Any answers would help.

[TheTruthinFiction]

I may be posting this in the wrong section. Please excuse me if I am. This may reach, epic, novel length and bare with my dry sense of humor. I'm one of those people who says they believe in Jesus but doesn't consider themselves a Christian. For one thing, I don't FEEL what I hear Christians saying they feel. I'm somewhat indifferent when it comes to feelings of religion. Coming from a family where my grandfather was a Baptist minister in the 60's to myself being in and out of heavy metal bands. One problem, I am now 30, married and have two children. My wife was raised a Catholic but now goes to a Baptist church, with our children. I don't go. I feel like I would be lying to God if I went. I'm sure I could go in and play plastic inside and lie just to be accepted but I think that is worse than not going at all. Some of my problems lie in acts of hypocrisy that I have went through with my family. In one case, a cousin had a son by a man of a different race. Her, her son and her husband were not allowed to come to family reunions. Another one, myself, I am around 75% Italian and 25% Irish, I married a Puerto-Rican woman. I was not pushed out like my cousin was because I am the last man in our family to carry on the family name. I've kind of become the man of the entire family, yeah, at 30. Which also makes me the youngest of the family except for the kids. My wife does not pressure me to go to church with her and the kids but our kids have been asking why daddy doesn't go. That is a hard pill to swallow. I have never been a saint or even near one. Playing in numerous heavy metal bands, extreme to more normal metal. Ok, I have rambled enough, here is one of my problems. When reading the Bible, have read it numerous times to try and understand. I have this one question everytime I read it. If God is all-forgiven, if we are all his children then why would there be a hell? Maybe I have read too many Philosophical books and am thinking too much but it would seem to me that God would take that last moment as a person dies to show himself to them and to allow them to enter Heaven, where then the person would have felt his power to cleanse them and heal them. I also have trouble with the ideal that Muslims, Buddhist, etc.. who live life right, don't hurt others, raise families and live productive would be sent to hell for saying Allah or Buddha when they pray. It seems almost childish to me to believe that a word means more than living life right. Even with a Baptist family and a close friend who is an ordained minister, I still have never been baptized or saved. I'm told by my wife, my friend who is a minister that I have complicated things way too much. It's strange, everyone who meets me in person, who comes to visit my wife, myself and our kids talk about how spiritual I am but I am not trying to be. I do try to be as kind, as understanding, no matter what religion a person is and I try as my grandfather would tell me, "Sow good seeds". I have always been this way but still do not FEEL the way Christians say they feel. I will stop here. Thanks to anyone who answers or helps with this. I want to say this to anyone who posts behind me. Please understand that I understand why the Bible says there is a hell, lake of fire, I do understand that. I just cannot seem to accept that God would send any of us there. Thank you

 

[Wakeup2god]

Hi there

having read through your post the conclusion I come to is that 'HELL' is a place of being cut off from god. People say "hell on earth", well I don't think any experiance here on earth could compare to being completely cut off from God. Where He is there is always hope, however bad the situation.

Now, does God 'send' people to hell. No, I don't believe He does. He does however give folk free will to chose where they end up. I personlally believe that God has revealed himself firstly through all of creation and then through His son Jesus. All who hear have a choice to believe or not. Hell is simply a 'consequence' of a wrong choice and not a 'punishment' for that wrong choice.

As for those who live good lives then go to hell! Well, we are all born into sin whether we like it or not. We all have the choice as to give God the praise for every good thing or take the praise ourselves. We can only love because He first loved us. We can only give because He gave to us first etc.

There's no lying to God, He knows the hearts of men. You can however be completely honest with Him. Nothing will shock or surprise Him. All He wants is for His creation to acknowledge Him and to have a relationship with Him. When we live in our own strength and understanding we are in effect pushing Him out of our lives.

These are of course my personal views but I hope they help in some way.

 

[Radagast]

... If God is all-forgiven, if we are all his children then why would there be a hell?

