I have a question, and it's been asked before, but I don't' think quite like this, can you answer it honestly?

Question

Jesus, according to most christians, paid the price for our sins so that we can be forgiven of our sins and not have to go to hell. Jesus preached about loving your fellow man, and loving god more than anything else. He promises heaven for all those who love him and believe in him, and even though there are differing views on what exactly is required (works, faith, baptism, gifts of the spirit, etc) all agree that Jesus had only two basic commands.

So why tell anyone that if they don't do what you say they'll go to hell? Isn't the above more than enough for someone to make a decision about becoming part of your faith? Isn't the promise of Heaven for those who love him and believe in him and follow his commands enough of an incentive for you to decide to follow him or not? If someone decides against following your religion, aren't they in effect saying that no, they don't want to serve your god? Isn't it between them and god when and if god chooses to call them?

You were called to spread the good news and tell people of Jesus' love for them, not to scare people with stories of eternal torment and hellfire. Why do you feel that telling them about Jesus' love isn't good enough for someone to make a decision about becoming part of your faith?

I asked this question because of a question posted by Laptop Jesus about her children. It seems that even though they are great kids that go above and beyond to help their fellow man in ways that most adults don't, they are afraid to let people know they are atheists because the moment they do, they become ostracized and told they are going to hell.

Here is a link to the question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AidMfRZQMdKG6IgnUzT5sls8.Bd.?qid=20070628160104AAqJihS

lix, in real life people often mistake me for a christian because of the light that I bring with me and the insight that I have on scriptures, but it's because I believe that all people have good in them that needs to be nurtured in order for them to also be good people. I could easily bring people to your religion by being the example and applying my personal beliefs to the appropriate scriptures, but my integrity doesn't allow me to do that. I'm not a believer, but I would like for believers to start practicing the good teachings of their religion and throw away the bad. I just want people to be good, honest, and forthright with eachother, regardless of their religious beliefs. The moment people start doing things to the contrary of these principals that affect me, my family, friends and neighbors I have to speak out. That's why I'm hear. If nothing else, I want people to question their beliefs, accept the good and drop the bad. Most need to see religion in a new light first.

Answer 1

You are correct. Christians are not called to tell people they are "going to Hell". Christians are called to tell people the good news that all of us have sinned and deserve to go to Hell but God loved us too much to leave us in that condition so He sent Jesus to pay our sin debt for us so that we don't have to go to Hell. That's the gospel. Telling someone that they are going to Hell is presumptuous because the person is taking God's place instead of recognizing that if God saved them, He can save anyone.

Answer 2

Jesus also said follow God's Law not Man's Law, so if a practice doesn't come straight from God's Word it is Man's Law, so if a church has a pratice you don't like tell them to show you scripture where it says do it this way and not the way interpreted by man. How you choose to serve God is between you and God.

Also, for those who think hell fire will last forever, I don't think that would be very loving of God. He says they will be ashes under our feet. The will be consumed by flame. As far as the statement of eternal fire, it said Soddam and Gomorrah was burned with eternal fire and so it must still be burning today. It isn't and that is the good news our God is a loving god who must do his strange work at the end of time, but for those who choose not to believe they won't burn forever, just until the last entity is consumed. Which is that serpant the old devil. God doesn't want to keep the devil alive in some place. He could escape and spread sin again. That is why hellfire will consume all sinners to rid the world of sin forever. That sounds like the God I want. If you want to learn more teachings on the bible and Seventh-Day Adventist way of life you can recieve free bible studies from the following website.
www.amazingfacts.com

Answer 3

I'll try to answer your question.I see your point. I, myself, love the Lord Jesus.I don't know you. I would have no right to tell you how you need to live your life.Jesus came to this earth to die on the cross for our everyones sins, not just mine. Jesus says the sun rises on the good and the bad. Jesus meant that he loved both the good people and the bad. Only God knows our hearts. Did you know that Paul the apostal in the Bible was a killer before he came to know Jesu as his savior? Jesus loved Paul and forgave him. What other person could forgive this kind of act. Not to many people could see what God seen in Paul. I'm telling you personally "I probally would have said since he has killed people, take the key and throw it away".In fact I said recently what chris Bonoit did was so bad that he might have deserved to die. I know that was wrong of me to say. I am only human and our Father in heaven knows that we are human. It's not easy to live right for God. and God also knows the temptations that we are up against. God is not asking us to come to him over night. God just wants us to try and then keep on trying untill we get it right. We may fell so many times. But Jesus Christ bridged the way so that we can be forgiven for when we do fall.I think you are right it is between them and God. God has a time for every thing under the sun. If God wants you to come to him, like he wanted Paul to come to him then, he will call you. But we must seek God also and we will find him.Remember God tells us in the bible that our ways are not his ways. Thanks and God be with you Always!

