the beleif of Jesus as savior?

Question

I have spent many years thinking about this question. I believe in god, and I work to create a good life for myself and as many people as I can. I however have not accepted Christ as my savior. I have gone to church, read the literature, prayed and thought about this. I believe Christ to be a spiritual master - but the whole sacrifice thing never sits well with me. What I wonder is why this would land me in eternal punishment? Would God not know that I had struggled to believe as the bible says I should? Does my quality of life not matter at all? I feel that I continue to struggle to find a way to believe all aspects of scripture and I do not want to walk around prophesing something I do not hold as truth deep in side. So am I just doomed to be damned?

Ah, please excuse the typing errors - - this is what I get for posting at 1 am. . . :D

Answer 1

First off, it is written that ... “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is just one of the numerous verses that make the distinction between good works (only) and salvation through faith. Good works are needed as they testify the genuineness of the faith, and they are prepared for us to walk in them from God.

You say...<>. I believe you do and, in my eyes, this is a very good thing that you do. And I personally congratulate you.

Then you say
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I think it does, but not in the manner you imply (if I understood correctly). It may be good in the eyes of the people around you (mine included), it may also be acceptable in the eyes of God, but it is not (and will never be) enough (or “appropriate”) when we’re talking about salvation. I think that there’s a biblical person who fits you a “T” (according to your question). His name was “Cornelius”. He was a really good man – not a shadow of doubt about it. He believed in God, he did the best he could and he had a real impact to his society. Even God himself admits it, since it is recorded just like this by the holly spirit in His word...

“Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.” (Acts 10:1-2)

So, to our eyes, that should be more than enough for a person to be saved and live with God forever, should it not?
But it isn’t; there’s something missing and it cannot be substituted by anything else. It is the submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is absolutely necessary. So...

“At about the ninth hour of the day{3:00 PM}, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, "Cornelius!" He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, "What is it, Lord?" He said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodges with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside. This one will tell you what it is necessary for you to do.” (Acts 10:3-6)

His prayers and good deeds, although they were not in vain, they would never accomplish his inner longing, because he missed the “necessary” element; so God sent Peter (Simon) to speak to him...

“Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God doesn't show favoritism; but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all-- that spoken word you yourselves know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree. God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He charged us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.” (Acts 10:34-48) All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins." While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, "Can any man forbid the water, that these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be baptized?" He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days” (Acts 10:34-48)

As you see, God showed visions, used servants, sent angels, transported an apostle, and all these just (!) to draw Cornelius to His Son Jesus Christ. It is most important for God and He doesn’t “play favorites” on this subject because He had to see His one and only Son being crucified on a bloody cross for Cornelius’, mine and your sins in order that we might have life instead of death which we all deserved but Jesus took our place.

Now, Jesus himself says that... “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day” (John6:44).
Do you see that is Cornelius case? I think it’s obvious.

So I suggest, if I may, that you ask God the father of Jesus Christ to draw you to His Son. I don’t know why “the whole sacrifice thing never sits well with” you, I may have a conjecture, but it doesn’t matter. The fact is that it looks like there’s a door locked in your mind. Do not worry. God is stronger than all, he holds the keys to all a locked doors, and – most important – He loves you and wants to meet His Son to you.
God bless you

Answer 2

Jesus (if he did in fact, exist - which is a topic of debate - most would agree he "probably" did) was indeed a great philosopher.

Your actual problem is that you agree with the philosophy, but not the spiritual overtones of his supposed "sacrifice". While you believe in a god, you are a theist. I think you're right where I was when I left high school.

Normally, I'd argue the point that god does not exist, but in this case I'll relent - I think you're struggling with yourself psychologically, and that causes me concern. If I were to suppose a god existed, I would have to suppose such a god that was benevolent and fair-minded. After all, we find many things in the universe to be balanced; from Eastern philosophy, a yin and yang. Knowing that a fair-minded god wouldn't care if I was christian, jewish, hindu, musilm, agnostic, or atheist - the point would be what type of person I was on Earth. If I was good - heaven. If I was bad - hell.

You should concentrate on what you do believe in, not what you don't. I believe there is no god. I'm a strong atheist - the antithesis of the theist's point of view. If there are parts you do not agree with in Christianity, you may want to seek a different religion, or just try being spiritual without the "sacrificial overtones" - believe in God, and respect what Jesus taught, but just look past those who fanatically believe he died on a cross as some symbolic gesture.

I'm sure you're not doomed to be damned, but you'll be damned to be doomed if you keep thinking this way!

Answer 3

The question of the destination of your eternal soul is not for me to speculate. But I can tell you a little reasoning that has helped me in the past. It may sound a little hokey, but it's actually a pretty bright piece of logic.

There is a term that has been thrown around by Christian apologists called the "Trilemma". This refers to this statement: Jesus was either a Liar, a Lunatic, or Lord. I'll explain: There is little or no dispute as whether or not the man Jesus actually existed. The 1st century historian Josephus has non-religious recordings of his activities and crucifixion. So assuming that Jesus really existed, the reality of his nature comes down to the three alternatives listed above.

So if we assume that Jesus wasn't/isn't really God, we're left with two alternatives - Liar or Loony. He either knew he wasn't God yet claimed to be or was bonkers and thought he was God even though he wasn't. Both of these alternatives leave Jesus as something of an undesirable character. Jesus claimed to be God. So if he wasn't, he was either lying or insane. This is troubling since other religions accept Jesus as a prophet or moral teacher yet don't recognize his divinity.

So lastly, the third alternative is "Lord".