Hell is the place without God. The "lake of fire" is only an image, to get across the idea that being without God isn't very nice. People go to Hell because they choose to (read CS Lewis' The Great Divorce, for example).

What happens to Muslims and Buddhists? That's up to God. The Bible does not say they all necessarily go to Hell.

The big question is: where will you go?

As for living life right, nobody can. The first step to salvation is realising that. We can't "earn" Heaven -- God needs to save us.

-- Radagast

 

[TheTruthinFiction]

Hell is the place without God. The "lake of fire" is only an image, to get across the idea that being without God isn't very nice. People go to Hell because they choose to (read CS Lewis' The Great Divorce, for example).

What happens to Muslims and Buddhists? That's up to God. The Bible does not say they all necessarily go to Hell.

The big question is: where will you go?

As for living life right, nobody can. The first step to salvation is realising that. We can't "earn" Heaven -- God needs to save us.

-- Radagast

I will answer the other person who replied later tomorrow. I'm on East Coast, United States, it's 6 A.M. and I haven't been to bed. This post and all appreciate all answers. I don't want to turn this into a debate but it will probably look that way. The first thing I will answer is where will I go. That was my point of my post. I've done wrong but nothing more than your average frat boy has done and that was years ago. I do everything I can to take care of my family, wife and kids and mother but like I said, I am not lying to God by going to church because I don't feel it is a part of me. In all honesty, where I will go to me should not be decided on whether I am saved or not, it should be judged on how I live. This goes into the Buddhist, Muslims part, they are not saved in the name of Christianity, so by that they would go to hell. I'm not for sure I understand the part about no one can live life right. I guess that is just a matter of opinion of what is right and what isn't. I also am not looking to earn Heaven, I am trying to understand why someone who lives a model life (they may sound better than living life right) would be sent to Hell. I understand what you mean by we choose but again, this becomes confusing because it makes it look too easy. I have a close friend in a band that has a song called, "Heaven's Not Overflowing" and it talks about the corruption in churches that are at times supporting Marxism ways of the, "Rich get richer, poor get poorer". It's a sad reality because my grandfather, built the church he preached in with his own money, his own hands (he was also a full-time brick mason) and never asked for donations. He paid the power bill, water bill, etc.. Now I know that is a rare example and understand why that couldn't and wouldn't work but even so, I watched as my grandmother, now 90, still gives 10% of her retirement to the church yet she can't afford to buy her medicine. This to me is corruption. The preacher should step in and help her but he doesn't and he knows she is finacially strapped. My last part is that churches in the United States have become to, ummm looking for the word, competitive. One gets a new addition, the other gets a new addition. It's like a big business nowadays. Last part, why are people allowed to be called preachers, ministers just because they get a degree? That to me makes the religion, seem cheap, fake. It's supposed to be from the heart not from studying. Thanks and please don't think that I am trying to be a (add any word you would like here).

 

[Radagast]

Glad you replied!

... I do everything I can to take care of my family ... where I will go to me should not be decided on whether I am saved or not, it should be judged on how I live.

Do you really think you've lived your life that well? You're not exactly St Francis, surely?

... the Buddhist, Muslims part, they are not saved in the name of Christianity, so by that they would go to hell.

The Bible doesn't say that they will necessarily go to Hell. Are you bringing this up just so that you can say to God "I'm not that great, but neither are You"?

...Last part, why are people allowed to be called preachers, ministers just because they get a degree? That to me makes the religion, seem cheap, fake. It's supposed to be from the heart not from studying.

It's supposed to be both. You can't teach unless you understand.

And I don't think that you are trying to be a (add any word you would like here).

God bless you, and I hope you resolve your questions,

-- Radagast

PS: please do read CS Lewis' The Great Divorce.

 

[Wakeup2god]

One of the choices that you face today is whether to be influenced by 'some' of todays churches and Christians or by your Grandfather. Just because people call themselves Christians doesn't make them perfect. Many people choose to blame God for what the people get up to. Is the issue with your Grandmother her issue or yours? Going off what you've said she's being treated unfairly. The bible tells the church to look after widows and orphans. The church in Acts was encouraged to look after each other.

