ummm..... wrong 'god', as seen and proven by testing any other religion.

Also, when the lives and actions and deeds are observed and tested as written in God's Word, they fall short of salvation not having nor trusting Jesus.

Nope...not wrong. God is not at all exclusive. People are, but not God.

Love &Forgiveness · Sep 17, 2018

holo said:
But all the disciples were Jews, and Jesus said he was sent only to Israel, no?

Jesus came to Save the Jews and the Gentiles.

This is Jesus Words concerning the Jews and the Gentiles:

Matthew 15:21-28 NLT
Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. [22] A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” [23] But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” [24] Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” [25] But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” [26] Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” [27] She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” [28] “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Luke 7:1-10 NLT
When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, he returned to Capernaum. [2] At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. [3] When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. [4] So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, [5] “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.” [6] So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. [7] I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. [8] I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” [9] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” [10] And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.

Acts 10:34-48 NLT
Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. [35] In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. [36] This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. [37] You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. [38] And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [39] “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, [40] but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, [41] not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. [43] He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” [44] Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. [45] The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. [46] For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, [47] “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” [48] So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.

ViaCrucis · Sep 17, 2018

Love &Forgiveness said:
What is the difference between Christianity and other religions?

One is Christianity, the others aren't. There are lots of differences, because there are lots of differences between all religions.

-CryptoLutheran

Love &Forgiveness · Sep 17, 2018

holo said:
But he doesn't in fact clearly say that. The bible says he does, so then you must first believe the bible, which I don't. Not in the sense that it's the word of God, anyway.

But that's something Christianity seems to have in common with most other religions, the idea that you should just take something on faith.

I didn't believe in the Bible before I repented and asked Jesus to Save me. If you go to many Christian churches I would be willing to bet many of the people that go to church don't even believe in the Bible as the Word of God. After I was Saved God proved to me that it is the inspired Word of God, not that any one translation is perfect now. The Bible is a unified message written over thousands of years. All the prophecies about Jesus came true. If you ever give you life to Jesus He will show you the hidden proof that you need to believe that it is His Word. You can't really see the hidden meaning without the Holy Spirit. So I would say some people believe in Jesus because of the Bible, some because of miracles, some other reasons, but like the other fellow said nobody has an excess because God put it in our hearts to know Him. People just don't want to admit that they need Him. Jesus doesn't force anyone to believe in Him. He offers Salvation to everyone, but He says most people will reject Him. He wants everyone to be Saved and He tries very hard to get people to come to Him, but most never do. People ask why do bad things happen in the world if God Loves us, that is exactly why bad things happen, because He does Love us. Most people would never look up to Jesus unless they hit bottom. Most people won't turn to anyone else unless they need them, same concept.

ViaCrucis · Sep 17, 2018

Love &Forgiveness said:
I think that I might have written the question confussing.

What I intended to say is: What is the difference between Faith alone in Jesus Christ as God to Save, and others beliefs?

What my reply is Jesus Christ seeks us out and convicts us of our sins. Through this action we are offered the Free Gift of Salvation. If we repond by repenting aka turning from our sins and asking Jesus Christ to Save us we accept the Free Gift of Salvation aka Eternal Life. Nobody seeks Jesus to be Saved, Jesus seeks us and offers us Salvation, not based on anything that we have done. Salvation is Free and undeserving.

Other beliefs are based on getting right with a god through our own actions or that there is no God and no afterlife.

What about Christians who don't accept the Neo-Evangelical doctrine of Decisionism?

-CryptoLutheran

Love &Forgiveness · Sep 17, 2018

ViaCrucis said:
What about Christians who don't accept the Neo-Evangelical doctrine of Decisionism?

-CryptoLutheran

You can believe whatever you want. I am just telling everyone how God has come into my life and what He has done in my life and what He is doing.

Love &Forgiveness · Sep 17, 2018

holo said:
The gospel seems to me to be based on what Jesus did (died and was resurrected), rather than what he taught. As he himself said, he was sent only to "the house of Israel." His followers at the time had no idea what his death even meant. To them it was just a tremendous and confusing loss, then later it was revealed why he had to die etc.

The Gospel, also called the Good News is about Jesus' Life, Death, and Resurrection. It is all about Jesus making a Way for us where there was no way. The Good News tells us that we can become right with God through Faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:21-31 NLT
But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. [22] We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. [23] For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. [24] Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. [25] For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, [26] for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. [27] Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. [28] So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. [29] After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. [30] There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. [31] Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

Love &Forgiveness · Sep 17, 2018

Love &Forgiveness said:
That's not true. Paul didn't enter until after Jesus and the other Apostles were already well established.

