Doesn't this just neggate the idea that Christ did what man couldn't? If He died for our sins (including rejecting Him) then how could the church think that people could do ANYTHING AT ALL for their salvation? By doing something aren't you rejecting Gods Grace? Yea thanks God but I still think I can help you by doing these things and saying these words so that I will be saved; even though every covenant befor Christ proved otherwise.
2006-07-17 12:02:31 · 14 answers · asked by sandpeople_1 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christ never said to try and be good and perfect. That is not written in the Bible. And if He had said it, it would mean that His sacrifice wasn't enough, making it not the ultimate sacrifice. Also if you believe that you have to try, then how much would be enough to get you into Heaven?
2006-07-17 12:10:37 · update #1
By the way, I have been raised in the Christian Church and am Christian. I am not rejecting nor finding contradictions in the Bible, but merely in the Church.
2006-07-17 12:26:10 · update #2
In a way I agree with you. I too think that is a waste of time for people to think they can earn their way into God's grace, because the Bible clearly defines it as an "undeserved kindness" (Acts 4:33). However, Christ did tell us we had to follow his commandments. They were to love our neighbor and to love our God (Matt 22:36-9). He demonstrated what the highest act of love for God and neighbor was--evangelizing the good news of the kingdom (Matt 24:18-20). How else was Jesus to be with them in spirit unless they prayed for Holy Spirit--God's personal tool He uses to bring about his purposes to fruition? (Matt 6:9-13) Prayer may not be the only way God knows what we need, but it without a doubt shows Him our desire to serve Him and be a part of His future. If someone you loved said they loved you back, but never backed it up with actions, never talked to you, even, would you believe them?
As far as people believing that we will go to Heaven, whether we sin or not, because of God's love, why didn't God love us enough to create us in Heaven and let us live in a place of happiness instead of this Earth? If the Earth is only a testing ground, then what good is a testing ground if any and all participants are guaranteed a passing grade? It doesn't make much sense.
2006-07-17 12:28:06 · answer #1 · answered by da chet 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You question show your lack of understanding of the bible. Yes, Jesus died for our sins. He died for the sins of the world that we might be saved. His blood covers our sin and you cannot have his blood to cover your sin unless you ask for it. Some ask some don't, some believe some don't. All the covenants before Christ were in the OT, right? I'm not sure what you hinting at when you say that the covenants before Christ proved wrong. Christ was the final say, he died and rose again.
You said, "then how could the church think that people could do ANYTHING AT ALL for their salvation? By doing something aren't you rejecting Gods Grace?" That doesn't make sense to me. God's word is final, don't question Him and quit trying to find contradictions in His word. He said, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved!" He said, "hen how could the church think that people could do ANYTHING AT ALL for their salvation? By doing something aren't you rejecting Gods Grace?"
This is God's word, not mans. Pray and ask for guidance and he will give it to you.
2006-07-17 19:21:40 · answer #2 · answered by trulyblssd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible says ' It is by grace you are saved and that by faith so that no man can boast.'
Jesus did it all! We need do nothing except be His disciple and that does take discipline. But salvation is a free gift.
I think it is just that most people cannot conceive of a free gift-they believe they have to earn it-I guess that is why Jesus is such a hard truth to believe. It makes more sense to the logical mind to have to work your guts out for 7 lives before you attain perfection. And in reality we could never be perfect anyway.
I think it is great that God was caring enough to take all the pressure off those He loved and just sent someone perfect instead.
2006-07-17 19:15:17 · answer #3 · answered by globetrottertransient 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea is that no one is perfect, so no one would make it to heaven without Christ's sacrifice. Christ's death is not an automatic get-out-of-hell-free pass, however. We can now get to heaven - though we are imperfect - but only by trying to be as good and perfect as possible. Witness Mt 25:31-44, Lk 18:18-29, or Js 2:14-26.
2006-07-17 19:06:10 · answer #4 · answered by Caritas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have spoken well. The ONLY way for a person to be saved is by the grace of God through faith in the death, burial and ressurecton of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The reason people insist of trying to 'worl' or 'earn' their way into right standing with God, is PRIDE. As humans, we refuse to believe that we cannot control our destinies, that we have no ultimate control. W e think that nothing can be obtained that we have not earned, and so we struggle and strain to make ourselves worthy of God's love.
2006-07-17 19:09:00 · answer #5 · answered by ddesa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of most glaring contradictions of Christianity is the claim that Jesus died for sin while at the same time claiming sin is still an offense.
He either paid the price or he did not. There is no third alternative.
But, the bible is a book of mythology, so it doesn't matter.
2006-07-17 19:07:44 · answer #6 · answered by Left the building 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you understand, that for Adam( and his descendants) to have everlasting life, he was under obligation to do something?
He was to 'listen' to the commands put on him by his creator.
1. To procreate.Be fruitful, become many. Fill the earth and subdue it. Have in subjection all earths creatures. (Gen. 1:28).
2. Not eat the fruit of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad.(Gen. 2:16-18).
How then is it hard to understand that salvation also comes with requirements?
Yes the gift of life is by the grace of God, and that faith through appreciation has works.
James 2:24 YOU see that a man is to be declared righteous by works, and not by faith alone. 25 In the same manner was not also Ra´hab the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way? 26 Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
2006-07-17 19:05:13 · answer #7 · answered by Tim 47 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You still have to accept Him as your saviour (see John chapter 3). Jesus says, "Unless a man is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." That means we have to do something on our part. That 'something' is to accept Christ. First, pray to God and admit you are a sinner, then ask for forgiveness of sin, accept Jesus' sacrifice as payment for your sin and invite Him into your life as Lord and Saviour. Pray always in Jesus' name.
God Bless!
Matthew 5 (KJV):
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 7 (NIV):
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
2006-07-17 19:14:20 · answer #8 · answered by Me in Canada eh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are absolutely correct, its by faith, and faith alone in Jesus Christ that we are going to make it to Heaven. Work has nothing to do with it, all the work has been done on the cross. That is why the Bible teaches that without faith in Jesus Christ it's impossible to please God. It's by faith along that will get us in Heaven and not by any hard work we could do here on earth.
2006-07-17 19:13:49 · answer #9 · answered by larry d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's sad to me that everyone thinks that they have to do something to get into Heaven. One merely needs to experience life, and we are all going to Heaven. There is no such thing as hell. Unless you have to believe in it, then it is right here.
2006-07-17 19:10:21 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