Why should I be a Christian?

baobobtree · Mar 29, 2007

Time4AChange said:
But you said before that if a total stranger was going to rot away in a pit of fire and brimstone, that you would let him in, even if he was a complete stranger. But now you're sayin that if that person was a murderer you wouldn't let him in? What made you change your mind?

If he was a stranger whom I knew was a murder then I wouldn't let him in, if he wasn't then I would simple as that.

baobobtree · Mar 29, 2007

BelindaP said:
There is no reason to believe that Gandhi is burning in hell right now. The Bible hints that there is a different judgment for those who never knew the Lord versus those who claim to be Christians.

Mind throwing some passages my way? Also thanks to everyone who's replied to this thread, I'm actually starting to see Christinaity in a bit of a different light based on what many of you have said (but I'm a far cry from giving up Hinduism).

Digit · Mar 29, 2007

Despite being a Christian, I too would like to thank those who replied to this thread. Just as the world man has created around us, has thrown up false barriers and walls against God, it has just the same, warped His image and thrown out lies about Him too. In that respect, many of the things talked about here, were news to me, and I think I am understanding it a lot better now from you having explained it.

Many thanks,
Digit

BigNorsk · Mar 29, 2007

I'm not sure where you came up with the idea that there are all these repentant serial murderers in heaven. There are a couple of places where murderers are talked about and it's never in the context of wait until you meet them in heaven.

Rev 21:8 NET.
(8) But to the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells, idol worshipers, and all those who lie, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the second death."
Gal 5:19-21 NET.
(19) Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity,
(20) idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions,
(21) envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
Matter of fact, to a Christian, hatred is murder.

1Jo 3:15 NET.
(15) Everyone who hates his fellow Christian is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

By now you are probably saying to yourself, that you know Christians that surely hate other Christians so how can that be?

Mat 7:21-23 NET.
(21) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
(22) On that day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?'
(23) Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!'

You really can't judge Christianity by the people you see. You must judge it by Jesus. Even true Christians sin. But true believers do receive the Holy Spirit and they are indeed filled with God's love.

Marv

Catherineanne · Mar 30, 2007

baobobtree said:
Mind throwing some passages my way? Also thanks to everyone who's replied to this thread, I'm actually starting to see Christinaity in a bit of a different light based on what many of you have said (but I'm a far cry from giving up Hinduism).

The best that any faith can do for us is to enable us to become who we were meant to be, by whoever created us. If any faith limits or constrains anyone in their pursuit of this God given identity, then it is not of God.

To assume any faith with this in mind is not to lose anything. If you were to become a Christian, I hope you would bring the best of Hinduism with you, just as if I were to become a Hindu (probably about as likely ) I would bring the best of my Christianity with me.

And strangely enough, if we compared the best of your faith with the best of mine, they will be identical.

Exodus 34 v something or other. Moses asks God for his name, and his answer is: "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

DArceri · Mar 30, 2007

baobobtree said:
I don't think you understand me exactly. I'm glad that the serial killer repented and ended up in heaven, but the thought that Gandhi's burning in Hell right now bothers me a lot.

Your problem is not seeing God's purpose for Creation. It is quite clear that God created the universe for His own Glory.
IS 43:7
"everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

Since we are the created, it is our purpose to glorify Him and beleive in all He is and does. Anything less is to deny Him.
I hope this explains the why for you?

DArceri · Mar 30, 2007

baobobtree said:
You see that's actually always bothered me. I have a hard time thinking that Gandhi's in Hell, but a serial killer who had faith in Jesus and repented is in heaven.

The ultimate purpose of God in creation was and is to display his glory in all its fullness. According to Numbers 14:21, God's intention to fill the earth with the glory of the Lord is as certain as his very existence. He says in Isaiah 43:7, "I created Israel for my glory." And in Ephesians 1:12 rebellious creatures are brought back to God for this purpose: "to live for the praise of his glory."

Since God created everything he owns everything, everything we have and are belongs to God. Therefore we must ask of every expenditure and every act, "Does this achieve the purpose of my owner?" And now we know what this purpose is and so we must ask, "Does this purchase or this act or this attitude display God's glory?" Thus the second implication of the doctrine of creation is that God has a purpose in creation, to display his glory, and therefore the purpose of all his creatures is to join him in that aim. That's why we exist.

