Can anyone answer a few questions?

[AEG]

I was brought up a christian, and until recently, believed I was one. I just have a few questions, if anyone can answer them I would greatly appreciate it.

1. How can a god who loves us send anyone to hell? For any of the parents here, could you send your child to a place like that for saying they did not believe in you?

2. Assuming that you believe god is all powerful and that he loves all people (I'm not sure what different groups believe) How could he let some people go through what they do? Ex: The Holocaust.

3. Why are we here? Are we simply enjoyment for god? Does he enjoy watching us suffer?

4. Why did jesus need to die for our sins? How does death satisfy gods anger?

Thanks to anyone who responds, I've had trouble finding answers to these questions as of late, it seems most christians I know simply follow chirstianity because its what their family believes.

Thanks again.

 

[giftofmusic]

I was brought up a christian, and until recently, believed I was one. I just have a few questions, if anyone can answer them I would greatly appreciate it.

1. How can a god who loves us send anyone to hell? For any of the parents here, could you send your child to a place like that for saying they did not believe in you?

2. Assuming that you believe god is all powerful and that he loves all people (I'm not sure what different groups believe) How could he let some people go through what they do? Ex: The Holocaust.

3. Why are we here? Are we simply enjoyment for god? Does he enjoy watching us suffer?

4. Why did jesus need to die for our sins? How does death satisfy gods anger?

Thanks to anyone who responds, I've had trouble finding answers to these questions as of late, it seems most christians I know simply follow chirstianity because its what their family believes.

Thanks again.

1. How can a god who loves us send anyone to hell? For any of the parents here, could you send your child to a place like that for saying they did not believe in you?

answer: i guess the real reason we go to hell is because we are born as sinners and that is what seperates us from God.... its not what weve done but what we are that makes the difference.....because God is just and holy and cannot tolerate sin in His presence ....He has to seperate Himself from sin..so that is why He sends a sinner to hell...its also the reason He provided salvation.....
and that is why Hebrews asks the question ..'how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?'

2. Assuming that you believe god is all powerful and that he loves all people (I'm not sure what different groups believe) How could he let some people go through what they do? Ex: The Holocaust.

answer: it is not God that brought the Holocaust upon people...but the sinful nature of man.....and God is not going to interfere with the free will of man....


3. Why are we here? Are we simply enjoyment for god? Does he enjoy watching us suffer?

answer: life is a brief period in eternity.....it is our time to get right with God by accepting Jesus as our Saviour.....by doing so we will spend eternity with God and it will be as much our pleasure as His......it is His desire that we spend eternity with Him...and not be seperated from Him in hell.......

as for watching us suffer......Bible says that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked.....and that instead He desires to bless us......and not cause us to suffer.......it is us who bring the suffering upon ourselves.....by chosing not to do what is right......


4. Why did jesus need to die for our sins? How does death satisfy gods anger

answer: to satisfy Gods anger would require death of a perfect human .....that is why we are told that Jesus was without sin .......and that was made possible by his virgin birth.......because the seed of man was not in Him....but rather the seed of God......because of His perfect nature....God allowed His death to be the substitute for all humans......who would accept His death as a substitute for their own.......


hope this helps.....

believing just because your family believes ....you have to know why you believe what you believe......

 

[heron]

answer: it is not God that brought the Holocaust upon people...but the sinful nature of man.....and God is not going to interfere with the free will of man....

Sorry to not answer all your questions --

The Holocaust happened when individuals flocked together and chose to ignore their gut feelings... chose to look the other way, justify questionable activities in the name of authority or a higher goal.

We see this happen in so many ways around us -- complaining about embezzlement but not reporting people... allowing bullies to bother kids... winking at tax evasion... putting up with warped justice in our courts... not reporting how our boss skips work regularly to go golfing.

Originally, God's laws gave people authority to stop injustices, take on a little more civil authority. When we give up these rights, these priviledges to have each others' protection, then we reap the consequences.

 

[heron]

4. Why did jesus need to die for our sins? How does death satisfy gods anger

I don't think anger is the issue.
Picture a heaven that is full of people who have chosen to steal all their lives, or mass murder, or abuse children. Then God magically takes away their desire to oppress and abuse just for the sake of a peaceful gated community.