Romans 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

1 Corinthians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.

2 Corinthians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to God’s church in Corinth and to all of his holy people throughout Greece.

Galatians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.

Ephesians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.

1 Corinthians 1:10-31 NLT
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. [11] For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. [12] Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter, ” or “I follow only Christ.” [13] Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! [14] I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, [15] for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. [16] (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.) [17] For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. [18] The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. [19] As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” [20] So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. [21] Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. [22] It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. [23] So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. [24] But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. [26] Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. [27] Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. [28] God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. [29] As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. [30] God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. [31] Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”

Love &Forgiveness · Sep 17, 2018

holo said:
I used to be a Christian, so I remember sort of looking for Jesus in the OT, and just like with everything else, we tend to find what we're looking for. Angry atheists have no trouble finding examples of God being violent either.

But anyway my point is that Christianity didn't start with Jesus, but with Paul. Another common misconception is that the new covenant starts with the new testament, but the two testaments are just our way of organizing the scriptures.

Romans 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

1 Corinthians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.

2 Corinthians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to God’s church in Corinth and to all of his holy people throughout Greece.

Galatians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.

Ephesians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.

1 Corinthians 1:10-31 NLT
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. [11] For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. [12] Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter, ” or “I follow only Christ.” [13] Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! [14] I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, [15] for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. [16] (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.) [17] For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. [18] The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. [19] As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” [20] So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. [21] Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. [22] It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. [23] So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. [24] But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. [26] Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. [27] Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. [28] God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. [29] As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. [30] God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. [31] Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”

FireDragon76 · Sep 17, 2018

ViaCrucis said:
What about Christians who don't accept the Neo-Evangelical doctrine of Decisionism?

-CryptoLutheran

Yeah, they make it sound like a gift, then they talk about "turning from your sins" or repentance as the real stuff. That's work, for most people, folks. If it's a free gift but Jesus requires something from you before you go to heaven, it's no more a free gift than "buy one get one free" is a free gift.

These message boards are full of folks asking questions about all the little details of this or that activity that they presume is sinful, "carnal" or "worldly". People outside our faith, like Jane, are certain to be skeptical that "it's not about a religion, it's a relationship" after seeing all the moralizing and meticulous discipline many Christians seem to believe is required. Then they can chalk up that "free gift" stuff to not-so-clever marketing.

Love &Forgiveness · Sep 17, 2018

FireDragon76 said:
Yeah, they make it sound like a gift, then they talk about "turning from your sins" or repentance as the real stuff. That's work, for most people, folks. If it's a free gift but Jesus requires something from you before you go to heaven, it's no more a free gift than "buy one get one free" is a free gift.

These message boards are full of folks asking questions about all the little details of this or that activity that they presume is sinful, "carnal" or "worldly". People outside our faith, like Jane, are certain to be skeptical that "it's not about a religion, it's a relationship" after seeing all the moralizing and meticulous discipline many Christians seem to believe is required. Then they can chalk up that "free gift" stuff to not-so-clever marketing.

Truthfully I don't have all the answers. I know that God convicted me of my sins, I admitted that I was a sinner and I asked Jesus to Save me. I wasn't seeking Him and nobody evangelized to me but I did grow up Catholic so I knew about Jesus. I am not sure how other people come to believe, but in the Bible it says that they can't come unless God draws them. People don't just come to God on their own. The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins which is drawing people that were not looking for God, this gives them the opportunity to respond in Faith. We can admit that we are sinners, that we need Jesus to Save us, and ask Him to Save us. We aren't doing anything to Save ourselves, we are accepting the Free Gift God is giving us. From what God has revealed to me it seems that God knew what it would take for each person that will accept Him to believe and puts them on that course for their life. This means that God did all the work to Save us and to make a Way by giving us Jesus in place of us. We can't Save ourselves. Nothing we can do will Save us. Only through Faith in Jesus, and even that is a Gift. This is what I have learned through my walk with Jesus so far.

These are just a few of the Scriptures that tell us this is true:

Matthew 4:17 NLT
From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. ”

Matthew 5:3-5 NLT
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. [4] God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [5] God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

Acts 2:38 NLT
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 20:21 NLT
I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

We trust Jesus because He is Trustworthy, that is not something we are doing to be Saved.

When someone offers you a gift can you accept it or reject it? Did you do anything to earn that gift? It was freely given to accept or reject.

If someone at work offers you a piece of candy you have the option to accept it or reject it. It is a gift, not something you earned or something you were looking for.

