The forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ is conditional upon "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21). It is a gift that God offers to everyone, but individuals must receive it by repenting and trusting in Christ, or they will remain dead in their sins. No one has biblical grounds to continue in sin, assuming that they are safe just because Jesus died on the cross. See 1 John 3:4–6.
2007-02-17 04:29:17 · 10 answers · asked by NONAME 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Agreed, repentance is vital.
I also believe grace comes into the picture after all we can do (which is different for everybody). Perhaps there are things that we need to repent of that we don't even know about - and I think grace will play a hand there.
2007-02-17 04:36:48 · answer #1 · answered by daisyk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I disagree.Just read the parable of the prodigal son.
It tells us in no uncertain terms that God is unconditionally loving.
This goes against all of the nonsense about Judgment and punishment and vengeance disguised as justice in the rest of the bible.
If you actually get bible believer to read it, at first they repeat what they have been told to think, and say that it is a story about forgiveness.
If you point out that nowhere in the story does Jesus ever say that the Father judged the son in any way so no forgiveness is called for, there is a long silence.
A few have the presence of mind to say that you need to interpret it in the larger context of the bible. In other words you need to borrow some judgment from some other part of the bible to see it the way they want you to see it.
Meaning I assume that Jesus made a mistake and you need to correct it for him. I personally don't think Jesus made any mistakes.
I think it says exactly what he always intended for it to say. That God loves us unconditionally, no matter what we do or don't do.
Love and blessings Don
2007-02-17 04:33:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is no free gift. It is a conditional offer. There are requirements to fulfill to receive the alleged reward.
I really resent people using cheap used car sales tactics to sell their beliefs. Consider the following offers:
1) Buy one, get one free
2) Visit our 5 stores throughout the city to get this brochure validated to receive a free CD
3) Attend our 3.5 hour seminar on time-sharing condo investments and receive a free trip to Florida
4) Accept Jesus as your lord and savior and repent your sins and receive christian salvation
Notice items 2-4 involves no monetary purchases, yet they are nonetheless offers, and not free gifts.
Examples of free gifts:
5) I'm leaving $20 here on your table for you
6) Here's a bottle of wine
The definition of a gift is that it is given with absolutely no requirements or conditions (no strings). The intended receiver does not even have to receive it for it to be considered a gift. If I choose not to receive the bottle of wine, the bottle of wine is still considered a gift because of the intention of the giver was that there were no strings attached. Christian salvation was never intended as a free gift, for there are definite obligations attached to it.
2007-02-17 04:43:24 · answer #3 · answered by CC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins but I'm still scared. I've done some pretty rotten things to people but I truly believe they deserved it
2007-02-17 04:34:43 · answer #4 · answered by gitsliveon24 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one has moral grounds for accepting a God that will punish temporal sins with eternal hell. No one has moral grounds for claiming to love a God that you believe in out of fear.
Your God and belief system is immoral.
2007-02-17 04:34:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I agree with that in principle, sin in a persons life still continues after salvation.
Is it something we should strive to avoid? Of course, we should constantly be wrestling with our sin and try to not to. But if we're honost, we still fall short of the glory of God. We still screw up. That is why God allows for the Holy Spirit to be present in our lives to convect us of that sin.
When we sin, it's not news to God. He know we're going to screw up, it isn't a suprise. Whats important is that we make amends, and move to cut that sin off in the future.
2007-02-17 04:36:53 · answer #6 · answered by Angry Moogle 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree to a point, but in revelations it also says that those that have not accepted Jesus, would be judged according to their work.
but experience has shown that salvation, through fear has seldom lasted, where salvation by finding the love of God is eternal.
2007-02-17 04:35:22 · answer #7 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are some religions and peoples,though, that don't believe in the Christ.
So would they automaticallyy be labeled sinners because of their beliefs?
2007-02-17 04:35:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope.
No sky daddy going to smack us around, like a Cosmic Santa, if we aren't good.
2007-02-17 04:32:52 · answer #9 · answered by Laptop Jesus 2.0 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very well put, my friend.
I agree completely.
2007-02-17 04:44:17 · answer #10 · answered by drg5609 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