Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: whattajoke
"Right. And as I always say, since I have now lived 31 morally clean years, I must therefore be of higher moral fiber than the hell-fearing christian."

First, unless you have actually studied the life of Jesus and understood what the fruits of the spirit and the virtues of Godly wisdom are and what they are not, I question whether you even have a good understanding of what "morally clean" is. To me He is the standard. By what light to you judge yourself to be "morally clean"?

Second, lets assume you have. Which IS entirely possible. I've known some fine outstanding people who are caring and trustworthy who have never trusted the Lord. You may well be of higher moral fiber than the average God-fearing Christian.

However therein lies the problem and the difference between Christianity and all other religions. God doesn't judge on a bell curve. It doesn't matter whether you are better than Adolf or better than Mother Teresa. Because you are going to be compared to God's own standard, which is Holy perfection. If we rely on our works, on our own goodness, like most other religions teach. We are toast.

God expects perfection. There are two ways to stand before God and not suffer the second death (spiritual destruction): 1) Never Sin or 2) Be forgiven.

The Christian may very well not be of as high of moral fiber as you are. But if the Christian accepted the pardoned that was offered to all and you did not. Well it's not going to be pretty.

And that's why I changed "hell-fearing Christian" to "God-fearing Christian". The Christian who knows his scripture, who knows the permanent nature of the pardon, knows that as Paul said, "Nothing can separate him from the Love of God, not even life nor death". The Christian does not fear Hell, because Hell is not a possibility for him. He does fear God, because God chastises those whom He loves. But God will not disown his adopted children.

The reason we don't believe in all the other gods. Is simply that they aren't real. They haven't done the kind of miracles and prophecies that God has. Nor have they set a perfect pure standard. Nor can they make themselves real in peoples lives.

When you meet God, you will understand why we believe in this God, but not the others.

39 posted on 11/17/2003 10:35:35 AM PST by DannyTN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies ]


To: DannyTN
Excellent response, Danny. See my posts 36 and 38.

<><
41 posted on 11/17/2003 10:40:52 AM PST by viaveritasvita ("When Love takes you in, everything changes.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies ]

To: DannyTN
First, unless you have actually studied the life of Jesus...

I have via the NT as well as some other sources.

and understood what the fruits of the spirit and the virtues of Godly wisdom are and what they are not...

I admit, I don't understand anything having anything to do with "spirits" or "Godly wisdom," as they are supernatural entities that I have never had any reason to delve into in the least. (Excepting Santa Claus as a child, of course.)

By what light to you judge yourself to be "morally clean"?

Accepted current social standards in my city/state/country. All laws of my city/state/country. In fact, as a rather conservative man, I'd wager I far exceed those standards of morality. I adhere to many, if not most, moral tenets of the bible as the author of the original article states some of us non theists do.
Your next several paragraphs are rather rational and clear headed and I thank you for them.

The reason we don't believe in all the other gods. Is simply that they aren't real. They haven't done the kind of miracles and prophecies that God has. Nor have they set a perfect pure standard. Nor can they make themselves real in peoples lives.

Tell that to the billions of earth's residents who would call you insane for stating this. Show me one miracle or tell me one prophecy (Ahem, before it happens, and I'll be sitting right next to you in church for every last sunday of my life.)
47 posted on 11/17/2003 10:54:14 AM PST by whattajoke (Neutiquam erro.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies ]

To: DannyTN
"When you meet God, you will understand why we believe in this God, but not the others"

Usually if you hear voices and see people who aren't really there (God), it's classified as Schizophrenia. You might want to get that checked out if you haven't already.
922 posted on 12/23/2003 8:47:42 AM PST by shesheco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson