[.eXe]

(Original post by Squirty)
Doesn't that seem slightly wrong to you? That I can just do what I want and my sins have been forgiven already?

No, why is that wrong?

See here's the thing. You have been offered the gift of forgiveness through Jesus' death. However, the onus is on you now to accept that gift.

This is the thing many people have trouble understanding. Just because Jesus' death means that we all have forgiveness doesn't mean anything unless you decide to "accept" that forgiveness. And the only way to do this is to accept a) that Jesus did in fact die and rise again on the third day, b) that the meaning of that event was that Jesus took upon himself the burden of your sin and c) to accept Jesus into yourself and your life as your personal saviour, guide and comforter. Only if these things happen, can you be saved (or in other words: receive forgiveness).

[Squirty]

(Original post by NJA)
The gospel isn't just "forgiveness of sin" for the repentant, it is power over sin, something better, a new Life, a new nature - God's.

Anything short of this glory is sin, not just certain things deemed "bad" by men.

Until you accept your need to be born again (John 3:6-8, Acts 2:4) you are an un-repented sinner.

(Original post by .eXe)
No, why is that wrong?

See here's the thing. You have been offered the gift of forgiveness through Jesus' death. However, the onus is on you now to accept that gift.

This is the thing many people have trouble understanding. Just because Jesus' death means that we all have forgiveness doesn't mean anything unless you decide to "accept" that forgiveness. And the only way to do this is to accept a) that Jesus did in fact die and rise again on the third day, b) that the meaning of that event was that Jesus took upon himself the burden of your sin and c) to accept Jesus into yourself and your life as your personal saviour, guide and comforter. Only if these things happen, can you be saved (or in other words: receive forgiveness).

So, it was incorrect to say that all future sins have already been forgiven.

[Lilio Candidior]

(Original post by Squirty)
Doesn't that seem slightly wrong to you? That I can just do what I want and my sins have been forgiven already?

Do you think that because Gods mercy and love is far stronger than any sin means that you can waltz around and be a dick to others? You being a decent human being is not about trying to please God in a sycophantic manner, but is about loving your fellow man. It means that your immoral deeds are inconsequential when compared to the power of Gods promise to always be a welcoming embrace, and never abandon you. No matter what. However, your deeds are not inconsequential for your neighbour, and that's why you should do good.

Sure, in Christianity there are no cheap incentives for being a saint or a sinner, but that's the thing. We do good for the same reason as everyone else, because it's the right thing to do.

[greeneyedgirl]

(Original post by Squirty)
So, it was incorrect to say that all future sins have already been forgiven.

Sorry perhaps I should have clarified, all future sins for those who chose to accept Jesus have been forgiven.

[Squirty]

(Original post by greeneyedgirl)
Sorry perhaps I should have clarified, all future sins for those who chose to accept Jesus have been forgiven.

Ah, I see! Jesus does not love everyone?

[greeneyedgirl]

(Original post by Squirty)
Ah, I see! Jesus does not love everyone?

He loves everyone. Just not everyone choses His free gift of redemption.

[Squirty]

(Original post by greeneyedgirl)
He loves everyone. Just not everyone choses His free gift of redemption.

I love my parents, and give them gifts. I don't tell them that they won't get a birthday present unless they ask for it, to do so would be selfish and attention seeking.

I guess you mean to say that your god is selfish and seeks attention?

[greeneyedgirl]

(Original post by Squirty)
I love my parents, and give them gifts. I don't tell them that they won't get a birthday present unless they ask for it, to do so would be selfish and attention seeking.

I guess you mean to say that your god is selfish and seeks attention?

No...did I say we had to ask for it? No. We have to accept it. It's like in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince where Dumbledore comes over to Number 4 Privet Drive and conjures up drinks for the Dursleys. He offers this free drink. They do not accept it. They miss out. God offers us all a chance at redemption...not everyone chooses to accept.

[Okashira]

Squirty, you have the wrong idea. God is not sending people to Hell because they reject Jesus. Hell is the consequence of sin. We are already going there because we are sinners, Jesus is offering salvation.

[Dobrzynski]

It is funny what religion does to its followers. It allows them to shift the blame, responsibility and explanation to some higher being, and it gives them blind faith that the future would work out just right for them, as long as they believed. With their belief, they can commit atrocities in the name of their god without any conscience or regret, similar to that of a madman, totally convinced they are doing the right thing. They can do frightening things to people, in their god’s name, end lives, and at the end, feel nothing. They do it because their god tells them to and therefore it must be right. The religion stops them questioning their beliefs. Like a disease, the religions spread their beliefs like dark tentacles in the world, using their believers as puppets and instruments against other religions and non-believers. My god is real and yours is not. It is as if they waged war against the rest of humanity and they will not rest until the world is united under one banner, and everyone believes in the one religion, the one denomination. Until then they must keep faith and spread their word and they must not rest. Their goal for a better society is through the unification of all human minds.

