@philokalia saidSomeone believes in Jesus by following His commandments.
It is also written:
[quote]John 5:"36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not ...[text shortened]... do not believe the Bible, but believe only in the piecemeal garment that you have stitched together.
Someone who does not follow the commandments of Christ, does not genuinely believe in Jesus Christ.
Genuine Belief = Action
Profession belief with the mouth is worthless.
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (1 John 2:3-5 KJV)
A Christian who professes belief with the mouth but ignores the commandments of Christ will be cast out of the Kingdom of God
A man who professes nothing but who follows the commandments of Christ will be in the Kingdom of God.
03 Sep 19
@thinkofone saidI said what I wanted to say to you.
Presumably you read what I wrote to Suzianne and wanted to make a point about it. It would be best if you explicitly stated what point you're trying to make in regards to my post to her.
03 Sep 19
@rajk999 saidFrom later in the exact chapter that you quoted:
Someone believes in Jesus by following His commandments.
Someone who does not follow the commandments of Christ, does not genuinely believe in Jesus Christ.
Genuine Belief = Action
Profession belief with the mouth is worthless.
[i]And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a ...[text shortened]... man who professes nothing but who follows the commandments of Christ will be in the Kingdom of God.
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 14 I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
So the author is talking about Satan, and it is talking about how these people know God from the beginning.
But let's look at something else important here:
16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Lust.
Lust.
Improper sexual attraction.
That must be resisted and instead we must do the will of God.
How many atheists believe pornography and masturbation is a sin? How many atheists fight their internal desires for lust?
It just isn't adding up for me at all.
@rajk999 saidFaith that if they believe in the atoning sacrifice and "accept the free gift" that in return they will receive eternal life / live in the Kingdom.
At the core of Christianity is faith and faith alone. There is no teachings about loving your neighbour. This fact has been demonstrated on this forum many many times.
While Jesus preached His gospel, He never said this. Yet many Christians seem to believe that He did. They take His words out of context and apply the above to it.
04 Sep 19
@rajk999 saidAt the core of Christianity is Christ, you attempt to make it about us and our efforts to earn our way into God's favor instead of accepting God's grace through faith. That grace is our redemption from there, our lives begin with God that is not the end goal, that is Jesus being the way, and walking the narrow path. So we might know Him, and He us. Jesus said take my yoke upon you and learn of me, a meaningless statement unless He meant each word He said.
At the core of Christianity is faith and faith alone. There is no teachings about loving your neighbour. This fact has been demonstrated on this forum many many times.
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
04 Sep 19
@kellyjay saidThe expression "efforts to earn our way into God's favor" seems to be your spin-doctored-terminology for "obedience to Jesus' commandments and your obligation to do good works", right?
At the core of Christianity is Christ, you attempt to make it about us and our efforts to earn our way into God's favor instead of accepting God's grace through faith.
@all_you_christians
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49571207
Is this person (owner of the venue) showing respect? Love for her neighbor? Compassion for humanity? She explicitly mentions her "Christian race" and her "Christian faith". Is she a good or model Christian?
(Those are rhetorical questions. The answer is , 'no.' )
04 Sep 19
@moonbus saidI know of at least one Christian who uses Philippians 3:8 to dismiss non-Christian dissent on moral matters as "faeces" and "animal excrement". I recall the first time it came up, the assertion was that people expressing humanist ideas were trying to make others "eat faeces". Rhetorical questions: would a Christian such as this be showing respect? Love for his neighbour? Compassion for humanity? Would he be a good or model Christian?
@all_you_christians
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49571207
Is this person (owner of the venue) showing respect? Love for her neighbor? Compassion for humanity? She explicitly mentions her "Christian race" and her "Christian faith". Is she a good or model Christian?
(Those are rhetorical questions. The answer is , 'no.' )