Riddle me this

[NeverL0ved]

"Why should I believe what you believe, to believe in Jesus?"

 

[Not David]

"Why should I believe what you believe, to believe in Jesus?"

Love your profile pic. Also my Church has historical, theological and spiritual truth.

 

[Jonaitis]

...for your own eternal good.

 

[durangodawood]

"Why should I believe what you believe, to believe in Jesus?"

I dont understand the question.

 

[Carl Emerson]

"Why should I believe what you believe, to believe in Jesus?"

If you truly keep seeking He will convince you of Himself.

 

[timothyu]

Do you believe in and live by self interest, self justification, and deeds that seek gain at the expense of others?

 

[Kris Jordan]

"Why should I believe what you believe, to believe in Jesus?"

Hi NeverLOved,

Great question! Hopefully, this helps answer it for you:

The Bible teaches that every human being will live on eternally after their physical death. The location in which each person will spend eternity (heaven or hell) depends solely upon whether or not they have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

There are only two ways to obtain eternal life in heaven: one way is to be sinless (which disqualifies everyone who has ever lived, except for Jesus) and the other way is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus for what He did for us on the cross when He died for our sins. Since every human being is guilty of sin and falls short of God’s holy and perfect standard, there is only one way to receive eternal life: by placing our faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.

Those who do this will live with God forever.

Those who reject this will also live eternally, but in the lake of fire after being judged at the great white throne. Why? Because there is no other means available for their forgiveness apart from Jesus whom they rejected. Therefore, they are left to suffer their own sin's consequences in hell, which never ends because they never stop sinning. So their punishment goes on and on for eternity.

Does that help?

 

[grasping the after wind]

"Why should I believe what you believe, to believe in Jesus?"

Do you want me to attempt to convince you to believe, do you want me to tell you what advantage believing would give you or do you want me to tell you why I believe?

 

[Lazarus Short]

When it happens (not if), it will be on God's timetable, not yours.

 

[Lost4words]

"Why should I believe what you believe, to believe in Jesus?"

Because Jesus is the only way, truth and life.

Jesus is real.

 

[Resha Caner]

"Why should I believe what you believe, to believe in Jesus?"

Since you don't know me, there's no reason at all. However, if you knew me, and admired my superior intellect, warm and loving personality, excessive wealth, and ridiculous success, you might ask if there is something I have done that you could imitate in order to improve your life.

 

[Freodin]

Since you don't know me, there's no reason at all. However, if you knew me, and admired my superior intellect, warm and loving personality, excessive wealth, and ridiculous success, you might ask if there is something I have done that you could imitate in order to improve your life.

Hm... adopt your stylish haircut?

 

[Resha Caner]

Hm... adopt your stylish haircut?

It's always about politics for some people, but touche' for the associative repartee. Narcissism aside, I can make the point without the tongue in the cheek if it will help you.

 

[Freodin]

It's always about politics for some people, but touche' for the associative repartee. Narcissism aside, I can make the point without the tongue in the cheek if it will help you.

I just tried to respond in kind, my friend.

If you want to talk about this point in a more serious fashion, I am game.

 

[Resha Caner]

I just tried to respond in kind, my friend.

Sure. It was funny. No problem.

If you want to talk about this point in a more serious fashion, I am game.

If you'd like.

 

[Freodin]

If you'd like.

Certainly.

 

[Resha Caner]

Certainly.

OK. What's on your mind?

 

[Freodin]

OK. What's on your mind?

Oh, I thought you wanted to make a point... but sure, I'll give my thoughts.

This is based on my interpretation of your post, which in turn is based on my experience with several other Christians (and other people) making a similar point. A point from, let's say "indirect evidence".

There is X. X comes from Y. Thus Y.

Now the step that I, from my own various experiences, doubt is the second. Does X really come from Y? Does it only come from Y? If not... that would invalidate the whole line of reasoning, wouldn't it?

So... someone might be smart, good looking, lovable and successful. But if they base that on their haircut instead of their faith... or even a mystical supernatural intervention... what would we do to find out?

 

[Resha Caner]

Now the step that I, from my own various experiences, doubt is the second. Does X really come from Y? Does it only come from Y? If not... that would invalidate the whole line of reasoning, wouldn't it?

Sure. My point was simpler (and more complex). If you admire someone, it is common to imitate them. I admire my father, and there are many parts of his life I try to imitate.

Yet Lutherans will distinguish what is called a "Theology of the Cross" from a "Theology of Glory". And thereby my meta humor may have misled you. The idea is based on John 16:33 among other passages. For our purposes here, it agrees exactly with what you said. Don't assume the successes of this world know God and the failures don't.

So, it's just as possible to admire someone for persevering under extreme hardship as it is to admire them for great success. The warning to the Christian is simply to do one's best not to turn people off (In some cases it seems impossible to avoid). Personal conversations are easier to have with a friend than with a stranger or enemy.

What would we do to find out?

That's a case by case thing. It depends on what aspect of the person you want to understand.

 

[Freodin]

Sure. My point was simpler (and more complex). If you admire someone, it is common to imitate them. I admire my father, and there are many parts of his life I try to imitate.

A very good point, but I think it leads back to my line of reasoning.
If you admire someone, it is common to imitate them... in the points that you admire, and in the points that you think involves what you admire.

You admire your father, and try to imitate many parts of his life. But how do you chose which parts? That's the question.

Your father might be a loving family man, polite and nice to everyone, fair and just in his dealings... and you admire that and try to imitate that.
You also might think that these admirable attributes come from him being a devout Christian... and so you try to imitate that as well.

So far, so good.

But what happens when you meet another person, a loving family person, polite and nice to everyone, fair and just in their dealing... and a devout Muslim, Hindu, Asatru or atheist? You'd still admire the same attributes... but now they cannot come from the same source as before.
Would conclusion could you draw from that?

Yet Lutherans will distinguish what is called a "Theology of the Cross" from a "Theology of Glory". And thereby my meta humor may have misled you. The idea is based on John 16:33 among other passages. For our purposes here, it agrees exactly with what you said. Don't assume the successes of this world know God and the failures don't.

So, it's just as possible to admire someone for persevering under extreme hardship as it is to admire them for great success. The warning to the Christian is simply to do one's best not to turn people off (In some cases it seems impossible to avoid). Personal conversations are easier to have with a friend than with a stranger or enemy.

Oh, it is not the observable phenomena I am doubting. You can admire a person for all sorts of things. It's the conclusion that some people - many Christians - seem to draw from these admirable things that I doubt.

That's a case by case thing. It depends on what aspect of the person you want to understand.

Understanding people is difficult. As far as I have come to experience, most people are quite reluctant to get experimented on.