Boanerges-
Thank you for your help. I was baptized back in 1991 and said a prayer very similar to that back during that time as well with the pastor of the church. My father was also a Baptist preacher way back before I was even born.
I have to say that I have some fundamental problems with the "Born again" philosophy. Please bear with me while I explain.
The way it was explained to me in my church back in the 1990's, (I haven't attended a Baptist church since 1997ish.) was that once you accept Jesus in your heart you are forgiven for everything you've ever done or ever will do. This is a tough pill for me to swallow because I see mass murderers, child rapists, truly evil people "get religion" and suddenly assume everything is on the level with God. Now I'm not saying that God isn't all forgiving, but surely this cannot be all one has to do to be forgiven.
I believe that you must also "do" good works and be generally "good" to be blessed by God. Not that you can "buy" your way into heaven with these good works either, but you can't just say "I accept Jesus" and then suddenly everything is OK. I think you have to put action behind your words. Too many times in the church did I see the ugly "double faced" nature of many of it's congregate. Folks would be one way on Sunday and Weds nights but the other 5 days of the week they were "worldly" and someone else.
Another issue I have is with the overwhelming majority of hate that comes from Baptist churches. (Sorry I keep mentioning Baptist because that is really all I know.) Too many sermons were about how babies in Africa were doomed to hell fire just because they didn't know Jesus Christ. How Buddhists and Jews, Islamic and Pagans, were all doomed to hell no matter how "good" their moral character and behaviors were.
I like to take Jesus for his word and his message alone. I don't understand how so much hate can be preached with Jesus Christs message was about love.
It is my belief that as so long as you believe in God, or a higher power, that you moral character and actions are "good" that you are already on the path to being saved. I do not believe God cares what name you call upon him by as so long as you call his name.
That is why my heart is conflicted. I've felt this way for 15 years now and I'm just not sure how to sort this out.
Hello Kittee
. I am pretty unfamiliar with this site and this would be my first post, but I am of the faith and I'd like to respond.
Regarding sudden forgiveness, it all deals with mentality. First of all, I've dealt with the same questions you are dealing with now. Salvation and forgiveness is available because Jesus offered Himself up as the ultimate sacrifice. In other words He paid for the murder and rape and other atrocities committed by mankind for all time, now all that is required is to repent, and live in Him. Repentence isn't just an action by the way, its an utter change of heart, the person who committed the sin is now sorry, and would take it back if he/she could.
You are right about works, a person who is saved seeks to do good. We are to imitate Christ, by emptying ourselves of our own desires and putting others ahead of us. We are to live our lives devoted to serving our fellow man which is what Christ has done for us
. If we dont we are still saved, but it is selfish and we can't advance in our walk with the Lord... Because much of our relationship with God deals with our relationship with others, Christ said when you do for the least you do for Him, when you neglect the least you neglect Him. You follow? hehe.
Also I dont know about Baptists, but alot of churches do limit themselves to preaching hate. None take into consideration the fact that Jesus pursued many sinners during His time on earth. Notice that He shared meals with tax collecters and prostitutes, He would go to any depth to save a person from themself. Amazingly enough the ones who didn't follow God came to Christ while the religious heiarchy denied Him.
Also regarding other religions, I agree with you
. If you believe in a monotheist God, and live a virtuous life I believe you will be saved. The Bible states, that no man has an excuse for not knowing God. Take into consideration those who have never heard Christ's name, but live virtuous lives in dedication to whomever they percieve is God. Would God deny them Salvation because they haven't had the opportunity to hear His proper name? No, far from it. Some would counter that scripture with the one that states that Jesus is the only way, for those that would please take into consideration those who haven't had the opportunity to hear about Him.
Now on the subject of Christ, seriously consider accepting salvation
. I've studied many religions, many good, many bad, even their religious texts. No one in history can compare to Jesus Christ, dont pay attention to those who claim to know Him but preach hate, focus on His words above all others. I wrote a little too much but I hope I conveyed my point well
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