I think in debates about science and religion, we’re all missing the point. [Spirituality & Religion]
Why did Jesus say He is the only way to have eternal life in heaven? Because you cannot access God the Father in heaven to forgive you of your sins, except by Jesus, His Son, who is the only Mediator between God and man.
We’re all missing the point here. What difference does debates make, if we miss the most important decision of all time...of our life...the choice of where we’ll spend eternity? That’s certainly something far too important to risk, leave to chance, or sluff off. What will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, yet loses his own soul? Eternity is an awfully long time to get it wrong. This is your future we’re talking about. A far longer journey, than this short time here. There’s no comparison.
While Satan so cunningly, has us all focusing on debating different opinions, we’ve both neglected and allowed him to direct our focus away from the most important issue of all. Mankind’s condition! Bottom line: There are three things that all denominations hold as truth:
(1) We’re all in the same boat. We are all sinners.
(2) Humanity is separated from God, because of our sinful nature.
(3) Humanity needs to be reconciled with God. The differences come in how that reconciliation is acquired.
Many denominations focus on rules and rituals. When those rules are followed or those rituals are performed, the person is attempting to be made right with God, or gain His favor. For example, in Islam there are five pillars that one must do, in order to show surrender or submission to God. Other religions focus more on observing rituals, rather than following rules. After those rituals are performed, it is taught that God will accept the person who performed them, yet no one can tell you how long that will be, when asked, so one is always in a continual state to earn God’s favor, which is an insecure way to live, whereas with grace, one already has God’s favor.
The determining factor of one's authentic faith relationship with God is not one's denomination, religious practice or performance in Christian disciplines, but rather the presence of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, upon confession of faith. As it is written, “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (Rom.8:9) Jesus accepts us just as we are. He offers salvation to all, that they may accept His invitation to receive forgiveness, and be welcomed into his family, and live eternally in heaven. That’s up to the individual choice, but keep in mind that your choice determines where you’ll spend eternity. Contrary to belief, that’s not a threat. Salvation is free to us, however Jesus paid a very heavy price for it...with His life, so you and I could spend eternity in heaven. Or would we rather the alternative? We should be extremely grateful for His great sacrifice.
You might say to me, “You’re completely wrong and crazy!” If I am, I haven’t lost a thing. I’ll never be sorry I’ve served Him for the last 45 years, and I’d do it all over again, because He is worth it, He deserves it, and because of what I know in my heart from experiencing the Holy Spirit. He transformed my life the day I accepted Jesus as my Savior. He has never let me down. He saved my life, and those proofs given to me of God’s existence, no person on earth can take away, no matter what they believe. That’s not arrogance. It’s assurance. God is no liar. He is a Promise Keeper. The Holy Spirit that lives inside me...proof. I don’t have to guess if God is real. He lives in my heart. I don’t need anyone’s approval on that. What others choose to believe, I respect. I’m just sharing.
We’re all missing the point here. What difference does debates make, if we miss the most important decision of all time...of our life...the choice of where we’ll spend eternity? That’s certainly something far too important to risk, leave to chance, or sluff off. What will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, yet loses his own soul? Eternity is an awfully long time to get it wrong. This is your future we’re talking about. A far longer journey, than this short time here. There’s no comparison.
While Satan so cunningly, has us all focusing on debating different opinions, we’ve both neglected and allowed him to direct our focus away from the most important issue of all. Mankind’s condition! Bottom line: There are three things that all denominations hold as truth:
(1) We’re all in the same boat. We are all sinners.
(2) Humanity is separated from God, because of our sinful nature.
(3) Humanity needs to be reconciled with God. The differences come in how that reconciliation is acquired.
Many denominations focus on rules and rituals. When those rules are followed or those rituals are performed, the person is attempting to be made right with God, or gain His favor. For example, in Islam there are five pillars that one must do, in order to show surrender or submission to God. Other religions focus more on observing rituals, rather than following rules. After those rituals are performed, it is taught that God will accept the person who performed them, yet no one can tell you how long that will be, when asked, so one is always in a continual state to earn God’s favor, which is an insecure way to live, whereas with grace, one already has God’s favor.
The determining factor of one's authentic faith relationship with God is not one's denomination, religious practice or performance in Christian disciplines, but rather the presence of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, upon confession of faith. As it is written, “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (Rom.8:9) Jesus accepts us just as we are. He offers salvation to all, that they may accept His invitation to receive forgiveness, and be welcomed into his family, and live eternally in heaven. That’s up to the individual choice, but keep in mind that your choice determines where you’ll spend eternity. Contrary to belief, that’s not a threat. Salvation is free to us, however Jesus paid a very heavy price for it...with His life, so you and I could spend eternity in heaven. Or would we rather the alternative? We should be extremely grateful for His great sacrifice.
You might say to me, “You’re completely wrong and crazy!” If I am, I haven’t lost a thing. I’ll never be sorry I’ve served Him for the last 45 years, and I’d do it all over again, because He is worth it, He deserves it, and because of what I know in my heart from experiencing the Holy Spirit. He transformed my life the day I accepted Jesus as my Savior. He has never let me down. He saved my life, and those proofs given to me of God’s existence, no person on earth can take away, no matter what they believe. That’s not arrogance. It’s assurance. God is no liar. He is a Promise Keeper. The Holy Spirit that lives inside me...proof. I don’t have to guess if God is real. He lives in my heart. I don’t need anyone’s approval on that. What others choose to believe, I respect. I’m just sharing.