To God be the glory. Don't blame Him for the failings of mere humans. His ways are good and perfect, His promises are yes and amen.

 

[Wakeup2god]

One more thing

I understand what you mean by we choose but again, this becomes confusing because it makes it look too easy.

It is that easy. You have faith so believe. Tell God you don't understand but you want to believe. Take your eyes off yourself and off the world and set them upon Jesus. Like it was said earlier you can't earn a place in heaven. Faith is a gift from God and all men have it to some degree. It's up to you where you place that faith though.

Life or death - choose life.

 

[heron]

TruthinFiction,

The first thing that strikes me here is that your personality is not your wife's personality is not your preacher's...you have a depth of understanding, an appreciation for the sacrifices your family has made, and you have insights that the passionate believers in her church don't have.

You don't have to feel enthusiasm. You have observed injustices, and they ARE injustices. You don't need to attach yourself to something you see as negligence. Every church has its weaknesses, every church has strengths.

On the other hand, the body of Christ needs the balance of people with different skills and personalities and opinions. If everyone was rejoicing, no work would get done. If everyone ushered, they'd all be in the aisles.

I believe that, whether you feel comfortable there or not, your insights and strengths are the putty for the gaps in that church. Whether they listen to you or not is another story.

What God might have for you is a sacrificial life of your heritage--in your case, being the influence toward justice and practicality. It's your choice, of course, and the sacrifice would pertain more to respect and reputation (as people don't like to hear about change).

I have felt a protective passion over the church in these issues for several years, and know that any advances done in enthusiasm and growth can be destroyed by impractical, thoughtless, negligent, unplanned, imbalanced actions.

Church leaders are not doing it intentionally--they just need to admit that they can't do it all themselves.

BELIEF
You've developed a respect for the Christian life, as well as lost respect. You might be pressured from others to conform, but going to church is not about conforming.

You have also seen the church take, take take...and maybe not give back. The natural response is to protect further taking. For your grandparents, it's clear they gave because they loved it. (I just heard of someone who spends $30k per year to put her dogs in shows.) We're stuck with the genetic nurturing instinct.

There are valuable concepts you can offer your kids about living responsibly and with discernment, inside or outside of church (without destroying what your wife is building). They can influence others to make just, caring decisions in the next Christian generation. (I hope that doesn't make you cringe.)

We have been open with our kids about certain things that came up, without slandering anyone, because we know that suddenly they will need to make their own decisions wisely. Many Christians consider this divisive, but how else will they avoid crowd mentality?

The kids also feel some of the uneasiness we do, and observe the mistakes. If we gloss everything over for the sake of their faith, they will stare through the transparent holes, find the cracks and scramble out.


HELL
There will be weeping (sobbing, intense crying) and gnashing of teeth (darn, I meant to do that) ...the phrase usually sounds scary, but it's about regret.

I have wondered the same thing about last chances, especially with the teaching that everyone has a chance at some point in their lives (when?). My conclusion is, we don't know, and we can't make up a new rule for something we have no control over.

To support this possibility, there are verses that Jesus descended to Sheol to release some deceased people before he rose. That means that a decision was made or an action carried out after they were long dead. This could start a big apologetics discussion, so I'd encourage anyone reading this to focus on TF's questions rather than my loose threads.

 

[JustTrustJesus]

Please understand that I understand why the Bible says there is a hell, lake of fire, I do understand that. I just cannot seem to accept that God would send any of us there. Thank you

1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE."
1Co 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1Co 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

 

[mystery4]

First of all, I want to say thanks for asking and I admire your courage to do so.

When we don't have Christ or His ways as our example and follow it, then ultimately, the standard that we uphold as a race ends up decreasing so that the world becomes a mess. Same thing happens in our individual lives. Its not that everyone (some people might) deliberately brings down the standard type of life, thats just the result of our flawed natures.

