Everything you need to know about being a Christian

[Brad Crassley]

Points bolded for emphasis:


How to Become A Christian

You're not here by accident. God loves you. He wants you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus, His Son. There is just one thing that separates you from God. That one thing is sin.
The Bible describes sin in many ways. Most simply, sin is our failure to measure up to God’s holiness and His righteous standards. We sin by things we do, choices we make, attitudes we show, and thoughts we entertain. We also sin when we fail to do right things. The Bible affirms our own experience – “there is none righteous, not even one.” No matter how good we try to be, none of us does right things all the time.
People tend to divide themselves into groups - good people and bad people. But God says that every person who has ever lived is a sinner, and that any sin separates us from God. No matter how we might classify ourselves, this includes you and me. We are all sinners.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Many people are confused about the way to God. Some think they will be punished or rewarded according to how good they are. Some think they should make things right in their lives before they try to come to God. Others find it hard to understand how Jesus could love them when other people don't seem to. But I have great news for you! God DOES love you! More than you can ever imagine! And there's nothing you can do to make Him stop! Yes, our sins demand punishment - the punishment of death and separation from God. But, because of His great love, God sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins.
"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
For you to come to God you have to get rid of your sin problem. But, in our own strength, not one of us can do this! You can't make yourself right with God by being a better person. Only God can rescue us from our sins. He is willing to do this not because of anything you can offer Him, but JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU!
"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy." Titus 3:5
It's God's grace that allows you to come to Him - not your efforts to "clean up your life" or work your way to Heaven. You can't earn it. It's a free gift.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
For you to come to God, the penalty for your sin must be paid. God's gift to you is His son, Jesus, who paid the debt for you when He died on the Cross.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
Jesus paid the price for your sin and mine by giving His life on a cross at a place called Calvary, just outside of the city walls of Jerusalem in ancient Israel. God brought Jesus back from the dead. He provided the way for you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus. When we realize how deeply our sin grieves the heart of God and how desperately we need a Savior, we are ready to receive God's offer of salvation. To admit we are sinners means turning away from our sin and selfishness and turning to follow Jesus. The Bible word for this is "repentance" - to change our thinking about how grievous sin is, so our thinking is in line with God's.
All that's left for you to do is to accept the gift that Jesus is holding out for you right now.
"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10
God says that if you believe in His son, Jesus, you can live forever with Him in glory.
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Are you ready to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus is offering you right now? Let's review what this commitment involves:

I acknowledge I am a sinner in need of a Savior - this is to repent or turn away from sin
I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead - this is to trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for my sins
I confess Jesus as my Lord and my God - this is to surrender control of my life to Jesus
I receive Jesus as my Savior forever - this is to accept that God has done for me and in me what He promised

If it is your sincere desire to receive Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, then talk to God from your heart:
Here's a Suggested Prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation and to prepare me to dwell in your presence forever. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life." If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please let us know. We want to rejoice in what God has done in your life and help you to grow spiritually.

http://www.sbc.net/KnowJesus/theplan.asp

Glory how easy it is to be a Christian.

[Samuel Coleridge]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

Points bolded for emphasis:


How to Become A Christian

You're not here by accident. God loves you. He wants you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus, His Son. There is just one thing that separates you from God. That one thing is sin.
The Bible describes sin in many ways. Most simply, sin is our failure to measure up to God’s holiness and His righteous standards.

Perhaps it is a failure to meet God's law from the Old Testament.

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:9-10

4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3 (I'll come back to this one.)

“there is none righteous, not even one.”[/B] No matter how good we try to be, none of us does right things all the time.

But God says that every person who has ever lived is a sinner, and that any sin separates us from God. No matter how we might classify ourselves, this includes you and me. We are all sinners.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

Then why does God exhort us to be perfect if it isn't attainable?

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Philippians 3:13

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Not only that, the New Testament speaks that people can be perfect spiritually.

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 1 Corinthians 2:6

Our heart can be perfect.

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. Psalm 101:2

Many people are confused about the way to God. Some think they will be punished or rewarded according to how good they are.

We aren't?

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matthew 16:27

Haven't you ever read the parable of the sheep and the goats?

Some think they should make things right in their lives before they try to come to God..

A near death conversion is possible too. Your gold mansion could be next to Jeffery Dahmer's.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23

Others find it hard to understand how Jesus could love them when other people don't seem to. But I have great news for you! God DOES love you! More than you can ever imagine! And there's nothing you can do to make Him stop!

I suppose unless your name is Esau.

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Romans 9:13

There are other verses where God hates, but I try to not dwell on them too much.

[Brad Crassley]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

Perhaps it is a failure to meet God's law from the Old Testament.

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:9-10

4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3 (I'll come back to this one.)



Then why does God exhort us to be perfect if it isn't attainable?

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Philippians 3:13

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Not only that, the New Testament speaks that people can be perfect spiritually.

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 1 Corinthians 2:6

Our heart can be perfect.

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. Psalm 101:2



We aren't?

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matthew 16:27

Haven't you ever read the parable of the sheep and the goats?



A near death conversion is possible too. Your gold mansion could be next to Jeffery Dahmer's.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23



I suppose unless your name is Esau.

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Romans 9:13

There are other verses where God hates, but I try to not dwell on them too much.

Why do you choose to be a liberal aeternal damnation lover?

[Samuel Coleridge]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

Yes, our sins demand punishment - the punishment of death and separation from God. But, because of His great love, God sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins.