I've just found this run-down helpful in the past in my times of doubt. We know Jesus existed. We have records of his existence just like we have records of Napoleon or George Washington. So taking for granted that he existed, we have to decide who he is; a liar, a lunatic, or Lord.

Who do you think he is?

By the way, I recommend reading the book below. It basically shows you why you don't have to be an idiot to believe in Christianity.

Answer 4

As good as you or anyone else has been they have exited this earth, thus proving to me that human goodness is not enough. Why then shouldn't we live forever as we are? If God is God He could think it into existence.
If you don't see Christ you don't accept Him as your Savior. God=Word=Jesus=Holy Spirit=Eternal life.
Do you see Christ as a spiritual master? Evidently not your spiritual master or you would know Him.
I'm not any better of a human than you or anyone else. My eyes were opened by God. Where I fail, He cannot. Where or what I take away, He gives. When I end up 'less than no where' He reaches and takes me to 'more than every where'. My spiritual salvation is sealed and hidden away by the Holy Spirit because if I could get my hands on it I would destroy it.
Jesus is Who He says He is or He is the biggest liar that ever was or is.

Answer 5

I had an opportunity to seefirst hand miracles being performed like those mentioned in the Bible two thousand years ago.

Heres what I saw and it's displayed on Benny Hinn's website:
http://www.bennyhinn.org/articles/articledesc.cfm?id=169

Quote

A man who had suffered a stroke walked up the steps and onto the platform, leaving his wheelchair behind. He moved back and forth across the platform, walking with a strong stride. As the crowd filled the hall with praise, the man walked faster and moved with ease, no longer suffering any impairment or weakness from the stroke.

A woman who had suffered with cancer came forward to testify of her miracle. A friend who accompanied her explained that the woman had suffered with severe pain and had previously been unable to bend over. With that, the woman lifted her arms overhead and slowly bent down, her fingertips almost touching the floor. Then she began to lift her arms until they were extended overhead again. She repeated this action a few times, each time telling the interpreter, “No pain!” The woman’s face was beaming with joy as she moved up and down, free at last from the pain that had tormented her.

A man who had been almost completely deaf for three decades was healed. He came forward carrying his hearing aids in hand, no longer needing them to hear clearly. His face told the story of delight and joy from finally being able to hear after so many years of silence.

Unquote

You may read more on www.bennyhinn.org/

What do you think of this ? God does exist !

Answer 6

Do you know the difference between a belief and a direct experience? Do you believe that there are such things as enlightened human beings? Could the words of Jesus have been mis interpreted, and or purposely corupted to serve an ideology? Could Jesus have been an elightened human being who was misunderstood? Is is possible for you to be enlightened? Read this book or better yet buy the CD version of it and listen to it slowly and meditate to it often: "The Power of Now" Eckhart Tolle. Things may start to make more sense to you!!

Good luck to you!!

Answer 7

One thing I would say - it's somewhat illogical to reject Jesus as savior but accept Him as a teacher. He said who He was. If you reject that, then you are elevating someone you must believe is a crazy person or fool into a spiritual master.

Some will say Jesus' message was somehow changed, that He never said these things. Or whatever. But the Gospels are pretty clear. Once you reject a central tenet of them, why bother with the rest?

Again if someone goes around saying He is God, and you don't believe He is, then I don't see why you'd have any use for Him at all.

This is not criticism of Jesus, but merely pointing out a logical inconsistency.

Answer 8

According to Christian doctrine, you must believe Jesus was the savior. Seems unfair, right? I actually posted a question much like this a couple of days ago. I just do good for other people, of all religions. And I'm agnostic.

Answer 9

GOD's word says "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him"Hebrews 11:6....if you dont really believe then why would he answer you, you have to believe if you want to hear from him, and Yes if you die and you are not saved you will not enter heaven....plan and simple. Jesus said " I am the way the truth and the life, no man shall come to the Father except through me" and how can you believe in GOD and not Jesus as the one and only Lord and Savior, girl you need to accept him as your savior cause you will be in trouble if you dont and you die....There is one sin God dont forgive and its Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit , in Mathew 12:31-32 says" Every sin or blashemy can be forgiven-except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which can never be forgiven. Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of man, can be forgiven,but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven,eitherin this world or in the world to come." ....which means if you die and have never accepted Christ as your savior then you will go to hell and he wont give you another chance, once your dead thats it , God gave you your chance to accept His son and be forgiven, you can not live a good life alone, it wont get you in heaven...and you said you believe in GOD then you have to believe his word and read it and follow it!!!! Its simple really he made you and knows what you are thinking and he want to help you just pray and ask Him to show you what you need to see and His Holy Spirit is the one who leads you to Jesus with out it you can not be saved, the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and you will know it and if you reject Him to many times oneday it will be to late and God will give up...so dont doubt and just trust Jesus to save you and you will never regret it.....I dont know you but I will pray for you....God bless

Answer 10

It's not how good a person you are that counts. The Bible says "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God...." Jesus is God in the flesh who being sin free, took on the sins of the world. He exchanged with us righteousness for sin, riches for poverty, wholeness for sickness, joy for sadness, deliverance for bondage. Jesus is God's greatest gift to us and to receive all these things all we have to do is believe in Him. God says "Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which thou knowest not." He says "ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you." All you need to do is tell God that you want to believe. Ask Him to help you and He will. It's His desire that you believe. God bless you my friend.

Answer 11

You won't be doomed, neither damned.

He'll wait for you until your last moment of your life. And I'm sure He understands your struggle.

Searching for God is though job, and may take forever. But I'm sure you'll find Him.

Good Luck