Does one have to accept Christ as their savior...?

Question

to live by his ideals? Anyone who has read Christs (you know the stuff in RED) message would realize his was a message of peace, love and tolerance. I'm agnostic, and I can't for the life of me find anything wrong with that. I don't want a savior to take the burden of my sins as they are mine to deal with. I can't accept or reject that there is a God as there is no proof of either concept, but I can accept that Christ had some really good points. Why do some get offended when one who is not a Christian trys to follow a peaceful path? (not all do)

Answer 1

You said: "I don't want a savior to take the burden of my sins as they are mine to deal with."

The whole point of Jesus coming to earth was to pay for your sins (because you can't) If you refuse to accept the free gift of salvation (which of course is your prerogative) you will be making a terrible mistake. Plus Jesus has already paid the price. you say you "don't want a savior to take the burden of my sins" Well He already bore them. and now you are going to waste his suffering by not accepting it?!

And the reason some Christians get offended when "one who is not a Christian trys to follow a peaceful path" is because it's just not enough to be a "good person" no one could even be "good enough" and that is why Jesus died for you.

Also, you say you are agnostic, if you are unable to believe in God I suggest reading "The Case for Christ" be Lee Strobel. it convinced me.

Best of Luck,

Josh K.

P.S. as for Jesus preaching only a mesage of peace consider Matthew 13:41-43

Answer 2

For some Christians, the main focus of their religion is accepting Christ as their savior, thus getting into heaven. Because of this, they struggle to accept someone like you who sees value in Christ's teachings, because they feel you are leaving out the most important one!

The focus for many others faith (including mine) is to be Christ-like, to show compassion, inclusiveness, and a willingness to do God's will (among other things). What I believe is important, but not as important as what I do, and how I live my life.

Because of this, I find (as do many Christians) that it is easy to respect Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, agnostics, etc. who live their life in a way that is loving and peaceful.

It seems obvious that you are trying to be a good person, and that Jesus' loving message inspires you to be more compassionate, etc. I think that is awesome.

Best of luck on your peaceful path.

Answer 3

Part of the concept is that God created you and all around you. Everything you give him, (charity, living a good life, etc,) is already his, so God cannot owe you anything including entrance to heaven. So the eternal consequences of our sins are by definition too large for us to deal with. That's where the Savior part comes in. That is for you to accept or deny.
We are trying to get our hands around an omnipotent, multi-dementional being here using only three. This part of God's plan mystifies, and frustrates me. That's the imperfection of religion.

As with many religions, Christianity has its share of insecure tag alongs. They are the ones who probably give you the hard times.

If not for the God of Abraham's "advice", why would you (or me) have any real reason to be peaceful and kind? I am intelligent (enough), and physically strong. I could make or take all that I need to live, and more. Christianity taught me that my strengths were given to me to help and protect the weak or infirm, share my wealth, as I have a responsibility to my siblings in Christ. It most surely regulates my life. My life would be much easier in this moment if I just went for me, with no concern for eternal consequences.

Answer 4

No you don't have to accept Jesus as your savior because he is not. The 'cruicified savior' legend attached to the human was the same they did as stealing other pagan legends.

Find a book that parallels Buddha and Jesus's sayings and go from there. It is suspected he studied with some Buddhists since he did reach a stage of enlightenment like Buddha was. There's many great prophets who have tried to tell others how our blueprint works inside and give clues on how to feel better inside. Jesus wasn't the first nor the last.

Answer 5

Make no mistake, your practice to live a peaceful life according to the "words in red" is GREAT!!!!! It does not matter if you accept Jesus as your savior. At the most basic way in life, you are making the correct choice.

With that said, I would submit for your consideration that the logic of life is very simple. When you are thirsty you find some thing to drink; when you are hungry you find something to eat; when you need help you find some help.

Everyone makes mistakes, misjudgements and commits some measure of wrong, upon occation. Asking for help from Jesus to avoid those pitfalls in life is simply asking for help when you need it as noted above.

He is there to help and, if you will, "save" you from the trouble of stumbling on life's path.

No matter what, keep on with your core beliefs because at their essence, they're good!

God bless! :)

Answer 6

No of course you don't have to accept Christ.
But in order to have peace, love, joy, understanding, it sure helps.
In order for entrance to Gods kingdom (which is a spiritual kingdom), ye must be born again Jesus told his followers.
Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him shall have eternal life".
No you do not have to accept Christ.
Christ forces his will upon no one. But in order to enter his Kingdom, YE MUST. That's final and Gods word is the final authority on the matter. We cannot and must not look outside the realm of His Holy Scripture to find this answer.
Hope this helps.

Answer 7

You read like an actual Christian! I mean someone who takes Jesus' s philosophy for real. Yes, why do you need to accept that Jesus died on the cross to redeem your sins, when you didn't ask him to do that and would never ask anyone to do that anyway? And how would his bloodshed wash your sins away if you said the right words? It's nonsense. Why do so many accept that and not respect Jesus for his words?

He wanted people to respect others as they respect themselves. That is the real message - not a pledge to worship some guy to get into Heaven.

Answer 8

I'm a Christian and I'm not offended that you don't choose to accept Christ as your Savior. It's more like I'm ......motivated?...to do whatever I can to bring you to what I consider to be life changing knowledge.

It is honorable of you to want to "deal with your own sins" but God says we are not worthy to do that, since commission of sin requires a sacrifice that we are not capable of making, and a believer believes God makes the rules, not us.

Answer 9

No. Many, like Buddha, have done so before.

Why are they offended? I am not sure why. I can hypothesize that many think that they have a monopoly on truth.

When in fact, I would say, God put truth all around us, so that we could concieve of his existance. Though he is not of the earth, because he is supernatural, we can concieve of him by his works.

Certainly you have been confronted with the smallness of you knowledge in comparison of what is knowable, perhaps Gods fingerprint yet exists for you to find.

If nothing else, it would be great to say:

Lord Jesus, I certainly hope your stories are true, and if so, I accept your love.

Peace.

Answer 10

No god does not make us do anything it is our own choice. god gave us the power to decide if we would accept him as our savior or not. It is the only way to go if u want to go to heaven. I would reccomend giving it some serious thought on what u beleive and whats true to u then decide, if u dont go to church right now u could try attending the sunday morning service.