TAKEN FROM JOHN PIPER'S SITE...IT IS A GOOD READ: http://www.soundofgrace.com/piper81/100481m.htm

stutiw · Mar 30, 2007

Our life on earth is numbered you ane me know that for sure. There is only hope through Christ who died for yours and mine salvation. It doesnt mean that we will never die, we will die physically but we have eternal salvation.

Let me ask you one question, Do you have peace in your heart today? Do you really feel loved?

When I asked these questions to myself, I found the only peace I found was through Christ, the resurrected one and I am joyful in my life no matter how many problems are around me..

I wish I could really chat with you on this topic

Catherineanne · Mar 31, 2007

darceri said:
Your problem is not seeing God's purpose for Creation. It is quite clear that God created the universe for His own Glory.
IS 43:7
"everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

Since we are the created, it is our purpose to glorify Him and beleive in all He is and does. Anything less is to deny Him.
I hope this explains the why for you?

This may be backed up by a couple of bits of Scripture, but presented as the full picture is a distortion. It makes God rather Narcissistic, and not terribly attractive.

Some churches do present this view of eternity, where we will all stand around the Throne, singing glory and honour etc etc for ever. Can't think of anything less appealing to a God of love and compassion, assuming he is not one massive Ego through and through.

God did not need to create us in order to achieve narcissistic supply. He created us in order to have a relationship with us, and it is not all about us standing around telling him how wonderful he is.

Such an egotistical God would not be worth serving.

Look at Christ; did he come to earth in order to hear people say constantly how wonderful he was? That sounds rather more like Herod, or Caligula, rather than Christ. If so, he failed signally. He came for a completely different purpose; to reconcile mankind to himself and to achieve relationship and communion with mankind. Like any other healthy relationship this is two way, mutual and loving, rather than parasitic.

Secundulus · Mar 31, 2007

There is really only one reason for becoming a Christian and it is to follow Jesus Christ and become his disciple.

To become his disciple means to believe what he said. We know what he said because his earliest followers wrote it down in letters and booklets that were later assembled into what we now call the Bible. We believe what he said was true because he rose from the dead.

What he said was this: He is God and if you believe him and follow his commandments he will forgive your sins and grant you everlasting life in heaven.

If you do not believe in him then you will be judged by God based upon your own merits. Because God is perfect and Good then any deviation from perfect goodness on your part will mean eternal seperation from God.

Determinedheart · Mar 31, 2007

baobobtree said:
I really say this with all sincerity, and I really do consider converting if you can give me a good reason, but why should I convert to Christianity? What do you have to offer that other religions don't? Why do you think your theological views are the right ones, and why should I?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

Because that "void" everyone has in their life will never be fufilled with anything else but God.

InnocentOdion · Apr 2, 2007

I will struggle to be like your Christ,

Who wouldn't?

however I can not accept your Christianity.

That's a shame. You're always welcome to if you ever change your mind. Don't forget Christianity isn't always the same as "Churchianity", or Christ. We're not perfect, and we admit that, but we would like to be. It interests me to find out why you won't, so feel free to PM me.

Just remember, not all Christians believe in Hell.

1. Some believe in a Hell without brimstone and fire, for example, a Hell where you sit there and stare at a wall for a thousand years or something
2. Some believe in a purgatory Hell one
3. Some believe in a death which they won't come from
4. Some believe all will come to God, eventually

You're allowed your opinion, and I, for one, don't believe in a flaming burning eternal hell. I believe a mixture of 1 {especially the idea of staring at a wall as punishment!}, 2, and 4.

baobobtree · Apr 2, 2007

stutiw said:
Let me ask you one question, Do you have peace in your heart today? Do you really feel loved?

To put it simply yes, I feel very loved, and very happy when I meditate upon the sight of Krishna or Shiva. One experience I can happily recall is during a Hindu fast called Shiva Navratri. I meditated upon the image of Shiva for about a half hour, and felt like all the happiness and love in the universe became one with me, though only briefly.

Because that "void" everyone has in their life will never be fufilled with anything else but God.

But I don't feel a void in my life, I feel bliss.

By not accepting God's new covenant to mankind, Gandhi most likely never saw Heaven.

If this is really what Jesus taught then forget I ever considered becoming Christian. I can't believe such a God exists and if he does, I want nothing to do with him.

