Posted on 03/28/2008 12:24:02 PM PDT by PROCON
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Senator Barack Obama has told an audience that although he believes Christ died for his sins, those who reject that teaching can also be children of God.
During a campaign stop yesterday in Greensboro, North Carolina, Senator Obama told the audience that he believes he "can have everlasting life" because Jesus Christ died for his sins. But he then told a questioner that he believes Jews and Muslims who live moral lives are just as much "children of God" as he is. (listen to audio clip)
The Illinois Democrat added that his late mother didn't share his faith but was a kind and generous person, so he's "sure she's in heaven." (listen to audio clip)
(snip)
In his life and in his politics, Obama said he asks himself, "How can I apply Jesus's teachings in a very concrete way?"
Obama's religious beliefs have been put in the spotlight over recent revelations about his former pastor. Videotapes of some of Pastor Jeremiah Wright's sermons have been described as being racist and anti-America.
Yesterday, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for president referred to those sermon remarks as being "stupid," but he continues to reject suggestions that he should have left the church because of that kind of preaching from his pastor.
The new head bishop of the Episcopal Church said the same thing in interviews with Larry King and Charlie Rose.
It sounds good, but the truth is we do not become a “child of God” until we accept the Lord Jesus as our savior; we then become adopted into God’s family.
Did you know that in biblical times, a natural child could be disowned, but an adopted child could never be cast aside or left with no inheritance.
It is a very special thing to allow ourselves to become adopted by God. It can never be undone.
It also explains very clearly what does and does not make one a child of God.
"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:11-13 NIV
It's very clear that you are not automatically a child of God because of the family you are born into or because you or someone else "declares" it to be so. You must believe that Jesus is God come to the world.
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