I get a little side tracked on some things but John 3:16 says if you believe in Christ you will have ever lasting life. It does not say you have to do anything else. It is very very plain spoken. So what do you all think of that?
I agree Norman, that John 3:16 states it plainly: that belief only in Christ is sufficient for us to not suffer condemnation. That it is faith only & nothing that can be added to it to make our salvation any more secure.
But if one understands that critical word, "belief", as simply believing in the existence of Jesus Christ as an historical person who walked on this Earth doing good & sharing the Words of God, then the question is: will that belief be sufficient to save? Is there anything more implied in that word, "belief", to convey to us the Mind of God in the sending of His Son for the sins of the world?
If then, those who "believe IN Him" need to demonstrate more than just a mental assent or a verbal acknowledgement of such a Person, what then does that word, "belief" imply & require of us? I see the word as an active pursuit, not a casual, laid back agreement of some phenomenon. To believe in someone or something, I would need to search out the matter to the point where I can indeed say with (some) assurance: 'now I have sufficient reasons for placing my belief or trust in...'. So, as much as "belief in Jesus" is a singular required act to gain eternal life, that "belief" must also be based on Who that Person is, His Teaching, His Declarations from God His Father, & His Work (both at that time of His speaking & of the future at the Cross).
Then Jesus' Own Words on repentance must figure as intrinsic to that "belief": Luke 13:1-5; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14,15. So, the "whosover believeth in Him should not perish" must include "repentance" in that "belief", or else believing in Christ is not real, at least insufficient to attain forgiveness & eternal life. So the word "belief" may indeed be a wonderful simple directive to attain salvation, yet the word is rich in meaning, requiring man's spiritual exercises in it, that give it full meaning & God's requirements.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Luke 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. 18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and DO NOT the things which I say?
If just believing in Jesus Christ will get you to heaven please reconcile these bible scriptures:
Luke 18:19-25
19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Why did Jesus tell the man to take further action if he wanted to reach the kingdom of God? We must not only believe in Jesus Christ. but we must live our lives accordingly. Not easy to do.but no free ticket. We must also take action - according to Jesus.
More scripture below confirming that attaining heaven will not be an easy task:
Matthew 7:13
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"
Many people will take the path to destruction.
Today, there are way to many pastors and multitudes of people believing that they can just believe in Jesus Christ and continue to live their worldly lives
supremely active. God is not separate from his activity. The mind
can only interpret activity carnally, physically; but like the wind, you can
see the effects of grace, yet you know not from where it came.
But if one understands that critical word, "belief", as simply believing in the existence of Jesus Christ as an historical person who walked on this Earth doing good & sharing the Words of God, then the question is: will that belief be sufficient to save? Is there anything more implied in that word, "belief", to convey to us the Mind of God in the sending of His Son for the sins of the world?
If then, those who "believe IN Him" need to demonstrate more than just a mental assent or a verbal acknowledgement of such a Person, what then does that word, "belief" imply & require of us? I see the word as an active pursuit, not a casual, laid back agreement of some phenomenon. To believe in someone or something, I would need to search out the matter to the point where I can indeed say with (some) assurance: 'now I have sufficient reasons for placing my belief or trust in...'. So, as much as "belief in Jesus" is a singular required act to gain eternal life, that "belief" must also be based on Who that Person is, His Teaching, His Declarations from God His Father, & His Work (both at that time of His speaking & of the future at the Cross).
Then Jesus' Own Words on repentance must figure as intrinsic to that "belief": Luke 13:1-5; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14,15. So, the "whosover believeth in Him should not perish" must include "repentance" in that "belief", or else believing in Christ is not real, at least insufficient to attain forgiveness & eternal life. So the word "belief" may indeed be a wonderful simple directive to attain salvation, yet the word is rich in meaning, requiring man's spiritual exercises in it, that give it full meaning & God's requirements.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Luke 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. 18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and DO NOT the things which I say?
If just believing in Jesus Christ will get you to heaven please reconcile these bible scriptures:
Luke 18:19-25
19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Why did Jesus tell the man to take further action if he wanted to reach the kingdom of God? We must not only believe in Jesus Christ. but we must live our lives accordingly. Not easy to do.but no free ticket. We must also take action - according to Jesus.
More scripture below confirming that attaining heaven will not be an easy task:
Matthew 7:13
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:"
Many people will take the path to destruction.
Today, there are way to many pastors and multitudes of people believing that they can just believe in Jesus Christ and continue to live their worldly lives
Something to think about.
God Bless
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