2006-10-23 12:12:18 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes. The Bible says God is Love. those who will tell you being good will not get you to heaven assume that you are headed for hell apart from trusting in their formula of preconceived notions. They are mistaken and fearful, yet agree with the Bible that God is Love. They contradict themselves because they have no original thoughts. Everything they say is from their indoctrination.
2006-10-23 12:38:18 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tony, it depends on what you mean by "saved" if you are referring to the Christian perspective, then, no you are not. The Bible says that even our good works are like filthy rags to GOd who is total pure and sinless. The only way to get to Heaven is through Jesus Christ who died on a cross for your sins.
Everyone knows they can't live a perfect life. Even if you did good for the rest of your life from this day forward, you would still not be able to spend an eternity in Heaven. We all fall short of the glory of God, but He loves us so much that He gives us all a free inventation through His Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus was God in the form of a man and He led a sinless life and then died totally for us. All you have to do is confess to Him that you are a sinner and are in need of a Savior. Ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life and you are saved!
A lot of people have problems with this because it seems to easy, but if you look at other religions you will see one very common thread, they all think you have to do something "good" in order to achieve a great prize at the end of life. Christianity is the only religion in the world which offers a free gift of salvation to anyone who believes.
If people were to make up some religion, I can garauntee it would be based on works becasue that's how we think, but God doesn't think like that. He is too Holy, and we are nothing compared to Him, but when you ask Jesus to take over your life, God sees you as one of His own! If you have a Bible read Romans and John. This will help you out.
I'm sure you will receive lots of responses to your simple question, but this was as short as I could answer it.
2006-10-23 19:30:20 · answer #2 · answered by FreeTruth 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately the answer is no. Why? Because all have sinned and fallen short of God's perfect standard of righteousness. It's like if you were to appear before a judge because you committed a crime and told him that you always obey the law and live an exemplary life of love and caring and so therefore he should let you off. The judge has sworn an oath and he has to uphold the law and find you guitly of the crime you did commit. He can't let you off for all of the times you were good.
It's the same with God. He says that "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
That's why everyone needs to come to God through faith in the gift of the salvation available through Jesus who lived a sin free life and laid it down to pay for the sins of all who will believe on Him.
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Some people like to argue about this and ask why Jesus is the only way. That's like arguing with a fireman who is on the ladder at your window telling you that he is the only safe way out of the building. Don't argue, just take the way!
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:16-18
2006-10-23 20:21:03 · answer #3 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello Tony. This is a great question. I am going to tell you something. First what is your meaning of saved. Being resurrected and going to heaven? Or just being resurrected into the afterlife at all? For both conditions exist.
One can go to the so called "heavenly” or upper realms and others may go to the lower realms. But all in all . All are saved either way. It is life that ensures life, not works or beliefs. Each will go where they have fitted themselves, or where they perfectly belong.
Good works are far more powerful than belief in my brother who has been called Jesus Christ. For works prove the interior condition of ones heart, whereas belief can be used misleadingly and selfishly. So can works, do not get me wrong. But works take much effort, whereas beliefs take little effort, and again can be used as scapegoats to earn a place in heaven.
That is not how the truths of reality exist. Each person goes to the place where their dominant characteristics shine outward. These could be characteristics of love, and light, or the opposite of hate and darkness. All in all, life goes on for all people. And religion does not guarantee heaven or hell. Even in millions or billions of people believe this to be so. It is ones heart condition that determines what they have earned.
What we give away, so shall we reap. Those who would grow in love, wisdom, peace, and harmony shall practice these things and so it shall be returned to them. Those who practice vile things and harbor greed and hate for their neighbor will also receive from the harvest they themselves have sown.
Keep striving for better, and helping others and you will not fail in finding yourself in a good place in the afterlife, no matter whatever your beliefs are.
Though some beliefs may be damaging, we will all lose the error within our beliefs as we progress and grow into the pure and wise individuals that we are all capable of becoming, now and far, far into the afterlife.
Peace,
Allan.
2006-10-23 19:36:40 · answer #4 · answered by Goldenpearlquartz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you are not. We are unable to save our self by our works. Narrow is the door that leads to the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is the only door into heaven. His death and resurrection paid the price of our admittance in full. He has done it all. There is absolutely nothing you can do to add to the price He has paid by your works, your attitudes, penance or ritual. The death of Jesus established a new covenant between God and man, the covenant of grace. He was able to do this because he lived a life without sin, fulfilling all of the law in the Old Testament. When He was nailed to the cross, being without sin, He took on all of my sins, your sins, everyones sin and paid the price so that each of us could have a personal relationship and be in the presence of God, the Creator of the Universe, The Most High God who brought all life forth. He was the sacrificial lamb for all of mankind, was and is the Son of God. God loves us so much, even with all of our imperfections, that He paid the price necessary so we could have a personal relationship with Him. He did this because He is a Holy God and a Righteous God and cannot allow unrighteousness in His presence. He did this knowing we could never do this on our own.
Now that is what real love is all about.
How lucky are we to be able to receive and participate in the perfect love of God in our life, even though we rebel against Him and turn away from Him in our pride every day. He is always there and always faithful that we can turn to Him anytime and anywhere. Once we come through the door, into heaven, being born again, we recieve the grace and mercy of God in our life every day and God because of His complete and perfect love for us, even as unworthy as we are, renews His grace and mercy for us every morning.
2006-10-23 20:08:17 · answer #5 · answered by David R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. According to the Bible, only those who believe in Christ as their savior are saved. Living an exemplary life is an effect of Christ living in you, not an action to earn one's way to heaven.
2006-10-23 19:22:35 · answer #6 · answered by rath_of_kahn_2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No!!!! Being saved is believing that Jesus died on the cross for you. so all your sins could be forgiven and deciding to live and have the attitude like Christ.It is good that you are living a good life , if you want to be saved you need to take a step further and decide to follow Him.
John 3:16 " for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever shall believe in Him shall not perish ,but have everlasting life."
2006-10-23 19:21:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand the no religion thing... there are so many lies and confusing contradictions out there that its hard to find one that you can have faith in.
However, being saved.....well, you must first have faith. Faith is what presents action.
To be saved.. you must be baptized. Further, you must then follow the commandments. Excercise repentance. Then pick up and try again....
It is all up to your actions and the grace of christ that will save you. But you do need to be baptized.
Find the Latter Day Saint Missionaries...they can help you with that and more of your questions. They are usually in their 19-21 yr age range and fun and honest. They will help you.
2006-10-23 19:16:52 · answer #8 · answered by SunValleyLife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because the Bible says that Jesus is the Only Way, The Only Truth and The Only Life. John 14:6
...and our righteousness is as filthy rags to God. Only the shed Blood of Jesus cleanses and brings us into right relationship with God.
2006-10-23 19:15:43 · answer #9 · answered by Kitten 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I am sorry, but God said all our good deeds are as filthy rags. God said there is none righteous, no not one. The only way you can be saved is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and invite him to come into your heart and save you. In John 14:6 Jesus says "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes unto the Father but by me". You must accept Christ as savior. There is no other way.
2006-10-23 19:57:28 · answer #10 · answered by k-net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