Answer 4

Wow. That is one long ***, involved and highly speculative question. The short answer, i think, is to find a religion (if you absolutely think you need one) that fits what you want to have happen.

For example, if not wanting to go to hell, Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in hell, but a lot of their beliefs are strange to me. That is the only example i could come up with in the realm of Christianity that would absolve anyone from going to hell.

Personally, i think that going to hell would land you in the company of some great people. "sinners" as classified by most religions, makes for the coolest people (rock stars, celebrities and all the bad asses you've loved in your life). Of course, there is always the Hitlers and the evils bastards, but i choose to believe they are in a more stringent version of hell and not the cool one i'm going to end up in.

Just my thoughts...

Answer 5

I can answer honestly. The truth is that it does not matter whether you are part of a religion or not. For, if you follow the "commandment" of loving others, than you are following the commands to love God and others since God is within all of us and God made us in God's image supposedly.

Even if you are atheist and only love your fellow human beings without believing in a soul. Whether a soul exists or not is irrelevant. If the soul exists, you are loving that piece of God. If the soul does not exist, then you are still loving mankind.

So, I think you nailed this one on the head. I agree.

Answer 6

Very good question!

Here's the way I approach it. Christians are supposed to be the light for those who are in darkness and salt for those who are spiritually thirsty.

I don't believe in hitting someone over the head with a bible (although I can think of a few that I'd like to), but "plant seeds" in my everyday life so that people WANT to know more about the Way the Truth and the Life.

Jesus is a stud AND He wants to be loved by us. He's literally my best friend and I just want the people that are in my everyday life to experience the same fulfillment that I have with Him as Lord!

Answer 7

This is a good question. I think I will ask one like this soon or maybe even seriesof them, because it is something we shoud ponder from different ankles.

Very easily we assume that we should be free form God's limits if we have a free will. We do not like the choices. I am a Chirstian and I do not like the choices: hell and heaven.

However, we need to remember that the Bible NEVER says that the free will is outside of God's control. There is no such a thing like an absolute freedom, meaning totally outside of God's control. God is in control, and you cannot hae intimacy with God if you want to be in control.

God gave us a wonderful gift. His choices seem harsh, but He gave us the power of willing choice. He made us smart. However, I have found that it is very smart to rely on God's understanding on things that I have hard time to digest.

What I am trying to say that because we can make willing choices, our choices matter to our God.

My choice is to serve my Lord and that is not hard task for me. The freedom outside of God's providential control of all things is not appealing to me. To me He is the great Sustainer and Director, and Maker of all things, Designer and my Lord and Savior.

I do not know why He does not let us all to be in heaven with Him. But I know that it is His wish that we all will join Him one day. He does not want to lose anyone, but YOU have the choice to make.

I agree that this issue is between you and God. This is a personal choice. Something that no one else can choose for you no matter how much they loved you, not even God. Free will makes things very interesting.

Answer 8

I try not to say people are going to hell, however, I have quoted scripture which explained what they were asking, and some of them have mentioned hell or the equivalent of...

I have tried to explain that they don't need to speak fancy prayers or rituals, etc.,. but to come as they are, in fact, be like the little child seeking their Father....etc.,. New Christians usually need to have a little time before they are ready for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, everything is already so new....however, the Lord touches SOME right away, others He gently guides them to when they are ready for a more personal relationship....

Peace be with you :)

** Agreeable has a point...to a certain extent...No need to follow a set "religion" that man has made-true- However, loving one another is not enough....for God wants a personal relationship with each person as well...not to be a nameless entity....but to be first in our life ....

Answer 9

First off, no one can come to God unless he calls them.
John 6:44 - Jesus said "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draw him.

So, if you don't feel the call, no amount of preaching will cause you to repent of your sins. God does not force anyone to serve him...you have free will to choose who you want to serve.....however..there is one other scripture you might take into account.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” (James 4:7-8)

Want him to call you? Draw nigh to him....on the day you search for him with your whole heart, is the day you will find him.. I can't remember the scripture for the last one..it is in the old testament.....God never turns away a sincere heart, seeking him.

Answer 10

hello Confirmed and peace to you

I have never, nor will I ever use a threat to get a person's attention regarding Christ.

That being said, you will notice that the majority of these answers reflect the same sentiment, and they've obviously (as I have) read through the entire question.

The persons you are referring to, therefore, seem to be painfully absent from this thread. The ones who spew hellfire and damnation - the trolls - the non Christians - and their like, wouldn't have (in my opinion) taken the time to read through your heartfelt question.

My point is, now you know us can we work together to stop the rampaging through the forum from the above mentioned trolls?

blessings and peace :)