I've never been in this forum before, and was just reading around and noticed some things that concern me, mainly references that imply only a "select few" will enter heaven. My question to everyone here is this:
Let's say a person has good intentions for mankind (helps others, is kind to others, feels sorrow for those suffering, etc), but still sins (sometimes greed, sometimes lust, foul language, etc). This person would never harm another person, would never commit a crime, and overall lives a pretty good life (good is not used in this situation to indicate materialistic/monetary items)...not perfect, and not free of sin, but he/she is an overall good person (at least in my eyes), does this mean they will still not enter heaven? I was always under the impression that we must try not to sin, and must ask forgiveness when we fail, but what if a person sins, but still has good intentions for his/her fellow human beings?
I suppose in a nutshell, what I'm getting at is, from what I gathered from reading on here (citing scripture as well as personal opinions) that generally being a "good" person who believes in Jesus is not enough to get in heaven. What is everyone's take on this?
Not all sin leads to death. One shouldnt be a slave to sin or turn the name of Jesus into a license to sin. (Saying Im ok all I have to do is repent after I sin andgo do that sin again) We must strive to mature and leave thethe elementary acts of Christ.(That being repentence)If we mature and haveJesus inside ushis spirit will strenthen us to overcome sin. There was no sin in Jesus if we havehim inside us we will not sin.Theentire reasonJesus died was so we could overcome sin in this life.You will hear people say I am going to sinuntil the end becausethe world is under sin. Anyone of the world will continue to sin untildeath. Anyone who has died to the flesh and been born of the spirit is not under the law ofsin. It is a struggle to overcome sin. It can even be gut wrenching to the point of suffing in the body.If you fail and sinbefore the enfilling of the Holy Spirit you will be forgiven of most sin except the sin that leads to death. Build yourselfup with a firm foundation and that is uponJesus. Then when thewind, waves and torrent come you willnot be shaken.Jesus will not enfilla personuntiltheyhave prepared a worthy temple to house his spirit.If a person has built uponthe foundation ofJesus andbecome lost in sin I am afraidit then becomes hopeless and all the wine is ruined. Just IMO!
All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
Hbr6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,* and of faith in God,
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
1Jo3:5
But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.
1Pe4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
Rom8:2
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom8:3
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,* God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.* And so he condemned sin in sinful man,*
Rom8:10
But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.
I've never been in this forum before, and was just reading around and noticed some things that concern me, mainly references that imply only a "select few" will enter heaven. My question to everyone here is this:
Let's say a person has good intentions for mankind (helps others, is kind to others, feels sorrow for those suffering, etc), but still sins (sometimes greed, sometimes lust, foul language, etc). This person would never harm another person, would never commit a crime, and overall lives a pretty good life (good is not used in this situation to indicate materialistic/monetary items)...not perfect, and not free of sin, but he/she is an overall good person (at least in my eyes), does this mean they will still not enter heaven? I was always under the impression that we must try not to sin, and must ask forgiveness when we fail, but what if a person sins, but still has good intentions for his/her fellow human beings?
I suppose in a nutshell, what I'm getting at is, from what I gathered from reading on here (citing scripture as well as personal opinions) that generally being a "good" person who believes in Jesus is not enough to get in heaven. What is everyone's take on this?
Believing in Jesus is what is all about, being a good person ? How Good can you be ? Can you be like Jesus ?
Jesus is the Perfection in the flesh, if you can't be like him then being good is just saying words to that effect it becomes meaningless, that is why we are not saved by what we do, but by what he did.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Grace "through" faith. It is not faith that saves mankind, but the "grace" of God that comes to the believer "through" faith. The gift of God is not saving "faith" but saving "grace" THROUGH faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is the conduit/channel by which we receive grace. It is the "cord" by which some appliances receive electricity that makes a "dead/motionless" machine come "alive/active" Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This is a negative accompaniment of the preceding statement. This is a "double rebuff, " of works having anything to do with "obtaining" salvation. Good works of any kind are the "product" or "fruit" of salvation, not the "cause of it" (1 Cor 4:6-7) Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
This is the opposite of the walk described in verse two. This is the reason for our salvation. The reason of our being "born again" Created or re-created IN Jesus Christ for the purpose of doing good works. We should DO them/walk in them.
__________________
The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. Zephaniah 1:14
פרץ
I've never been in this forum before,well welcome aboard Matt..I've got a 23year old son named Matt.and was just reading around and noticed some things that concern me, mainly references that imply only a "select few" will enter heaven.Yes sir..the guys on here like it when folks post scriptures..instead of opinions ..so I'll post one concerning this comment..