Repentance isn't just about facing God, but about treating each other well. Being able to sleep at night, to live with ourselves.

Forgiveness and redemption offer us freedom from ourselves, our guilted insomnia, and allows us a fresh start. But forgiveness requires remorse, and desire to change. If someone continually refuses to care about others, what would make them more agreeable to change after they die?

 

[AEG]

Thanks again for all those who replied.

1. I still do not understand how good people can be condemmed to hell for believing different things. That is not deserving in my opinon.

2. If he has the power to do something about it, I think he should. Sitting idly by while these things go on seems terrible to me.

3. I pretty much got my answer thanks.

4. I still dont understand why someone has to die for us to be forgiven.

Again thanks for the help.

 

[InnocentOdion]

I was brought up a christian, and until recently, believed I was one. I just have a few questions, if anyone can answer them I would greatly appreciate it.

1. How can a god who loves us send anyone to hell? For any of the parents here, could you send your child to a place like that for saying they did not believe in you?

2. Assuming that you believe god is all powerful and that he loves all people (I'm not sure what different groups believe) How could he let some people go through what they do? Ex: The Holocaust.

3. Why are we here? Are we simply enjoyment for god? Does he enjoy watching us suffer?

4. Why did jesus need to die for our sins? How does death satisfy gods anger?

Thanks to anyone who responds, I've had trouble finding answers to these questions as of late, it seems most christians I know simply follow chirstianity because its what their family believes.

Thanks again.

1. We send ourselves to Hell by not following Him and not listening to Him. It's because we sin that we go to Hell, He doesn't 'send' us there, we send ourselves there. Some people don't believe in Hell, however.

2. God works through His people. God is too Holy to come to Earth without everyone dying. God says people cannot see His face and live (Exodus 33:20). People choose to ignore God, it's not about power.

3. To live and choose whether or not we want to love God and follow Him. God is not a dictator, but we are bound to certain laws. God does not want robots, He wants us to know Him and love Him.

4. Jesus died for our sins because people cannot come to God when they have sin. Jesus changed all that by dying for us, otherwise we would be unable to know God.

I hope this helps. Welcome to CF by the way.

 

[MikeMcK]

I was brought up a christian, and until recently, believed I was one.

You were "brought up a Christian"? What does that mean, exactly?

1. How can a god who loves us send anyone to hell? For any of the parents here, could you send your child to a place like that for saying they did not believe in you?

First of all, God doesn't send anyone to Hell because they "don't believe in Him". If you were a Christian, then you should know that.

You should also know that God, in addition to being loving, is also righteous and just.

Because He is righteous, He must have a moral code ("the law"). Because He is just, He must punish violations of that moral code ("sin").

Over and over, throughout the Bible, we're told that God is a judge. Now, imagine that someone killed one of your loved ones. He is arrested and brought before the judge.

The man admits to the crime and the jury finds him guilty.

The judge says, "After weighing the evidence against you, it's undeniably clear that you did murder this person in cold blood. But, because I love you, you're free to go".

He wouldn't be a very just judge, would he? Of course not. He would be unjust and would probably be removed from the bench.

In the same way, how can God, who is a just judge, allow sinners just to walk free with no punishment?

2. Assuming that you believe god is all powerful and that he loves all people (I'm not sure what different groups believe) How could he let some people go through what they do? Ex: The Holocaust.

Because that's the price we pay for living in a sin-fallen world.

People do evil things and innocent people suffer at the hands of the wicked.

But Jesus has made it clear that there will come a day when this is rectified.

Suffering actually does serve a very important purpose. If there were no suffering, then how would we know that there is a consequence for sin?

3. Why are we here? Are we simply enjoyment for god? Does he enjoy watching us suffer?

We are here to fellowship with God and to glorify Him and to make Him known.

4. Why did jesus need to die for our sins? How does death satisfy gods anger?

This is another one you should know if you were a Christian.

Jesus died because there has to be a sacrifice for sin and that sacrifice must be unblemished. Because Jesus knew no sin (unblemished), He is the only acceptable sacrifice.

1. I still do not understand how good people can be condemmed to hell for believing different things. That is not deserving in my opinon.

I can't help you there. That isn't what Christianity teaches.

