Posted on 08/11/2020 7:12:36 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
There’s always been a division of ‘Grace,’ and ‘works,’ within the Christian community.
That’s a reason for many throughout Christian history doing one thing in their private life and doing a ‘good’ public deed. They believed/believe that the ‘good’ they do will outweigh the sinfulness of their nature.
It’s not just the Catholic Church, either. I was raised Catholic, so I was on the inside of that issue. ALL the religious institutions have folks within them that have believed/followed this false belief. Many, many of the large buildings, be they medical or religious or financial are built on the flawed premise of doing good deeds as a way to even out the sinful nature.
Unfortunately there are many who treat the Church as a social club rather than focusing on what to believe and why to believe it.
Ephesians 2:8 “For it is through grace you have been saved.”
He’s not that kind of God. He is only here to solve the most important problem in our lives. It is up to us to parlay that solution into solutions for all the other problems. He doesn’t stand in front of us every hour. As humans there is a place to find Him. We will most assuredly find Him there whenever we need Him.
That mindset sounds curiously like the medieval practice of buying indulgences which was one of the factors in bringing on the reformation. History is sometimes a circular timeline.
If Jesus Christ were the only way to heaven then you won’t find anyone there who got there more than 2000 years ago. I believe that being good and honest and basically obedient to the Nine Commandments you will be at peace at the end of your life. If there is heaven after that I doubt that even Jesus himself would turn you away.
NINE commandments?
Yikes
So they’re really Buddhist?
The kind and helpful will be in Hell with all those who reject the atonement of Christ.
There are two extremes in this. There are those who feel/think what the title of this thread says, and there are those who think that all one has to do is ask God for forgiveness - and they can then do what they want and still go to ‘heaven’.
Personally, I think the reality is somewhere in between, but that’s just me. Doing good works is necessary, but not sufficient. Grace is necessary, but also requires our ongoing efforts to do right in the world and to try to be better human beings. Asking God for forgiveness is not a ‘get out of jail free’ card for life no matter what you do from that point on. We all have a duty to work hard to do right and better ourselves spiritually.
Or they do not understand that grace alone will get them into heaven.
Being mean and nasty indicates you have never received Christ as your savior. You can be the nicest person in the world but not know Christ. In this case it is very much “who you know” that will get you into heaven.
RE: So they’re really Buddhist?
And Muslim and Hindus...
You are deluded. The Scriptures, breathed out by the Holy Spirit, confirm it to the MAX. Like everyone else you have a choice, and currently you are choosing The Lie (pretending you are “as God”, knowing good and evil when you know nothing). You can choose to listen to God via Scripture (primarily Paul the apostle) and get an attitude adjustment or you can test out your theory and face certain doom.
Jesus is the Way and every other way is not the Way.
Good works are not a requirement to get into Heaven, but if you have truly been born again, good works will come from you.
John 14:6
this is the thing ... and the day is coming. Feast of Trumpets - Marantha :)
How on earth do you know that YOU are saved?
Salvation is God's bailiwick, not yours.
Or does your branch of faith tell you that you are saved? Honest question.
“recent behavior”..
I hope He only considers my best behavior. Like the last 1.2 seconds of writing this post. Whoops...See I lied..
We don't know the entire life of the thief. No one is ENTIRELY good or bad.
The Romans were harsh rulers and condemning a THIEF to death WAS harsh.
Death by crucifixion for theft?
What branch of faith do you espouse that says all you need is faith? Sola fide?
.
Just curious. Can someone be "born again" more than once? If s/he is born again, then falls, gets reborn, then falls again, what are the chances s/he can be "reborn" a third, fourth, tenth time?
Since God created senses of humor He must think that it's important. You might have one foot in heaven already. :o)
...that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM shall not perish, but have everlasting life”.
No mention of works in that promise. Works may result in rewards, but do not impart salvation.
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