Post by «MªÞlεδtǻr» on Jul 9, 2009 14:49:44 GMT -8
Recently I've been learning exactly what it is to be saved and to be going to Heaven. A few Sundays ago the preacher at one of my churches was going over it and it made a lot more sense.
In John 3:16 (Contemporary English Version) it says,
By this I had always implied that as long as you believe that God sent Jesus do die on the cross for our sins, and that it happened and such, then you were saved. That it was the relationship that you build up with God that makes you want to obey Him. And to a certain extent that is true, however it doesn't make complete sense because someone could easily say that they believe that and actually believe it, but live as if they didn't and not even give God the time of day.
My preacher cleared this up by saying that one must not only believe but also submit to God. Think about it--Satan believes in God, but he doesn't submit to God, in fact he wants to BE God, and that's why he is a fallen angel. Take the story of the demon-possessed man for example:
The demons fear God/Jesus because they know who He is, they believe in Him, but they don't submit to Him.
This is where the problem of getting to Heaven by works comes in--by submitting, I'm not saying that you have to be perfect and be a good little believer to go to Heaven, I'm saying that you need to be willing follow what God asks you to do. You need to be willing to follow what He has asked you not to do in the Bible. You need to be willing to acknowledge Him as your King and be willing to follow Him rather than being full of yourself and essentially saying, "I don't need God."
And if you're willing, then why not do it? What have you got to lose? The fun but hurtful result of being promiscuous, the excitement of drama in relationships that only results in broken friendships, the momentary fun of being immoral only to result in health problems, difficult withdrawals, and other various consequences? The world tells us that believing in God is boring and that sex, drugs, alcohol, and being rebellious is exciting. Well let me ask you something, what happens after? What happens after you take those actions? Is it still fun when you wake up in the morning with a hangover and a DUI? Is it still fun wondering whether or not the birth control worked? I know that these circumstances aren't always happening but think about how much it does happen.
As a believer I get plenty of excitement without those things. I hang out with my friends into the wee hours of the morning, gallivanting around town. I go to dances and don't partake in groping on the dance floor and alcohol and still have a blast. When I'm older and I'm married, I doubt I'll find the adventures my husband and I will have to be boring or that raising a child will be boring. And when I worshiping God and good and I'm feelin' it, it's nowhere near boring, instead it's one of the best feelings in the world.
Some food for thought. Sorry I went off on a rant at the end there.
In John 3:16 (Contemporary English Version) it says,
God loved the people of this world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and never really die.
By this I had always implied that as long as you believe that God sent Jesus do die on the cross for our sins, and that it happened and such, then you were saved. That it was the relationship that you build up with God that makes you want to obey Him. And to a certain extent that is true, however it doesn't make complete sense because someone could easily say that they believe that and actually believe it, but live as if they didn't and not even give God the time of day.
My preacher cleared this up by saying that one must not only believe but also submit to God. Think about it--Satan believes in God, but he doesn't submit to God, in fact he wants to BE God, and that's why he is a fallen angel. Take the story of the demon-possessed man for example:
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
The demons fear God/Jesus because they know who He is, they believe in Him, but they don't submit to Him.
This is where the problem of getting to Heaven by works comes in--by submitting, I'm not saying that you have to be perfect and be a good little believer to go to Heaven, I'm saying that you need to be willing follow what God asks you to do. You need to be willing to follow what He has asked you not to do in the Bible. You need to be willing to acknowledge Him as your King and be willing to follow Him rather than being full of yourself and essentially saying, "I don't need God."
And if you're willing, then why not do it? What have you got to lose? The fun but hurtful result of being promiscuous, the excitement of drama in relationships that only results in broken friendships, the momentary fun of being immoral only to result in health problems, difficult withdrawals, and other various consequences? The world tells us that believing in God is boring and that sex, drugs, alcohol, and being rebellious is exciting. Well let me ask you something, what happens after? What happens after you take those actions? Is it still fun when you wake up in the morning with a hangover and a DUI? Is it still fun wondering whether or not the birth control worked? I know that these circumstances aren't always happening but think about how much it does happen.
As a believer I get plenty of excitement without those things. I hang out with my friends into the wee hours of the morning, gallivanting around town. I go to dances and don't partake in groping on the dance floor and alcohol and still have a blast. When I'm older and I'm married, I doubt I'll find the adventures my husband and I will have to be boring or that raising a child will be boring. And when I worshiping God and good and I'm feelin' it, it's nowhere near boring, instead it's one of the best feelings in the world.
Some food for thought. Sorry I went off on a rant at the end there.
