Posted by Lou PIlder on June 3, 2008, at 12:07:23
In reply to Re: Jesus is Savior » Sigismund, posted by rayww on June 3, 2008, at 9:20:47
> > I'm not sure that I understand the ideas of sacrifice and a saviour.
> >
> > I don't see how sacrifice is (so to speak) transferrable, and I'm bothered that God should choose this method (if indeed He has).
> >
> > And while I have no difficulty understanding original sin and the fall, I can't see how we can be saved from it.
> > Some versions of Christianity would respond by offering me eternal life (resurrection of the body), which I do not want, not even with every tear wiped from every eye.
>
> <
> I'm glad you recognize there are some versions of Christianity but even with all versions they stand united on very few basic principles.
>
> What is Christianity? The only religion that offers a pathway for you to return back to God. Now if you don't believe we came from God in the first place, this isn't going to mean much to you.
>
> One thing that is certain - the earth we live on was created at some point, and life began. There is only one truth about the creation and how life began. It doesn't matter how many theories(beliefs) arise about it, there will still only be one truth (God's). Many beliefs claim to be the truth, and if there is a God who is love, don't you think there would be a way to find out which was truth and which was a belief? The way would point you back toward God to find out. But in even asking God it still requires faith, because why would you ask if you didn't have faith that he exists?
>
> So, in exercising your right to find out, the first step would be faith. Then as you continue this exercise (putting forth effort to grow) you would add repentance. Continuing, once you have become humble through faith and repentance, you are baptized (symbolic step in showing our commitment to god)
>
> > (Of course, as someone remarked, if life after death has been arranged, what I think about it will be beside the point.)
> >
> > I'm not sure I want too much hope either.
> > Hope seems to me a thing we should be wary of.
> >
>
> <If you can get to the right path, God will take care of you. There is power in faith, and faith leads to hope, and faith and hope lead to charity, which is the pure love of Christ for you. As you grow, so does your desire for hope and eternal life. Faith, hope, and charity are inseparable.
>
> Where did Christ originate? And why would he offer to make the sacrifice he did for you? Here again if you don't believe in divine origin, that we began as family in heaven with God, that we knew Jesus in heaven before we came to earth, that our divine roots date waaaay back, you won't see earth life for what it really is: A testing ground for humans to prove their devotion to God.
>
> And if you don't see life as a test, you may be tempted to give up before it is over, and if you ever did that I guarantee the first word you would utter after you crossed over would be "oh oh". What have I done to myself?
>
> Satan wants you to destroy yourself. God wants you to save yourself. You have the power within to do either. And that's the hard truth to swallow. The hard truth to swallow is "me". I am accountable for myself.
>
> You don't want hope, and you don't want resurrection. That scares me. Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life" http://scriptures.lds.org/en/john/11/25#25
>
> If you read this whole chapter, it is about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. It is important to realize Lazarus was not resurrected at this point, he was brought back to life, and continued on to an old age, then died a normal death. Jesus became the first person to be resurrected http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/27/52-53#52, and then many others also were resurrected, and so began the great plan of redemption. Redeem means to be saved from our sins. Christ's mission was to save us from our sins. Sin separates us from God. The "Saints" referred to in the last reference were believers.
>
> Everything I have written has been taken from my Mormon belief. Mormons believe God the Father and Jesus Christ showed themselves to Joseph Smith in 1820, thus dispelling myths about their nature. Most Christians don't believe God the Father and Jesus Christ are separate beings. http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/. That's what I meant when I wrote earlier that Christian beliefs differ.rayww,
You wrote,[...What is Christianity? The XXX religion that offers a pathway for {you} to return back to God...].
I am unsure as to what you are wanting to mean in the statement in question. Could you clarify the following? If you could, then I could have the opportunity to respond accordingly.
A.In your statement here,[...the XXX religion that offers a pathway...], could, let's say, Hinduism offer a pathway?
B.In,[..a pathway for {you} to..God...], could you identify what peoples are in or are not in the {you}?
Lou
poster:Lou PIlder
thread:832600
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20080404/msgs/832682.html