But we cannot, every day, watch porn, get drunk, get stoned, cheat on our spouse, overcharge our customers, chase strange flesh (homosexuality, pedophilia), falsely accuse others or commit other sins and assume God’s automatic forgiveness.
Indeed, after forgiving the woman caught in adultery, the Lord told her, “Go and sin no more.”
But Pascal doesn't specify which of the 115,867 gods to be found in the various pantheons of Mankind we should believe in: Brahma, Odin, Zeus, Allah, Ahura Mazda...
The chances are overwhelmingly high that one will choose the wrong god to believe in. Fortunately, only a few gods - like that of the Christian religion - casts non-believers into a lake of fire for making the wrong educated guess.
Regards,
“Indeed, after forgiving the woman caught in adultery, the Lord told her, “Go and sin no more.” “
Strange that you should mention that. Just heard a sermon from a ‘fill in’ pastor and she cited that piece of scripture in expressing His love, but conveiniently forgot to mention the “sin no more” aspect.
There is a fundamental difference between the Arminian concept of “once saved always saved” and the reformed concept of “perseverance of the saints”. Both conclude that salvation cannot be lost but differ at a basic level regarding the foundation of that truth.
I think the doctrine of “once saved always saved” is actually true, and there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. I just think that — as my pastor said in church this morning in so many words “if your faith hasn’t changed you, it hasn’t saved you.” In other words, if there is no evidence of conversion in the form of a changed life (not a perfect life but one always striving to be more Christ-like), then there has likely not been a conversion.
Grace
The argument may sound like Christian reasoning, but it is just another way for the accuser of the Brethren to sow doubt in the minds of humans. But you must admit, it is a clever way to spittle in the 'doubting God's Promises' ploy and push the 'by my works and Jesus's blood I am saved', very Mormonistic argument.
It's a pretty safe bet for me because I really don't think I would like living the way some do or treating others the way some do.
That “Once saved, always saved” has always been wrong. I should think the experience of the Israelites would easily demonstrate that.
bump for later read
Down To The River To Pray - Alison Krauss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSif77IVQdY&feature=related
Pascal’s wager is stupid, it’s based on the premise that you can fool God.
You can lose your salvation, if during the tribulation you are saved but then take the mark, you’re done for.
All -past and present- that have, profess and foster FAITH in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ have their names written in the book of life.
God, on the other hand, has the eraser.
Our salvation is determined by our faith, not by how we live. We do, however (imo), still have the free will to deny Christ after we have received Him and thus give up our salvation.
I will never try to fool God. Hopefully He knows that too.
Deuteronomy 4:19 & Malachi 1:11
So it’s cool if you don’t actually believe in God, well maybe you did once? So you live in obedience to God out of fear, but only to hedge a bet, believing the price small here on earth due to your personal nature. For somebody blessed with a placid personality it would be easy to avoid sin.
But what if you are blessed with a ribald and rebellious nature that wishes to push every envelope? If this person beats himself into submission, he pays a higher price than the placid person. Is this person more or less saved with greater struggle?
A person is born in Saudi Arabia. This man is possessed with a conformist personality. He hedges his bets, and diligently seeks not to offend his fellow man. Does his prayers, makes the haj on his 31st birthday. Obediently beats his wife when she deserves it. Is this person any more or less a sinner than the conformist born in Midland Texas to christian pig farmers who sit as a deacon in the local 1st Baptist church?
Suppose a man is born in the plains of Mongolia. His gods are thunder, lighting, horse. He can’t really be sure but he wants to tame thunder lighting and horse. Is this person any less a sinner?
And now we know what Arminians and Pelagians think that Monergists do every day.
Ephesians tells us we are sealed up by the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as Savior. No where does it ever say we are unsealed either by Christ or anything we “do” that’s bad.
By the parameters Pascal has set there his conclusion is illogical and wrong.
You have lost a lifetime of seeking the truth and living it.
i never saw belief in God as a get out of jail free card... if you live your life as someone unworthy of a reward i see no reason you will get one. mercy for the guilty is torture for the innocent, raping and or murdering children then saying God forgive me is not a get out hell card to go and be at God's side on equal standing with those innocents you raped and murdered, but that's just me