The reason I ask is that recently I've seen several replies from people, who claim to be members of a certain church group, including one member of the clergy, claiming that they are not sure.
If you claim to be a Christian, why wouldn't you be sure?
By the way, I am sure that if you asked any of the folks who attend the Tuesday night Bible study I attend, they would tell you that they are sure as well. There are ten of us.
Along with your answer please give your denominational affiliation. Thank you!
2007-11-07 12:59:15 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good question Art. Wow - interesting answers. PLEASE understand!!!
Being good does not get us into Heaven. We will never be good enough! (Isaiah 64:6).
Doing good deeds does not get us into Heaven. (Eph 2:9). One sin leads to Hell and we've all sinned at least once! (Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23).
How do we get to Heaven? It boils down to this:
1 John 5:11-13 This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in his Son. (12) The person who has the Son has this life. The person who does not have the Son of God does not have this life. (13) I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that YOU MAY KNOW that you have eternal life.
We need Jesus. It's as easy as A B C!
A - Accept the free gift of salvation that is offered. (Romans 6:23)
B- Believe that Jesus rose from the dead (Romans 10:9-10).
C- Confess that Jesus is Lord.(Romans 10:9-10). Confess your sins and ask Jesus to forgive them (1 John 1:9).
If anyone wants more details, see www.godlovestheworld.com
I currently attend a Baptist church. I was raised Free Methodist.
It is not bragging to know if we're going to Heaven or not. It's not anything we've done - it's total grace from God and just believing the promise that God gave us. Even our believing is grace from God. (Eph 2:8-9)
2007-11-09 09:27:40 · answer #1 · answered by MikeM 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
After understanding the context of the scritpures knowing that a man is not justified by works, but by faith in Jesus Christ. For by grace we have been saved through "faith", and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Our works or our own righteousness cannot save from spending eternity from God, nor just by being a good person, going to church/bible study, or being baptized. An individual must be born again to enter into the kingdom of God. So there must be an inward transformation that must take place. That begins by repenting(turning from our evil and sinful ways and following after and practicing His ways), and confessing Jesus Christ as our "Lord" and "Savior" and that He resurrected from the grave and is now seated on the right hand of Father God in Heaven. We must believe in our heart what we've confessed with our mouth and have Faith in what the Bible says is true, even though we don't fully understand everything nor have seen Jesus's death and resurrection. If we are sincere then we will "recieve" His free gift of salvation into our heart, and then that's when His Spirit will come and make His home in our very being. And in this we know that we are His children, when His Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are His child. Wordly knowledge, theology degrees, etc... cannot give you that assurance, but His Spirit can. Its something that happens inwardly and when I'm in His presence that no human words can explain or describe what it feels like. It's deeper than knowledge, it's deeper than what denomination or what church you go to (which doesn't matter anyway...denomination is man made and is not of God). And because of my "Faith" in Him, good works, love, Godly Character, "practicing" His Righteousness automatically follows.
2007-11-08 01:25:32 · answer #2 · answered by unknown 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
pastor art, i don't claim to be a christian i am a christian and i am sure that i am going to heaven.
you see the reason we have christians who are not sure is because of the followig reasons.
1) they were made to say the magical prayer.you if you just pray the salvation prayer you are on your way to heaven.
2) they have confessed jesus christ as their lord and saviour, but the is no DNA change.
3) they are now in a christian club(still doing the same things and they are only tought about the motivational things from the bible, meaning they are not tought about the warnings from the word.
Now this is the salvation we find in todays church where pastors are scared to tell the church some of the things because they will run away.they just want to see the church growing and people getting saved every sunday thats all.
and what this people are lacking is:
1) no one ever told them about repentance and the confession of the sins
2)deniying themselves
3)taking up the cross daily
4)forsaking the world
5) to give god the owneship.
i also was made to do a pray a magical prayer, until i decide to read the bible and believe what i read not read what i believed.
so i know for sure that i am going to heaven, because i am not just a christian but i am in the kingdom of god.