First, there are no good people. All have sinned made themselves enemies of God by their sins.

Second, people are sent to Hell for punishment of their sins, not because they "believe different things".

2. If he has the power to do something about it, I think he should. Sitting idly by while these things go on seems terrible to me.

Um..."Jesus"..."cross"...ring a bell?

 

[MikeMcK]

1. We send ourselves to Hell by not following Him and not listening to Him. It's because we sin that we go to Hell, He doesn't 'send' us there, we send ourselves there.

NO! NO! NO!

The Bible never says that people send themselves to Hell. That's completely false. The Bible is clear that the wicked are judged and sent to Hell by God as punishment for their sins.

Jesus even tells us in Matt 25:41 that He, personally, will send them to Hell.

I don't know where you came up with the idea that people send themselves to Hell, but it isn't Biblical in the least!

2. God works through His people. God is too Holy to come to Earth without everyone dying.

Jesus came to Earth and was here for 33 years.

Doesn't the Bible tell us that God dwelt among the Israelites?

4. Jesus died for our sins because people cannot come to God when they have sin. Jesus changed all that by dying for us, otherwise we would be unable to know God.

Jesus died so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God.

 

[AEG]

You were "brought up a Christian"? What does that mean, exactly?

That would mean that I have been to church most sundays until recently.

First of all, God doesn't send anyone to Hell because they "don't believe in Him". If you were a Christian, then you should know that.

I was taught that Aethiests were going to hell, along with members of other religioins.

Because He is righteous, He must have a moral code ("the law"). Because He is just, He must punish violations of that moral code ("sin").
Over and over, throughout the Bible, we're told that God is a judge. Now, imagine that someone killed one of your loved ones. He is arrested and brought before the judge.
The man admits to the crime and the jury finds him guilty. The judge says, "After weighing the evidence against you, it's undeniably clear that you did murder this person in cold blood. But, because I love you, you're free to go".He wouldn't be a very just judge, would he? Of course not. He would be unjust and would probably be removed from the bench. In the same way, how can God, who is a just judge, allow sinners just to walk free with no punishment?

I understand that, but I dont believe that man would deserve to go to hell. To clarify what hell is to me, hell is a place where sinners go to recieve the most horrible pain and suffering imaginable, they stay there for eternity. There are very, very few people I would wish that upon.

Jesus died because there has to be a sacrifice for sin and that sacrifice must be unblemished. Because Jesus knew no sin (unblemished), He is the only acceptable sacrifice.

I just dont understand why blood must be spilled for us to be forgiven. I suppose a simple "I forgive you" wouldnt suffice.

First, there are no good people. All have sinned made themselves enemies of God by their sins. Second, people are sent to Hell for punishment of their sins, not because they "believe different things".

So would someone who pays his taxes, obeys by the laws, helps people whenever he can, is kind, caring and friendly, but is a muslim. Would they go to heaven or hell?

Um..."Jesus"..."cross"...ring a bell?

Right, but where is he now? Maybe he does more than we think. I certianly hope he does.

Again thank you for being civil about this and helping me out.

 

[MikeMcK]

That would mean that I have been to church most sundays until recently.

You understand that going to church doesn't make you a Christian, right?

I was taught that Aethiests were going to hell, along with members of other religioins.

They may be, but if they're going to Hell, then they're going to Hell as punishment for their sins, not because they don't believe in God.

I understand that, but I dont believe that man would deserve to go to hell.

But you and I also are also handicapped by sin. We're not righteous. God is.

God is just. We're not.

God sees the big picture and He sees it perfectly, without the lens of sin.

I just dont understand why blood must be spilled for us to be forgiven. I suppose a simple "I forgive you" wouldnt suffice.

Again, let's say that you're found guilty of a crime and stand before the judge. The judge, if he is a just judge, has to punish you. He can't simply say, "Oh, let's just say that boys will be boys and let it go at that". That wouldn't be just.

So would someone who pays his taxes, obeys by the laws, helps people whenever he can, is kind, caring and friendly, but is a muslim. Would they go to heaven or hell?

As I said before, all men have sinned and made themselves enemies of God by breaking His laws.

 

[freespiritchurch]

I was brought up a christian, and until recently, believed I was one. I just have a few questions, if anyone can answer them I would greatly appreciate it.