You say you think that people can live life right. Hopefully I have understood you correctly with that. Correct me if I am wrong. If that is the case, then are you able to give me one name (apart from Jesus) who has not lied, has not said or done something they've later regretted, disobeyed parents, friends, teachers, government (ie broken rules or laws) - basically anyone with any sort of authority. If you can tell me anyone who you know has been able to do all that 100% of the time plus not saying anything bad about anyone, always being encouraging, positive or anything like that, then I will agree with you. Those people may do as they're supposed to, but what about their motives? Do they do all these things because they want to make a difference and glorify God or is it because it makes them look better or for another reason completely? If you can find someone who matches all these descriptions and more, then I will believe you that we do not need Christ to get to heaven to be with God for eternity.

I believe that Christianity is both simple and complex at the same time. God is eternal, we are not. And because of sin we have distanced ourselves further from Him which means we are not able to understand the things of God unless the Holy Spirit intervenes and explains it to us.

Romans is a very good book to read in your case. And even though you may not "feel" like a Christian, ask the Holy Spirit for guidance before reading to help you understand what you are seeking. Other verses and texts you might find interesting are: John 4:1-42; Acts 13; Acts 28:28, 1 Cor 15, Rom 3.

Read in context, both before and after, and if you're able, try working out what it was the different author's were trying to tell the people of the time and what is it you can take out of it.

I personally am a Christian because I know Jesus loved me enough to die for me. I do not understand why, and it does take a while for us as mortals who in our culture, "nothing's free". I have accepted the free gift and when that love was brought into my life, my response was to use it according to the way it was intended to the best of my ability. That is, to glorify God by following Jesus' example obeying God. Thats also a way I show Him how much I love Him and what He means to me. For who wants someone who says they accept a gift they've been given then do nothing with it? Wouldn't their actions seem to conflict what they say?

God Bless you and I'll be praying that some of your questions will be answered and that God will lead you to make the best decision for your life and that of your kid's lives.

 

[Svt4Him]

if we are all his children then why would there be a hell

We are not all God's children. We are all created in His image, true, but we are not all His children.

As for being good, here is a good test to take:http://www.livingwaters.com/good/

 

[The Midge]

I may be posting this in the wrong section. Please excuse me if I am. This may reach, epic, novel length and bare with my dry sense of humor. I'm one of those people who says they believe in Jesus but doesn't consider themselves a Christian. For one thing, I don't FEEL what I hear Christians saying they feel. I'm somewhat indifferent when it comes to feelings of religion. Coming from a family where my grandfather was a Baptist minister in the 60's to myself being in and out of heavy metal bands. One problem, I am now 30, married and have two children. My wife was raised a Catholic but now goes to a Baptist church, with our children. I don't go. I feel like I would be lying to God if I went. I'm sure I could go in and play plastic inside and lie just to be accepted but I think that is worse than not going at all. Some of my problems lie in acts of hypocrisy that I have went through with my family. In one case, a cousin had a son by a man of a different race. Her, her son and her husband were not allowed to come to family reunions. Another one, myself, I am around 75% Italian and 25% Irish, I married a Puerto-Rican woman. I was not pushed out like my cousin was because I am the last man in our family to carry on the family name. I've kind of become the man of the entire family, yeah, at 30. Which also makes me the youngest of the family except for the kids. My wife does not pressure me to go to church with her and the kids but our kids have been asking why daddy doesn't go. That is a hard pill to swallow. I have never been a saint or even near one. Playing in numerous heavy metal bands, extreme to more normal metal. Ok, I have rambled enough, here is one of my problems. When reading the Bible, have read it numerous times to try and understand. I have this one question everytime I read it. If God is all-forgiven, if we are all his children then why would there be a hell? Maybe I have read too many Philosophical books and am thinking too much but it would seem to me that God would take that last moment as a person dies to show himself to them and to allow them to enter Heaven, where then the person would have felt his power to cleanse them and heal them. I also have trouble with the ideal that Muslims, Buddhist, etc.. who live life right, don't hurt others, raise families and live productive would be sent to hell for saying Allah or Buddha when they pray. It seems almost childish to me to believe that a word means more than living life right. Even with a Baptist family and a close friend who is an ordained minister, I still have never been baptized or saved. I'm told by my wife, my friend who is a minister that I have complicated things way too much. It's strange, everyone who meets me in person, who comes to visit my wife, myself and our kids talk about how spiritual I am but I am not trying to be. I do try to be as kind, as understanding, no matter what religion a person is and I try as my grandfather would tell me, "Sow good seeds". I have always been this way but still do not FEEL the way Christians say they feel. I will stop here. Thanks to anyone who answers or helps with this. I want to say this to anyone who posts behind me. Please understand that I understand why the Bible says there is a hell, lake of fire, I do understand that. I just cannot seem to accept that God would send any of us there. Thank you

