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Many people who call themselves Christian claim that what you believe is not important. Someone just made that claim on another thread on this forum. The Bible begs to differ.
Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews;
''Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.'' (John 8:24)
So does it matter whether you believe that Jesus is 'I am'? You bet it does!!!
Jesus said to Martha;
''I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes on Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes on Me will never die, Do you believe this?'' (John 11:25-26)
Is it therefore important that you believe on Christ? Absolutely. What you believe regarding salvific truth matters. What you believe in salvific matters determines where you will spend the eternal future.
Now, not everything is salvific. That is, not every category of truth has bearing on your eternal salvation. Still, the Bible is the word of truth as stated in 2 Timothy 2:15 and has bearing on your spiritual growth as a believer. What you believe certainly matters. And if you disagree, as some or many of you always will, you are sadly and tragically mistaken.
Many people who call themselves Christian claim that what you believe is not important. Someone just made that claim on another thread on this forum. The Bible begs to differ.
Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews;
''Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.'' (John 8:24)
So does it matter whether you believe that Jesus is 'I am'? You bet it does!!!
Jesus said to Martha;
''I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes on Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes on Me will never die, Do you believe this?'' (John 11:25-26)
Is it therefore important that you believe on Christ? Absolutely. What you believe regarding salvific truth matters. What you believe in salvific matters determines where you will spend the eternal future.
Now, not everything is salvific. That is, not every category of truth has bearing on your eternal salvation. Still, the Bible is the word of truth as stated in 2 Timothy 2:15 and has bearing on your spiritual growth as a believer. What you believe certainly matters. And if you disagree, as some or many of you always will, you are sadly and tragically mistaken.
You are right Mike. What we believe will determine where we spend eternity.
''I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes on Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes on Me will never die, Do you believe this?''
You are right Mike. What we believe will determine where we spend eternity.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroutDude
What you do matters much more.
This is something that is poorly understood about the generational and cultural differences that separate us from those early primitives. There was a direct and unwavering connection between what they believed and what they DID . . . unlike today. Today there is a more nuanced and diverse connection between what we will claim to believe and what we DO. Back then there was no separation. So getting them to actually believe was the same as getting them to say so. Belief was absolutely necessary to achieve the desired outcome of getting them to do what the beliefs demanded of them. Today the disconnect is widespread and a distinction has to be drawn between what is claimed to be believed and what is truly believed. What is truly believed is reflected (as always) in the "fruits" . . . i.e. what you DO.
Many people who call themselves Christian claim that what you believe is not important. Someone just made that claim on another thread on this forum. The Bible begs to differ.
Jesus said to the unbelieving Jews;
''Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.'' (John 8:24)
So does it matter whether you believe that Jesus is 'I am'? You bet it does!!!
Jesus said to Martha;
''I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes on Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes on Me will never die, Do you believe this?'' (John 11:25-26)
Is it therefore important that you believe on Christ? Absolutely. What you believe regarding salvific truth matters. What you believe in salvific matters determines where you will spend the eternal future.
Now, not everything is salvific. That is, not every category of truth has bearing on your eternal salvation. Still, the Bible is the word of truth as stated in 2 Timothy 2:15 and has bearing on your spiritual growth as a believer. What you believe certainly matters. And if you disagree, as some or many of you always will, you are sadly and tragically mistaken.
Amen! Great post, Mike.
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You are right Mike. What we believe will determine where we spend eternity.
