Jesus

[starlight]

HI. I am not a new christian, but I am known to question things and lately I've had conflicting thoughts about whether or not there is a being saved thing (in the way that the church describes it). I am seriously lost on the issue.

The reason is that I read some books by Sylvia Brown and the information in them seems like there is a lot of logic and makes sense for the most part. However, now I don't know what to believe as far as being "saved". I want to believe that it's just as I learned as I grew up, but I have been confused lately.

Could anyone explain to me if there is logic to being saved. Is there such a thing and Why would God want to create a place where his children would go to burn. That doesn't make sense to me and it's the question that I am pondering.

I do believe in Jesus--Very much. I just am not sure if his message was misconstrued being that so many people wrote of what he said and it was rewritten so many times and who knows if we ever even retrieved all of the information.

I hope I don't sound bad by saying all of this. I just feel like my faith is weak at the moment and I don't like that. I am trying really hard and praying to God about it, too. I am so glad to have found this board.

Thank you so much!

Jen

 

[LouisBooth]

"Is there such a thing and Why would God want to create a place where his children would go to burn"

The question should be, does God love us enough to let us not choose him. the answer is yes. If he did not then he would be forcing love on us. That is called lust in my opinoin. Some people will just not accept God and his love for them, no matter what the alternative.

 

[Ima Knerd]

Belief, by its very nature, is not always "logical" in our left-brained way of computing reality.

Jesus' parables were not "logical" either, but they pointed to a view of reality grounded on trust (the original meaning of "faith"). In my understanding, the notion of "salvation" through an atoning blood sacrifice was a term used by the early church to frame a meaning around Jesus' death and to tie it culturally to the Jewish temple rites of purification.

The parallel runs as follows: Just as the paschal lamb is slaughtered as an oblation to the Hebrew understanding of God, then so too was Jesus killed as a ransom for "mankind's" sins.

Most biblical scholars agree that Jesus never concerned himself about "salvation." Indeed, he seems to have seen his "mission"--if he even characterized it such--as an announcement of the Rule (or Kingdom) of God.

It has been said that Jesus came to announce the Kingdom. What came instead was the church.

 

[Nick_Loves_Abba]

May I ask, is Sylvia Brown that Physcic lady? It probably isn't, haha sorry. God Bless.

 

[Feathers]

Hi starlight.
I can identify with you because I have been a Christian all my life. 12 years ago I came back after a 7 year falling away. I really wanted to give my life to the Lord and I did but found it difficult to come to terms with the awsome truth of God having chosen ME.
I don't deserve it, I love Jesus but maybe I am just playing at it as it seems like a good idea, am I really saved, I want to be.
These were my thoughts.
Then I came to several crices in my life one after another like my mother dying, being mugged and my husband getting cancer. Then things went wrong at work. Thats just a few of the things.
I was devistated and of course, my faith, being unassured in my mind, suffered too.
But over about a year, I learned to rest in God and trust Him. Slowly, very slowly, I came to realise that God does love me, he has chosen me, I am saved. I don't pray nearly enough but I do pray more than I did. You don't have to talk to God in elaborate language, just talk to Him.
You are saved if you love Jesus and accept his gift.
Do fully accept that gift. It is free and all you have to do is take it. He suffered a lot to give it to you, so don't reject it, just accept it and relax. Stop striving and give in to his love. Let God have his way with you, don't struggle with doubts just love him back.
I will pray for you Starlight and hiope that God will open your heart to His
Love
Feathers

 

[Dave Ulchers]

You simply need to follow Jesus, starlight. Study the Gospels. He is the Way.

 

[2002 Christian]

Originally posted by starlight
Is there such a thing and Why would God want to create a place where his children would go to burn. That doesn't make sense to me and it's the question that I am pondering.

God will eradicate sin from the universe. This is a good thing. Those who choose to cling to sin, will be destroyed along with it. God will then create a new earth.

 

[rkbo]

Salvation is a complex and simple thing. You are save, you are being saved and you will be saved.
1 Tim 1:15
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
(KJV)

Heb 7:25
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
(KJV)

We are save by grace through faith and we are save "unto" good works. These works are the handiword of Jesus himself.
Eph 2:8-10
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(KJV)

You could also say we are saved by hope.
Rom 8:24-25
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
(KJV)

Hope in Jesus and he will not fail you.