1. How can a god who loves us send anyone to hell? For any of the parents here, could you send your child to a place like that for saying they did not believe in you?

2. Assuming that you believe god is all powerful and that he loves all people (I'm not sure what different groups believe) How could he let some people go through what they do? Ex: The Holocaust.

3. Why are we here? Are we simply enjoyment for god? Does he enjoy watching us suffer?

4. Why did jesus need to die for our sins? How does death satisfy gods anger?

Thanks to anyone who responds, I've had trouble finding answers to these questions as of late, it seems most christians I know simply follow chirstianity because its what their family believes.

Thanks again.

I want to start by asking what happened to lead you to stop believing that you were a Christian.

1) I don't want to turn this into a long debate about the nature of Hell. But the idea that God sends us "away from Him" is preposterous. Nothing can exist without God--if we were truly sent away from Him, we would cease to exist. So even people in Hell are with God. I do believe that Heaven and Hell are both standing in the presence of God--either with love, or with fear. Read The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis.

2) God simply doesn't explain why bad things happen. Instead, he came into this world and suffered with us, so that we would know that he was serious about sharing our burdens. Read On Job by Gustavo Gutierrez.

3) If you belong to a religion that has taught you that God inflicts suffering, then you haven't been taught anything about the Christian God. Each and every person in this univrse is here to love God and be loved by God, end of story.

4) We have to remember that in the Bible, "sin" isn't just a bad deed; it's something that separates us from God. In Jesus, God went through a complete human life, and went through every single thing that humans go through--even and ultimately death. Jesus' death, the death of a man who was also God, completed the life that tore down all the barriers between God and us.

I hope this does more good than harm. You need to be aware that there is a lot more to Christianity than what you learned in your church.

Alan

 

[rocklife]

I was brought up a christian, and until recently, believed I was one. I just have a few questions, if anyone can answer them I would greatly appreciate it.

1. How can a god who loves us send anyone to hell? For any of the parents here, could you send your child to a place like that for saying they did not believe in you?

2. Assuming that you believe god is all powerful and that he loves all people (I'm not sure what different groups believe) How could he let some people go through what they do? Ex: The Holocaust.

3. Why are we here? Are we simply enjoyment for god? Does he enjoy watching us suffer?

4. Why did jesus need to die for our sins? How does death satisfy gods anger?

Thanks to anyone who responds, I've had trouble finding answers to these questions as of late, it seems most christians I know simply follow chirstianity because its what their family believes.

Thanks again.

I don't believe hell is a fire torture chamber for billions plus years for those who are not christian. I believe that is a misunderstanding of the Bible from even church leaders. that kind of punishment does not make sense at all. I believe it is a hard teaching and has been misunderstood. one preaching that explains hell more eloquently than I can, that is also in agreement with my own personal bible study is here http://www.amazingfacts.org/items/storacle_lessons.asp the one called "Cities of Ash" I suggest click Watch. And then continue in prayers and bible studies too. God is good, just, right, loving, we can have faith and hope in these things and ways of God.

and about following just because of family, I am half Okinawan, half of my relatives are totally anti-christian. they have buddhist tendencies and practice ancestor worship. I have personally experienced God's changing loving power to save from sins and give new life and hope when I had none, He is very wonderful and gives hope and love when there is so little of it in these times, we just need to persevere, His Spirit is wonderful comfort and help

 

[heron]

SIN
People have lost the sense of relational offense in sin. The word is used as if God came up with a random set of hoops, and we lose the contest if we don't make it through all the hoops.

But look at what He asks for: decency, fairness, honesty, loyalty. Those are relational.

Even His plea to not make graven images -- it is like He is shaking His head and saying -- what are you thinking???! Relying spiritually on something that you made with your hands?

HELL
I know that we've already done enough disagreeing on this thread to send anyone into a tizzy, but let me bring out one thing about Hell.

We all know that our lives here are temporal. That's a given. We are all familiar with the promise of heaven and eternal life. But notice what is clearly written out as eternal, and what is possibly temporal:
​

Mt 18:8
...cast into the eternal fire.
(the fire is eternal, but we are only assuming souls stay alive within the fire.)

