That's just one thing the bible says as well is that "there is only one way to God" etc. I think religions (groups) all take how they interpret the bible, and some have what I call man-made ideas on what it says. Again, we all have our free will on what we choose to believe. I don't think not one person "knows" for sure, but that's just my opinion. I think when we are dead and in the dirt, we'll know something, even if it's nothingness. Like no soul lives on in some eternity. I like to believe, and mentioned about my "hope", I hope there is going to be a paradise. The bible describes heaven and it sounds good to me, so I became a believer. For many other reasons I became a believer also, but it gave me hope. Some of the world says religion is just a crutch. Well, if that's true, then I am glad to have a crutch to help me walk through this sometimes, A LOT of the time, stinkin world. Sorry, having a lot of depression lately. Maybe you'll all be glad to know I am going to the doc today about that, LOL!!
I would like to be as sure as your are Chris, but I am a Thomas on lots of occasions. I see a real stamina/strength in people that have great faith in Christ. I admire that, and honestly want that kind of faith, more than just a mustard seeds worth. I think right now it would also help me with the depression. I look at the world, and what it's becoming, and I am truly afraid at times. Maybe God is drawing me in. I don't remember if I talked about a poem I read a couple weeks back, but I just happened on it. I was starting a new book by a lady that writes christian fiction mysteries. Just before chapter 1, she put in a little excerpt from that poem, The Hound of Heaven: I knew right away what I believed it to mean. It was God pursuing the writer. I feel that way a lot, like He is calling me, not yelling, but softly, and I feel He does pursue me, not as some raging animal that is going to crush and eat me when He catches me, but as a loving father that wants to wrap me in His arms and carry me through my life. And if my feelings are actually truth, He is relentless, and He never gives up on me, or leaves me.
Of course, the one way is through Christ Jesus. I trust there is room for differences in how you come to know Him.
I believe God did not want puppets so He gave us the ability to choose @Sheldon Scott I've read a lot about how God wanted relationships with us, so He created us in "their likeness" meaning God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, all separate, all One. That's the God I believe in anyway. I think there is a verse about "being made perfect in Him" which is about Jesus being the Saviour of the world. We couldn't have fellowship with a perfect God, after we fell in the garden(we were without sin until we fell for satans lies), so Jesus is our Redeemer. I mean, this is what I believe again, I never try to tell anyone it is right for them. I'll share my beliefs with those that want to know.
Right, I don't believe Peter was "the rock" the bible spoke of, but again, as @Ken Anderson hit on, the bible can only be interpreted by the Spirit, since the Holy Spirit is the One that wrote the bible. I mean "I" believe that. It makes sense to me that unless the Holy Spirit lives in me, how can I understand what He writes. And the bible speaks of the Holy Spirit over and over. The bible had no "meaning" to me before I was saved at age 33. I remember it well because that was the reason I knew of the change in me, I could understand the bible, or at least the part I delved into the day I got saved. I still have questions, but sometimes I have to just rely on my faith that God will reveal all truth in His timing.
Yes, I like to say I "hit a bottom" that felt like I was in the deepest dark hole of my life. I never felt so honest about crying out for God, and it was then I heard him, not audibly like human voices, I just mean I knew He was real, for me, He was real. I guess this has turned out to be a real uplifting thread for me, thank you all for it. I know a lot of my depression is when I don't remember Who my God is.
Ok, we are both Believer's, but don't even think of taking away our boiled or deep-fried shrimp, lobster tail, Fish & Chips, Micky D's Fillet of Fish Sandwich, Wendy's Fish Sandwich, Prime Rib, Rib Eye or Chicken Fried Steak! Ohhhhhhhh, that would definitely cause a fight doing that (taking those away).
I'm of the same mind, and I haven't seen anything in the bible, since Jesus came, to tell me I can't eat what I want. I know some things are not beneficial or helpful, for certain ways I react to them, but it's our choice. I am glad I believe in a God that allows me freedom of choice, even though I sometimes have to suffer for my poor choices. He is like a loving Father that would tell me no, don't go out in the middle of the street or you may get run over. So I go, and my dad spanks my behind. I choose to believe that is "loving discipline". I also believe different children may need different discipline to "understand". A good daddy will know each child is different, and so does God
Just a follow up too Cody, I am learning some things about "how things are prepared". I may say I don't like something, but it they are prepared right, I love them Sure be fun to have some bbq's with friends this Summer, hope I get to I love the gatherings with different types of food I may not try at home. That way I can always "snag the recipe" and try it out at home
Jesus was a Jew and lived as Jewish tradition. Once we came under the new covenant, we live by Grace. The new testament allows the loosening of strict religious laws that have bound us. Also there were a lot of food and other things not fit for that time that evolution of time and technology (like refrigeration) that made no logical sense then, is practical now. If it does not conflict with what Jesus said, your own belief system, common sense with logical information...
It seems according to Christian beliefs then that only Christians will go to heaven. No Jews, God's chosen people, allowed. No Hindus, Buddists and especially no Atheists of course.
Also even if you were practically living the life of a saint but didn't accept Jesus as your savior, you're not going to heaven?? While someone who has lived an evil life and finds Jesus in Prison and becomes a born again Christian is going to heaven, makes no sense to me whatsoever. I also find it unfair and too easy. What happens to the mentally ill who don't understand religion or someone with a very low IQ who can't read the bible? What about people in places on earth that are remote and uncivilized? They don't know Jesus or God. Not going to argue this point because there's no answer that will satisfy me.
While the Christian stance is "Jesus Saves" the Jewish answer to all questionable references to God is "above all else, God is just." That said, does God allow a little "wiggle room"? Above all else, God is just. Jesus pretty much said it all by saying (paraphrased) that when we we didn't know the truth we were not going to be held responsible for the truth, but now that we know..........yeah, " I am the way, the truth and the life and no one cometh unto the Father except by Me". I'd say that it's pretty much a lock in for Christian thought and I can't really see God backing up a whole lot. Or, some could be like Abraham and Moses who at some point argued a lot with God and God listened but still had His way in the end. Again,........ Above all else, God is just.