Why are you still a Christian?

What's this about 2012?

I'm no expert, nor claim to be so bare with me here.

I just do alot of reading and have some interesting friends.

Supposeably, 2012 is what New-Agers claim to be the year of perfection. I'm sure you've heard 'The dawning of the age of Aquarius'.
It is possible this instead, could be the year of The Millennial (sp) reign with Christ, but it's not for me to know, so I'll leave that one alone.
I've heard psychics can't see past 2012.
This will sound far fetched, but the secret government has built a time machine that can't get past 2012, there was a wall block. But, this is only stories. Not sure.
The Mayan calender stops at this year. So do alot of clocks (?) Not sure what that's about.
I do know of 4 verses the Bible says we are not suppose to know the hour nor day of his return. What I find interesting is how it does not mention, month or year. Like I said, I haven't a clue.
I just feel something will happen that year indeed.
There's more, but I'll have to remember when I've had more sleep.

No, the holy spirit only converts people to Jesus, not all those other religions, silly Dok.
You may not know, but we do!

But the claim, my dear girl, was that men can not convert men, only the 'holy spirit' can.
What separates men from converting men to christianity and men converting men to islam?
Hint: you both share the belief the conversion was 'from god'. Who is right, if anyone, and why?

Only the Holy Spirit can lead people to be a true Christian by working thru his followers. Men can convert other men to any other religion they want, if the person be willing.
God does not want his followers to convert people to Islam, Hinduism, etc....you could just never believe or accept why this is the one religion he wants nomatter how hard we tried. You would never be convinced. We tell you it's in the Bible, but that's not good enough, fine. What's in our hearts is more than enough to know. You can't shake this no matter what.

And...dear girl?

What is in your heart other one? Where did it come from?

Man, good question.

GOD.

=)

He loved us first.

This is true Bartikus, very true.

Jesus said to love even our enemies....do you think he would have said it without giving us the ability to do so since he came to fulfill the law?

Oh I know, I don't hate Dok. He's very conversationarylized.

I just have a disagreeing streak it seems. I was on a roll....and a crescent..or whatever those little bisquit things are.

You'll have to excuse me. I need to sleep soon.

I just meant in general.

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Matthew 7:15

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

2 Peter 2:1-3

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

1 John 4:1

God's word is the final word. His will be done. I throw myself at his mercy.

No one can come to God without Jesus. Not even our 'good' words or deeds can do it.

"He that believeth on him(Jesus) is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil," John 3:18-19.

"And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" Daniel 4:35.

"Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word," Isaiah 66:1-2.

your righteousness (and worthiness), says the Lord, are as filthy rags, Isaiah 64:6. There is none righteous, no not one; There is none that understand, there is none that seeketh after (the true) God…There is none that doeth good, no not one, Romans 3:10-18.

Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.(Rev. 18:4-5)

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial….Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Cor. 6:14-18)


http://www.myfortress.org/JoelOsteen.html

Have you been saved?

It's simple to be saved ...
Realize you are a sinner.


"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" Romans 3:10

"... for there is no difference. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23


Realize you CAN NOT save yourself.

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; ..." Isaiah 64:6

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, ..." Titus 3:5


Realize that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for your sins.

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, ..." 1 Peter 2:24

"... Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," Revelation 1:5


Simply by faith receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12

" ...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."" Acts 16:30,31

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Why do you hold this belief? The Bible can easily be read another way, a less complicated way. What is it about this belief that makes sense to you?

echi,

Forgive me for jumping in here, Bartikus.

Do you see my signature, echi? That's how simple it is. Can you tell me what "another way, a less complicated way" is?

And for me, everything about that belief makes sense to me.

You have a good night?

Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes unto the father except by me. Couldn't he mean that no man comes to God except by the way, the truth, and the life, and not necessarily that they have to believe that Jesus died for their sins?

I really want to know what "being saved" means to you (for those who are). Does it mean you get to go to heaven, or does it mean that you've found God?

I did. Hope you did, also.


I make a very sharp distinction between Jesus and Christ. I think what is meant in the Bible is that "Christ" is the Way. Jesus lived as an example for us to follow... not as someone to unduly focus on or to worship.

FreeDuck,

Why stop in the middle of the road? Why would you believe just part of Jesus and not all?

What does being saved mean to me? Ok, it means I will not die a spiritual death. It means I am forgiven for my sins and I will spend eternity with God. It means I am a different person because of Jesus Christ. Because of my faith in and love for Him, I try to do what He wants me to do. All His ways are perfect. Mine, unfortunately, are not. FreeDuck, it's hard to describe to someone how it actually feels. When I accepted Christ into my heart, the whole world lifted from my shoulders. I mean I literally felt it being remove from me.

I have learned that Jesus will take care of me because He loves me. It doesn't give me license to do what I want. I think a relationship with Jesus kind of fine tune's one's life.

I lean on Jesus every day. I do it better some days than others. Whenever I let what I want get in the way, I get into trouble.

I hope that helps explain it.

Why would you read more into it than what is there?