A Real Christian?

hernyaccent · Jan 16, 2005

I have always felt as if a christian is someone who follows the teachings of Christ to the best of their ability. I don't believe that God will reject those into his kingdom who have never had the ability to hear his word and for that one statement I am not a christian because there is this belief that Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven. How do you accent for tribals people who have never encountered people outside of their tribe let alone Jesus?

This has become such a hardship for me. I feel like I am always attacked by christians or things involving christianity. I know someone will say your faith should not change because of man but that isn't the case for me and I am willing to admit it. My weakness at this point of my life is my faith. I am young and searching for that stable faith but all I have found are arguements as to way I am not a christian.

The thinker · Jan 16, 2005

In the bible it says that God judges all fairly and that all who hear the good news of Jesus are held responsible for believing or not. God knows everything and is outside of time, I have always assumed that he will treat them like he treats people who are physically un capable of understanding religion e.g. people with brain damage or babies.

One other thing that I have thought of is that God sent them his word some time in the past and they didn't accept it so now the rest of the generations are being held accountable for that first decision. God has done this a few times through the bible like for example Adam and eve were the ones who released sin upon the world but we all have to live with it even though we didn't make the decision another example would be (I can't remember where I heard this) that in the old Testament only people from a certain Jewish tribe were allowed to become priests because their ancestors all had to kill I their brother/father/son and this sacrifice was enough for all the other generations.

hope this helps

hernyaccent · Jan 16, 2005

walking with christ said:
In the bible it says that God judges all fairly and that all who hear the good news of Jesus are held responsible for believing or not. God knows everything and is outside of time, I have always assumed that he will treat them like he treats people who are physically un capable of understanding religion e.g. people with brain damage or babies.

One other thing that I have thought of is that God sent them his word some time in the past and they didn't accept it so now the rest of the generations are being held accountable for that first decision. God has done this a few times through the bible like for example Adam and eve were the ones who released sin upon the world but we all have to live with it even though we didn't make the decision another example would be (I can't remember where I heard this) that in the old Testament only people from a certain Jewish tribe were allowed to become priests because their ancestors all had to kill I their brother/father/son and this sacrifice was enough for all the other generations.

hope this helps

I can't think like that. It's negative.

TheMainException · Jan 16, 2005

Well....man, I believe that every person has a feeling deep within of knowing God. Even without knowing Jesus per say....God makes a special account for those people somehow. I am not sure how, but I know that all peoples know that there is something greater...and there are a many people who cry out to the one God.

The thinker · Jan 16, 2005

This doesn't really bother me because I know God and I know he judges fairly. He is so much greater than we are that we just can't comprehend it. My first post was just one theory on the subject.

Some people think that people who don't get a chance to know God are judged on their actions as a person,

Others think that they go strait to heaven or hell (I don't really agree with the hell part but who am I to judge)

and Others think that because God knows all and he even knows you better than you know yourself that he knows what you would have thought if you were told about Christianity and therefore can judge you.

But the truth is I dont think anybody really knows so its basicly up to you and what it says in the bible to find out what you thnk sounds right,

Paul_Wright_luvr · Jan 16, 2005

i know that u dont want to hear this but Jesus IS the only way to get to heaven in the Bible(i forgot the reference, ill find it and post it) Jesus says,"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life NOBODY COMES TO THE FATHER(God)EXEPT THROUGH ME"
about the triabal people, everyone's ancesstors have heard about God one time or another. i know some missionaries that go to remote tribes in Africa...some accept the Good News and others don't. one time, i was talking to a non-Christian and he said this "If your God is loving and kind and fair, why did he sent the flood" i replied by saying "The people rejected God and were evil, only Noah and his family believed in God" the guy answered by saying "Yes, but what about the babies. What kind of a god would punish the babies and make them pay for their parent's sins" i didnt have and answer for this but know i have two.
1. Babies cant understand so they aren't accountable for their sins. I'm not posative but im pretty sure that they went to heaven.
2. GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!! it is not possible for a human mind to comprihend what God does.

