So to get to heaven you have to follow rules, correct?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnyihuGpHis8NXNso4MFETfd7BR.?qid=20070809134641AArikds

Since god reveals itself in nature but the rules weren't written until Moses was handed the tablets and then the rules changed again by having to accept Jesus as your savior, why does the Christian god keep being so short sighted and changing the rules?

Which revision of previous religions are we supposed to believe?

Whoops, the link is there referencing the various answers I got to my previous question.

I of course apparently have no clue what I am talking about :)

Answer 1

The main "rule" to getting into Heaven is to have faith in Jesus as Son of God.

Part of that faith is believing in the teachings of the Church that He established, the Roman Catholic Church, and putting them into practice.

The Catholic Church doesn't teach that it's the ONLY way to Heaven -- but it is certainly the most advantageous way.

.

Answer 2

I think that you are looking at your question from a very limited perspective. There are many ideas about 'heaven' and what our behavior has to be in order to achieve that goal. You are looking at a Judeo-Christian perspective only. I think that what happens to us after death is totally what we expect to happen to us. If we have followed basic rules of conduct for ourselves and with others, then what we believe or not believe as far as 'god' goes, is pretty irrelevant.
Now, I am NOT a "Christian" although I was a practicing Catholic for other 40 years. I have found that my concept of 'Deity' is far beyond the 'acceptable limits' of most Christians I know, plus, I do not accept Jesus as anything more than a very good, noble man and teacher who did his best to correct inequities in the religious practices of the Jews of his time and place. I do not think he meant for a whole new religion to be created in his name.
So, to answer part of your above question, I don't think it is 'god' that is changing the rules, but people acting the 'name' of god. As far as which revision of previous religions we are supposed to believe...I think that is every individuals choice...to believe in one or another or none at all.

Answer 3

There are really only two ways to get to heaven.

First, you have to actually be not guilty of breaking any of God's Laws (read up on the 10 Commandments to see if you measure up).

Since nobody has ever lived up to God's holy standards (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God), then the other way to get into heaven is to find a substitutionary volunteer sacrifice to pay the penalty for YOUR crimes.

Oh - wait - that's right. Jesus did exactly that. He died in our place, making the ultimate sacrifice so you and I can be reconciled to God.

Ask God to forgive you, and turn from all known sins, because Jesus paid it all by laying down His life for our sins.

God never changed any rules (ie Laws) - you still can not lie, steal, cheat, hate, commit adultery or even lust after someone else, etc, etc, etc. if you want to go to heaven on your own merits.

The only difference is that now we are no longer SLAVES to sin, and we go to heaven on the merits of another: "God made Him to become sin who knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Answer 4

The rules are the laws and those who accept the atonement are by faith made new and are not under any law but in agreement with God's righteouness.

Answer 5

We are saved by Faith through Grace.

The Dispensation of The Law has passed, and we have stepped into the Dispensation of Grace.

Answer 6

One gets to heaven by grace and not by works

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Answer 7

You're born, you learn stuff (like consequences to your actions), you pass it on, you die.

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