Christians, why are so many non-believers confused about salvation and Christ's role in it?

Question

What are we doing wrong? A good majority of them don't seem to understand that salvation isn't based on works, but faith in Christ. It's just tragic.

Christians only, please, unless you are a non-believer that wants to give your opinion as to why the message isn't coming across.

Ok, I didn't think I'd get this kind of response for non-believers, but since I have, I'd like to address your posts.

There seems to be a lot of generalisation about what a Christian is. We, just like all people should be judged on an individual basis. I'm not innocent or this either, I know.

The thing about faith and works is that you don't have one without the other. If a Christian has real belief, then the grief over their part in putting Christ on the cross won't allow them to continue in sin. Works is a natural consequence of true belief.

Not all who say they are Christians are. They may think they are, but if there is no conviction of sin, it's a false conversion. You can't change if you don't recognize your need to change; and if you do recognize that need, then you are doing the works. It's just natural. However, the works alone can't do it, because you still have sin, and there no sin can enter Paradise.

This was for those n-b that think it is based on works alone

Answer 1

You may want to read the book of James, he addressed this nicely to the congregation. Salvation is indeed a gift, however we demonstrate our faith by our works, that is why James says that "faith w/o works is dead". I would suggest reading the book of James, he talks about this in depth.

Answer 2

Can you be more specific in your question to get some intelligent answers ?

What are we doing wrong ?
Please give a few specific instances of "we doing wrong"
We refer to real Christians and not just church-goers ?
Btw, going into a garage does not change me into a car.
So going into a church or joining a church grp does not make me a 'Christian"
What 'wrong' things, may I know ?

Hypocritical living ? "Pushing the gospel down ppl's throats" ?

Salvation isn't based on works?
You mean ppl have been explaining that to be a Christian, you must do lots of good works ?

This last part is true : " faith in Christ" is all you need to be saved.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life " Jn 3:16

It is that simple for a start.

But only the first step to a lifetime of close relationship with Jesus and obeying what the Bible teaches through our actions everyday.

Answer 3

We non-believers understand that Christians think salvation is based on faith as opposed to works... We also find it a bit silly that a supposed kind, loving and just god wouldn't want to stock paradise with kind, loving and just people... Who wants to go to heaven with such wonderful believers as Hitler and John Wayne Gacey?... The argument doesn't matter much anyway though...



By the way, how come Jesus said this:

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:20

Didn't he know about the whole "BELIEF" loophole? I thought you christians at least listened to him... Hmmmph, who will you listen to?

Answer 4

first, it's not biblically supported, christ instructed us to do good works. Second, it has more to do with the fact that christians are too pushy--we push and push and push them right away because they feel we aren't respecting them. God has all the time in the world for them to come to believe, and if they never do, that is their decision and there is nothing we can do about it, but harassing them only makes the problem worse--haven't you read the responses on here of people who say they would choose hell to get away from us? They are serious!!!!! We are getting the WRONG messages across loud and clear

and people like this guy above me are our worst advertisement

Answer 5

OK, if it's based solely on faith, then why the need for forgiveness? If all we need to do is believe, then he already died for our 'sins', right? And if people have the free will that is touted every day on this forum, then why isn't there the free will to not believe he was the Messiah yet live a good life and go to your heaven? None of it makes sense to me. I'm not saying that rudely, I'm just answering your question:-)

Answer 6

Well actually I'm not confused by that at all, and I understand MANY of the doctrinal differences that led to schisms in the christian church.

I'm not hung up over whether I can get into heaven by good works or if I have to accept Jesus as my personal saviour and that he died on the cross to wash away my sins....bla bla bla.

I just basically don't accept the EXISTENSE of heaven/hell, Jesus, god /satan or any of your mythology.

THAT is your problem in "getting your message" out....the details don't matter if I don't buy the premise.
God is imaginary.
The Bible is mythology.
You are trying to sell me a false bill of goods.

Answer 7

Well, the first thing you're doing wrong is calling non-Christians, non-believers. Saying non-believers is insulting because it says that non-Christians believe in nothing when it isn't true.

As for salvation and Christs role in it, I think it's perfectly clear. I just don't believe in it.

As for "tragic", keep it to yourself.

I think that's one thing Christians have a hard time learning... keep thine own religion to thineself. If you can learn that, the world will be a much better place.

Answer 8

i've got in basic terms had one atheist chum in my existence, and in basic terms some agnostics/ non-non secular theist types, or non-Christian believers. the ordinary public of my buddies and kinfolk (the two now and throughout the time of my existence) are Christians. a number of them don't recognize i'm an atheist, yet maximum do. I infrequently ever argue faith with them, inspite of the undeniable fact that I surely have had a chum or 2 who enjoyed it, and could desire to hearken to me out without dropping their tempers. yet I by no ability get mad whilst buddies and kinfolk share their ideals and thoughts approximately God with me. i'm somewhat used to it. i became raised as a Christian in a united states of america ruled via Christians, after all. I in basic terms get mad whilst human beings attempt to instruct me right into a Christian. it rather is annoying. i do no longer attempt to cajole human beings to grow to be atheists (different than maybe on R&S, yet by no ability outdoors of right here), and that i in basic terms ever argue God if the different guy or woman needs to. I understand their concept, I purely prefer them to understand my non-concept. easily, i've got hardly had problems with buddies and kinfolk.

Answer 9

Why isn't it coming across? Because we read the bible. It's ridiculous. What's truly tragic is the number of you who come here and try your hardest to convert us to your little cult. What's tragic is how many of you disavow people like Haggert and say he's not a True Christian when they do something you don't like. Maybe that's why it isn't coming across - Which one of you are we supposed to trust to get us to heaven? You all say you're real true christians, but how do we know? You disavow other christians at the drop of a hat! Over nothing, as well as over the big stuff! It's hypocritical as all get out, and actually rather fun to watch. It's because you're a bunch of self-righteous bunch of deluded fools.

Answer 10

I don't think non-believers are confused, it's just that most of us don't think that's how it should work -- that it SHOULD be based on works, not just faith alone.