Christians...I have a question?

People refer to Jesus as their savior, but he was really the one who came to show us

the way, by loving our brother - seeing the face of Christ in every man and woman

and realizing that all mankind is the one son of God. Jesus could only show us how,

he could not and can not digest our food for us nor force us to change our thinking.

He could only point the way. He does not care if you use him as a guide to right

living or not. We will all return to heaven eventually, after we progress through all the

grades. Failure is not an option.

Jesus does say that the way to the father is through him and the people who follow him will have ever lasting life. However not all christian denominations believe in hell (I'm undecided) some believe that if your not a christian you simply die and stop existing. Jehovah witnesses even believe that God will bring everyone back to life and they'll get one last chance to convert and live in paradise ( though I don't understand how you can be brought back from the dead and still not believe, my friend said that some people would still reject God). So it depends on the denomination, also there is some debate on what happens to people who have never heard of Jesus and thus didn't have a chance some churches believe that if they were good like you said they would be saved.

Again it varies, I tend to not believe anything not directly stated in the bible and doubt God would condemn someone to eternal hell because he is all loving, but like i said I'm undecided

if one lives his life in a Christ-like manner (doesn't steal, kill, lie, commit adultery, etc,.) is he automatically damned if he doesn't accept Jesus as the Savior

yes they are

were saved by god's grace not our efforts

we can not live a perfect life we will break the law

Titus 3:5

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

5 He saved us because of his mercy, not because of any good things we did. He saved us through the washing that made us new people. He saved us by making us new through the Holy Spirit.

John 3:18

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

18 People who believe in God’s Son are not judged guilty. But people who do not believe are already judged, because they have not believed in God’s only Son.

Unfortunately good deeds will not get you into heaven. Think about it this way. Say you are about to try to jump over a canyon and on the other side is heaven. Obviously you couldn't do it alone. You could try to construct some sort of device to help you cross (good deeds) but in the end it won't get you far enough. That's why God is there to help you cross.

Yes. One reason why Buddhism seems more realistic. It forgives everyone. Honestly, how are we to know if Jesus really is the savior? I'm completely open to the possibility, but all I'm certain of is that I believe there is a God. I think souls are a good possibility as well. Try meditation.. It's like sleeping, but much better.

It's about living **by the life of Christ**, not in a "Christ-like manner." This is in fact a good thing, as anyone who has studied the history of the earth will attest, as we humans are not in ourselves capable of living in a Christ-like manner.

I believe in both heaven and hell, and I believe they are here and now, as well as in the future. If you are living your life under the rule of this world's systems (tree of the knowledge of good and evil), then you are under the authority of the "dominion of darkness." (Col 1) If you are living your life under the rule of heaven (tree of life), then you are a citizen of the Kingdom of the Son of His love. (also Col 1) Heaven starts here; Hell starts here. Where you go from there is up to you.

But God IS love, and love never fails. As you know, if you've lived very long, hell is much to be avoided. Nevertheless, it only lasts long enough to burn the hell out of us. You can't truly be in heaven if hell is in you, after all. Fire in the bible symbolizes purification and refinement (refiner's fire). Once the contaminants are gone and we are pure . . . heaven.

Yes! The Lord Jesus Himself said that.

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14

clara. . .if we could live an accpetable life to god the father without having jesus as our saviour, then jesus death would be meaningless. gal 2.21. the fact that we are all sinners and need a saviour is the most clear teaching in the new testament. phil 3, titus 3, john 3.16 to 17, rom 3.23, rom 6.23, rom 10.9 to 13, john 15. please call on jesus today. we cant rely on our own righteousness because we dont have any. isaiah 64.6, rom 4. ask jesus to save you and cleanse you by his blood. 1 john 1.9 to 2.2. then your life will be acceptable to the father. ephes 5. chrislandwer@yahoo.com

Yes, automatically. Why? Because,

M't:5:20: For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jas:2:10: For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

I don't think so. There are many "one way" paths in the bible. Believing in Jesus is one of them (which can be interpreted also as Jesus was saying believe as in trust me... obviously he wasn't talking to us when he said that he was talking to his diciples). There is also do the will of god. There is also be born again. Can't take the whole bible literally or it will drive you crazy.

I believe in Chirstianity as far as the principles go. Anything religious I think was just used to distort one mans philosophy for someone elses gain.