Matthew 7:13 "You can enter God"s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell[f] is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
My question to everyone here is this:
Let's say a person has good intentions for mankind (helps others, is kind to others, feels sorrow for those suffering, etc), but still sins (sometimes greed, sometimes lust, foul language, etc). This person would never harm another person, would never commit a crime, and overall lives a pretty good life (good is not used in this situation to indicate materialistic/monetary items)...not perfect, and not free of sin, but he/she is an overall good person (at least in my eyes), does this mean they will still not enter heaven? I was always under the impression that we must try not to sin, and must ask forgiveness when we fail, but what if a person sins, but still has good intentions for his/her fellow human beings?
Matt..I've read some of your post on th eOff Season my friend..I would encouraged you to get an easy a version of the Bible that you can understand good..and then starting with Matthew read the entire New Testament..Here's what Jesus says about the Word..
John 6:63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
John 8:31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Matt, I care about you man...most people don't stay long on this forum because there are folks here that would die for there religious views even allowing it to put division between us. The advice I give to most folks Matt is to read thier New Testament ..10 chapters a day and you are done in 26 days...AND God's Spirit WILL DIFFENTLY reveal Jesus to you and lead you into all truth..Be willing to lay all your other religious things you've prevously learned aside and let the Spirit of God speak to your heart..Before you read each day ..pray Matt..ask God to open your eyes and reveal His truth..
God bless, Chuck7
I suppose in a nutshell, what I'm getting at is, from what I gathered from reading on here (citing scripture as well as personal opinions) that generally being a "good" person who believes in Jesus is not enough to get in heaven. What is everyone's take on this?
YOu are correct Matt...to get to Heaven you must be born again..which you have gone through some exercises in the catholic church I believe from reading your post on the Off Season..After being baptized Matt it's a life of obedience...which for all of us is a struggle..You will need a strong relationship with Christ to win this battle over daily sin. Even now..Christians maintain daily Bible reading and a prayer life...and what happens Matt. you end up exchanging your love for this world for a love for Christ Jesus..When we ALL surrender to His will in our life ..is when we find real life..the peace and joy and love etc..He's coming back for those who love Him Matt.
Please feel free to PM me ..if you like I can give you my phone number.. In Christ , Chuck7
I will admit I never really read much of the bible, and I actually lost connection with the Catholic church as I grew older (I didn't loose my belief in Jesus and Heaven), I just grew disconnected from the Church, and I can't explain it. I suppose I just can't understand how inherently good people who believe in Jesus will not be admitted to heaven...this is what I was always taught and had instilled in me since I was a child. I'm not saying one view is right or wrong, it's just hard for me to believe that based on what I'm reading/hearing, MANY good people will be turned away from heaven, and sent to hell lumped with the VERY bad people who lived terrible lives in comparison (murderers, thieves, rapists, etc).
Chuck, I'll have you know I have ceased listening to Marilyn Manson.
i hate answering questions with a question but here goes:
1. do you believe in God?
2. do you believe thatGod so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life?
3. do you believe what you read in the Bible?
4. do you believe that Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my
Father who is in heaven?
being a good person is an wonderful trait, but will it get you into heaven??
a lot of people don't want to be quoted scripture, but the answers are in the Bible
OH YEA!!!!!! welcome to the forum
__________________
John 3:16
things are more like right now than they've ever been
It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.
William James
1. do you believe in God? Yes
2. do you believe thatGod so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life? Yes
3. do you believe what you read in the Bible? Like I stated above, I've honestly never read much of it.
4. do you believe that Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my
Father who is in heaven? Isn't believing in him and showing goodwill considered the will of him?
being a good person is an wonderful trait, but will it get you into heaven?? Being a good person AND believing in him really seems to be the two components to those who will be saved. Which is what I was always taught, and what I gathered from the gospels in church (then again I'm by no means an expert).
a lot of people don't want to be quoted scripture, but the answers are in the Bible
Some believe that a christian man....who is a complete jerk on earth will enter heaven when a non religious, great guy, do gooder won't.
Not my view, but many religious people esp around here believe that, personally at the gates of heaven or when you get there and god asks, did you believe in me? and you say yes. and he asks did you do good on earth and you say no. he'll be happy that you beleive in him? as opposed the the man who says I didnt bleieve in you but was a very good human being....
Just like the gays.....I cant forsee god being happy with those who mistreat a creature he created....gay or not. Those "christians" I believe are going to have a rude awakening on their judgement day.
Here's a little question...
