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I have a question regarding people who claim to be Christians, are members of a church and all that, but really do not practice the religion and say that they are not sure they believe and/or say they only participate in church events etc. because of peer pressure. I know some people who do this, and I assume it is not at all uncommon.
So, I understand that many believe that one only "goes to heaven" if one believes in Jesus. But, what about those people mentioned above who are Christian "on paper only?" What happens to them according to you?
Yet again, who do they think they are? Do they even know what Jesus looks like? Now telling something they don't know: we have a book called the Holy Bible. You can take your rifles and roll all the way back to New Mexico now.
So, I understand that many believe that one only "goes to heaven" if one believes in Jesus. But, what about those people mentioned above who are Christian "on paper only?" What happens to them according to you?
They end up in the same place as most everyone else.
I would say that this is a matter between them and God, not for you to worry about (other than as a casual observer) because only God knows their true heart (not just what comes out of their mouth). The bigger matter is the relationship between YOU and God. What do you believe? Where do you stand?
I have a question regarding people who claim to be Christians, are members of a church and all that, but really do not practice the religion and say that they are not sure they believe and/or say they only participate in church events etc. because of peer pressure. I know some people who do this, and I assume it is not at all uncommon.
So, I understand that many believe that one only "goes to heaven" if one believes in Jesus. But, what about those people mentioned above who are Christian "on paper only?" What happens to them according to you?
People are saved by a faith in Christ. Many people teach that belief is faith, but this is not true.
Belief = An opinion or judgement in which a person is fully persuaded.
Faith = ( Belief + Action + Confidence )
Good works do not save a person.
But good works are the natural result of true faith.
Good works do not justify a person before God.
But good works (such as repentance/turning from sin, submitting and conforming yourself to the teachings of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit) justify a persons faith.
Christ taught that we will know if a tree is good or bad by the fruit it produces.
Bad trees, will be burnt up and cease to exist.
Good trees will be pruned by God to be made even more fruitful and they will never perish.
It is more about a persons attitude towards God than about any individual sin.
The attitude of someone who has truly been born again is an attitude of repentance and obedience to God.
The Holy Spirit gives people new desires, desires which cause us to be pleasing to God through obedience.
We do not change ourselves, but the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out.
If a person does not have that change of heart, they are not on the right path.
The fate that awaits them is the same fate that awaits all men who love themselves and their sin more than God and His perfect ways.
Death.
For God will not grant eternal life and adopt anyone as His child who chooses and desires to be evil and selfish. God will not allow the sinfulness of man to exist for all eternity. God made it possible for us to overcome our fallen nature (by walking in the "Spirit" vs the "flesh") and He made it possible for the penalty of our sins to be paid. He also came and showed us how we are to live our lives. Those who reject His son have no way of being justified before God.
I have a question regarding people who claim to be Christians, are members of a church and all that, but really do not practice the religion and say that they are not sure they believe and/or say they only participate in church events etc. because of peer pressure. I know some people who do this, and I assume it is not at all uncommon.
So, I understand that many believe that one only "goes to heaven" if one believes in Jesus. But, what about those people mentioned above who are Christian "on paper only?" What happens to them according to you?
Hello
One goes to heaven because they are joined to Christ thru faith in Him, His death, and physical resurrection.
It's not really about religion, but a relationship with Christ.
Many on this section of C-D say they are Christians , but they are not based on their testimony.
Ultimately God decides whose faith is true, and whose faith is false. There are only two categories - those who are God's child by faith, and those who are not. So they will be treated the same as those who blatantly reject God.
I would say that this is a matter between them and God, not for you to worry about (other than as a casual observer) because only God knows their true heart (not just what comes out of their mouth). The bigger matter is the relationship between YOU and God. What do you believe? Where do you stand?
If only people would understand this simple concept. If we did, we would not be facing Christian Sharia Law in this country.
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