I've always thought the "faith in Christ alone" was always a bit of the bait-and-switch. Sure, they TELL you that "all you have to do" is put your faith in Jesus, but then comes the commercial.
You also are expected to have certain beliefs ABOUT him, there are certain things you're supposed to do and not do, and then you later find out that just "believing" in Him doesn't guarantee you anything if He didn't declare you as one of His elect before you were even conceived.
I've heard one has to have a certain understanding about the Trinity (even though the doctrine is not really conceivable to the human mind), that one must be baptized in water, that one should speak in tongues and that one should NOT speak in tongues, that tithing is necessary and that tithing is unnecessary the list really goes on and on and on. Of course, any type of sin in one's life is a prime indicator one was never saved, even though getting someone to define sin is next to impossible (is working on the Sabbath a sin? what about any alcohol consumption?) and everyone admits to being "totally depraved" anyhow.
John Calvin was instrumental in having Michael Servetus executed for his errant doctrines. "Servetus might have been saved by shifting the position of the adjective and confessing Christ as the Eternal Son rather than as the Son of the Eternal God." This is despite the fact that Servetus was a self-professed believer in Christ and died with His name on his lips as Calvin stood by and watched the skin burn off his bones!
So you must pardon the skepticism if I question the "Jesus path". I can't seem to figure out what that path entails as its definition varies from person to person, and it seems eternity hangs on that definition.
You have a very flawed concept of God and Jesus. We must be careful not to make a god in our image.
you said "then you later find out that just "believing" in Him doesn't guarantee you anything if He didn't declare you as one of His elect before you were even conceived."
This is one example of making up your own theology.
Here is another- you said "Of course, any type of sin in one's life is a prime indicator one was never saved," That is nowhere in the Bible.
So with all due respect, get with a good church that teaches the Bible it will answer a lot of questions for you.
I will pray for you as you journey towards Christ.
Jamie, I'm speaking solely in terms of my encounters with Christians in terms of how they defined the "Only Way".
I just spent some time on another blog defending the Amish communities: if any group of people are "doers" of the Word, it's them. They pray often (I would assume to Christ, not some other deity) and live simple, modest lives as the Gospels dictate. Yet, the blog's home team insisted instead that the Amish were self-glorifying hypocrites living out a works-based theology.
It's like you can't win: if you live a worldly life, you're accused of not showing the fruits of salvation and called a pagan. If you strive to live a moral life, you're accused of trying to "earn" your salvation (no matter how much you pray).
If you pray to Christ, you're not a "true Christian" if you also have errant notions about Him or if you pray to Him with the wrong prayers or if the prayers are too repetitive (which is why Catholics are not true Christians to some, among other reasons).
Honestly, I'm just weary of hearing and reading people explain why they are the only "real Christians" and why everyone else is deceived.
These aren't new Christians, either. These are Christians who spend every day blogging about their particular faith and why their brand of faith is more authentic than everyone else's.
(I'm not accusing you of this, I'm just describing what I see.)
Ive been there man....eventually you just have to read the bible on your own...meet Christ on your own and filter out the fog...really...I struggled with this for a long time before really accepting Christ for who the bible says He is and requires. it takes a long time to grasp but it's worth the time and effort. All your problems won't go away, you will even have more! But He will be there with you when you do. You will feel the Holy Spirit and you will know when it happens if He is seeking you.
I appreciate your honesty. God bless you and keep you as I pray.
6 comments:
WoW! How great...It is so true, we stand so naked in front of God in our sins...the shame, the embarrassment...
He has provided, not clothing, but has erased our nakedness in our sins forever through the slaying of His Lamb...no other than His son Jesus.
He even placed our sins on Him(Jesus) and placed His righteousness on us. Wow again!!!!
I've always thought the "faith in Christ alone" was always a bit of the bait-and-switch. Sure, they TELL you that "all you have to do" is put your faith in Jesus, but then comes the commercial.
You also are expected to have certain beliefs ABOUT him, there are certain things you're supposed to do and not do, and then you later find out that just "believing" in Him doesn't guarantee you anything if He didn't declare you as one of His elect before you were even conceived.
I've heard one has to have a certain understanding about the Trinity (even though the doctrine is not really conceivable to the human mind), that one must be baptized in water, that one should speak in tongues and that one should NOT speak in tongues, that tithing is necessary and that tithing is unnecessary the list really goes on and on and on. Of course, any type of sin in one's life is a prime indicator one was never saved, even though getting someone to define sin is next to impossible (is working on the Sabbath a sin? what about any alcohol consumption?) and everyone admits to being "totally depraved" anyhow.
John Calvin was instrumental in having Michael Servetus executed for his errant doctrines. "Servetus might have been saved by shifting the position of the adjective and confessing Christ as the Eternal Son rather than as the Son of the Eternal God." This is despite the fact that Servetus was a self-professed believer in Christ and died with His name on his lips as Calvin stood by and watched the skin burn off his bones!
So you must pardon the skepticism if I question the "Jesus path". I can't seem to figure out what that path entails as its definition varies from person to person, and it seems eternity hangs on that definition.
- James
James,
You have a very flawed concept of God and Jesus.
We must be careful not to make a god in our image.
you said "then you later find out that just "believing" in Him doesn't guarantee you anything if He didn't declare you as one of His elect before you were even conceived."
This is one example of making up your own theology.
Here is another- you said "Of course, any type of sin in one's life is a prime indicator one was never saved,"
That is nowhere in the Bible.
So with all due respect, get with a good church that teaches the Bible it will answer a lot of questions for you.
I will pray for you as you journey towards Christ.
Jamie, I'm speaking solely in terms of my encounters with Christians in terms of how they defined the "Only Way".
I just spent some time on another blog defending the Amish communities: if any group of people are "doers" of the Word, it's them. They pray often (I would assume to Christ, not some other deity) and live simple, modest lives as the Gospels dictate. Yet, the blog's home team insisted instead that the Amish were self-glorifying hypocrites living out a works-based theology.
It's like you can't win: if you live a worldly life, you're accused of not showing the fruits of salvation and called a pagan. If you strive to live a moral life, you're accused of trying to "earn" your salvation (no matter how much you pray).
If you pray to Christ, you're not a "true Christian" if you also have errant notions about Him or if you pray to Him with the wrong prayers or if the prayers are too repetitive (which is why Catholics are not true Christians to some, among other reasons).
Honestly, I'm just weary of hearing and reading people explain why they are the only "real Christians" and why everyone else is deceived.
These aren't new Christians, either. These are Christians who spend every day blogging about their particular faith and why their brand of faith is more authentic than everyone else's.
(I'm not accusing you of this, I'm just describing what I see.)
- James
James,
Thanks for your comments.
I respect them and you.
You are in my prayers.
James!
Welcome to the blog!
I hear you!
Ive been there man....eventually you just have to read the bible on your own...meet Christ on your own and filter out the fog...really...I struggled with this for a long time before really accepting Christ for who the bible says He is and requires. it takes a long time to grasp but it's worth the time and effort. All your problems won't go away, you will even have more! But He will be there with you when you do. You will feel the Holy Spirit and you will know when it happens if He is seeking you.
I appreciate your honesty. God bless you and keep you as I pray.
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