Should I be a Christian? Help me

What about those born before he was born on Earth??

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Lighted_path,

Jesus did something similar to what Miao Shan would have done. When he died, he first descended to the grave where the souls of the previous believers rested. He spoke to them, possibly about the salvation plan, and released many of them from the grave. People in Jerusalem reported seeing deceased people walking around town!

There's also a verse, as seekingpurity mentioned, that Jesus will return and come for many of those who died, to bring them with him.

NO. Do not worship a man and woman like them. Worship ONE GOD ALONE.

4.171 . O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth . The Messiah , Jesus son of mary , was only a messenger of Allah , and His word which He conveyed unto Mary , and a spirit from Him . So believe in Allah and His messengers , and say not "Three" . Cease! ( it is ) better for you! Allah is only One God . Far is it removed from His transcendent majesty that he should have a son . His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth . And Allah is sufficient as its defender .

5.116 . And when Allah saith : O Jesus , son of mary! Didst thou say unto mankind : Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? he saith : Be glorified It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right . If I used to say it , then Thou knewest it . Thou knowest what is in my mind , and I know not what is in Thy mind . Lo! Thou , only Thou art the Knower of Things Hidden .

9.31 . They have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah son of mary , when they were bidden to worship only One God . There is no god save Him . Be He glorified from all that they ascribe as partner ( unto Him ) !

should you convert, no one can say yes you should or no you shouldnt , because what someone thinks you should or shouldnt do isnt as important as what you feel you should do. what if someone were to tell u , u should do something and it doesnt turn out how u invisioned it would then u might end up just being resentful. so u should do ur own soul serching and go from there.

should you convert, no one can say yes you should or no you shouldnt , because what someone thinks you should or shouldnt do isnt as important as what you feel you should do. what if someone were to tell u , u should do something and it doesnt turn out how u invisioned it would then u might end up just being resentful. so u should do ur own soul serching and go from there.

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What he said.

What he said. (-;
Just like a marriage, you want to get to know and trust the person before you let them impact your decisions and daily life.

the_lighted-path, no one will force you to convert. You decide who you want to believe in and follow. Before converting into anything or making up your mind on what you think you should believe in, you should read the gospel. Read the testimony of Yahushua whom people know as Jesus Christ then ask yourself if you are willing to seek and follow Him. I will tell you like many other have told you, Yahushua is the truth and the way and the life. He is the true God of creation, but that is up to you to experience for youself that you may hold your own testimony. One note, however, read carefully and anaylze the path Yahuashua walks. It is a very narrow path that He walks. Not many are able to walk on it. Many are decieved that they are walking on it. If you wish to follow Yahsuhua, then follow Him with all your heart and solely Him. You can only serve one master. You will hate one and love the other.

Shalom.

Lighted_path, welcome back! I looked for you a few times.

It has only been a month since your first question. I think that God will give you more time to think about it! He knows your thought process, understands your background, and knows how much you would be giving up to follow Him. He will teach you and guide you if you ask.


What if a person dies without Christ and he is not a believer. Will he face Judgement for his works?

In principle, yes. We all face judgement, but if you believe that the sacrifice Jesus made for you is God's atonement for your sins, then you escape condemnation. Certain scriptures point to a moment where Jesus visits the grave, and offers this salvation to those who have lived with a heart toward good and toward God. Many Christians don't believe this, so you will find some varied opinions here. We have no tangible proof.


And what if a person who dies with Christ? Will he escape from Judgement by works, and let simply into Heaven by Grace?

The more you read, the more you will see what you would get yourself into. It's not about joining a church, although you will find support and teaching and friends there. It is about accepting the love of God for yourself, and allowing God to be involved in your life. He wants good for all of us.

I'm still praying for you sweetie. I pray that God will show you the Way and He will give you peace and joy.

the_lighted_path said:

I believe Him, I take Him as one of my Saviours, isn't that enough?

