Do you think that someone who really WANTS to believe in God and Jesus, but does not, deserve the same "perks" as those who truly do believe? Since you can't change what you really believe, do you think that desire to believe is enough to fulfill your contract with God?
2007-07-18 17:18:06 · 16 answers · asked by tremonster 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For those who are seemingly misinterpreting my question...I am not trying to pass judgement on anyone, I am simply asking for opinions and yes I realize that no one really knows the answer.
2007-07-18 17:27:45 · update #1
Yes to the first question and No to the second. ;)
I personally believe that a person who sincerely tries to live his/ her life the way Jesus would have, as spelled out in the New Testament, does indeed deserve the "same perks", i.e., everlasting life in heaven.
However, if you read the bibilical scripture closely and believe it is credible, then one's desire to believe or, for that matter to actually lead a Judeo-Christian life, is regretably insufficient for getting into the "pearly gates". :( The old testament and Jesus clearly state that one MUST believe - one must make the leap of faith or otherwise ... hell awaits. :(
Yeah, kind of a bummer for those of us who lead "moral" lives, but God's the one who afterall (supposedly) drew up the contract for we mere mortals, and so he requires that we ALL sign on the dotted line or it's a no go. :(
2007-07-18 17:32:05 · answer #1 · answered by Gumby 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No,but it is a very good start,(John17:3)says:Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. This shows that we all, individualy, have the responisibility, to take in, accurate knowledge of God and his Soin Jesus Christ. So when you take in acvcurate knowledge, you are then able to believe in both God and Jesus, this you cannot do, without knowledge,that is why, Jesus said there, in the above verse, that we should take in this accurate knowledge, but, where do we find this accurate knowledge? It is found in God's Word the Bible! The desire to believe the truth is a beginning, but, it is not, the end of the contract, a contract has requirements and the contract with God as you put it, has requirements too, and those are, as Jesus said above, to take in accurate knowledge,but the knowledge on it's own is not enough because to have knowledge, is pointless and a waste, if it is not, put to use, or into practice. So you may WANT to believe as you said, but wanting is not the same thing as believing! And wanting, does not bring true believing.
2007-07-19 00:37:58 · answer #2 · answered by I speak Truth 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wanting to and truly believing are two different things. Knowing God and Jesus is a choice of just saying I believe in you. However the "perks" no one deserves believer or not. They are a free gift given by grace to those who chose to believe in Jesus. The ultimate gift being assurance into heaven which the bible says is only given to those who believe in the Lord Jesus. Faith is a confounding thing it means believing in something that you can not see; just choosing to believe. When a person truly wants to believe, the only thing left is to have faith and choose to believe. That, will fulfill "a contract" with God.
2007-07-19 00:39:59 · answer #3 · answered by kindredcl 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you can lay your mind at ease by reading all the way through the New Testement. I think if you do that, you will come away with just what you are looking for. A reason to beleive. I think the desire to beleive is God drawing you to him. Answer that call, don't harden your heart. If you want to know about him, just read his word and he will show you things that a person without a sincere heart can never see. Ask him to teach you as you read. You will feel his living presence. Then you will know.
2007-07-19 00:27:58 · answer #4 · answered by dreamdress2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think the desire to believe can be the beginning of faith...
I would suggest a person in this situation read the Bible, and pray sincerely to the Lord that he/she would know the truth. God will answer us. He wants to have a relationship with all of His children...
God Bless.
2007-07-19 00:22:19 · answer #5 · answered by Mel W 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No. A desire to believe but, not believing and believing are different. If someone truly wants to believe, they will.
God tells us that when we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7, "Ask and it will be given to you ; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
Become close to God through prayer and reading your bible which is God's written word and a love story to us.
God doesn't bother those who do not seek Him because He has given them free will to not accept Him, if they do not want to.
2007-07-19 00:37:13 · answer #6 · answered by 4HIM- Christians love 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A human buys a new home.
This same human pays off 99% of the original note.
Is the debt repaid in full?
The desire to pay off the debt does not clear the remaining balance of the original note!
2007-07-19 00:31:30 · answer #7 · answered by WillRogerswannabe 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No..not desire..but acceptance. But if you sincerely have a desire to know God..pray and tell Him. Ask Him to show you and teach you. He will, if you are sincerely asking with the right attitude toward Him. Then begin reading your Bible. He will teach you and give you faith.
2007-07-19 00:25:34 · answer #8 · answered by Jlk 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that if someone really wants to believe God will eventually give them the grace to believe... and he promises to be the rewarder of those who diligently seek him "Whoever would come to God must first believe that He is and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
2007-07-19 00:22:27 · answer #9 · answered by Ozymandius 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your ramblings make no sense in the real world kiddo..
Try seeing things outside the confines of such an ignorant and insular religious bubble, and step into the real world..
2007-07-19 00:24:09 · answer #10 · answered by Commonancestor 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