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2. NO ONE is "saved" until they die. GOD decides whether I wll be worthy of going to Heaven or not.
That's not what Jesus said: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
With all the discussions on faith and works going on lately, where it seems that the general consensus among everyone is that faith will produce "works" my question is, faith in what?
I know many Christians will say that they have faith that Jesus died to satisfy God's wrath so they could escape that wrath. But for those who do not agree with that,
what is it you have faith in,
how is having faith in it "saving" you,
how is it impacting your life
and if you expect it to impact your "after-life", in what way?
This isn't meant to be a debate thread, though I suppose it has a good chance of turning into that. But, I'm personally just interested in hearing your various answers. And I'm hoping for as little "Christian-ese" (Sunday School responses) as possible.
Many of you answered the "what you have faith in" question. Thanks. But, I'll admit I was hoping for a bit (lot) more expansion on the rest of the questions . Especially the second (why/how what you believe "saves" you) and third (what "savlation" looks like for you in the here and now -- what has been the impact on you of what you believe).
I know many Christians will say that they have faith that Jesus died to satisfy God's wrath so they could escape that wrath. But for those who do not agree with that,
The reason it seems this way to you is because that's all certain people talk about - torment or no torment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pleroo
what is it you have faith in,
how is having faith in it "saving" you,
how is it impacting your life
and if you expect it to impact your "after-life", in what way?
This isn't meant to be a debate thread, though I suppose it has a good chance of turning into that. But, I'm personally just interested in hearing your various answers. And I'm hoping for as little "Christian-ese" (Sunday School responses) as possible.
Match the colored answers with the questions.
Faith in God.
Faith saves me based on the criteria set by God - that we believe in His Son whom He sent for eternal life.
He impacts my life through a regular and growing relationship with him. He meets my needs. He shapes my character towards Himself (when I pay attention).
The reason it seems this way to you is because that's all certain people talk about - torment or no torment.
It seems that way to me because it is what many Christians say they primarily believe. It is how they present their "gospel" ... "Believe in Jesus to be saved from God's wrath".
However, I assume that you mean that you believe you are being saved not just from God's wrath, but also from .... what? What do you believe you are being saved from,other than God's wrath? (I assume I have the basic idea of what you believe, but I don't want to put words in your mouth. ) It is this topic that I wish this thread to focus on.
Quote:
Faith in God.
What is it that you believe about God's character that causes you to have faith in God?
Quote:
Faith saves me based on the criteria set by God - that we believe in His Son whom He sent for eternal life.
How is what you believe about God's character and your belief in His Son bringing your "salvation" (not salvation from God's wrath) to fruition?
Quote:
He impacts my life through a regular and growing relationship with him. He meets my needs. He shapes my character towards Himself (when I pay attention).
What does that look like for you, personally? How has your character been shaped by your growing relationship with God?
Let me be very, very clear. None of the question I'm asking anyone are intended to solicit answers for the purpose of debate. I am simply trying to get to the nitty gritty of how and why what people say they believe/have faith in is impacting their lives in the here and now.
1. I have faith that Jesus Christ is my God, whose words, I TRY to follow. Unfortunately, far too many who claim to be "Christian", actually hate His words and the examples that He set. For example, guns are antichristian but MOST Christians believe that it is their "God-given" right to own them.
2. NO ONE is "saved" until they die. GOD decides whether I wll be worthy of going to Heaven or not.
3. I TRY to behave in a way that He would like.
4. As I said in #2, God will decide my afterlife.
The "after-life" question was more of an after-thought . I'm mostly focused on how what people believe/have faith in is impacting them in the here and now. For you, I'm gathering that your belief that Jesus is your God inspires you to try to try to be obedient in order that you will have a good after-life?
What does that obedience look like for you? In other words, you think Jesus would like to see you behave ... how? Have you had much success?
There was a thread here some time ago where people shared their personal testimonies and how their faith has changed their lives. You might want to read that thread.
This is the way I understand it to. I always found the question, "Are you saved?" rather bizarre since I feel we can't know that until after death. It seems like a very dangerous thing for a Christian to go around lightly presuming he is saved. I think it might create a feeling of laxness in diligently searching Him, producing the feeling of, "Well, the work of Christ is done--I don't need to do anything else." Which of course is true, yet--I can't understand how faith can produce in someone anything less than a craving for God. And because of that, that person will search God's word in an effort for a closer relationship with Him and out of love strive to do his part in honoring God's covenant with him. I feel someone may feel like they are saved but are actually not, and that there are others who fear they might not be saved when they are.
Basilixmab, since you are in agreement with John F S, my answers to him are also directed at you.
Also, would you be willing to expand on the statement I bolded in your quote above? Specifically, when you say "faith", are you saying that it is simply faith that God exists that inspires that craving?
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) to fruition? 
