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Not what Jesus taught. matt 25:31 and following.Basically, faith is a requirement for salvation because making one's self available to God for salvation is a relational construct. We are not getting into heaven based on our intelligence or collection of good works (although God does value those aspects of our faith response.) Rather, we are getting into heaven by 'relating with' God through the open door that Jesus provides us.
2PhiloVoid
As per the title; why is faith a requirement for salvation? Why not reason? Of course, I'm not saying the two are mutually exclusive; obviously many religious beliefs are attained through using the capacity for reason. However, there is much in the Bible that defies reason and thus faith in certain doctrines is preferred over reason. For example, in order to be a Christian I must believe that Jesus rose from the dead. My reason tells me this just does not happen in reality.
If Christianity is true then there must be some reason why God prefers unwavering faith over rational analysis. It cannot be for moral reasons because, outwardly at least, Christians are no more moral than non-Christians. To paraphrase Hitchens, there is no moral action that a religious person can undertake that cannot also be done by a non-religious person. So there must be another reason that faith is the preferred human response to God's message.
Because God said so.
If you are asking for speculation why, well then you are asking people to disregard faith and instead seek a reason-based answer....which is encouraging them into heresy. It is enough that God said so.
If that's what you believe, then you have to concede that what Hitler did was morally okay.
He killed eleven million people – with the sanction of the German people. He was voted in as the supreme ruler, and what he did was therefore legal. So according to this philosophy what he did wasn't wrong. That's the corner into which we paint ourselves, if we say that morality is determined by the majority.
Before 1962, the crime of sodomy was a felony in every state in the U.S., punishable by a long term in prison, often with hard labor. The majority said that sodomy was extremely wrong, but society's perception toward it has radically changed.
The problem with a society that has no moral absolutes is that it predictably slides down a path of degeneration.
It doesn't become morally better; it becomes worse. Nazism and pedophilia become the norm, and consequently,
I'm saying true born again from above, Holy Spirit filled Christians do not live in sin.
Just because one calls themselves a Christian does not mean that the Spirit of Christ dwells in them. If they live in sin then they are of another spirit, which is of the devil.
As per the title; why is faith a requirement for salvation? Why not reason? Of course, I'm not saying the two are mutually exclusive; obviously many religious beliefs are attained through using the capacity for reason. However, there is much in the Bible that defies reason and thus faith in certain doctrines is preferred over reason. For example, in order to be a Christian I must believe that Jesus rose from the dead. My reason tells me this just does not happen in reality.
If Christianity is true then there must be some reason why God prefers unwavering faith over rational analysis. It cannot be for moral reasons because, outwardly at least, Christians are no more moral than non-Christians. To paraphrase Hitchens, there is no moral action that a religious person can undertake that cannot also be done by a non-religious person. So there must be another reason that faith is the preferred human response to God's message.
Your comments on this matter continue to isolate many people who believe they are "true" Christians yet struggle with sin. What if you found out your best friend, a "true" Christian, has struggling with porn all his life? Would you "encourage" him by telling him that he is clearly not a "true" Christian because he is living in sin? I doubt you would, if you truly care about this friend.
As I've said, I've known many Christians who have struggling with various problems, or sins, during their lives. I've always found that it's the ones who know they have a problem that are the genuine believers, the "true" Christians. The ones who don't care about their personal vices are those who aren't walking their talk.
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Again a true Christian would not be struggling with porn........
A true Christian could struggle with Porn or any number of sins ; but a true Christian would also take definitive actions to end the sins, turn from them completely by cooperating with Gods power, grace, and strength , and to find victory in restoration . A true Christian wants to lay them at the feet of Jesus and get washed by the shed blood of Christ.
But for the grace of God, go I .
Sin is a constant battle for as long as we are in the flesh ; one day, it will not longer be a problem, temptation, or concern. That day is called ; Graduation Day for the Christian when he/she enters Heaven .
Sorry, but I left my "God said it, I believe it, that settles it" attitude a few years ago. A few other people have said something similar to your comment in this thread too. Thanks, but no thanks. It's not really an answer - it's just an assertion that tells me you don't want to pursue any line of reasoning. That may be fine for you, and I'm not going to argue about it. But it just doesn't work for me any more.
I suppose some have a different definition of a true Christian than others, as some are also even bias based on their own position in life, and not by faith in the Word of God.
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The Word of God is the standard to go by because it is inspired from a perfect Creator in nature,character, and person. Others can have their opinions, but they are just that...personal opinions.
A TRUE Christian according to Scripture is a Person who bases his trust in CHrists accomplishments on calvary alone...by applying faith or belief that it is in fact, sufficient . This is the Gospel of CHrist. Its all because of CHrist and Gods free gift in him. You recieve it on simple faith in a big God and big Savior.
Except a man is born again of God's Spirit he shall in no way enter into the kingdom of God.
Any man can claim faith, but it is the Lord who decides is true. And whom the Lord chooses, He also seals by the Spirit of Christ.
And if a man truly be in Christ, will that same man also live in sin? God forbid. For Christ is not the minister of sin, but of righteousness.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Titus 1:16
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
The most religious have the most crime? Not all religions are the same.
What About Atrocities That Have Been Done in the Name of Religion?
What About Atrocities That Have Been Done in the Name of Religion
Is religion the cause of most wars?
Is religion the cause of most wars?
Death by Government
20TH CENTURY DEMOCIDE (Genocide and Mass Murder)
(communism leads)
http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/DBG.TAB1.4.GIF
Athieism not religion has killed more
Atheism, not religion, is the real force behind the mass murders of history / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com
MILITANT ATHEISTS/ATHEISM CRIMES AND EVILS OF COMMUNIST ATHEISM
Not what Jesus taught. matt 25:31 and following.
Sorry brother, but you are misconstruing what I mean by the word, 'relating.' Of course works are a part of our faith; I wouldn't discount those by a longshot. But we are not 'saved' by our collection of good works; good works do not erase our sins.
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