Salvation in Christianity

[Muffled]

I walked the narrow path to the end. I believe in the resurrection because I have seen it. Not in some vision but in the actual story. I am the only one here who is actually in the story fully. You are in the fog and assume I must also be in the fog. You should stop with me.

I believe you must be referring to a previous life. In a previous life I followed Jesus but like many stopped following when he said to drink His blood. It just goes to show how shallow I used to be.

 

[icehorse]

I don’t, nor should you.

That's good to hear. So how do you go about deriving what help or information you should glean from your religion? It seems to me that if you're not relying on religious middle men, then what? Are you reading and interpreting scripture?

 

[InChrist]

That's good to hear. So how do you go about deriving what help or information you should glean from your religion? It seems to me that if you're not relying on religious middle men, then what? Are you reading and interpreting scripture?

I believe in trusting Jesus Christ directly and having a relationship with Him. When one trusts Jesus as their Savior they are made a new creation in Christ and the mind us opened to understanding God’s word. That’s what happened to me. According to the scriptures that’s what happened to Saul ( Paul ), and that’s what has happened with every born again believer I’ve known or talked to.

 

[icehorse]

I believe in trusting Jesus Christ directly and having a relationship with Him. When one trusts Jesus as their Savior they are made a new creation in Christ and the mind us opened to understanding God’s word. That’s what happened to me. According to the scriptures that’s what happened to Saul ( Paul ), and that’s what has happened with every born again believer I’ve known or talked to.

so it sounds like - ultimately - you're leaning from the scripture, correct? How else would you get the idea to trust in Jesus, if not thru a religious middle man or scripture?

 

[InChrist]

so it sounds like - ultimately - you're leaning from the scripture, correct? How else would you get the idea to trust in Jesus, if not thru a religious middle man or scripture?

In one way, you are correct, but not totally. I used to read the Bible, but it was always through the lens of one religious group or another, for example; Catholicism, Mormonism, various other pseudo Christian groups, and new age books. For the most part, the scriptures really never made much sense to me and were not very understandable. Basically, at one point in my life I really just wanted to know who God was and what God wanted. I was so tired of being confused and deceived by different religious organizations, churches, and groups. I suppose there was a middleman in a way, as you say, because after asking God ( whoever God was ) over and over again to show me the truth and prevent me from further religious deception … I read a book. I know God lead me to that book because the circumstances of finding it were so abnormal. It was just some guy’s life story, full of his spiritual background and experiences; some very strange and out there. He ultimately became a prominent New Age guru and teacher giving seminars all over the country on the spiritual powers of crystals. He was very involved with the occult and at one point found himself plunging into such darkness he thought his life was lost… then Jesus interrupted, powerfully saving him. That’s what the book was about. All I can say is that after I read it, I understood I needed a Savior. Once I actually realized that and knew Who Jesus was everything was different in my life; like night and day. The Bible was no longer confusing. It’s not like I understood everything in it, but the overall message or theme from Genesis to Revelation was clear.
Anyway, that’s that. I didn’t mean to make such a long response.

 

[icehorse]

Anyway, that’s that. I didn’t mean to make such a long response.

No worries, I appreciate you taking the time to explain that

 

[Muffled]

In one way, you are correct, but not totally. I used to read the Bible, but it was always through the lens of one religious group or another, for example; Catholicism, Mormonism, various other pseudo Christian groups, and new age books. For the most part, the scriptures really never made much sense to me and were not very understandable. Basically, at one point in my life I really just wanted to know who God was and what God wanted. I was so tired of being confused and deceived by different religious organizations, churches, and groups. I suppose there was a middleman in a way, as you say, because after asking God ( whoever God was ) over and over again to show me the truth and prevent me from further religious deception … I read a book. I know God lead me to that book because the circumstances of finding it were so abnormal. It was just some guy’s life story, full of his spiritual background and experiences; some very strange and out there. He ultimately became a prominent New Age guru and teacher giving seminars all over the country on the spiritual powers of crystals. He was very involved with the occult and at one point found himself plunging into such darkness he thought his life was lost… then Jesus interrupted, powerfully saving him. That’s what the book was about. All I can say is that after I read it, I understood I needed a Savior. Once I actually realized that and knew Who Jesus was everything was different in my life; like night and day. The Bible was no longer confusing. It’s not like I understood everything in it, but the overall message or theme from Genesis to Revelation was clear.
Anyway, that’s that. I didn’t mean to make such a long response.

I believe I knew I needed a savior through preaching in a Baptist Church but wasn't ready to give up control of my life. My life had to be in bad shape for me to do that. A key Bible passage helped facilitate my acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 

[InChrist]

I believe I knew I needed a savior through preaching in a Baptist Church but wasn't ready to give up control of my life. My life had to be in bad shape for me to do that. A key Bible passage helped facilitate my acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

I think it’s pretty amazing how God works so precisely and uniquely in each person’s life and circumstances to reveal the need for the Savior Jesus Christ. He knows us better than we know ourselves. That brings so much peace and rest in His love.

 

[metis]

If belief in Jesus is something that all people need to do so as to go to heaven, then what about all the people that lived before Jesus' time and those who never heard of him? So, doesn't God care about them?

 

[Treasure Hunter]

If belief in Jesus is something that all people need to do so as to go to heaven, then what about all the people that lived before Jesus' time and those who never heard of him? So, doesn't God care about them?

It’s belief in the Son, which is an aspect of every soul, including those who lived over 2,000 years ago.

 

[metis]

It’s belief in the Son, which is an aspect of every soul, including those who lived over 2,000 years ago.

But Jesus did not exist over 2000 years ago. Are you sure you didn't mean YHWY?

 

[Treasure Hunter]

But Jesus did not exist over 2000 years ago. Are you sure you didn't mean YHWY?

My friend, as I said, the Son is an aspect of the soul. Did souls only start existing 2,000 years ago when Jesus was here?

 

[metis]

My friend, as I said, the Son is an aspect of the soul. Did souls only start existing 2,000 years ago when Jesus was here?

Thanks for the clarification. At my age, sometimes my hard head takes a while to be penetrated.

 

[Muffled]

If belief in Jesus is something that all people need to do so as to go to heaven, then what about all the people that lived before Jesus' time and those who never heard of him? So, doesn't God care about them?

I believe when God wanted my repentance it wasn't so I could go to Heaven but so this world would be better off if I acted better.

 

[Muffled]

My friend, as I said, the Son is an aspect of the soul. Did souls only start existing 2,000 years ago when Jesus was here?

I believe you are in error. It is not an aspect of the soul and it is an incorrect answer to the question.

 

[Muffled]

Thanks for the clarification. At my age, sometimes my hard head takes a while to be penetrated.

I believe the answer is re-incarnation. People from ancient times re-incarnated in Christian times would hear the gospel. Also salvation is not necessary for Heaven but it is necessary for eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Heaven is not a goal; it is a consolation. You could go there if you knew how to get there and God didn't have other plans for you.

 

[metis]

I believe the answer is re-incarnation. People from ancient times re-incarnated in Christian times would hear the gospel. Also salvation is not necessary for Heaven but it is necessary for eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Heaven is not a goal; it is a consolation. You could go there if you knew how to get there and God didn't have other plans for you.

I neither believe nor disbelieve in reincarnation or heaven. IMO, whatever happens, happens.

 

[Muffled]

I neither believe nor disbelieve in reincarnation or heaven. IMO, whatever happens, happens.

I believe my wife had that belief. Fortunately she received Jesus as Lord and Savior. I believe she returned to Heaven. She has trouble accepting the evils of this world including her own. She only came down here to be with me, a love thing. I am here because I can bear evil and do some good.