feel free to PM me if u have any more questions.
Baili

perfection · Jan 16, 2005

Jesus said that he is the truth the road and the path towards god, this is all true. He didn't say he was the ONLY way to reach God. Each and every religion has their own amount of light in it, and not everyone's needs for spiritual growth can be found in a certain type of religion, you are guided to get each of the things you need and God will help you to run into that which you need from every certain type of religion in aspects of spiritual growth that corresponds to what God thinks that you need at the moment. This is why there are so many religions in the world, because not everyone is at the same rate of spirituality. These however are all controlled by God, and it may well be that you aren't ready yet to receive the teachings of christ before you fully understand this. When you feel you are ready to receive his teachings then it's a good time, and honestly what directions others force you to take is anti-christian , because free will is holy. You need to choose for Christ voluntary, and you need to choose for God volentary, otherwhise you can never be truelly at peace with Christianity.

hernyaccent · Jan 16, 2005

perfection said:
Jesus said that he is the truth the road and the path towards god, this is all true. He didn't say he was the ONLY way to reach God. Each and every religion has their own amount of light in it, and not everyone's needs for spiritual growth can be found in a certain type of religion, you are guided to get each of the things you need and God will help you to run into that which you need from every certain type of religion in aspects of spiritual growth that corresponds to what God thinks that you need at the moment. This is why there are so many religions in the world, because not everyone is at the same rate of spirituality. These however are all controlled by God, and it may well be that you aren't ready yet to receive the teachings of christ before you fully understand this. When you feel you are ready to receive his teachings then it's a good time, and honestly what directions others force you to take is anti-christian , because free will is holy. You need to choose for Christ voluntary, and you need to choose for God volentary, otherwhise you can never be truelly at peace with Christianity.

Choosing Christ isn't the issue nor is choosing a religion. Being told your choices are wrong is the problem for me.

Stinker · Jan 16, 2005

hernyaccent said:
I have always felt as if a christian is someone who follows the teachings of Christ to the best of their ability. I don't believe that God will reject those into his kingdom who have never had the ability to hear his word and for that one statement I am not a christian because there is this belief that Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven. How do you accent for tribals people who have never encountered people outside of their tribe let alone Jesus?

This has become such a hardship for me. I feel like I am always attacked by christians or things involving christianity. I know someone will say your faith should not change because of man but that isn't the case for me and I am willing to admit it. My weakness at this point of my life is my faith. I am young and searching for that stable faith but all I have found are arguements as to way I am not a christian.

I see why you cannot be a true Christian. You cannot get past the emotional situation of someone dying that had never heard and obeyed the Gospel. That those responsible for that situation, being held accountable at the Judgement Day, and the sending out of missionaries, is not enough. It is not enough for a lot of non-Christians.

TheOriginalWhitehorse · Jan 17, 2005

hernyaccent said:
I have always felt as if a christian is someone who follows the teachings of Christ to the best of their ability. I don't believe that God will reject those into his kingdom who have never had the ability to hear his word and for that one statement I am not a christian because there is this belief that Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven. How do you accent for tribals people who have never encountered people outside of their tribe let alone Jesus?

This has become such a hardship for me. I feel like I am always attacked by christians or things involving christianity. I know someone will say your faith should not change because of man but that isn't the case for me and I am willing to admit it. My weakness at this point of my life is my faith. I am young and searching for that stable faith but all I have found are arguements as to way I am not a christian.

Whether or not you are a Christian all goes back to what you put your faith in. There are truths in scripture that are hard for new Christians to accept, and even for seasoned ones to accept, but God shows us as we go along and comforts us. Nevertheless, all the verses in scripture are His truths. So there is a definition to Christianity, and to be Christian, one must believe the things that are consistent with those beliefs. One of those beliefs is that the Bible is the perfect, flawless word of God. And, Jesus is the only way to heaven. As it is written in scripture:

John 14:6

14:6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

As to your question about tribal peoples, God sends missionaries. Believe me, God will reach His people one way or another, wherever they are. Some tribal people have reported having had visions in which Christ revealed Himself, before missionaries came and talked to them. God always gets his man.

But since you are seeking for faith, you will find it.

Luke 11:9-10

11:9"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

11:10For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Matthew 17:17-20, particularly the part that is in bold

17:18And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

17:19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"

17:20So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; F82 for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

So, we see here that you only need a faith as big as a mustard seed. God will make it grow. All you have to do is trust Him and wait for it.

Paul_Wright_luvr · Jan 17, 2005

the verse that i wuz thinking of is John 14:6

perfection · Jan 17, 2005

14:6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Well strangly enough Jesus is lying here, We know that because for the Father everything is possible, also making people come to him without the help of his son Jesus. Although it would be recommendable it's not a must do perse.

