that you can get into heaven by faith alone, then does that mean that you can get in by being an asswipe your entire life, just as long as you go to church and believe in god?
2007-08-24 08:53:19 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They don't even have to go to church. Just believe and say they are sorry for all the crap they did. No wonder so many follow that faith.
2007-08-24 08:57:56 · answer #1 · answered by RU SRS? 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
EXCELLENT QUESTION!!!
Actually, there are SOME Christians, who mistakenly believe this. The best source of information on this subject is the book of James in the New Testament. It is a short book, and TOTALLY makes sense if you read it start to finish.
James tells Christians that "faith without works is dead". In other words, one can not say they have faith (this is talking about saving faith to go to Heaven) unless their lifestyle shows it. Now does this mean that Christians will be perfect little angels? No, of course not. Christians still struggle with selfishness, lust, and everything else that non Christians struggle with.
Jesus said that, "you will know a tree by its fruit." A banana tree will not produce grapes. If you walk up to a tree and see apples on it, you can be certain the it is an apple tree.
Jesus also said that "the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart". One can not have a Christ-filled heart and be spouting curses and derogatory remarks all day long.
So, taking all this into consideration, a person who is not living according to God's standard IS not exercising the saving faith needed to get into heaven.
Likewise, if you have an "***-wipe", to use your word, you can be certain that
2007-08-24 16:10:51 · answer #2 · answered by tempest_twilight2003 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Faith doesn't get you to heaven, nor does believing in God or going to church. Having faith and believing that Jesus Christ died for our sins and then rose again for everyone and receiving this gift gets us to heaven. Whether or not the person who has that faith is an asswipe is inconsequential.
2007-08-24 16:04:39 · answer #3 · answered by Kicking 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that your faith and the grace extended to you by God should be reflected in your life. Otherwise, what good is it?
The idea that good works can't get you into Heaven simply means that you can't make your own way there. You can't do good deeds and earn a spot. But true faith and repentance should show themselves in your attitude and the intentions behind your actions.
2007-08-24 16:08:08 · answer #4 · answered by ◦Delylah◦ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going to church doesn't save anyone & even satan knows God exists, so that's not enough either. In order to get into Heaven, you must have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of your sins & accept Him as your Saviour. If you're willing to change, the power of God will change you by the working of His Holy Spirit as you spend time in prayer & studying God's Word.
2007-08-24 16:18:30 · answer #5 · answered by wanda3s48 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's one of the reasons why I'm a Catholic. The verse that Michael B is quoting was refering to the "works" done by the pharisees, not actual works of charity. It helps to get the entire context. St. Paul says that one can have faith to move mountains, but if you do not have love, then you are nothing.
2007-08-24 16:09:17 · answer #6 · answered by Thom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's Not by faith alone
It's by Grace alone
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2007-08-24 15:58:24 · answer #7 · answered by Michael B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I believe it takes more than belief to get a person into heaven. And this is backed up by what Jesus Himself says in the Bible.
2007-08-24 15:58:12 · answer #8 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is good like that. No matter how many terrible things we do in life we can always seek forgiveness. Would you want any other kind of god?
2007-08-24 16:09:05 · answer #9 · answered by Prometheus81 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Michael B, did you read what you just wrote? Or are you just spouting of a verse without knowing what it really says?
2007-08-24 16:05:41 · answer #10 · answered by Shawn B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