Hi Donna,
Yes you did answer my question concerning hell, but then you proceeded to preach the message of your faith and who you believed God was and you mentioned Christ, which raised a lot of questions in me because your post doesn’t describe the living Christ of the Scriptures. Please don’t be offended when someone asks you questions about your beliefs that you posted on an open forum.
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No, there is not a "hell" as we were all taught to believe it. Who could ever believe that our God would or could be that cruel to his children? God is a loving God and it is not conditional. He does not need to threaten with eternal damnation. That is man made threat which was used and still is used to control people and make them believe and act one way or the other. If you really know God then you feel the warmth and the presence of his being and you will know then this loving presence could not ever create a hell for his children to live in. We come to this earth to experience life, good and bad for him, and it is what we learn (Good and Bad) which determines our next level in our spiritual growth. If we do not get it right this time, we will get it right the next and such is progression. The world is changing very quickly and the hell and brimstone theory of centuries ago no longer have the impact they once had. Instead of seeing what churches and fanatics want people to see, people now see the true being of Christ and it is a wondrous thing :)
I know you feel like I’m picking on you when I question your beliefs, but I’m not. You are a very, very sweet lady and I don't mean to cause you stress. Only you confess to being a Christian but you don’t keep Christ’s Words? You believe that the Word of God is really just man’s interpretation of God. So I must ask you where do you get your beliefs, especially about Jesus Christ? As I’ve stated, my beliefs are from the Word of God not from man, nor religion.
I’m not surprised that people get upset at the Word of God that I share. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a popular message, people don’t like it when God says there is but one way. Jesus’ message was so unpopular in His day it got Him killed.
Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus says:
13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
People don’t want to here that and most will reject it.
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Do you really believe our God will pick just your faith to go to heaven?
No, He didn’t pick my faith, I read His Word and choose His way.
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Am I a Christian? Not by your definition. Am I a believer in Christ? You better believe it. Am I one with God, yes.
Again it is not my definition it is straight from God’s Word, Jesus’ definition. According to Jesus there is but one way, very unpopular I know, but the Lord said it not me.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
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Do I believe that your scripture is the word of God? No.
Now I’m starting to understand a little bit about where you are coming from. That helps me understand why you believe that any and every way to God will be ok. If I didn’t believe the Scriptures are the true Word of God I would probably believe something similar as you.
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I believe it is the story of God written with man's interpretations throughout time.
I see where we differ. I believe the Word of God is directly from God, written down by men verbatim, men that were anointed by God through the Holy Ghost and without man’s interpretation. I believe it is the infallible Word of God.
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If being a Christian by your definition means that I have to believe just one way and not see the beauty and the power of different religions and not accept other beliefs as their gospel, then I do not believe I would like to become one.
Again, it is not my definition it is Jesus’ and most of the world agrees with you.
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The last thing I would like to say Dave is that here on earth there are allot of differences and allot of prejudices but when it comes time to leave this world, we will all walk on the same road to the same place and be embraced by the same loving arms.
I’m sorry if you feel that Jesus was being prejudice when He spoke His unpopular Words of truth and life. He is not prejudice, He died for every man, woman and child that ever has or ever will walk this earth.
And yes, according to Revelation 20 we will all meet at the same place, the Judgment seat of God.
Judgment… Surely God knows that’s not going to be a popular concept among His creation. But then that takes us to another unpopular Scripture, Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
We were created for His pleasure.
Revelation 20
1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
When Jesus walked the earth He healed the sick, cast out devils, and raised the dead, it was obvious that God was with Him, but still people didn’t want to believe His Words. Here is some more unpopular truth that Jesus preached…
John 8:23-59
23. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
25. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
27. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28. Then said Jesus unto them, when ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30. As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47. He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. 48. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
49. Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
50. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
53. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
54. Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
55. Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
56. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
More truth spoken by Jesus that makes Him unpopular with His creation.
John 10:14-42
14. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 19. There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21. Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
22. And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
24. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30. I and my Father are one. 31. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33. The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36. Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37. If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39. Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40. And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42. And many believed on him there.
Matthew 13:9 Jesus says: Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
God bless,
Dave