Same with Salvation. God offers us Salvation as a gift that we can accept or reject. God doesn't force anyone to accept Him. It is free an undeserved. He offers it to everyone. Nobody is better than anyone else. He didn't pick some people to be Saved and some people to go to hell. He wants everyone to be Saved. He offers Salvation to everyone, but you have to want it. Everyone gets what they want. Do you want the Candy or not? Did you do anything to earn it? Were you looking for it? If someone comes to you on the street and offers you a billion dollars you can say yes or no, same with Salvation, only Salvation is worth more than the whole world. Someone can tell you about Jesus, you can say no or you can say yes. It is your choice to accept the Free and undeserved Gift. Salvation is not forced, that would be slavery. Salvation is not earned, that would be payment. It is a gift, but you have to accept it.

FireDragon76 · Sep 17, 2018

Love &Forgiveness said:
Truthfully I don't have all the answers. I know that God convicted me of my sins, I admitted that I was a sinner and I asked Jesus to Save me. I wasn't seeking Him and nobody evangelized to me but I did grow up Catholic so I knew about Jesus. I am not sure how other people come to believe, but in the Bible it says that they can't come unless God draws them. People don't just come to God on their own. The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins which is drawing people that were not looking for God, this gives them the opportunity to respond in Faith. We can admit that we are sinners, that we need Jesus to Save us, and ask Him to Save us. We aren't doing anything to Save ourselves, we are accepting the Free Gift God is giving us. From what God has revealed to me it seems that God knew what it would take for each person that will accept Him to believe and puts them on that course for their life. This means that God did all the work to Save us and to make a Way by giving us Jesus in place of us. We can't Save ourselves. Nothing we can do will Save us. Only through Faith in Jesus, and even that is a Gift. This is what I have learned through my walk with Jesus so far.

These are just a few of the Scriptures that tell us this is true:

Matthew 4:17 NLT
From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. ”

Matthew 5:3-5 NLT
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. [4] God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [5] God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

Acts 2:38 NLT
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 20:21 NLT
I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

We trust Jesus because He is Trustworthy, that is not something we are doing to be Saved.

When someone offers you a gift can you accept it or reject it? Did you do anything to earn that gift? It was freely given to accept or reject.

If someone at work offers you a piece of candy you have the option to accept it or reject it. It is a gift, not something you earned or something you were looking for.

Same with Salvation. God offers us Salvation as a gift that we can accept or reject. God doesn't force anyone to accept Him. It is free an undeserved. He offers it to everyone. Nobody is better than anyone else. He didn't pick some people to be Saved and some people to go to hell. He wants everyone to be Saved. He offers Salvation to everyone, but you have to want it. Everyone gets what they want. Do you want the Candy or not? Did you do anything to earn it? Were you looking for it? If someone comes to you on the street and offers you a billion dollars you can say yes or no, same with Salvation, only Salvation is worth more than the whole world. Someone can tell you about Jesus, you can say no or you can say yes. It is your choice to accept the Free and undeserved Gift. Salvation is not forced, that would be slavery. Salvation is not earned, that would be payment. It is a gift, but you have to accept it.

But if such salvation were so good, like a billion dollars, what person in their right mind would turn it down? When people hear an "offer" of anything, they immediately feel manipulated, because they know there is always a catch, an agenda. This is not how God works, at least not how I understand God working.

Love &Forgiveness · Sep 17, 2018

FireDragon76 said:
But if such salvation were so good, like a billion dollars, what person in their right mind would turn it down? When people hear an "offer" of anything, they immediately feel manipulated, because they know there is always a catch, an agenda. This is not how God works, at least not how I understand God working.

It is Good for some and not good for others. Some people aren't satisfied with what the world offers, and some people are. Some people don't love the world, and some people do. Some people aren't satisfied with theirs sins, some people are.

Luke 15:11-32 NLT
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. [12] The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. [13] “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. [14] About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. [15] He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. [16] The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. [17] “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! [18] I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, [19] and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ [20] “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. [21] His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. ’ [22] “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. [23] And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, [24] for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. [25] “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, [26] and he asked one of the servants what was going on. [27] ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ [28] “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, [29] but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. [30] Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ [31] “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. [32] We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Love &Forgiveness · Sep 17, 2018

FireDragon76 said:
But if such salvation were so good, like a billion dollars, what person in their right mind would turn it down? When people hear an "offer" of anything, they immediately feel manipulated, because they know there is always a catch, an agenda. This is not how God works, at least not how I understand God working.

What Jesus offers is humility, selflessness, generosity, respect, loving enemies, persecution. What the world offers is pride, selfishness, greed, lust, hate, revenge, fitting in. Most people pick the world because they think that is better.

What is the difference between Christianity and other religions?

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