I know that salvation is a FREE gift.. but is all you have to do is believe?
2007-03-30 04:21:42 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The word "believe" in the Bible means more than simply agreeing in our minds that something might be true. It means "trust"—that we believe so strongly in God that we are willing to commit our lives to Him and live the way we know He wants us to live.
Suppose you were walking along a path and you came to a bridge which crossed a deep canyon. You might look at it and believe that it would hold you, and you might even see other people walking across it so you knew it would hold our weight. But so far your "belief" in the bridge is only in your head. When do you really believe the bridge will hold you? You only really believe it when you are willing to commit your life to it and actually walk across it.
It is the same way with Christ. Yes, we can believe that God exists, but God wants us to come to know Him personally. And He has bridged the gap between us by sending His Son to remove the barrier of sin and become that "bridge." To believe in Christ is to commit our lives by faith to Christ—to trust Him personally as our Lord and Savior. Our prayer is that you will come to believe in Christ in that way
2007-03-30 05:32:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it's a start anyway. But it also depends on how you view salvation, whether it's a work of man or a work of God. If it's a work of man, you are left with almost all of the other answers you've received so far, "God wants", and "you have to". If it is a work of God, then you get the Holy Spirit working in your heart, and this is only the beginning of a sanctification process that lasts the rest of your life. For the thief on the cross, that life was very short-lived, but that belief was definitely "good enough" because God's grace is what gave the man salvation, not any work on his part. But this should put a slightly different spin on the "all you have to do" phrase within your question. It's nothing that you do. It's God working within you.
2007-04-01 01:49:00 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going with what Sherri said, most Christians use salvation as more of a "get out of Hell free" card.
John 3:16
Romans 6:23
Ephesians 2:8-9
2007-03-30 11:33:38 · answer #3 · answered by Christian #3412 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mentally accnowledging Him is not good enough.
The Bible declares that the demons also believe and tremble.
A gift is only usefull if it opened. Accepting the attonment for sin by Grace through faith in the finished work of the cross with repentance is the way to salvation.......then in natural progression, relationship with God,and works will follow.
Jesus desires more than anything.....a relationship.
2007-03-30 11:40:19 · answer #4 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salvation on the grounds of simple belief is against the wisdom and justice of God and Jesus PBUH never said that. You have to do good and compete with others in doing good and this will determine your rank in Paradise, This was what Jesus and all other true messengers of God taught us.
God said all good people who will enter Paradise will enter it by His Mercy and Blessing because our deeds are not a sufficient price for it, but we will share it according to our good deeds, so do good to have a high rank.
2007-03-30 11:33:29 · answer #5 · answered by helper 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is why I am starting to hate Christianity.
Supposedly, according to legend, you must accept Jesus as your savior and try to follow him in how you live your life. Every time you screw up, just say "whoops sorry J-dawg" and your slate is wiped clean. It's like a get into Heaven free card!
Sorry if that was offensive. I'm not religious if you can't tell.
2007-03-30 11:27:07 · answer #6 · answered by Sherri 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, it's not. Even Satan believes in Christ. You must confess your sins to God, ask His forgiveness, believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, and ask for God's help in turning from (repenting) those sins completely. Boom, you're saved.
2007-03-30 14:44:37 · answer #7 · answered by Evan S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must do more than just believe. The bible says "the devils also believe, and tremble." You must confess your sins, accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, trust and follow Him.
2007-03-30 11:32:17 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends. If you convert on your deathbed, then yes belief (and acceptance) is enough. But if you have convert and do nothing to show that you have embraced righteousness, then you are a hypocrite.
2007-03-30 11:31:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
believing a lie is not going to save anyone!
Jesus was a Man!
christianity made Jesus the only son of their god.
Here's the ONLY way for you to receive salvation:
Create a private, personal, direct, divine Relationship with Our Creator and save your Soul from religion.
Only with Our Creator's Love and Peace will we be Truly Free!
Love and Believe in Our Creator;
Love and Believe in Yourself.
Without God, there is No Love; Without religion, there are No Wars!
"religion is Spiritual fraud"; "religion is the Worse invention of humanity" - Jesus Christ, Buddha and any one else with Spiritual intelligence.
2007-03-30 11:26:07 · answer #10 · answered by drwooguy 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