I like heavy rock. It is full of energy, vigor and life.. You can use it to rave against all the bad things in the world and shout about all the wonderful things. Excellent stuff. I wish hymns wer sung like that more often, instead of being sentimetal sloppy drivel. No doubt God can use you. Most church goers could do with being woken up. Loud music just might do it. Don't give up what ever you do!

Who has lived a good life "Show me one who has made no mistakes and I will show you one who has done nothing". Is someone who fouled up too big a problem for God? Hardly.

Is being beatific and hollier than thou spiritual? No, it doesn't fool God. We are not sent to hell for calling God by a name we know that is not in the Bible. I'm not sure that hell is anything other than are ability not to face up to our own mortality and failings. You want to go on forever without God? Welcome to hell! That is death- existence without God.

Could God have done anythig more to stop us going to hell? Or dieing? He could have forced us not to. But then we would be in heaven underduress. Heven would become hellish. So then we could chose between hellish heaven or hell. Great.

What does a Christian feel? It depends on the cirumstances; probably the same as everyone else. So what is the difference? No matter how bad a situation is we can have the hope that it will be redeemed. What is evil, bad and hopeless can be turned into good and glorious. Unfortunately are vision and horizon can be limited and we can not see beyond our present woes. Time to ask God to pick us up.

You know that external appearance is different from what is happening deep inside. Christianity is about the inner transformation. The journey from falleness to resurrected, death to life. Taking what ever is old and defunct and changing it to new and living. Real life. Not pretense, not faking but honest acceptance of what we are and the desire to become Chirst like and perfect- what we can be. To do this we have to realise we are white washed tombs looking nice on the outside but full off death and decay.

You realise you are less than what people seem to think. Well done. Amit this to God and let Him put it right and you are on your way into the Kingdom.

If you stand up in front of the Church and say what you really are then they should rejoice. Perhaps you should walk away from a fellow ship that can't accept the truth for that means they can't accept their own falleness and be forgiven in turn. But when it comes down to it that is what accepting Christ is about and baptism. Baptism is demonstrating this realisation in action. To be in the Church is to be in a fellowship of self confessed sinners.

Should I feel good about my sin? No. Should I feel good about Christ? Yes, yes and yes again.

 

[TheTruthinFiction]

We are not all God's children. We are all created in His image, true, but we are not all His children.

