I'm trying to become Christian... questions...hoping for a dialogue :)

[00Hm00Eh]

Hi ,

Grew up in a non-believing family. Recently started attending church, and I've felt a revolution inside of me.. warmth, openness, trust, etc.. surprisingly good feelings... I'm committed to learning more and becoming closer to God.

few questions I have trouble wrapping my head around tho.. fundamental questions I would think. Hoping to start a dialogue.

Why did God send his son to die for us? I understand our sinful nature, and that we need guidance, wisdom, and saving... but why did God choose to show his love for us by sending his son to die?

Maybe a direction as to which bible verses to read would be helpful?

Any discussion/guidance is appreciated,

Greg

 

[docpotter]

Great to hear of your new found faith !

Its a mystery about why God chose Jesus to die on the cross , for me at least .

In the Old Testament there were a LOT of sacrifices to atone for sins . But if you look at the story of Abraham who trusted God and was willing to sacrifice his own son, it gives us insight that this was God's plan all along , to have Jesus die for the sins of all those who chose to believe in him . I can't say why God did it that way, but there are a lot of people on the site that can shed more light on that for you I am sure .

 

[00Hm00Eh]

Thanks for the insight

I'll take a deeper look into the story of Abraham.

Interesting to know that there isn't a clear answer to my question... just seems interesting that the creator of the universe would choose sacrificing his own son (which is pretty drastic imo), when he could choose anyway he wanted, to teach us or save us. He shows that he loves us a lot by sacrificing his own son, but why did he have to make us with sin, and the need to be saved? Made a mistake that needs fixing? haha, I don't think so...

I realize that I may never figure these things out... and for me, the wisdom and transformative powers of Jesus are enough... but still curious...

 

[docpotter]

There probably is a more clear answer , its just that I do not know it lol .

You could even do an online search for " why did Jesus have to die on the cross " ? and I am positive you 'll find a wealth of answers.

A lot of things about God , and His reasons for doing things are very mysterious as He is the author of life , and sees the eternal picture that we cannot . But as a Christian , if you are striving to grow and learn more, you certainly will . I have read the bible many times over , especially the New Testament , and I am always finding new things , new lessons , new spiritual insights . Its amazing

 

[patience7]

Hi ,

Grew up in a non-believing family. Recently started attending church, and I've felt a revolution inside of me.. warmth, openness, trust, etc.. surprisingly good feelings... I'm committed to learning more and becoming closer to God.

few questions I have trouble wrapping my head around tho.. fundamental questions I would think. Hoping to start a dialogue.

Why did God send his son to die for us? I understand our sinful nature, and that we need guidance, wisdom, and saving... but why did God choose to show his love for us by sending his son to die?

Maybe a direction as to which bible verses to read would be helpful?

Any discussion/guidance is appreciated,

Greg

Here's scripture that might help.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Just read Romans 5!

 

[GA777]

why did he have to make us with sin, and the need to be saved? Made a mistake that needs fixing? haha, I don't think so...

I realize that I may never figure these things out... and for me, the wisdom and transformative powers of Jesus are enough... but still curious...

He didnt make us with sin. He made us with freedom of will and choice, but most of us are too selfish and would seek our pleasure instead of God's will. There are some people who turned away ~completely from any sin, it just depends on how much people may love their creator. The more they love him, the more they'd listen to his commandments and turn away from sin. He just gave us free choice and free opinion, and knows that it is hard for most of us to be very good which could have been the reason to why he would save us even after sinning. Any person has the ability to evade sin, but by doing so would have to make the person ignore and not care completely about the world, which is hard to do, especially that people seek selfishness and pleasure.


My 2 cents of what I believe in, concerning this subject.

 

[Faith.Man]

Hi ,

Grew up in a non-believing family. Recently started attending church, and I've felt a revolution inside of me.. warmth, openness, trust, etc.. surprisingly good feelings... I'm committed to learning more and becoming closer to God.

few questions I have trouble wrapping my head around tho.. fundamental questions I would think. Hoping to start a dialogue.

Why did God send his son to die for us? I understand our sinful nature, and that we need guidance, wisdom, and saving... but why did God choose to show his love for us by sending his son to die?

Hi, be happy to help. Here's a good resource to start with.

Why did Jesus have to die for our sins? | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry

Maybe a direction as to which bible verses to read would be helpful?

