Serious question for Christians and nonbelievers?

Question

Do you think that Jesus cares more about what you do on this earth or more about who you are? I think one of the scariest verses in the Bible is this: "Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23.

Isn't the key to eternal life with God the Father to depart from iniquity by repenting of your sins and trusting in His Son to save you from iniquity? Or do you think Christianity is really just another work based religion where you try to be a good person and do good works hoping Jesus will look favorably at what you have done on earth? Why are so many deceived?

Answer 1

That verse seems to be lost on most Xians since they are told 'from the beginning' that all they need to do is believe the whole story. And, as long as they tell others when they've 'sinned' and say the right words, all is forgiven.
They think they are being kind by promoting a religion they claim is loving but that's responsible for the torture and/or execution of millions.throughout time.

Answer 2

I fully believe that, no matter what religion you are, what matters most is that you live life with integrity, honor and justice. No matter what form of Deity/Deities you worship, the most important thing we can do is to live a good life. For every religion these values are slightly different.
The world would be much better off if, as a common race - the human race, we could focus on the similarities and not the differences of our chosen paths.
Every religion on the face of the Earth has a law that inherently states "treat others as you would be treated;" The Golden Rule, Karma, The Law of Return, The Law of Three, Cosmic Balance, and many others.
Sadly enough, it is this law, if you will, that is most often violated in the attempt to be a good (insert your religion here).
Respect, people, it boils down to basic respect for your fellow human beings. If, in your opinion, someone is following the "wrong" path, it is for the Almighty God, Lord and Lady, Krishna, Buddha, Allah, or what ever name you call the Ultimate Force, to decide, and not us as flawed humans.

As humans, we posses free will. This quality was granted to humans by the creator. If a person is "wrong" in their thinking, then they will ultimately pay the price. It is not for Any Human to decide the consequences, it is for the Creator alone.

Answer 3

Nice question, you are on the right track. Basically, what I believe is that your deeds always reflect who you are. There is a wise saying: "You can fool some of the people most of the time, or most of the people some of the time but you can never fool all the people all the time." So if you decide to act like a Christian in order to gain something for yourself, people may think you are a Christian and you will be saved but God can never ever be fooled. So eventually you will reap what you sow.

Then about the passage, I think it has to be understood in the context of the time. It was a time of miracles, the disciples were sent out to heal people and cast out demons and do wonderful works in the name of Christ and they were so successful that even they couldn't believe it. They came back to Jesus so excited about what they have seen and done. So I guess there were many people in the crowd who saw what the disciples did and tried to imitate them and they might have had some success but they were doing all that for the wrong purpose. Probably to gain some glory or some money for themselves but they were not really followers of Jesus. I think Jesus is talking about those people. But it will still be good to look up in a Bible comentary.

Anyway, I believe salvation is a free gift of God through Jesus Christ and what you do just testifies whom you are really following.

Answer 4

I think that verse can be looked at from a lot of different angles. If a person is listening to God and is being lead by the spirit of God then they are on the right path.

If they aren't listening to God and they happen to fall into a cult or something other then what is considered Christian it will reflect on them.

Can a believer be deceived? Yes they can and they can fall into a cult that isn't considered Christian and they can fall into believing that is the spirit of God.

There are counterfit spirits that claim to be God and they aren't. That is why the believer must test the spirits to see if they are of God.

I believe that Jesus was also talking about total separation from the devil and that means that we are not to become like the world but to come out of it and be separate as in the same way as him.

We are to become like him to the point of walking in total freedom as he was an example to the believer in which way to live.

As a believer we must also confess our sins daily especially when we do wrong. We also need to learn from it. Making mistakes is how we learn not to make the bigger ones.

Answer 5

There is also a scripture that states something along the lines of "He that so much as offers a drink to my people will inherit the kingdom of god" or words to that effect

So basically next time anyone of any religious natures engages you in conversation offer them a cup of tea/coffee and some biscuits/cookies for good measure and you're saved!

The bible is full of loopholes and precedents if you look closely enough

It is also full of junk, take what gives you personal meaning and ignore the rest. What Jesus may or may not have said is pretty irrelevant, the words themselves still have value in a guide to common decency - being good to ones neighbour cannot be classed as a bad thing and will only make you a better person regardless of whether you believe in the existance of the author or not

Answer 6

"Faith without works is dead" James 2:17, 18, 21, 22 & 26

Illustration: A young man may court a young lady and tell her that he loves her. But if he never asks her to marry him, is he really demonstrating that his love is thorough? Likewise, works are a means of demonstrating the genuineness of our faith and our love. If we do not obey God we do not really love him or have faith in the rightness of his ways. We cannot earn salvation no matter what works we do. Eternal life is a gift from God through Jesus Christ, not payment for our works. Eph. 2: 8 & 9

We need to take in accurate knowledge of God and worship him they way he approves. "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God and the one whom you sent forth Jesus Christ." John 17:3

Just believing is not enough. The bible says the demons believe and shutter. James 2: 19

Answer 7

I am sure you are aware of the many false prophets that have existed and still do today. They cast a false persona. Jesus will separate those who truly walk in the light and those are walking in their own light. I believe that is what he refers to in that passage. Take the ever popular John Edward. It appears that he only wants to do his work for the good of the people suffering from the loss of a loved one. His charges are minimal and he appears to be very friendly and caring. But, remember Jesus warned us of such trickery and deception. It is evil done for the sake of goodness.

Answer 8

First and at maximum i'm a Christian yet I look to matter purely on myself. I pray for solid issues again, and if for substitute, it is to greater powerful the content fabric of my character. I even have been enable down a great deal formerly and that i think of i've got lost a large style of religion and dependence using it. i believe i'm in darkish circumstances now, and on a similar time I even have been greater evangelistic this week than ever formerly, i believe like a hypocrite. i believe, I worship, and that i unfold the observe, yet i believe that whats going to ensue is going to ensue and that's the way God needed it, for he does not play cube. this is extremely almost as though I even have chop up personalities, yet simultaneous strategies of the two. maybe this is not 2 personalities yet one concept and one action that assessment. to answer the question, I turn to destiny and destiny whilst i'm in circumstances of darkness. I anticipate what's happening to pass because of the fact i believe that no matter what I do the darkness will prevail till the easy unearths it and till then I sit down and wait yet, I ought to call for the easy. Pray for me please.

Answer 9

I think he cares about who you are, because if he cared more about what you do on earth, then why can a christian that did nothing for God can go to heaven, but a sinner that healed people and give their money away and not look for the person to repay them go to hell?

Answer 10

Why are you asking this question of people who don't believe in Jesus and your God? It doesn't matter what I do or don't believe (and I don't believe that Jesus has anything to do with me getting to the afterlife just fine), since that's like asking you what you think about Summerland, the Goddess, and what your lessons are likely to be in the next lifetime. You don't believe in it, so how are you going to render a valid opinion? What Jesus and the Bible say have no bearing on my life or my afterlife. You have every right to believe in him and your book, but please don't waste my time.

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