As for being good, here is a good test to take:http://www.livingwaters.com/good/

I will try to respond to most of these posts but wanted to start with this one. I want to explain myself on something. I'm not here to discredit Christianity. I'm not here to point out the flaws in the Bible. I could and have done this before in everyday life, usually because someone tells me how I am supposed to live. This test, I took it but it is a negative test, impossible to come away with anything positive except a feeling a guilt. I noticed in one part is said something to the effect of if a judge let someone go of a crime they are guilty of would it make them a good judge, like the thought that we have that God is good. My first problem here is the judge is a man/woman not a higher being who is perfect. When I talk to Christians they tell me that God is a jealous God, I don't get that, makes no sense. Because in jealousy would be the same as to covet. Which would make God not perfect. In your post, you say that we are not all God's children. I don't get that either. If he created all then we are his children. You have to understand that my perspective on this is not coming from being an angry teenager who is trying to fit in, who is trying to look cool. This is a deep issue that I have. It effects everyday life, I am a Human Resources Manager for the United States largest cell phone company by day and a drummer/vocalist on weekends, a dad and a husband all the time and a son. People on a daily basis tell me that one day I will be paid back for the things I have done good. I can list a list of charity work that I have been involved with, people addicted to drugs who have come to me for help. I even and before someone goes on a tangent about me sounding selfish or defensive or arrogant, realize these are things that I have done from the goodness of my heart. A kid who I am still in daily contact had read an old website that I used to work for. He had lost father, he was 14. It was Christmas Eve, this kid went to a church in Cleveland, Ohio to have someone to talk to but they were closed for the holiday. So he sends the website an email and asks if there was anyway, I could chat with him. I too, lost my father when I was 14 and he needed advice, help, anything. This kid was destined to become a statistic, living in government housing, lost his brother a month before losing his dad, to a drive-by shooting. I found out he was a honor student and had a dream of being a Doctor but he didn't feel he continue to strive without his dad there. Everyday, I would talk to this kid, encourage him. He is now in his second year of med school at Duke University with a 4.0 GPA. When he had to present a thesis, he did it on the concept of God closing one door and opening another. He seen this as him losing his dad but meeting me. That to me, is more rewarding then anything I can find at a church. My point being and yes this almost is thesis (ignore humor). Most everything that I get as far as sites, tests from Christians are negative. It's as if as a Christian you live your life to prove how imperfect we are as humans. Where is the positivity? All I am seeing is that living a good life is not possible. That life, in of itself, should only be lived to give God the glory. My mind will not understand that because it goes into something that most of you have heard and I'm not trying to be one of those people but it goes into being mindless, a drone, a sheep. Maybe I'm just too analytical to ever accept something the way I think I should and that is in my heart, not my mind. I have read the New Testament in complete awe of the stories, it's truly a beautiful story. I appreciate the feedback. Thank you

 

[Daughter of His]

Hi !

You say you have never been saved? Is that a desire of yours? Do you believe that Christ Jesus died for your sins, was buried, rose from the dead and assended to heaven? You don't have to FEEL like a Christian.

When you invite Jesus into your heart you may or may not feel different at once but he will change you from the inside out. Just ask, invite Him into your life, When you do you'll have a personal counselor, comforter, best friend, and the list goes on. You have such a gentleman's personality you are awesome. I hope we can help you dissolve some of the confusion concerning salvation.

 

[TheTruthinFiction]

Hi !

You say you have never been saved? Is that a desire of yours? Do you believe that Christ Jesus died for your sins, was buried, rose from the dead and assended to heaven? You don't have to FEEL like a Christian.

When you invite Jesus into your heart you may or may not feel different at once but he will change you from the inside out. Just ask, invite Him into your life, When you do you'll have a personal counselor, comforter, best friend, and the list goes on. You have such a gentleman's personality you are awesome. I hope we can help you dissolve some of the confusion concerning salvation.

Thank you, this is more what I was looking for. I do desire to be saved but I keep waiting on this feeling that I hear others speak of. If I don't feel that then I truly feel that I would be lying to myself and God. This feeling that people talk about, my wife says I have felt it but am not admitting it because I have an issue of not being able to live up to expectations, meaning I put too many expectations on myself. She thinks that I feel like if I am saved that I can no longer play the music I do, no longer hang-out with people that I do because this music and these people do not represent a Christian. Keep in mind, this is in my head, not really what I believe but that I will try and create this Christian persona for myself that I will never live up to. I tell people this part and most laugh. I do talk, (I prefer talk over pray because I usually say it out loud) to God but it's more of me just chattering to him. "Did you see that?" you know idle chatter. I also think that I have seen too many Christians who pray for the wrong reasons. I hear people say, "Please God give me credit so I can buy a new car" and I'm thinking if you are going to talk to God you should be saying, "Thank you for everything you have done for me". Not what he can do for you in the present or future. Thank You this was one post in the right direction.