Any discussion/guidance is appreciated,

Greg

There are many good, and some not so good, resources available to the new Christian on the Internet. Three I've found useful are linked below:

Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics

Ankerberg Theological Research Institute, John Ankerberg Show

Alpha and Omega Ministries, The Christian Apologetics Ministry of James R. White

 

[Gnarwhal]

Hi ,

Grew up in a non-believing family. Recently started attending church, and I've felt a revolution inside of me.. warmth, openness, trust, etc.. surprisingly good feelings... I'm committed to learning more and becoming closer to God.

few questions I have trouble wrapping my head around tho.. fundamental questions I would think. Hoping to start a dialogue.

Why did God send his son to die for us? I understand our sinful nature, and that we need guidance, wisdom, and saving... but why did God choose to show his love for us by sending his son to die?

Maybe a direction as to which bible verses to read would be helpful?

Any discussion/guidance is appreciated,

Greg

Hey friend! Glad to see you exploring faith and asking questions, that's always an exciting and edifying thing to do, regardless of where a person is in their faith.

So, Scripture says that God the Father sent His Son so that we may have ever lasting life. But that's not the whole reason either. God has had a "rescue" plan in action for the entire universe—everything He created. Christ's resurrection in essence is restoring the cosmos to its intended glory. Now, that's an ongoing process, it's not instantaneous, but it will be finished when Christ returns and the dead are resurrected. It is something that we can take an active role in, here in this life. When we love others well, meet their needs and respond to things like oppression and injustice the way that Jesus would, then we're partnering with God to bring the restored Creation that much closer to completion.

Keep asking questions, even years from now down the road.

 

[Dok]

One of the typical responses to salvation by grace thru faith is to be overjoyed (filled with the Spirit) for a time thereafter, then slowly for that to fade, even to the point of boredom, then neglect of our mission: to follow in His footsteps. Some endlessly ask "why" and then when they get no satisfactory answer, they become inactive. The simple, straight-forward answer to "why" is that God said it or did it and that settles it. Once we get to that point we can then begin to serve Him 24/7/365, not asking "why," but HOW can I serve you, Lord? That HOW broadens one's horizon and challenges one to be His faithful servant. One's outlook is governed by faith / trust / hope. "Hope" in the Bible translates to "calm, confident assurance." No if's, no but's, no why's. Just "Here am I, Lord, Send me!"

 

[Dok]

[bible]
John 3:3, John 3:16-17, John 5:24, Romans 10:8-13, and Ephesians 2:8-9 are valuable scriptures for you to study. Open your Bible to those now.

Rightly dividing the Word of Truth is THE place to begin. Think on every thought presented, pray about everything you read. Lots of misunderstandings about the Bible are cleared up when one "rightly divides." Remember that there are unsaved naysayers everywhere. They love to challenge scripture. You can read about them in 2 Corinthians 2:1-16; they're the ones who don't have a clue about God. Read about yourself as a born again believer from Acts 9 through Philemon. The Apostle Paul lays it all out, contending with those who do not "rightly divide" (2 Timothy 2:15).

May Our Lord add His Blessing to the reading of His Word.

 

[fortheus]

Welcome 00Hm00Eh,

Reason to die is because of His love for us. Love never fails. Sounds crazy? sure, I did some crazy things when I fall in love. Don't you?

 

[opengate07]

Yes, it was because He loves us, but because we are born with a sinful nature we are not able to enter His kingdom when we leave this world. God had a plan in place because He knew what was going to take place in the garden (Free Will) so He had to come to the earth himself to be a pure sacrifice for mankind. I do not have a clear answer for this gift we were given, but maybe when we meet Jesus face to face it will all be explained.

 

[trentlogain2]

one of the worst things i could tell you that would be detrimental to your spiritual condition would be to pronounce your a brother in Christ and to say you're saved. especially since you are riding on "feelings" and still have serious questions about foundational principles.

why did it have to be Jesus Christ?

It had to have been Christ because He was the only substitute for sin God would accept. (His blood)Why? Left to ourselves, we are sinful and there was no way we could pay the price for our own sin.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Instead of reading about Abraham first, imho, you should read the first five chapters of Genesis. That gives you the answer to many of your whys. Man sinned, and lost his relationship with God. God sent Lord Jesus to restore what was lost. It is all about relationship with our Father.

Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

 

[If Not For Grace]

Interesting to know that there isn't a clear answer to my question

Blood is the answer. But I suggest you study that issue on your own and do not just accept every teaching that somes along. Of course I reccomend that for every issue, God is not afraid of your questions.

Blood is considered the only thing capble of redemption. Christ is believed to have had "pure" blood and is considered the only acceptable sacrifice. It goes along
with the whole idea of creation. Once sin entered Life (Life is in the Blood).

Christianity is founded on the death penalty.