Today, a reader
challenges the logic of a scholar’s take on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and more
is presented on how many chances we are given for salvation. A “Yahoo! Answers”
writer using ID “Robert” (Level 3 with 1,073 points, a member since March 31,
2012) posted the following:
According to christian
scholar?
if i don't believe in jesus death on cross for my
sins
i will not be saved
i will go to hellfire
but he says if i believe and even if i commit
sins
i will be saved kos jesus already paid for my
sins
this does not sounds very logical to me, is this
true?
THE BATTLE AXE: Chances for
Change (09/15/2012)—After the teachings of the Scriptures, many Christian
believers hold that each new day is a new opportunity to come to Christ, to
enter into repentance, and to be returned to GOD (e.g., see Lamentations 3:
22-23, Psalm 68: 19 and Proverbs 8: 33-35, KJV). GOD extends opportunities to
mankind for salvation on a daily basis (see Jeremiah 7: 25, Acts 2: 47, and
Acts 5: 42, KJV). So long as one is alive, a voluntary choice for change may
be made (Ezekiel 18: 30-32, KJV). Salvation and the spiritual change, growth
and learning that occur are not discrete, one-time events; there must be an
ongoing and regular progression experienced as new life (see Romans 7: 6, 2nd
Corinthians 5: 17, and Hebrews 3: 12-14, KJV). With the end of mortality,
there will be an end of the Temple in the heavens. The holy city, the New
Jerusalem, will be set like a jewel within a new heaven and earth; and will be
the home of mankind that has received incorruptibility and immortality (see
Isaiah 65: 17-19, 2nd Peter 3: 9-14 and Revelation 21,
KJV).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For I am
not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For
therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is
written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from
heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them;
for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without
excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as
God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their
foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became
fools, (Romans 1: 16-22, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Sin
Without Wrongdoing? (08/28/2012); Tests for Origins (08/27/2012); To Be or Not
To Be? (08/26/2012); Why No Answer? (08/25/2012)
The things concerning Jesus Christ are
profound, and may not be correctly understood without contemplation, reflection,
study and extended life experience—all elements associated with academics and
scholarly pursuit. In the effort to simplify the Gospel, many offer
explanations that are plain and uncomplicated, while others share material that
is overly charged with emotion. Given their goals to maintain such values as
neutrality, objectivity and professionalism, scholars tend to avoid stating
their personal convictions, their heartfelt beliefs in GOD, or their spiritual
experiences that derive from the presence of GOD through faith.
Just as sin cannot be eliminated from a
person’s life (and our prisons cannot be emptied and shut down) simply on the
basis of “common sense,” debate, logic, and reason, the salvation of GOD through
Jesus cannot be understood and fully received into a person’s life simply by
intellectual exercise (dialogue, research, study). Rightly understood, sin is
no material or spirit “thing” that has been created by GOD. Sin has neither
“dimension” nor “substance;” yet, sin has “effect”, “direction” and “presence”.
Sin may dominate the will of created beings and living creatures; however, sin
has no influence upon the will of GOD. Sin opposes the continuing existence of
GOD, and all that GOD has Created.
Among many, many things, the Gospel teaches
that, through Jesus Christ, mankind receives an added measure of the Spirit of
GOD. This imparted, indwelling spirit, transforms human nature, and, releases
mankind from sin as a continuing aspect of existence. To actually understand
the Gospel, ones spiritual awareness must be reconfigured, and so we say, one
must be “born again.”
There is far more to be said, correctly
applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, GOD is a spirit, sin is
not. Apart from GOD, created beings and living creatures DO NOT detect sin as
something foreign or separate, and destructive of their own being. Therefore,
they account all of their own attitudes, behavior and conduct to such elements
as appetite, desire, chance, destiny, pride, and self-control. Saying this
another way: most of us accept and approve sin believing that we are acting
normal, and “just being ourselves.”) Even so, I trust this fragment will be
useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK
PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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