 

[seekingpurity047]

Hello. I really appreciate your posts, and I'm so thankful taht God has called you to come here and ask about Him.

Jesus loves you. He loves everyone. In order to be saved, we don't have to have a feeling. It's not a matter of feelings, because for Christ, it's not how you feel, it's how much faith you have in Him. The people who tell you that "oh it's a wonderful feeling, etc etc." God doesn't play with our emotions and feelings, becuase if He did, all of those children who grew up in christian households who surrendered life to Christ just BAM like that, they did not necessarily feel anything, they just had faith taht what they grew up in is true. They had simple faith in Jesus Christ.

However, in order toi accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, we need to recognize that we are sinners. Because, if we aren't sinners, then Jesus died for absolutely no reason, and we wouldn't be required to surrender life to Christ. We have to recognize, as it says in Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." that we are sinners. Of course, it does seem very negative, but very often God will take waht appears bad, and make something good out of it. For example, the recent tsunami in Asia, terrible thing to happen, however, it united all kinds of countries and cultures together to help these people. Millions of people gave money to support the cause, millions of people went there for relief trips. Good came out of waht appeared to be bad. Everything works out for the good of God's children. And, in order to be a child of God (reply to the question about who are God's children) we have to be born again. As stated in John 1:11-13 "11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." Should clear that one up.

We can't answer why God sends people to hell, primarily because we are not God, and we don't have the His knowledge, nor have His sovereignty. We just have to accept the fact that we are sinners, and Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour, and He died for our sins. God wants everyone to be saved, as stated in 1 Tim. 2:3-4 "3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." However, men (notice how he actually means humans in general) don't want to be saved. They think they are good enough to get into heaven... that's the problem. Nobody is good enough to get into heaven, but it is by God's grace that people are saved through faith in Christ alone. We need to humble ourselves before God, becuase, as it says in Luke 5:31-32 "31Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. 32I have come to call sinners to turn from their sins, not to spend my time with those who think they are already good enough." Accordingly, that is the focus. Accept the fact that you are a sinner, and pray that Jesus will cleanse you of those sins because you believe in Him.

Once again, I really appreciate you coming on this site for this reason. It is of great concern. My first suggestion to you is not to pay attention to the actions of other people, but look at waht the bible says, because it is God's word, it tells us waht we can and cannot do. Even christian violate waht the bible says, that's why I don't think you should focus on waht other people do, but simply follow Jesus' example. "Be imitators of God as dear children, and walk in love as Christ also loved us..." Eph. 5:1-2.

May God Bless your heart everyday of your life, and may He call you to His purpose, and may He save you from your sins. I'm praying for you brother, and I pray that you can approach God with complete humility.

P.S Sorry about the super long reply.

 

[JJB]

TiF,
When I became a Christian, I thought I had prayed the wrong prayer or something, because I didn't "feel" any different. You are not alone in your feelings. There were no fireworks, no release from drug addiction (Ididn't have one -- humor), nor any "miracle" other than a real forgiveness of my sins and entering into relationship with Jesus.

I'm not sure what you mean by "feelings" that other Christians have. God leads each of us down our own path to Him. We are each individuals, and He speaks to us in different ways, ways we can hear.

As for other faiths, I leave that decision/judgment up to God. He is sovereign and I for one am thankful not to make those judgments! Altho, I do believe they are on the wrong spiritual path, as Jesus tells us that He is the only way we can get to the Father.

Don't turn away faith in Christ because of others' insincerity or whatever it is you see in them. Your walk with Jesus will be different from someone else's. As someone else said, perhaps your calling is to point out what you see in error in the church, but you must do it in love. It's an icky job, but the church needs it! Not your church in particular, but the church worldwide! We need prophets, or as someone else said (CS Lewis perhaps?) we need men with chests!

 

[JJB]

TiF,

I have to also tell you that I have never regretted that decision to walk through life with Jesus as Lord. It is an amazing journey.

