christians.....?

Question

“Whosoever calls upon the lord will be saved”, “repeat this prayer after me and your place in heaven will be set”, on and on the messages of salvation flow. It certainly doesn’t sound hard does it? Believe in Jesus, repeat this prayer and confess your sins – then you will be greeted at the pearly gates. For each instance of how easy it is to be saved, the bible has instances that seem quite the contrary. It says “many will seek to enter in and shall not be able”. You missed the end – shall not be able. They try and are not able. The bible also says: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.”

is this a contradicition?

Answer 1

Not really! Only those who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ can call upon the Lord as there is no other way to go to the Father.
The Scriptures are clear when they state that many people will stumble at the simplicity in Christ. That is to say for many, faith in Christ seems too easy so they seek the Lord some other way. There is an old saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" This simply means that many will try to get to heaven by their good work. Ephesians Ch. 2 v8-9 clears away any ideas we might have concerning our works. Salvation is a free gift and is available to everyone. Being a free gift, we don't earn it through works and it is not given on the basis of reward or payment for good deeds done.You don't give to your love ones a gift and expect them to pay you back nor you receive a present from a beloved and pay back. It is given the very instant a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and they are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
It's a miracle that there is anyone at all who isn't saved as salvation comes SO easily.
I note your comments about those people who will try but will not be able. We are not told to try, only believe! and this is why a number of people will not make it to heaven as their righteousness (good works) are as filthy rags before the Lord.
Jesus is ready to receive anyone at all who will turn to Him for forgiveness.

Answer 2

We must give our whole life to Jesus and not just say it. We must believe it in our hearts and if this happens, you will be saved. While people still sin after their conversion, the difference in before and after is their conviction of what they have done is wrong. If there is no conviction for doing wrong, then the person may need to ask themselves if they are truly saved. I do believe that we can know we are saved. It does not depend on man's desire of effort, if someone becomes a follower, it is because He has shown His grace on them. Man can make a choice when given the opportunity, but still it His grace that is offered and not the desire to reach Him.

Answer 3

God has provided a easy path for salvation through Jesus's death on the cross and his resurrection. Whoever believes him can go to heaven. However, there are many who still do not believe. These are the people who seek to enter in and are not able to. There are no contradictions in the bible.

Answer 4

If you are in your own conscience and say forgive me Lord then you will be forgiven and if you ask Him to save you, He will save you. Your past is gone everything is forgiven. The next thing that you should not do is sin. IN the old testament period no forgiveness, but after Jesus there is forgiveness, but not always. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Because God(Jesus) is omniscient He can change the reaction.

Answer 5

He calls all of us to salvation which is very simple. It states the road is narrow and many will try to enter; also that many call on Him Lord Lord, do not truly know Him at all. Basically, just reciting that you believe in Jesus doesnt get you a free pass, Its a total life conversion. If God calls you and you accept freely; it really is simple. Religion has us thinking that we have to jump through a bunch of hoops to know Him, that is just not so
I hope this helps you! Gods Peace

Answer 6

Simply put:

"Salvation comes from God alone; but because we receive the life of faith through the Church, she is our mother: "We believe the Church as the mother of our new birth, and not in the Church as if she were the author of our salvation. Because she is our mother, she is also our teacher in the faith."

Moreover, it simply isn't enough to believe in Jesus. That alone doesn't make one a Christian, or even ensure salvation. In addition to this, for a fuller appreciation of what salvation is, faith and works combined are also necessary. Even though it isn't mentioned in the above paragraph, it is a thoroughly understood part of the Christian condition.

Answer 7

Not really as a person really has to cry out with his to the Lord to be saved. So a person who doesnt feel he needs to repent wont call upon the Lord, So even when you call on the Lord with all your being, it is still Him showing mercy.

Answer 8

well... im no expert, but...
"Those who call on the lord will be saved" but there are many that won't- and those are the "many" that "won't be able to enter". also if God will have mercy on whom he has mercy, he will probably have mercy on those who ask for mercy rather than those who don't, so in a way, it God's choice to call us and our choice to answer or accept.

Answer 9

A lot of people think that they can get to heaven by their works,but you have to except Jesus a you personal savior.They go to church,cast out demons in the name of Jesus,good sameratin,lead a good live,honest but never except Jesus thats the ones he is talking about

Answer 10

Yes it is.so this means you can commit crimes,lie,steal,cheat whatever and be admitted to heaven,as long as you confessed your sins.therefore,as long as we say,"forgive us for we have sinned",we can continue to sin.and then,it is also up to Him',because not everyone is able to enter.and 'I will have compassion on whom I have compassion',so isn't He biased and confused.