Joh 3:16
whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Re 2:11
He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.
(implying a death to body, then soul)

Re 20:6
Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power

Re 20:14
Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

Re 21:8
for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

ETERNAL LIFE

Death is closure, an ending of life and existence.

Most of us are able to accept the fact that we will die some day. But ironically, we tend to feel entitled to eternal life. It's hard to accept that our thoughts will die, our souls will cease to exist.

Out of many verses offering eternal life, I have only seen one that speaks of eternal suffering. The word used used is actually judicial, referring more to the declaration of sentence than the suffering from it.
​

Mt 25:46
These will go away into eternal correction, but the righteous into eternal life. (Those who didn't help the needy)

...and one that hints at it.
​

Mr 3:29 speaking against the Holy Spirit makes one forever guilty of sin.
--Greek estin (5748) aiwniou amarthmatov --

The rest discern between eternal life and the end of soul life. So, even though I don't dare to say what God's plans are, most of scriptures on eternal life can imply He is offering eternal life vs. ending life after the judgement is declared.

Look at this as a gift, an offer. If people are so interested in God's ways and spending time with Him, participating in what He's doing, then God thinks it would be great if we could stay with Him.

​

Joh 10:28
and I give eternallife to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

Joh 12:25
"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.

Ro 2:7
to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life

Ro 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mt 19:16
obtain eternal life

Mt 19:29
inherit eternal life

​

 

[The-Doctor]

1. How can a god who loves us send anyone to hell? For any of the parents here, could you send your child to a place like that for saying they did not believe in you?

I dont think God sends us to Hell, we can send ourselves there by our sins without seeking repentance.


2. Assuming that you believe god is all powerful and that he loves all people (I'm not sure what different groups believe) How could he let some people go through what they do? Ex: The Holocaust.

answer: it is not God that brought the Holocaust upon people...but the sinful nature of man.....and God is not going to interfere with the free will of man....

(I agree with this answer)


3. Why are we here? Are we simply enjoyment for god? Does he enjoy watching us suffer?

God is often seen as a father figure. In the parable of the prodical son a father accepted his son back despite what he had done, the comparison being that God the father will accept us back no matter what we do as long as we truly repent. As a father to us all He has to allow us to make our own mistakes and learn for ourselves. He allows us to choose which path we follow...either towards Him or away. I think it grieves Him when He sees us suffer but He cannot interfere else we lose out free will.


4. Why did jesus need to die for our sins? How does death satisfy gods anger

Because only Jesus was born lived without sin, God would only accept a perfect sacrifice of a perfect human that no other man could have achieved to give us the chance of salvation. Jesus took our sin and gave us the chance to be saved through him. I like the comparison to Aslan the Lion sacrificing himself having commited no crime in the story "The lion the witch and the wardrobe"

hope this helps.

My faith is personal to me, no one can tell you what to believe its what your choice at the end of the day. People once believed the world was flat.

 

[MikeMcK]

I dont think God sends us to Hell, we can send ourselves there by our sins without seeking repentance.

Actually, this is never taught in the Bible. Just the opposite, in fact. The Bible clearly tells us that God sends people to Hell, not the people. Jesus even said that He would send people to Hell.

If people send themselves to Hell, then how do you explain Jesus' story of Lazarus and the Rich Man?

God is often seen as a father figure. In the parable of the prodical son a father accepted his son back despite what he had done, the comparison being that God the father will accept us back no matter what we do as long as we truly repent.

Actually, this is an often misunderstood passage of scripture. It has nothing to do with the idea that the Father will accept us back, "no matter what". The point of that parable is that the son who sinned and came back is as much a son as the son who didn't sin.

The Bible never tells us that God will accept us "no matter what". In fact, there are many examples in the Gospels of Jesus turning people away and many more in the OT of God not accepting the worship or sacrifices of some people.

As a father to us all He has to allow us to make our own mistakes and learn for ourselves.

No, a mistake is when the kid at the McDonalds' drive through forgets to put your fries in the bag. We're talking about a deliberate and willful violation of God's laws.

 

[MikeMcK]

I don't believe hell is a fire torture chamber for billions plus years for those who are not christian.

Actually, Jesus taught that Hell is both eternal and a place of fiery punishment for the wicked.

