Ok, we're not perfect, so we need Jesus. He died for us, and we must accept and love him. Yet, Jesus states that "If you love me, keep my commandments." How is it that Christians say "No, being forgiven doesn't mean that you can do what ever you want," when they all say they fall short everyday? If loving Jesus means keeping His commandments, and no one does, then who's saved? The Bible says over and over that we are only forgiven if we repent. Is the key to heaven through Jesus simply feeling bad about what you do?
2006-12-03 14:31:46 · 5 answers · asked by Gothic Shadow 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus wants us to do the best we can with our short life span on this earth so we may develop spiritually.
2006-12-03 14:37:21 · answer #1 · answered by Xfile 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
- I'd say it's a little bit more than "we're not perfect". It's more like all deserving Hell, being in our sinful state the way we are. Pretty serious stuff to a just God.
- I've got some problems of my own with the word "accept". We don't have the authority to take on that kind of power for ourselves. God chooses us and loves us in spite of our own inabilities and weaknesses.
- Yes, we fall short, despite our efforts to keep his commandments. But God's people have entered into a relationship where they no longer want to do these things, and therein lies the difference. The unregenerate couldn't care less.
- Yes, loving Jesus means keeping his commandments. But again, God is the one to enter a relationship with his own and opens their eyes. I don't believe we have the capability to open our own eyes.
- Faith is a gift given, and repentance is our reaction to that faith. Can it be considered the key to Heaven? For that answer we go to question #83 of the Heidelberg catechism, "What are the keys of the kingdom?" Answer: The preaching of the holy Gospel and Christian discipline toward repentance. Both preaching and discipline open the kingdom of heaven to believers and close it to unbelievers. References Matthew 16:19, John 20:22, 23.
And it looks like you've hit the nail on the head with "simply feeling bad about what you do", echoing the scholars that developed foundational doctrine for the Reformed Church.
2006-12-03 23:27:54 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a bit more to it all than that... more than can be compleatly described here... but... All who come to God in The Way He proscribes will receive His free gift of Salvation and will become of The Body of The Church of which Jesus The Christ is The Head. Only those of The Church will enter Heaven.
I accept email questions concerning the basics of The True Christian Faith. 1 honest question receives 1 honest answer to the best of my ability.
2006-12-03 22:38:48 · answer #3 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It also states in the Bible to not sin knowing you will be forgiven. Yes we are forgiven of our sins if we repent but we should not sin just knowing all we have to do is ask for forgiveness.
2006-12-03 22:36:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Repent and do not commit the same sin
2006-12-03 22:34:49 · answer #5 · answered by spanky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