 

[Serapha]

HI there!




Salvation is a "fact" not a "feeling"....

I agree with those that have told you that you have complicated the plan of salvation too much...

Simplify it...


http://www.christianforums.com/gospel


God's an amazing thinker.... and such a good concept... He allows us to spend eternity with the one that we serve in this life.

If we serve God, we continue to serve God in heaven... if we serve the world and the one that rules this world, then in the afterlife, we get to spend eternity with the ruler of this world (satan). What more could we ask for than to spend eternity with the one that we spend time serving here?

Wow... talk about God being just.


I would encourage you to look at that link... and I would ask you to consider accepting by faith who Jesus Christ was/is and what Jesus Christ did/will do for you.

I also have trouble with the ideal that Muslims, Buddhist, etc.. who live life right, don't hurt others, raise families and live productive would be sent to hell for saying Allah or Buddha when they pray.

You do realize that being morally good is a totally different concept than being redeemed by the blood of the Lamb????

~serapha~

 

[Serapha]

I will answer the other person who replied later tomorrow. I'm on East Coast, United States, it's 6 A.M. and I haven't been to bed. This post and all appreciate all answers. I don't want to turn this into a debate but it will probably look that way. The first thing I will answer is where will I go. That was my point of my post. I've done wrong but nothing more than your average frat boy has done and that was years ago. I do everything I can to take care of my family, wife and kids and mother but like I said, I am not lying to God by going to church because I don't feel it is a part of me. In all honesty, where I will go to me should not be decided on whether I am saved or not, it should be judged on how I live. This goes into the Buddhist, Muslims part, they are not saved in the name of Christianity, so by that they would go to hell. I'm not for sure I understand the part about no one can live life right. I guess that is just a matter of opinion of what is right and what isn't. I also am not looking to earn Heaven, I am trying to understand why someone who lives a model life (they may sound better than living life right) would be sent to Hell. I understand what you mean by we choose but again, this becomes confusing because it makes it look too easy. I have a close friend in a band that has a song called, "Heaven's Not Overflowing" and it talks about the corruption in churches that are at times supporting Marxism ways of the, "Rich get richer, poor get poorer". It's a sad reality because my grandfather, built the church he preached in with his own money, his own hands (he was also a full-time brick mason) and never asked for donations. He paid the power bill, water bill, etc.. Now I know that is a rare example and understand why that couldn't and wouldn't work but even so, I watched as my grandmother, now 90, still gives 10% of her retirement to the church yet she can't afford to buy her medicine. This to me is corruption. The preacher should step in and help her but he doesn't and he knows she is finacially strapped. My last part is that churches in the United States have become to, ummm looking for the word, competitive. One gets a new addition, the other gets a new addition. It's like a big business nowadays. Last part, why are people allowed to be called preachers, ministers just because they get a degree? That to me makes the religion, seem cheap, fake. It's supposed to be from the heart not from studying. Thanks and please don't think that I am trying to be a (add any word you would like here).

Hi there!




None of what you posted is "salvation"

Are you saying that you have never had a bad thought? Never told a lie, even a small, white lie? Never disobeyed your parents? Never cheated anyone out of a penny? Never said a single bad word? Never looked at a woman with lust? Never looked at a Playboy magazine (or worse)??? Never treated the wife or kids unfairly?


Nothing? All of your actions and thoughts have been perfect for your entire life?

Everyone is born with a sin nature, and when you become aware of right and wrong and learn that there is a penalty for "wrong", and yet do something wrong, that's sin...

I'm sure I could go in and play plastic inside and lie just to be accepted but I think that is worse than not going at all.

That right there is a wrong thought. If you can "just lie"... there's sin in your life that need redemption.

That's what salvation is about... finding that redemption.... getting redeemed.... and getting reconciled back to a perfect relationship with God.

Again... I would encourage you to find God at the soonest opportunity... for today is the day of salvation... The Bible never says that tomorrow is the day of salvation. Tomorrow will be too late for many.


~serapha~