why does one need to believe in Jesus to go to heaven. Surely being "good" is enough ?

Question

I went to a gospel session yesterday and the preacher was repeatedly saying that it wasn't enough to be a good caring human being, to go to heaven. he insisted that one must believe in Christ. I find that strange. Surely, god would judge one on ones actions rather than on what "religious club" one belonged to. what do you think ?

Answer 1

According to Christianity, only Christians get to heaven. Being a Christian involves not only belief in Christ, but turning ones' life over to Jesus as lord and savior. Jesus' atonement paid the price for those who accept it, and unless you do, you're an outcast. Our sins are not able to be forgiven without accepting Christ, and even if one were to go through life and commit no offense, one is supposedly totally depraved and unforgivable.

I don't happen to believe this model. I'm not a Christian, and it makes no sense to me that one would have to pay a price of eternal torment for living a good life (I believe that there are many who live much better lives than most Christians) for one peccadillo that one might have made, or worse yet, for the mere act of having been born human.

Answer 2

It is not a matter of being in the right "club" but more knowing what one has to do to be "good" - and that can only come from God. For example, some people believe it is normal and "good" to have multiple wives and other believe you should only have one. Some people believe that the highest good is looking out for people that are like them and other people believe the world is "one country" so we all need to look out for everyone. Some people believe that the highest good is achieved by denying women education and other people believe that society is best served by allowing everyone to become as educated as possible.

Which set of ideas is "right" or will lead to the highest "good" for individuals and society. The answer for many is that God is the only one that can provide those answers and that He has decided to convey that information through religion.

Now if by "religion" you mean many of the man made traditions and beliefs that are not a part of the orginal teachings of the Messengers of God but are man made additions - then I would agree with you we do not need much of that.

Answer 3

The preacher was right and was speaking according to what the Bible says. It says that our good deeds are as filthy rags to God. What 'good' deed is good enough to impress the Master of the Universe? What about if you are unable to do good deeds? People who are disabled for instance, like Dr. Stephen Hawking. Ah, you say but perhaps he could sponser a hospital wing and that would be his good deed. Now you're bringing money in to it.

How much will a ticket into Heaven cost? What about people with ... say .... cerebal palsy who have no money, what can they do?

God wanted to make it simple, something everyone could do, that wouldn't require anything other than saying "Yes, I believe that." If you have the wherewithall to make that decision then we have the choice to go or not to go.

If you don't have the wherewithall ... say ... babies and small children, I believe that God takes them to Him - they're innocent - if they die unable to say "I believe" but just because someone is disabled by our definitions doesn't mean that they are by His.

It's not a religious club because it's open to all. There are no barriers based on sex, creed, race, colour. If an Afghan/Iraqi man says "Yes, I believe." (for example) then I say "Yo, Bro." He would be my brother in Christ. Not that I would treat him any different from his Muslim neighbour as the Bible says to put others and their interests before our own, again no conditioners (like .... but they must be 'white', English, nice to you first).

I've been a born again Christian since I was 17, I'm now 41. It also doesn't mean that you become super-religious over night. I don't go to church (much to my sister's annoyance) and am a bit of an armchair scientist (God created the Universe, I want to know everything about it that I can; even if that seems to fly in the face with my beliefs).

God sees the heart and that's what He judges us on. There may be lifers who are destined for Heaven. I'm sure a few who've gone to The Chair in America have passed through the Pearly Gates. On the other hand, there may be others who appear to be saints on Earth (by the way, I am a saint; the word simply means 'believer', Paul used to write to all the saints in various towns) but their hearts may be full of scorn and hatred, even for the people they are helping.

Answer 4

Deeds, the good deeds, are essential, alongside Beliefs, to be admitted to Heaven. Mere belief is the irony of a joke. Religion made easy sort of. The beliefs do differ. The Muslims 'believe' in Jesus as an exalted Holy Prophet. The Trinitarians 'believe' in him as the only and begotten son of God- hence a god in himself. A mere belief without good deeds encourages one to commit immorality * and the legislators make fun of their religion by enacting Laws in contravention of religious morality.