TheOriginalWhitehorse · Jan 17, 2005

perfection said:
14:6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Well strangly enough Jesus is lying here, We know that because for the Father everything is possible, also making people come to him without the help of his son Jesus. Although it would be recommendable it's not a must do perse.

God's all-powerful nature necessarily means God is sovereign. That means He does as He chooses. So you're arguing that because He is all-powerful that He is not sovereign, and is thereby forced to have more than one way to heaven by means of His power, when actually the opposite is true. His power gives Him the ability and right to do as He pleases. Therefore God chose Jesus as His only means. If you're going to call your Maker a liar, you must have some very convincing proof to make such a bold statement. I'd like to see that proof.

Wolflily · Jan 19, 2005

Herny, I hear this argument ALL the time from kindhearted and gentle people who cannot bring themselves to accept the God of Christianity because His truths seem so unfair and hard. I once asked the SAME question, among others, and struggled with trusting a God that I misunderstood. But He didn't give up on me and kept bringing me to people who answered my questions to the best of their ability until at last my heart was ready to hear His voice.

I want to put one question to you, now that I'm on the other side of the fence that you are up against: Would you throw away YOUR only chance for eternal life based on what MAY or MAY NOT happen to other people? You are accountable to God for your choice, and yours alone, and basing a decision of unbelief on what you don't know for sure is a risk that has eternal consequences. Only God knows the heart and how He chooses to bring about His will is a mystery to us. We trust that He loves all people and has provided a way out of eternal death for us (Jesus) and has also provided ways for all to receive an OPPORTUNITY to accept that way out.
Choose wisely...

Wolf

kellyp1967 · Jan 20, 2005

Herny,

I wish I had such a way with words that I could convince you to my way of thinking, my belief. I can't. I am still too new to this that my words are not elegant, they are muddled. I was saved four years ago and I am sooooo glad that I am. I have a peace in my life that I would never have had if I didn't have Jesus to lean on. I had an emptiness that needed to be filled. I knew in my heart I needed to get things right with God. I needed his love, his guidance, his approval. As far as the tribal people, I have no idea how they get the information they need to follow Christ. All I know is that when we get to heaven all those questions will be answered. My faith is just that-faith! It says in the Word that - Faith is the substance of things hoped for-not seen. I can't see my belief, but I still feel it and know it's there. I hope for it! I look forward to being with my maker someday. Without faith in God, where would I be? How can you have the desire to go on when life gets hard, unless you know in the end it will be worth it all...I know that isn't much, but I wanted to give you my opinion. I pray that you find yourself with a happy life filled with God someday soon.

Take care,

KellyP

squeak · Jan 21, 2005

All I can say is this: to be a true Christian you need to ask for God toforgive you sins, that's why God gave his son to die for us.

Gifted_Christian · Jan 21, 2005

All I can say is this: to be a true Christian you need to ask for God toforgive you sins, that's why God gave his son to die for us.

That technically isn't true. You can be saved by Jesus Chirst but that doesnt mean that you are going to go to heaven. You can say you are saved but if you go around comitting sins all the time and not caring and jsut expecting God to forgive you, then you're wrong. Just becasue your saved that doesn't buy you a ticket to heaven.

Gifted_Christian · Jan 21, 2005

You have to abide by the bible whether you are saved or not.

TheOriginalWhitehorse · Jan 21, 2005

Gifted_Christian said:
That technically isn't true. You can be saved by Jesus Chirst but that doesnt mean that you are going to go to heaven. You can say you are saved but if you go around comitting sins all the time and not caring and jsut expecting God to forgive you, then you're wrong. Just becasue your saved that doesn't buy you a ticket to heaven.

Well, it's very true that repentance is part of the package of being saved. Our repentance does not earn us salvation, because it cannot cover for the sins we commit. Only Jesus's blood can do that. But if we are truly saved, you're right-it will lead to repentance. (The word "saved" means that God has saved us from hellfire.)

Gifted_Christian · Jan 21, 2005

Yes but you can jsut ask Jesus so save you, but you still have to abide by the laws that he has set out for us. You can't just ask him to save you and then from there on just ignore him. That's just not how it works. Your relaly have to contribute to going to heven and not jsut expect a free ride. You have to provide the fuel for the car.(if you get what I mean)

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