2007-11-07 17:08:13 · answer #3 · answered by doctor 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am sure as anyone rightly can be, that I would go to Heaven if I died now.
But I don't have 100% certainty that I will always remain in a state of grace. How could I have such certainty? Have I somehow become incapable of egregious, mortal sin? Or maybe the idea is that I carry Jesus in my hip pocket so that if I should die while in such sin I can just use Him as a get-out-of-Hell-free card?
It doesn't really work like that, does it? Our own will works to bring us to sin and destruction. What right do I have to presume upon God that He would rescue me from whatever maliciously evil intent that my sinful will might someday scheme against Him?
My confidence in God's offer of salvation is based on the faith He has given me by His grace; but the moment I dare to take that for granted, I'm in a heap of trouble.
2007-11-07 13:48:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous Lutheran 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Remember the parable told by Jesus, where a pharisee entered the Temple, went up close to the Altar, and gave thanks to God that he was not like the others, he was not an aduterer, and he gave 10 percent of everything he had to the Temple. (In other words, he was sure of his goodness and rightness before God.)
On the other hand, there was the tax collector, who entered the Temple, staying at the rear, away from the Altar, and he merely pounded his chest, saying, "God have mercy on me, a sinner."
Jesus said the latter was justified before God.
In Christian terms, the former would have been certain of his salvation, and the latter would have serious doubts.
2007-11-08 05:58:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What I am certain of, is that I believe that Christ is my lord and Savior, and that He gave up his Godly divinity to sacrifice himself for my sins.
What I am certain of, is that the Holy spirit resides in me and has effected great changes in me, and that I have a ministry that I can not keep quiet about.
The scriptures tell me that I am saved, but my human side, wonders..It is such a grand reward, I an completely not worthy of.
ex Jehovah's Witness...saved born again Christian...i worship at a Baptist church
2007-11-08 13:25:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being human I am going to make mistakes and I am going to sin. However I believe that my debt has been paid with the Blood of Christ and as long as I do not continue to commit the same sins knowingly and without remorse then I know I will go to Heaven. I am still learning but I believe the as long as you worship,walk, and work for Christ your future after life is pretty much locked in. I believe through prayer and confession you make amends for maybe not all sins but most. As long as I do not deny Christ I know my possibility of going to Heaven is even stronger. I am non denominational Christian.
2007-11-07 18:26:29 · answer #7 · answered by debbie f 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith is when you are not 100% sure but you still believe. Absolute certainty requires no faith.
Being a christian is no guarantee that you will go to heaven. 'Even the very elect' may miss out. That decision is up to god, not you, therefore, you can claim to be a christian, and yet not be sure if you are going to heaven or not.
It is pretty arrogant to say that you are sure, unless god has confirmed it with you. Please stop the self-righteousness. Because after all, "pride goeth before a fall".
2007-11-07 13:12:37 · answer #8 · answered by James Bond 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think "making it to heaven" is a wrong theology. Now where did Jesus teaches that "if you die , you will go to heaven" or in other words , "after death - you will received life" BUT , Jesus did teaches, If anyone believes in ME, he shall not see death , but have eternal life; or lives without dying - the abundant life!
Hope I didn't rocked you "boat of ten" too much and others who read this posting?
The whole of Christianity have been hook-winked somewhere down the line after the time of King Constantine.
Checked it out if you are a Church Historian, will you?
Jesus doesn't promises life after death but life for evermore as He has tasted death for everyman and annulled death by HIS One sacrifice once and for all for all men. Heb 2:9
2007-11-07 13:14:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sure, I pray and read God's word almost every morning now. I am in the process of being free of the holds of the flesh and purity of Godly integrity. It is not easy but with Philippians 4:13 I will make it my life battle.
I know that I received Christ and His grace is sufficient.
I do not like to talk denomination, It does not promote unity. I go to a bible based church and listen to the Holy Spirit that God gave me and through prayer I follow Him.
2007-11-07 13:05:42 · answer #10 · answered by Dennis James 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