DArceri · Apr 2, 2007

baobobtree said:
To put it simply yes, I feel very loved, and very happy when I meditate upon the sight of Krishna or Shiva. One experience I can happily recall is during a Hindu fast called Shiva Navratri. I meditated upon the image of Shiva for about a half hour, and felt like all the happiness and love in the universe became one with me, though only briefly.

But I don't feel a void in my life, I feel bliss.

If this is really what Jesus taught then forget I ever considered becoming Christian. I can't believe such a God exists and if he does, I want nothing to do with him.

You decided that based on what? That God gave up His only Son for you? Is that not God reaching out to mankind so that no man may die in his sins? Is that not showing His love? Jesus was slaughtered for you and me. DID YOU KNOW THAT...Did you ever read the Gospels? Just curious. I'd like to invite you to read about the man who died for you so that you would have eternal life. Why make such a rash decision about your eternal life? If you are looking for peace, meditate on Gods word and peace will come upon you.

Digit · Apr 2, 2007

I think it's hard to clarify why someone should move from their current worship, to worshipping God, when the things we say we get from God, they already have.

I mean I am sitting here thinking, ok, why should this person become a Christian when they are already very spiritual? The only thing I can think of, is not something I can prove, which is that if they do not, they will be seperated from God by eternal death.

I've been learning a lot about Christianity from a course I've been attending. It's about the basics, and is called the Alpha course. I really think that I cannot explain things as well as this course can. It's once a week for 10 weeks. If you are up to it baobobtree I would like to suggest you look into it. Because I truly believe we can list reason after reason that has meant something to us here, yet in the end you will feel no pull to it. Also, I am reminded that God's Word convicts. This is a very popular saying amongst Christians, and basically means that by hearing God's Word, you will begin to understand and see truth in it. The best place for me for this, is at church. Again, a possible sticking point for you. Alpha btw, is meant for non-Christians, and is a very non-threatening environment. Should you not wish to, you don't have to stay for the group discussions, but I think you will find it helpful as you can ask anything. Like, "Why God and not Shiva?" and so on. You will be surrounded with other non-Christians who are curious to know more.

May I ask, what brought you to post your original question btw?

Thanks and God bless,
Digit

Determinedheart · Apr 3, 2007

baobobtree said:
To put it simply yes, I feel very loved, and very happy when I meditate upon the sight of Krishna or Shiva. One experience I can happily recall is during a Hindu fast called Shiva Navratri. I meditated upon the image of Shiva for about a half hour, and felt like all the happiness and love in the universe became one with me, though only briefly.

But I don't feel a void in my life, I feel bliss.

If this is really what Jesus taught then forget I ever considered becoming Christian. I can't believe such a God exists and if he does, I want nothing to do with him.

If you felt no 'Void " Than why would you be seeking answers to Why you should become a Christian? just coming on here and seeking something new proves you are looking for something else and do feel there is something more whether or not you admit it and don't get me wrong thats o.k but really if you are honest with yourself your actions say that you feel your missing something and my response was sincere when I said Nothing will fill that but God.

Praying for you

jak · Apr 3, 2007

the thought that Gandhi's burning in Hell right now bothers me a lot.

I agree. That had always bothered me too. Realised only later that its jumping to unwanted and unwarranted conclusions for christians to say so, so our sincere apologies if you have been told this.

All the Bible tells us is that God will judge; and that humans are sinners needing God's grace and mercy to be acceptable to Him. The perfect example of God's mercy is His coming to earth as Jesus the messiah to die for sinners.

However, there are too many unanswered questions for us to think we know all the answers to this, or for us to, God forbid, decide how God will judge an amazing person like Gandhi, or anyone else. These are some of the old, old questions : What happens to ardent and devout followers of other faiths, like Gandhi? what happens to those who died before Christ came? And "What happens to those who have never heard of Christ"?

Answer is, we really do not know. Without God's mercy, none of us can reach anywhere near the perfection He as judge requires of us. But while God is just, God is also loving, and God wants every person to be saved. Perhaps God will judge such people by their conscience. Perhaps by some other way. We really don't know, but we can leave it to Him to be absolutely fair, with Gandhi, and everyone else.

That being the case, its best we tell people about the wonderful love of God in jesus, but leave judgement to God.

Why should I be a Christian?

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