Can you "choose" to believe in Unicorns? Can you "choose" to believe in lepricahns? Is that real faith? If you "make" yourself believe in Jesus despite all the evidence to the contrary is that good enough to keep you from "choosing" to send yourself to everlasting never ending torture in hell? ( since many Christians her aren't man enough to admit that it is actually God who throws us into hell, as if any sane person would choose eternal torture voluntarily). So lip service is all it takes to get into heaven, whether the heart is truly in it or not? Have you ever fallen in love with someone who wasn't your choosing?
2006-07-26 05:45:30 · 10 answers · asked by 自由思想家 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Fantastic point!
Its not really a choice is it?
It either makes sense or it doesnt - nothing else adds up.
2006-07-26 05:57:56 · answer #1 · answered by Alexander Shannon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear Sir,
You have actually asked alot of questions here. I want to address the question, "Is it possible to choose to believe in God?" If we look at how God uses this term in the Bible, we find that "believe" is not a prerequisite for salvation! The devils believe..... Some believe for awhile and then fall away.... etc. Salvation, being saved from the power of sin and the penalty of sin, is completely the work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). Do you recall the man who picked up a few sticks on the sabbath (Numbers 15)? The Lord ccommanded that he be stoned to death for this because we cannot do any work to earn our way into heaven! Now here is the interesting thing---did you know that faith is a work? Check 1 Thessalonians 1 and 2 Thessalonians 1). Therefore, our faith cannot get us saved!! If you will go through the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John see how many times the Lord says, "Thy faith hath made the whole...." These verses seem to be saying that a person's faith can save him/her. But now let us look at Ephesians 2:16, 20 and Phillipppians 3:9. We find here that it is the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ!! The KJV is the most accurate English translation of the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. Now let us look at Romans 10:17: "So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Christ is the essence of faith because He never sinned. He is always faithful. So substitute Jesus Christ for faith in Romans 10:17 and we get: So then, Christ cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Do you follow? Christ came to earth to pay for the sins of His people or sheep or elect. That is why Christ said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me ....." Only the elect or true believers are able to hear the commands of the Lord and obey them! These elect are just a remnant of the whole of humanity. Why do you think the Lord says "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Not one person of themselves can become saved! God had to choose them, save them, and open their spiritual ears. For more info see www.familyradio.com. I hope this will help you.
2006-07-26 13:24:34 · answer #2 · answered by pilgrim_153 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can choose to believe in anything, I suppose; you choose to believe that you asked a coherent question.
However, I don't believe in Jesus 'despite' the evidence; I believe BECAUSE OF the evidence.
It takes much more than lip service to get into heaven:
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
It matters very much the condition of the heart:
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Read up, and then come back and ask another question.
2006-07-26 12:52:21 · answer #3 · answered by flyersbiblepreacher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit alone can take credit for our faith. You cannot choose to believe in God because we are born sinful and apart from God. The sinful mind is hostile to God. God in his love creates faith in our heart through baptism and hearing the Word of God. If we claim to choose Christ as our Savior we are claiming to be taking the first step in our salvation. Claiming to take credit for choosing is a powerful lie the Devil uses to make us think we can take credit for our salvation.
You must confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart.
2006-07-26 12:51:20 · answer #4 · answered by d8 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In my religion, just saying you believe in God isn't enough. You have to show that you believe by what you do in your life. There is a scripture that states "Faith without works is dead". To me that means that it isn't only faith that we have to have, we have to show God that we really believe.
You can choose to believe what you want. No one is forcing you to believe anything. I don't care what you believe. It's your choice.
Faith isn't just believing in something. It's a hope of things that are that can't be seen by our eyes. I have learned that no matter what you believe, if you live your religion, that's all that counts.
2006-07-26 12:56:37 · answer #5 · answered by odd duck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To believe in God, a person have nothing to lose, that's logical sense. What's not logical sense is being an Atheist, a denying of a Hell have nothing to do with God.
An Atheist have to deal with Satan, Lucifer as for thee there is no God!
2006-07-26 13:02:10 · answer #6 · answered by Walt. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are confusing faith and choice. I chose to give accept Jesus Christ as my savior and have faith in that choice. Just as people decided to join the military and die so that others can have freedom. You are making the choice not accept Christ and have to accept the consequences of your choices.
2006-07-26 13:23:53 · answer #7 · answered by miki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tried to ask this question before but had no luck. I don't believe one can choose to believe. It all depends on what your burden of proof is. We may choose to obey the rules set forth, but we cannot choose to believe that the rules are valid. Things are either valid or not valid to each of us. We cannot choose to believe something is valid if it doesn't satisfy our burden of proof.
2006-07-26 12:55:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You only choose to think, or not think. All other choices are based on this one choice.
We all need to ask ourselves which choice did we make, and why? Remember not making the choice is still the choice "not to think". It gets the same behaviors.
2006-07-26 12:51:12 · answer #9 · answered by Real Friend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NUH UHHHHH GOD IS REAL i didnt choose it god did cause he put it in the bible and since the bible is sooooo totally real then its fact. YOU WAIT UR GONNA BE SOO SORRY GOD HATES YOU. HELL TIMe FOR YOU. im gonna be in heaven all happy hehehehehe
2006-07-26 12:52:54 · answer #10 · answered by the holy divine one 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