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If you read His Word, you will find that He proclaims Himself to be the only way. If you believe in others, you do not believe in Him. Pray to Him. Meanwhile, I suggest looking very thoroughly through the writings of your current religion(s); if they contradict, you can be certain that you have something wrong.

I, too, would like to know more of your religion(s); could you please direct us to some recommended reading?

If you believe in others, you do not believe in Him.

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Unless you decide to take more of an ecclectic New Age Christian route...which some christians will argue "is not true Christianity"

BTW,m how do you claim to know what does on in other people's heads, esepeciually to what they do or do not belive (something MANY people hold close to their heart) ? Just because they may not beleive in him the same way you and other orthdox Christians may see him, does not mean he does not beelive, worship and accept Christ. Unless you are a telepath, I do not see how you can truly discern if he "does not beelive in Him"

Many people are in transition; we all are, in some way or another. If we don't continue to learn, we turn into mush. We are constantly weighing what we consider true. Even Christians who have believed and read for fifty years still learn new things about God.

We take the Bible as our foundation that can keep us from drifting too far. If we don't spend time reading it, we lose sight of what God wanted for our lives. We could make up our own belief system, but would eventually have to face the fact that if we believe God is real, then He is not one to play intellectual games over. If He is who He says He is, we will face Him on how we lived with what we knew to be beneficial. This can be humbling, as we want to think we'd manage just fine without Him.

We need to allow transitions to happen as we adjust to new information, but maintain an awareness that we are spiritual beings with spiritual destinies.

Hello William! Even though I, personally, have not experienced what you are going through, i have known and befriended many who do...I lived in Africa, so many were eager for "something more"! I found this thread yesterday, I have done some Biblical research that me be of service...if you don't mind.

Hosea 11:1-41 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. 2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. 3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. 4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

Often times Jesus refers to His children as Isreal. That passage was intended to show you that God cares and is behind miraculous things, even though we may not know it.

Hosea 14:1-91 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. 3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. 4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. 5 I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. 7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. 8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. 9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

I included that passage to explain that We should not partake in idol worship(your patron saint, for example) and that God is the only way.

Joel 2:27And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

This passage, also, states that God is the only true god. Also, Christians will not be ashamed because of our faith, persecuted:yes, ashamed:no.
1 Peter 2:8
A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that causes them to fall. They stumble because they disobey the m-which is also what they were destined for.

God knows that there are really hard times, that comes with his gift of free will, but he prepares us, and we need him to keep from faltering.(yes, we will make mistakes and falter=human nature)

1 Peter 2:9-109 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. This passage says that we are God's children, his chosen ones. Those who accept him are chosen(this does not mean that only some ppl are chosen, everyone is, but not everyone accepts). It says that when we had not accepted Christ, we had chosen not to accept his mercy. But when we accept him, we choose his mercy. Yah, doesn't sound like such a hard choice, but think about this: all the things that you know and love that are sinful and wrong, everything that is unGodly, those are things that you cannot have in your life. Yes, you will sin, but the big difference between1: Christians and 2:nonbelievers is:1:forgiven,2:not forgiven.
This only pretains to the Christian, that means you don't have to give up your friends and family who are not believers.

In the US Declaration of Independence, there is a line that basically means that those who are able, are responsible.

I am a Christian, I know the truth. Therefore, I am responsible to spread the Word.

Please know this: Even though I cannot see you, and have not met you, I love you as a brother. I feel close to you because of your openness. Thank you sooo much for listening and considering. it means the world to me!


Always hear if you wanna PM me!!!


Love,
Emily

sorry my post was reeealllly long, but i hope you read it...
I wanted to let you know that I'll be praying for you!



PM me!
Missionette

My third post in like, ten minutes!lol. a record!
anyhow, to answer your question here is a really good verse that i refer to all the time: Ephesians 2:8-10
"For it is by God's grace that we are saved through our faith in Him, not by our own(or any one else's)doings; For salvation is a gift from God, not from our good works, lest any man should bost about it. For we are God's workmanship, created in Jesus to do good works, which he has prepared for us in advance."