Some religions survive this never-ending war, and some don’t. It depends on their teachings. As long as most of their beliefs and moral values ‘make sense’, people will believe them. The teachings need to tap at the morality already existed within the conscience of mankind. Why else at the heart of all religions is a sense of unity and compassion between its followers? And who will want to believe a religion that encourages killing and nastiness between its followers, unless enforced by fear, or that a relationship between a man and a woman is damned? All religions are just trying to survive, notably by pleasing the majority.

Thoughts?

[greeneyedgirl]

(Original post by Dobrzynski)
It is funny what religion does to its followers. It allows them to shift the blame, responsibility and explanation to some higher being, and it gives them blind faith that the future would work out just right for them, as long as they believed. With their belief, they can commit atrocities in the name of their god without any conscience or regret, similar to that of a madman, totally convinced they are doing the right thing. They can do frightening things to people, in their god’s name, end lives, and at the end, feel nothing. They do it because their god tells them to and therefore it must be right. The religion stops them questioning their beliefs. Like a disease, the religions spread their beliefs like dark tentacles in the world, using their believers as puppets and instruments against other religions and non-believers. My god is real and yours is not. It is as if they waged war against the rest of humanity and they will not rest until the world is united under one banner, and everyone believes in the one religion, the one denomination. Until then they must keep faith and spread their word and they must not rest. Their goal for a better society is through the unification of all human minds.

Some religions survive this never-ending war, and some don’t. It depends on their teachings. As long as most of their beliefs and moral values ‘make sense’, people will believe them. The teachings need to tap at the morality already existed within the conscience of mankind. Why else at the heart of all religions is a sense of unity and compassion between its followers? And who will want to believe a religion that encourages killing and nastiness between its followers, unless enforced by fear, or that a relationship between a man and a woman is damned? All religions are just trying to survive, notably by pleasing the majority.

Thoughts?

Sorry what is your question in relation to Christianity?

[Dobrzynski]

(Original post by greeneyedgirl)
Sorry what is your question in relation to Christianity?

What is the opinion, from a Christian, by reading this?

[Mazzini]

(Original post by kenryou)
Because I've read that there are Orthodox Church that is going mainstream, will like to find out the experience.

In Singapore, the programme of the Protestant Church has an opening and ending songs for Jesus performed by a group of Christian Band. (Seems like attending a concert) With the pastor preaching in between.

Yup, use it as an excuse for a holiday in Greece!

Not all protestant services are like that - as I said before, there are a wide range of protestant sects, ranging from Methodists to Anabaptists to the Brethren.

[greeneyedgirl]

(Original post by Dobrzynski)
What is the opinion, from a Christian, by reading this?

This thread isn't really the correct place to discuss things like that.

[Dobrzynski]

(Original post by greeneyedgirl)
This thread isn't really the correct place to discuss things like that.

Kindly link me to the correct one then please

[greeneyedgirl]

(Original post by Dobrzynski)
Kindly link me to the correct one then please

I would suggest making a new thread. This thread is more for asking about Christianity rather than random expostulations.

[NJA]

(Original post by Squirty)
So, it was incorrect to say that all future sins have already been forgiven.

There is forgiveness for all sin to those who accept the need to receive God's Spirit and live the new life He gives.

If you reject this you remain in sin, unwashed, un-regenerated, missing the point of Jesus death (Galatians 3:13-14)

[tif49]

Hi Christians,

Could you please clarify your position on Jesus?

From some I hear he was God, others say he is son of God, others say he was God in human form yet others say he was God and the son of God.

Also please clarify what your belief is regarding the crucifixion and the mission of Jesus please.

Thanks

[greeneyedgirl]

(Original post by tif49)
Hi Christians,

Could you please clarify your position on Jesus?

From some I hear he was God, others say he is son of God, others say he was God in human form yet others say he was God and the son of God.

Also please clarify what your belief is regarding the crucifixion and the mission of Jesus please.

Thanks

He is God, the son of God and God in human form.

The God and son of God bit is because of the Holy Trinity. There is only one God but made up of 3 distinct parts: God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit. All of them are God and yet each of them has their own role. It's kinda confusing tbh The fact He's in human form does not make Him less Godly, it means He chose to come to earth in human form in order to save us.

The crucifixion and mission of Jesus was simple: He came to the world so that He could preach the word of God then be crucified (and in doing so take the sin of the world on His own sinless self and deal with our sin so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life) and then He was to be buried and rise again, fulfilling all the prophesies about the Messiah and then ascend to Heaven.

[tif49]

What did he mean when he said he has only come for the lost sheep of Israel?

Also if he was God then who was he calling out to while on the cross?
Also who did he pray to the night before?

This is all in the Bible and very confusing.