| This shouldn't be too difficult for you to figure out where I stand on this. I am a born again Christian. I am a Baptist, and go to an Independant Baptist Church. My father had been in the ministry when I was young. He went to Bible school for a while. I had been raised as a small child in Church. My father had a falling out so to speak with a couple of churches and we quit going to church before I was a teenager. In fact, I really can't remember being in church. My father took a wrong turn in life for a number of years. He did things that I now could never see him doing again. He rededicated his life to the Lord about a year and a half ago. I began to visit his church. The Lord really began to work in my life and he spoke to my heart, telling me that I couldn't go on doing the things that I was doing. I still struggle everyday trying to do the right things, trying to honor God. It's hard to maintain life the way that I feel is Christian like. One thing is for sure though. I can't imagine what life would be like without God, and without acknowledging his presence in my life. Anyways, I just wanted to give you a little background before I tell you my stance on Christianity. I believe that God created the universe. I believe also that he sent his son, Jesus to live a sinless life on earth and to die in order that we may have eternal life. I believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he is God the son. So basically, God came to earth in human form. I believe that the only way to heaven is to receive Jesus into your heart and accept him as your saviour. John 3:18 says: He that believeth on him 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. I could quote many scriptures that are concerning accepting the Lord as your saviour. That really doesn't do alot of good though, because unless God speaks to your heart and you begin to read the Bible and seek the truth in scripture, then you won't really have faith. The best book in the Bible to read first is John. I encourage you to look at John. There is a great misconception out there that if you believe in a God, and are a good person then you will be able to go to heaven. This is just simple nonsense. The Bible clearly states that the only way to heaven is through Jesus. John 14:6 says: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. The reason people have such a hard time accepting this truth is because of their sympathy. It is hard to think that people who are generally good, but not Christian are going to hell. I know people like this and it stinks to know they won't be in heaven with me. This is why it is important to let people know about the gospel. If you really love someone, then you will share it with them. You ask, "well what about all the other religions out there?" I believe that any religion that doesn't glorify God and his son Jesus is blasphemy. Jesus didn't say that he was one of many ways to get to heaven, no he said that he is the way , the only way. The bible also says that the way to heaven is narrow, and few find it. Not everyone is going to heaven. I also believe that not everyone is meant to go to heaven. Stop and think why it is that Christians have missionaries all over the Earth trying to rescue souls. I don't see many Buddhist missionaries here in the U.S. Christians know what a non-believer faces should they die. Also, have you ever noticed that all manmade religions tell you what you have to do to get to heaven. There is a list of rituals and so forth that you must do everyday. There are idols you must pray to. If you don't do these things then you could be punished. I don't understand why people would want to put themselves through all of that. "What if you are raised believing that Buddha is God?". I believe that once you reach a certain age, then you make a personal decision on your spiritual life. I have questioned God before, and my beliefs. God has always shown me the way back to Christ though. One day we will all stand before the judgement of God. He will look at you and see one of two things. You have either accepted his son Jesus as your saviour, or you haven't. If you have accepted him, you will gain entry into the kingdom. No matter all the bad things you did in your life, Jesus will vouch for you. If you never let Jesus into your heart, then you will suffer. God is a judging God. That is his way. Every person on this Earth falls short of the physical requirements that God has set to get to heaven. No matter how good you try to be, you are still a sinner. I don't care if you are Mother Theresa or the Pope. There has only ever been one sinless person; Jesus. The thing that amuses me is when people learn that I am a Christian they think I live some sort of immaculate life. I sin just like everyone else. I have temptations like everyone else. The only difference between me and a non-believer is that I am forgiven. I think that a Christian has probably even more temptation because satan wants to bring us to his side. So, allow me to sum up my beliefs as a Christian: 1. Jesus was crucified in order that we may be saved. 2. In order to be saved you must make a personal decisions to accept Jesus as your saviour, and place your faith and trust in him. 3. You need to pattern your life after Jesus. Though you can never be what he is, he is the only perfect role model. 4. The Bible is the inerent word of God. 5. Baptism is not mandatory for salvation. It is merely a public statement of your faith in Christ. Question: If Baptism is mandatory, would would you do if you were stranded in the desert and dying, and in need of salvation? Also, being Baptized at birth does not save you. (see belief #2) 6. Jesus will one day return. This is why I laugh when I here that the Earth may suffer some kind of major, world ending catastrophe soon. This includes asteroids wiping out life, and global warming killing us off. Hey all of you smart scientists, Jesus has to return before the Earth comes to an end. So, we have nothing to worry about. |
| MY STANCE ON CHRISTIANITY |