That means that yah, we are supposed to do good stuff, but that's not what's gonna get us into Heaven!!


Love, Emily

William, I see your delima, My religion used to be a catholic.. When I was " born Again " I felt that i was cheating on someone.. My mom, sisters, all of us changed.. We all felt cheating on something with our religion. I think you should learn all you can about GOD, Jesus, The Holy spirit. All is one. After you know about Christianity then make your decision. Also, I think your being saved, was GOD's doing! Well, hope you find your answer soon!

the_lighted_path said:

Hello all,
I am from Malaysia, born in a family embracing Taoism and partly Buddhism. Everytime I see people going to church, I feel like, some kind of a "jealous"... Christianity seems like a wonderful religion. sometimes, I have this feeling of wanting to convert, but I always changed my mind in the end. It is because of everytime I think of converting, when I looked at the statue of my beloved goddess, her serene smile, I feel myself filled with guilt. She has protected me since my younger days, in everything. She was the only one who listens to me, all my friends outside were liars, inconsiderate people... She saved me, my uncle and auntie from a horrible accident last year. By turning to Christianity, it is as if I am betraying her. I feel so bad...

Even if I convert, I feel that my parents will not be with me. I love them so very much... Day and night I have them in my mind. My grandparents, parents, relatives... I love them so so so much. What can I do? I want to be with them, for now, for always, In this life, and the life other. Please share your thought

William

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I agree....I beleive heartily in spirutality...but I disagree with religion, something man made.


Just be true to yourself..and your heart, for it will guide you. The Cosmos is a vast and infintie place...and us humans would be terribly silly to try to define and label it and It's creator/God. Anyone who tries to say this is what god wants or thinks is generally trying to seel you something. Seek truth...but make sure it is your own.

Salubri said:

I agree....I beleive heartily in spirutality...but I disagree with religion, something man made.


Just be true to yourself..and your heart, for it will guide you. The Cosmos is a vast and infintie place...and us humans would be terribly silly to try to define and label it and It's creator/God. Anyone who tries to say this is what god wants or thinks is generally trying to seel you something. Seek truth...but make sure it is your own.

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ehem, I'm sure I don't understand wut u just said, but it may help my explanation out, but in direction to lighted path: You heard what he said, but do you really believe that you, or any one else, can find spirituality within their own imperfect, troubled, and seemingly horrible lives? You said you felt like being a Christian would be nice, what do you think now, and what do you think of trying to find perfection in your soul? You have to understand being a Christian b4 u jump into it. It's not easy like some ppl will try to tell you. Persecution and adversaries will try to block you from God, but only sin can do that, that's why we needed Jesus to die for our sins and give us the ultimate forgiveness. There is no easy way, but at least in Christianity, salvation is free, yet priceless. If you choose to be a Christian, you'll learn to treasure your salvation, yet knowing that you'll be safe even after you die is one of the smallest gifts you recieve.......
TTYL Will(can i call you will?),
Missionette

William, you seem like you burn with as much fire and passion for your goddess as I do for Christ. You asked if you could keep your faith in your goddess. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters.

Now then, I believe a couple of times you said you wanted to follow the truth. Think of it this way: Christianity is different from all other religions. With Christianity, we are save simply by the grace of God. All we must do is believe in our hearts Jesus died for our sins and profess it with our mouths.

John 3.16: God gave his only begotten son, so that we may have eternal life.

John 14.6: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can go to the Father except through Me.

On the other hand, all other religions believe to go to heaven, you must do works.

If you do convert and you get a lot of grief from your parents or anyone else, refer to this passage:

Psalms 23:4 Though I walk through the valley of darkness, I fear no evil. Your rod and Your staff; they comfort me.

Hope this helps.