Answer 5

Sorry to break the preachers bubble but Christ story is just a carbon copy of previous figures. Listen to what Pope leo 10 had to say: " It has served us well, this myth of Christ". If a person confesses and still has impurity in his mind, he will go to heaven? and people who have done good will go to hell cause they didnt believe in a imaginary figure. Dude , just for fun tell the preacher that the christ story is carbon copied and you are leaving Christianity and see his answer. I already know it: Satan sent people prior to our lord to shake your faith in him hahaha satan is allknowing? mind you this is precisely what a Pope has said when he could not refute the evidence.If God is in heaven, how could he have created it? because it is external to him just like earth is to us. God is byond time and space and there aint no heaven/hell. Come out of the chains people.


http://www.truthbeknown.com/kcrucified.htm

http://aztec.asu.edu/ash/thavlai2/krishna.html

http://paganizingfaithofyeshua.netfirms.com/finding_truth_real_jesus.htm

Answer 6

Because Jesus said that it was the only way. If you don't believe that then: By what source can you decipher 'being good' as a way into heaven? Do you have scriptures from somewhere else to meet your claim?

God knows that there are many that subscribe to the 'Being Good' Theory. He set aside a special Judgement for those people who are not covered by the sacrifice of jesus. Unfortunately for them, they do not make it.

According to what Jesus said, there is none good but God.

Answer 7

the respond must be confident or no reckoning on the way you outline believing. James taught "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest nicely: the devils even have self assurance, and tremble." (James 2:19), and observed it up with "faith with out works is lifeless." actual concept in Christ finally ends up in action. If a individual believes Christ's teachings with regard to the stable Samaritan, or feeding the sheep, or the different style of comparable teachings, then they'll circulate out and do those stable deeds. a individual who believes Christ can shop them from their sins will take the needed steps to repent. a individual who believes the righteous would be stored will attempt to stay righteously. Believing and doing no longer something approximately it extremely is a notably stable thank you to coach a loss of concept.

Answer 8

Sure that is what religion is all about if you want to believe you will go to heaven. You have to believe all the crap that goes with it. Whats your problem you want something for nothing? If you were capable of a little logic you would know the whole thing is a lot of crap anyway, Heaven included. You are not a good person because of some reward of Heaven. You are a good person because that is the right way to be.

Answer 9

What is good? What is truth, I ask? Do you hold it? No, you are not good. No, you have spread truth, but you are not truth, What then? We as human don't know goodness unless it comes form above. Jesus Christ is God. He was there before the worlds formed. Christ died because He loves you. Believe Him. The Son glorifies the Father in all things. Don't belong to a "club" that is past its time, glorify Him who gives all life. As humans, we sin. The Father sent the Son, who died on the cross, yet rose to heaven, so YOU might believe in Him. Yes, God does judge. You know Him. Seek His Son, who is God. That may be more then you can comprehend, Just believe in His Son so you may have life. Your pastor was correct, no one gets to the Father without the Son. It is true, they are One.

Answer 10

God's nature is both loving and just, He cannot ignore or tolerate sin, no matter how many good deeds you have done, the sin is still there and for divine justice to be done, sin must be punished. The the Bible states that the punishment for sin is death.

Jesus took our punishment when He died on the cross. The penalty was paid, but since Jesus, being sinless, was exempt from death, God raised him from the dead.

This could be considered a loophole in divine justice, however, in order for us to benefit from it we must believe in Jesus, as God and Saviour. Jesus acts as our advocate, paying the penalty and clearing our record of sin, in return we must admit we were wrong and accept Him as our "probation officer".

This is the deal that God offered us, we are not capable of forcing or negotiating with God to accept us on our terms. Your choice, God won't force you and neither should we.