[Clay+Iron_Times]

I read Christian history and became a Catholic because of it.

I read the Bible and became a Christian because of it. Before I did not know the TRUE MEANING of calling ones self CHRISTIAN just as many do not.

There must be an inner change you will know (free from the power of sin, your nature), and so you are "born again", dead to your old self as you "put on Christ" then you are His. Your life no longer belongs to you. So you do His Will, not yours

Keep this saying in mind: If you are what you were, then your not. "born again"

The "old man" has to die

Jesus says "you must be born again"

That is the Truth, Jesus Christ by His Word, because He IS the Word, and He wants you to know the Truth.

If you do not accept His Way, His Sacrifice (not ours, nothing we can add or take away, and I am speaking of whole churches here) and reject His Word you will die a second death. For it is written:

Hebrews 9:27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment(because of the fall of Adam and Eve we are ALL under a sentence of death, and in fact died Spiritually, which means to be separated from God)

Religion in itself cannot save you. A church in itself cannot save you. Works in itself cannot save you. Rituals in itself cannot save you. Looking to man for your salvation cannot save you. A denomination in itself cannot save you. Only by accepting Jesus Christ and His Finished Work at the Cross are you saved. Anything else is just religion.

[jo kus]

Religion in itself cannot save you. A church in itself cannot save you. Works in itself cannot save you. Rituals in itself cannot save you. Looking to man for your salvation cannot save you. A denomination in itself cannot save you. Only by accepting Jesus Christ and His Finished Work at the Cross are you saved. Anything else is just religion.

Two comments.

First, the Bible can't save you, either.

Second, the above are tired cliches. They don't really mean anything in the practical world. They are "buzz words". Only by accepting Jesus work on the Cross can we be saved? That's it? Are you sure about that? What exactly does that mean? The devil "accepted" that Christ died - I presume he knows and believes it happened. Is he saved?

I think formulas can cause problems to people. Could you kindly explain what you mean?

Regards

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Dear Sir:

You know absolutely nothing about my spiritual life, my religious experiences, my conversion experiences, my prayer life, my relationship with God, my serious committment to Christ, my knowledge of the Bible, or my knowledge of Church history.

You, sir, assume too much on scant information.

Do not EVER write me a message like that again. I will hit the abuse button.