I don't mean to be rude, I just don't know and I'm curious. Whenever I discuss religion with a Christian friend, they always say 'Well, Jesus died for our sins, so I'm saved'. If you are so called 'saved' then why bother being good. If Jesus died for you, then why not party all the time and not go to church, because no matter what, you'll get into heaven anyways?
2006-08-09 16:59:11 · 38 answers · asked by hsham 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Apostle Paul said, "Do not use your freedom in Christ as a license to sin, ye who are dead to sin should no longer live therein." Also, "Where sin does abound, God's Grace does much more abound." You say then, "Let us therefore sin so as to bring more of God's Grace." "God forbid. You have been deceived, we are created unto good works, which God prepared for us to walk therein."
2006-08-09 17:05:20 · answer #1 · answered by ballardbutch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, I really like this question! First off I am a Christian and yes I believe in the gift of salvation. Second I do not necessarily make it to church but once a month. This has nothing to do with whether I am sinning by not showing up or not. I can see where the confusion lies in that statement though. Third, I could party all the time, I don't, I did, and I really am over that stage in my life. All that means is, we are forgiven, yes, but when you truly understand what Christ did out of love for us then your concerns aren't in going out and getting screwed up. Well I take that back, I know people who have been addicted to drugs, that doesn't take away their Christianity or belief in Christ. The good news is that none of us is perfect. When God created us he knew exactly what we were up against. Just because you believe in God doesn't mean that all of a sudden you are living this super strict life, there is just more love in your heart and your concerns start to be about others rather than yourself. "Religion" is part of the reason that you are confused by this and by all means ask away. I love to talk about Christianity vs. what I like to call "the dog and pony show". I hope this explains things a little better. Great question by the way!
2006-08-09 17:10:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What an intelligent question, and I mean it. That's just so good and I applaud you for being so honest in asking it.
The fascinating thing about becoming a born again Christian is that accepting Jesus Christ is only the beginning of the rest of your life. When you truly accept Him as your savior, the spirit of God comes into you and will live in you. That spirit will begin a work of transformation. The more you allow God to work, the more He will make you into the "image" of His son, which is what the bible says God's purpose is, working in us. A Christian needs to learn about Jesus. What did He say? What did He do? What is the nature of God? What does He ask of us? How should we live? Those answers are found in God's word, the bible.
As you study the bible, over the years...as you begin to develop a relationship with the living Christ...in prayer, study, fellowship with believers, going to a good church, you find yourself desiring to follow a new way of living. You want to please God...you don't want to live the old way anymore. Sin becomes something like dirt on your skin...get it off! The things of God that are fine and pure and beautiful become much more important than the false promises the world makes.
When we come to love God, we want to live as He would have us. And when you do your best...not saying you always do everything right...that is when life is a true joy and you have real peace.
2006-08-09 17:07:41 · answer #3 · answered by christian_lady_2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't exactly answer this question, because as a catholic, I don't believe that. But for some reason, protestants tend to point out one single verse, when there are numerous ones that contradict their belief. I'm not bashing protestants, i'm just stating what i've noticed. To say you have been saved is in the bible: Romans 8:24, but there's more to it. 1 Peter 1:9 talks of current salvation, and Mt 10:22 talks about being saved in the future. It is not a one time thing. Jam 2:24 says a man is justified by works and not faith alone. Jam 2:26 says faith without works is dead. That is why people do good i think. because even though they say thats not what it says, they still adhere to that principle.
2006-08-09 17:13:56 · answer #4 · answered by me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well a change happens when you are a Christian: you hate to sin and you want to do Good to please God and obey Him... you still have to answer for your actions when you get to heaven...
We do good because we are saved, not in order to be saved....
faith without good works is ussless...
Salvation is not a license to sin, that is very abussive of Christs mercy... He died for our souls because He knew that no matter how good we can be we cannot enter heaven alone...
But I do good and obey God because it brings me into a closer relationship with God...
My church is not boreing because God's presense is their, I love Him and that is where I want to be....
that's something non- Christians will never understand...
It is Relationship with God via Christ, not empty cold religion....
God is a Father, would you do all sorts of evil and terrible things even if you knew that your Dad would always love you nomatter what? No, how much pain and hurt would you cause? A lot, you would have to answer for a lot as well...
Just because your Dad can't see what your doing so that you won't get in trouble don't mean it's okay to do it... sooner or later He is going to find out and you will have to explain your actions to your broken hearted Dad that loves you and wants the best for you...
It is the same thing with God the Father... He wants the very best for His children... He wants to see their life doing good... but if you freely choose to do stuff that you know that would hurt Him and you know that's wrong, How can you do such a thing?
What will you say to God when you have to explain your whole lifes actions? And what will you say if you don't have His salvation? He gave you the Choice to choose Him or yourself, heaven or hell... and if you didn't choose HIm on earth, you have chosen hell, eternal separation from God....
Will you choose Jesus and recieve Salvation that cannot be earned?
God is waiting to make you His child... will you choose Him....
YOu are not garunteed tommorow, no one is... time is ticking, life is fading, will you choose Him?
God bless, I'm praying for you, but my prayers won't save you, you must make the deccision, it is your call.
2006-08-09 17:18:48 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Agappae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you miss understood it. Your saved yes but remember your a 'christian' which means like Christ, right. So, you will be like Him. He is good so you will be good also, He said that love one another and being good to others is a manefestation of loving people. Being saved doesn't mean you will be cruel or bad or have a party. Because the party is in heaven not here. Going to church is one of His commands so you have to obey it all. The salvation He gave is not a license to do whatever you like. You have to do your part.
2006-08-09 17:21:17 · answer #6 · answered by Kath 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him." (Rom. 5:8-9) He also says "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand." But we rejoice in the fact that God will forgive us of our sins through grace. Grace means that we can be forgiven. So, since Christians are saved, does that mean that we can sin whenever they want? No, it doesn't. Christians don't have a free ride either. Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1John 1:9) Christians should strive for perfection, even though they know they won't attain it. Jesus sums this up best when He said "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
I hope this has helped you better understand the role of grace and sin in the life of the believer. Please let me know if you would like anything clarified or if you have further questions. I pray that you will continue to seek after God and learn of him.
2006-08-09 17:10:01 · answer #7 · answered by pooh bear 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible also tells us NOT to sin, just to gain grace. Our lives should be an example at ALL times. Do we fall short, yes. We're human. BUT in a relationship (as Christianity is...a relationship with Jesus), we don't purposly go out and hurt the feelings of the ones we love. IF we love Jesus, we'd want to bring glory to HIS name, and live as a true example.
2006-08-09 17:05:03 · answer #8 · answered by da dude 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
True repentance is reflected by a person's actions. Just like you know a tree by it's fruit, those that have made that commitment in faith reflect that in their life.
The Lord looks upon the heart, he isn't fooled by a spoken false gesture so that someone can have a potential insurance policy in case things dont work out in the end.
Jesus said that in the end there will be those that said, didn't we cast out demons in your name and heal the sick and raise the dead and Jesus said " I never knew you". They lived their lives for personal gratification, personal glory and riches, everything else for them was a side show, Jesus is either the center of your life, or nothing.
2006-08-09 18:18:50 · answer #9 · answered by foxray43 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some Christians believe in once saved, always saved. I don't think that God works this way b/c of these verses:
Hebrews 6:4-6
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
Check out this website too if you're more interested.
http://www.bible-knowledge.com/Lose-Your-Salvation.html
2006-08-09 17:11:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