13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)
2007-03-04 01:02:32 · 17 answers · asked by Seeking Serenity 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I ask this because to me this says that ANY person can get to heaven. Muslims, buddhists, etc. If they follow their heart.
2007-03-04 01:46:04 · update #1
It goes right up there with Jesus telling the leaders of the Temple:
"I come not for the righteous, but for the sinners" which placated the self righteous until Jesus pointed out "None are good". Paul tells us "None are righteous, all have fallen short of the glory of God".
Yes, people who obey the law will go to heaven. Lets figure out how many of these there are. Who has never broken the law?? Lets count them all up.
When you get to two, let me know.
In the meantime it might be a good idea to remember that you are no more a sinner and no less a sinner than anyone else.
Some of us have committed more sins, worse sins in some peoples eyes. Some have committed fewer sins, lesser sins in some peoples eyes. No one is Good. None are righteous.
The Holy Spirit will write the law in your heart that you will know when you sin, accusing you of sin and defending you against sin. The Holy Spirit will lead you in witness against those who sin, accusing those the Holy Spirit knows have sinned when your witness will help them.
2007-03-04 01:16:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Verse 13 is pretty simple: A lot of people have heard or will hear the law, but if they don't obey it, they can't be considered righteous in God's eyes. We're also told that a lot of people who will cry, "Lord, Lord...., " will be told to depart from Him 'cuz they never knew Him. You can call yourself a Christian and not be one.
God is telling us (everyone) that He has written His law on all our hearts, believer and non believer alike in verse 14. It's called our conscience. Even the non believer has a code of conduct. I believe they call it instinct. I argue that this is a very good reason to not believe in evolution because if we're evolving (getting better and better) one would think after these many millions of years the instinct for evil would have been gone by now. Anyways, I digress. I also feel this is an instance where God has told us all people needn't have read His words or listened to a minister to be considered righteous. I believe we worship a fair, just God, one who will not condemn those who never heard about salvation per se. God cannot be unjust. God will recognize your efforts, regardless of whether or not you've actually spent time in a church.
Verse 15, God working through Paul, is telling us that pagans of that time also had a code or ethics that they followed and they hadn't heard the law yet.
There's an awful lot before and after in chapter 2 that tie this altogether better than I can.
Have a great day!
2007-03-04 01:20:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Jews could not be justified by the Law of Moses, any more than the Gentiles by the law of nature.
However, even Gentiles believers, who had not the written law, but had that within their hearts, which directed them what to do by the light of nature. Their conscience is a witness, and Jesus will bear witness. But if after they have the written law, they kept or broke these natural laws, it dictates their consciences, either acquitting or condeming them.
Nothing speaks more terror to sinners, and more comfort to saints, than that Jesus shall be the Judge.
Hope this help. God bless.
2007-03-04 03:00:12 · answer #3 · answered by . 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Friend, Gentiles was not in the law, The jews was, But in Romans 10:4 Jesus is the end of the Law, therefore both Jew & gentile is not under the law of the OT but the laws that hung there on the cross, Jesus tol on him the sins of the whole world The gentile now takes the Salvation law into their hearts..
2007-03-04 01:30:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Law is based on God's command to love God, love others, and love yourself. Gentiles who follow The Law without even knowing what The Law is show that The Law is based on commands that god has placed in our hearts. It is those people who follow The Law out of love of God, love of others and love of self who are righteous.
2007-03-04 01:10:06 · answer #5 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
FAQ: Is Swedenborg a Universalist?
Swedenborg speaks of universal principles of religion from a Christian standpoint but the term "Universalist" has come to refer to a set of beliefs that are distinctly not part of Swedenborg's doctrine/theology. Some of the universals of religion are as follows:
"That God is one, and that there is a conjunction of charity and faith" (Soul and Body n. 20).
Also, "This only One and very Self is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. This also every Christian acknowledges from his doctrine and every gentile from his religion. In consequence, wherever he is, a man thinks that God is there and that he prays to God at hand; thinking and praying so, men cannot but think that God is everywhere, that is, omnipresent [in all places at all times]; likewise omniscient [all knowing] and omnipotent [all powerful]. Everyone praying to God, therefore, implores Him from the heart to lead him because He can lead him; thus he acknowledges the divine omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence, doing so in turning his face to the Lord; thereupon the truth flows in from the Lord" (Divine Providence n. 157).
Also, "There are three essentials of the church: acknowledgment of the divine of the Lord, acknowledgment of the holiness of the Word [Bible], and the life which is called charity" (Divine Providence n. 259[3]).
Also, "Every man [or woman] can be saved, and those are saved who acknowledge God and live rightly" (Divine Providence n. 325).
2007-03-04 01:16:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read vs. 16. The Gospel (good news, the way) is this. St. John 3:5. We must be Born Again to enter into His Kingdom. Acts 2:38 tells us how. Repent of our sins, be baptized by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ to have those sins washed away, and He will give us the Holy Ghost to help us overcome our sinful nature. We know we have it when we experience what is written in Acts 2:4, 10:45-46, 19:6 and verifies in St. Mark 16:16-17. The Holy Ghost will lead us in all truth!! Experience it for yourself!!
2007-03-04 01:14:38 · answer #7 · answered by michael m 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is not enough to know God's will; only those who do His will are pleasing to God. Justified: By having their sins forgiven and being accepted into right relationship with God. Gentiles were judged by the moral conscience as the Jews were by the Mosaic law.
2007-03-04 01:11:45 · answer #8 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Although you know the law of God when you do not obey the said law, you will not be save. and when you have your own law and doing the law which you know but not following the law of God which was taught to you, the same you will not be save so follow the law of God in order to be save. This is address to the Gentiles who do not want to follow the law of God, although they know that their is law to be followed.
2007-03-04 01:22:46 · answer #9 · answered by Jesus M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not good enough to just hear the law but we do what God commands us to do. If gentiles, non-Jews, are convicted in their conscience about what is right and wrong, then they are obligated when they stand before God to expalin why they did not do what they knew was right.
2007-03-04 01:20:31 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