For those who believe in Jesus but not His message of how to get to heaven?

Question

I have seen alot of people profess to follow Jesus but they arent down for the hardcore stuff of Him being the only way to heaven. My question is how do you reconcile believing the words and deeds He did in terms with the peace loving hippie Jesus, but discard the words that came out of His mouth in regards to salvation? This is an honest question, I am not flaming, and I would appreciate answerers be kind to one another's beliefs.

James, this is exactly what I dont understand. If you believe the gospels to be potentially fallible, how do you know what to believe?

Oh Mrs CT, re-read the question again, it will make more sense, Im sure.

Answer 1

hey he's got my vote, I believe "all" of his teachings.
he is the "way" the "truth" and "life"

Answer 2

Lucid Freedom, if you read the original texts, and compare them to some of the translations we use today, you will get a very big surprise. Jesus' words have been twisted many times over. Scribes can make mistakes. Translators often impose their views on the meanings of scripture (albeit, most of them probably do so subconsciously).

I don't see Jesus as a hippie, but I do see Him as a revolutionary. In fact, He was killed for just that reason. Can't you just hear the unbelieving saying, "Who is this man that thinks he is the Son of God?". However, the revolution that He spoke of was one of love, not hate and envy. He told the Jews to stop resisting the Romans...very controversial indeed. Of course, Rome had it's own reasons for wanting Him dead.

IMO, based on the original texts, Jesus never mentions a fiery pit or hell; and neither does Paul in his writings.

Something that really bothers me is the good majority of Christians don't really study their Bibles. They let a preacher tell them what is in it; this is a not good. Secondly, such things as the time and place of things said, the culture of the people,etc, is not taken into consideration when interpreted in our time.One thing we do know is that Jesus used exaggeration frequently when He spoke (Example: "Whoever follows me must hate their mother and their father").

Next problem... Paul's epistles should be taken as just what they are: Specific letters to specific churches with a specific problem at a specific period in time. Some of these things shouldn't necessarily be considered doctrine for all time; they were instructions to the Christian churches he'd established. These could have been recorded for historical reasons...i.e., a text meant to preserve an accurate account of what Christ, or any prophet sent from God, said and did.

How do I know what is or isn't true? First I research what the original languages say, and then I try to find out what kind of political, religious, and other factors may result in a distorted view of what was originally meant; that may contribute to, or change the meaning. After all, the Bible in my hand may not be the real deal (exact interpretation of the original texts).

Secondly, I approach my study with a prayer-full attitude. I ask for Holy Spirit comprehension and wisdom, as I'm sure you do when you pray.

I also believe that "Heaven" is a temporary place until we come back down with the saints in combat mode after the 'Bridal Supper of the Lamb'; and that we will end up in the Garden of Eden (as if the fall never happened), once we have come down with the saints to fight the evil. Jesus will then set up a millennial reign over this earth, and Satan will be bound. So we are probably still have quite a time span until the day we all meet God, and have to account for our words and deeds.

I believe Christ saved everyone ("every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess"...), however, it doesn't matter if I am right or wrong...my salvation is secure.

I answered this question even more fully here (lol): http://www.tiny.cc/

and here is a page that will help you, should you decide to take on this mission (heehee). http://www.gospelthemes.com/hell.htm

God bless you all.

Answer 3

Unless you read Jesus' words in there original form then there is no way you can really know what he is saying. The Bible was completed 100 years after Jesus died. So right there his message could have been lost or somewhat distorted. Then you have to realize it has been translated to multiple languages before it was made to English. Even if you only have very little knowledge of foreign languages you should know that grammar and words don't always match up once they are translated.

And even if after all of that you still beleive in the message that you are reading how do you know they are actually Jesus' words.

Answer 4

Because what Jesus said has probably been changed by man in the 500 years before any of it was written down. Alot of the gospels were oral traditions and could have been changed by those around him in order to build, what was at that time, a cult.

Also, one can believe in the goodness of the actions of Christ, as I do, but I don't believe in a heaven and a hell. Being good to another man is good in itself, and not just some cosmic test for me. We can follow his example, but not necessarily the words of his followers.

Answer 5

It's not that hard to understand. If you believe Christ is the Son of God and ask him to forgive your sins. You then must live as he has instructed. It's either God's way or the World's way. I'd much rather put my soul in the hand's of God instead of the hand's of men....wouldn't you? Why are you calling Jesus a hippie?

Answer 6

Well, according to his message, you can't get to heaven unless you believe His message.

If there is another way, show me the source. Then we can all look at it and see what we might think about it. Otherwise, we would have to derive what God is and what Jesus is by our own methods and opinions. That would be making God into someone we can both understand and approve of.

throughout the Bible, God was never one to want people to make Him into something. He was always dictating who He is and what He expects. He never tried to conform to our ideas, He demanded us to conform to His ideas.

I will follow that pattern. Anyone else can follow their pattern if they want to, but as for me, I will serve the Lord.

Answer 7

I believe in Jesus and in his message.

The perspective of "hardcore" vs "hippie" is dependant upon each person's interpretation of Jesus' words.

Answer 8

i've often wondered how people can express such admiration for Christ's teachings and example, and reject Him as the Messiah...how can one have such admiration for someone they consider a flat-out liar?
i think a lot of people just have their own opinions on who Christ was, what He was about (usually a mirror-image of their own beliefs), and they ignore anything that doesn't fit

Answer 9

God kills babies.

Don't agree with that; don't follow him, or, believe what you say He is.

Answer 10

God's Way to Heaven

I. GOD LOVES YOU and desires that you:

Have eternal life with Him. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Have an abundant and meaningful life. John 10:10: Jesus is speaking, "… I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.”
But most people aren't experiencing a meaningful life and aren't sure that they have eternal life because…

II. Man has a SIN problem which SEPARATES him from GOD.

Every one has sinned. Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
The penalty for sin is DEATH. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death….” The Bible talks about two kinds of death. The first death is physical. The second death is spiritual or eternal separation from God. Revelation 21:8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and ALL LIARS, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the Second Death."
Since sin separates man from God, what is the solution to his problem?

III. JESUS CHRIST is God's ONLY way to heaven.

He is the ONLY way. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”
He COMPLETELY PAID the penalty of your sins. 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God…”
His resurrection proves that He is the Son of God, the Messiah, the only Savior. Romans 1:3-4 “concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ (i.e. Messiah) our Lord”
He promises Eternal Life. Jesus Himself said in John 11:25-26, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die…"
Merely knowing about what Jesus Christ has done for us is not enough.

IV. We must place our FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST to save us.

You are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT OF GOD; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” To be saved by faith means to TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE to save you. Good works are not the means to salvation; rather they are the evidences or by-products of your salvation.
Show your faith in Jesus Christ by accepting His gift of eternal life. Revelation 3:20, Jesus is speaking: “'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.’” Jesus says that He will come into your heart if you invite Him in. That is His promise to you and He will always keep His promise!
Prove the sincerity of your faith by turning away from a life of sin. Acts 26: 20 “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” A person who genuinely asks for forgiveness will seek to change his ways. God knows we are not perfect but the sincerity of our faith will move us to live lives that show our gratitude to God for His free gift of heaven.
You can pray this simple prayer to express your faith in Jesus Christ and receive Him into your heart as your Lord and Savior. You only have to pray this prayer once but with sincerity because when He enters your life, he will never leave you.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I need You. I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross to pay for all my sins. With your help, I will turn away from all my sins. Please come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. I accept your free gift of eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Thank you for coming into my life and giving me eternal life. Amen.