 

[Stinker]

I have come to find that people who have not been Spiritually reborn, have very great difficulty seeing the justice of God punishing certain souls.

Notice I said ' punishing certain souls' .

For God to punish any soul at all after death and after the Great White Throne judgment, is totally unfair, many say.

It is fine if God chooses to reward a soul, but not to punish?

The reason God punishes certain souls is not because that person failed to ask for forgiveness of some indiscriminate sin that he/she had forgotten about.

God punishes certain souls because of the state their spirit. For not responding to the call to have their spirit cleansed by Christs' blood and be regenerated/re-animated by the Holy Spirit.

 

[Silouan]

Although I could attempt to answer all the questions that were posed, I would like to respond specifically to the question: "Why did Christ have to die."

Of course, a complete answer to this question would require more time and space than is appropriate for our purpose. However, I would like to point out that Christ did not 1) Have to die, as his death was completely voluntary and 2) His death was not to appease some wrath or anger of God.

One ought remember that Christ himself was the incarnate Logos, he was the God-man. Therefore, if we state that his death were to somehow appease Gods anger, we must return to the fact that Christ was God. Why would God punish himself to appease his own anger? There are other points that could be made here, but I will refrain.

Secondly, one phrase that has been recited in Christian liturgy from the early centuries of the church is: Christ trampled down death by death. The effects of man's initial turning away from God and towards sin resulted in the introduction of death to the body as well as corruption to the soul, which is not what God had designed. Since Christ was without sin, his death was the first unjust death to occur. Therefore, by Christ's death and resurrection, death itself was defeated that those who would follow after him would follow him in death, but also in resurrection.

Christ came to restore that which was corrupted by sin that we might be made whole and the likeness of God restored in us. A good read about this topic is "On the Incarnation" by St. Athanasios which was written in the 4th century.

 

[Confess]

1. How can a god who loves us send anyone to hell? For any of the parents here, could you send your child to a place like that for saying they did not believe in you? You are thinking as if you are entitled to salvation, but none of us deserve it. We deserve hell due to our sin and rejection of him. Only Jesus deserved heaven and yet he suffered our punishment so that we may receive heaven.

2. Assuming that you believe god is all powerful and that he loves all people (I'm not sure what different groups believe) How could he let some people go through what they do? Ex: The Holocaust. We are not his robots. We have a degree of free will that allows us to choose to do things in this world. Had God created us to only obey him, then what kind of love is that? He loves us enough to allow us to make mistakes, reject him and do many other foolish things.

3. Why are we here? Are we simply enjoyment for god? Does he enjoy watching us suffer? To fellowship with God. He IS love and that love wishes to be shared.

4. Why did jesus need to die for our sins? How does death satisfy gods anger? We deserved death. Jesus merely took our place so that we could be saved. It is like putting someone in front of the firing squad for doing a severe crime. We deserve it, yet Jesus, who did nothing wrong, took our place so that we wouldn't get hurt.
QUOTE]

 

[Baptist1689]

Hi, AEG!
I am a newbie myself--haven't learned the ropes here yet, but I'll try to answer one of your questions.

1. I still do not understand how good people can be condemmed to hell for believing different things. That is not deserving in my opinon.

The amazing thing is that we are not all condemned to hell, for that is exactly what we all deserve. According to Scripture, there is no one who is good. Humanly speaking, of course, there is good to be seen in many people, but God uses His own standard: perfection!

(Romans 3:10-18) As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes." (NKJV)

We have all gone astray. Even if we have broken God's law in only one point, we are guilty of the whole law (James 2:10). To say that there are good people is incorrect. There are only those who are clothed in the righteousness of Christ and those who are not.

Regarding "believing different things," this is crucial. This little detail is what separates the forgiven from the unforgiven. In John 8:24, Jesus says, "If you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins." Further, in John 14:6, He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

If everyone got what he deserved, we would all be destined for eternal punishment. God ordained, before the foundation of the world, that His chosen people would be found holy and without blame (Ephesians 1), not because of anything good within them but just because He has willed it to be so. Again, to quote from John (1:12-13), "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (NKJV)

May God bless your inquiry, AEG. May your patience be richly rewarded by Him, from Whom all blessings flow.