What if I do all of the prayer, the asking, the bible reading, whatever you want, but still cannot make myself believe. Do I get into Heaven when I die? Why not?
2007-01-30 06:52:09 · 52 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can't CHOOSE to believe any more than I can choose to believe in Leprechauns. I would have to pretend I believed and then god would know I really didn't.
2007-01-30 06:57:56 · update #1
I tried all the stuff you guys mention when I was younger but nothing happened. I really did want to believe - and nothing happened. At this point I really don't want to worship a god who would do the bad things mentioned in the bible.
2007-01-30 07:01:33 · update #2
I don't believe in Heaven. This is hypothetical but I really did try.
2007-01-30 07:03:12 · update #3
Methinks I got so many responses because lots of you actually feel this way. Hmmmm?
2007-01-30 09:14:46 · update #4
I have the same problem, I just cant seem to get the "holy spirit: in me. Some people are born as tortured souls I guess. See ya in hell Meat man
2007-01-30 06:54:49 · answer #1 · answered by Sean 5 · 2⤊ 4⤋
The Bible says this at Romans 6:23--"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
This means that if you die, any past sins or errors are paid for and are not held against you.
That is why there is going to be a resurrection of the just and unjust. All who die or have died, will be brought back to life here on a cleansed earth and given the opportunity to prove faithful by adhering to God's righteous laws. All those who do will be able to live forever in a world free of sickness, crime, terrorism and even death. You too, would have this opportunity.
Death is only a temporary condition that God will soon end.
Revelation 20:14 promises us this--"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.(or totally destroyed)
Revelation 21:4 also assures us of this--"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
What a merciful and loving Creator we have.
2007-01-30 07:28:35 · answer #2 · answered by Micah 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
John 3:16
2007-01-30 06:57:06 · answer #3 · answered by clwkcmo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Meat,
Did you miss me? Sorry I was gone to a conference for a few days and didn't take time to keep up with your questions.
Okay, a new tact, no more of the robotic mumbo jumbo, just honest dialog.
I like your question. I think it is at the core of many non-believers. Not all, but many. I will try to answer it the best I am able with the knowledge and I say knowledge because I will only refer to those things that I myself know to be true from here on out.
If you do all you are able given the knowledge you possess, to lead a life the best you can, denying only those things you know to be false (and let's stress knowledge here) and remaining open to those you do not know to be false, even if you assume it to be so, Then yes, depending on your definition of heaven you will "get in".
The gift of eternal life (ie being resurrected and living forever) is granted to all save those who commit the unpardonable sins. If Eternal life is your definition of heaven, yes you will receive it. I could go into much more that may help or only cause frustration but I will leave it at this:
All men will at some point, be it here or in the life to come, recieve a witness or sure knowlege of the truth. They will know and will confess or acknowlege God, His plan for us, and our acceptance of that plan prior to our coming to this earth to recieve a body of flesh and bone. Upon that witness or sure knowlege we will each be then accountable to our actions and what we did on this earth with that which we had.
Everyone, save those who commit the unpardonable sins will be given the opportunity once faced with a sure knowlege to accept and repent of those failings in this life.
Obviously for some it will be more difficult than for others but through our Father's plan, all will have that opportunity. We will carry with us the dispositions, and attitudes we develop here into the eternities. If there is any damnation (ie: permanant stoppage of eternal progression) it will be as a result of our own choice in the face of the truth. It will not be out of a lack of mercy on the part of our Father, it will be of our unwillingness to do that which we had agreed to, and is neccessary to continue our own forward progression.
I know this to be true.
2007-01-30 07:52:00 · answer #4 · answered by MtnManInMT 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only God is the one who can work in your heart- and if you want to believe, you will believe because God wants you to. Do you mean you are doubting God? Like one day you believe and the next day you doubt Him? That means you do not have solid faith and I would just really pray about this- the enemy will do anything to keep someone away from being grounded in the truth of God's word. Many are led astray by different doctrines and winds as the parable in Luke describes. The ones who did hear the word and believed it, but never took root. God knows you and He made you and he sees your heart. If you "want" to believe in Him than you believe...it is the doubting that you need to take control of- and stop allowing the enemy to fool you. Seek the Lord in prayer and word. Earnestly and humble yourself in sight of Him.
2007-01-30 06:58:45 · answer #5 · answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible tells us that God has clearly revealed Himself in nature (Romans 1:20) and in the hearts of people (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The problem is that the human race is sinful; we all reject this knowledge of God and rebel against Him (Romans 1:21-23). Apart from God's grace, God would give us over to the sinful desires of our hearts, allowing us to discover how useless and miserable life is apart from Him. This He does for those who reject Him (Romans 1:24-32).
the problem is that they have rejected what they have heard and what is readily seen in nature. Deuteronomy 4:29 proclaims, “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” This verse teaches an important principle: everyone who truly seeks after God will find Him. If a person truly desires to know God, God will make Himself known.
If we receive Jesus as our Savior, our penalty for sin is paid. We are adopted into God's family, and Heaven is our eternal home. If we reject Jesus, we remain alienated from the Lord and under condemnation for our sin. We are destined to experience eternal judgment. God won't accept any of man's excuses because there is no acceptable defense for unbelief. (Acts 4:12)
2007-01-30 13:25:57 · answer #6 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belief is based on information. Faith begins where the will of God is known. If you receive information that you perceive is truth, you should be able to choose to believe. If you can give me information that proves the existence of a Leprechaun, then it should be fairly simple for me to believe in one.
However, I will say that when it comes to salvation, you are only able to come to the Father when you are drawn by the Spirit. God actually places in your heart the ability to believe and repent. If this is happening in your heart, you must then exercise your choice to believe.
2007-01-30 07:01:34 · answer #7 · answered by mark777 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
look I'm not going to even beat around the bush with you now. It states in the bible that the righteous are going to be barley saved so what do you honestly think will happen to someone that don't believe? You answer that yourself but it's pretty self explanitory.
I just read your last comment and you stated by you not believing God would know so as I see it that's your first step at believing that he even exist.
2007-01-30 06:59:35 · answer #8 · answered by tlnay025 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't make yourself do anything. Either you open your heart and feel GOD, or you don't. You can pray until your face is blue, but if you don't mean it, it's pointless. GOD says all who seek and want to learn, simply open your heart and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior. Once you acknowledge the son of GOD, you acknowledge GOD. You can't go to heaven if you don't believe. I'm sorry, but it's pretty simple. Either you feel GOD when you open your heart or you don't. The bible does say that many will never accept GOD is real. Perhaps you are one of those who choose not to see. GOD bless.
2007-01-30 06:58:02 · answer #9 · answered by cookie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "belief" in God immediately follows the "want" to believe. There's about 3 picaseconds in between the thoughts. If you can manage to die in that short a time, you deserve to go to Hell.
If you want to "go to heaven", you have to be born again, which is a harmless invasive process. Rather than speculate about it, you can actually do it right now and the question becomes a moot point.
2007-01-30 06:57:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You won't have to worry about it when you die. Are you sincerely searching? Well, He says, "If you seek Me, you will find Me." If you die, and you're doing your best, what else can you do. You're seeking, knocking, and looking for answers. You'll have them all then. Love as much as you can Laugh as often as you can. Play with all the joy you can, and help another person without expecting anything in return, and before long, you'll believe. Worry and confusion are not of Him anyway.
2007-01-30 07:00:47 · answer #11 · answered by annie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