I see, fundie. God is going to punish those who don't believe the right way with an eternity of punishment?

Amen! God sent Himself to sacrifice himself temporarily because He loved us so much that He had to do it to keep Himself from destroying us. That's always such a heartwarming truth.

For you to come to God you have to get rid of your sin problem. But, in our own strength, not one of us can do this! You can't make yourself right with God by being a better person. Only God can rescue us from our sins. He is willing to do this not because of anything you can offer Him, but JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU!

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy." Titus 3:5
It's God's grace that allows you to come to Him - not your efforts to "clean up your life" or work your way to Heaven. You can't earn it.

Then why will we be judged by what we have done on this earth?

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:29

It's a free gift.

Then why were we bought with a price? It's not free. It's conditional that we serve God.

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Why does James directly contradict this?

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
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.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:17-20

"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10

And works have nothing to do with it? What of Matthew 7:21?

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

God says that if you believe in His son, Jesus, you can live forever with Him in glory.
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Are you ready to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus is offering you right now? Let's review what this commitment involves:

You have no clue of what the Bible says. You are not qualified to say anything about it.

I acknowledge I am a sinner in need of a Savior - this is to repent or turn away from sin
I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead - this is to trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for my sins
I confess Jesus as my Lord and my God - this is to surrender control of my life to Jesus
I receive Jesus as my Savior forever - this is to accept that God has done for me and in me what He promised

If it is your sincere desire to receive Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, then talk to God from your heart:
Here's a Suggested Prayer:

Vain babblings from a false Christian. Even the Landovarians are going to have a field day with you.

[Brad Crassley]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

I see, fundie. God is going to punish those who don't believe the right way with an eternity of punishment?

Amen! God sent Himself to sacrifice himself temporarily because He loved us so much that He had to do it to keep Himself from destroying us. That's always such a heartwarming truth.



Then why will we be judged by what we have done on this earth?

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:29



Then why were we bought with a price? It's not free. It's conditional that we serve God.

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23



Why does James directly contradict this?

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
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.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:17-20



And works have nothing to do with it? What of Matthew 7:21?

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.



You have no clue of what the Bible says. You are not qualified to say anything about it.



Vain babblings from a false Christian. Even the Landovarians are going to have a field day with you.

You never answered my question oh heartless one. You will be doomed to the valley of the shadow of death if you do not watch your tone with the moderators.

Why do you choose to be a liberal aeternal damnation lover?

[Samuel Coleridge]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

Why do you choose to be a liberal aeternal damnation lover?

I see it's to be ad hominem from you, child. In other words, you have no clue as to what the Bible actually says. You're merely left with attacking me.

I accept your surrender.

[Samuel Coleridge]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

be doomed to the valley of the shadow of death if you do not watch your tone with the moderators.

One final thing. You represent the moderators? I have won my hard fought ability to speak here through being scripturally correct. I know you outrank me since you're a forum member, but still do you have to lord it over me?

[Brad Crassley]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

One final thing. You represent the moderators? I have won my hard fought ability to speak here through being scripturally correct. I know you outrank me since you're a forum member, but still do you have to lord it over me?

Silence you liberal heathen! You are a rejector of God, and you should be cut off from your people!

Start by getting circumcised 10This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

11And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
12And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
13He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

[Brad Crassley]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

I see, fundie. God is going to punish those who don't believe the right way with an eternity of punishment?

Yes indeed he will. Mark 16:16 states that " 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Amen! God sent Himself to sacrifice himself temporarily because He loved us so much that He had to do it to keep Himself from destroying us. That's always such a heartwarming truth.

It is. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Then why will we be judged by what we have done on this earth?

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:29

Because a minister says so!

Then why were we bought with a price? It's not free. It's conditional that we serve God.

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23

Because God loved us so much.

Why does James directly contradict this?

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
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.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:17-20

Do not deny the powerful words of our wonderfully excellent O King James!

And works have nothing to do with it? What of Matthew 7:21?

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Ephesians 2:8 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

You have no clue of what the Bible says. You are not qualified to say anything about it.

On the contrary, I am working on my PHD on King James Onlyism Biblical Studies. Hopefully going to Landover Christian University for the completion of my curriculum.

Vain babblings from a false Christian. Even the Landovarians are going to have a field day with you.

Apparently they've had quite the field day with you.

[Brad Crassley]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

One final thing. You represent the moderators? I have won my hard fought ability to speak here through being scripturally correct. I know you outrank me since you're a forum member, but still do you have to lord it over me?

I do not represent the moderators, but they have had a field day with you.

I will be praying that you will leave the ways of the liebral.

[Samuel Coleridge]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

Silence you liberal heathen! You are a rejector of God, and you should be cut off from your people!

Start by getting circumcised 10This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

11And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
12And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
13He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

The New Testament says Christians don't have to be circumcised. Post the relevant scripture that applies and I will not be disappointed by you.

Don't let your ego get in the way of my knowledge of the Word. I am well above your ability. I suppose that's why they don't ban me.

[Brad Crassley]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

The New Testament says Christians don't have to be circumcised. Post the relevant scripture that applies and I will not be disappointed by you.

Don't let your ego get in the way of my knowledge of the Word. I am well above your ability. I suppose that's why they don't ban me.

Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

Romans 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

[Samuel Coleridge]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

Romans 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

Thank you.

[Brad Crassley]

Re: Everything you need to know about being a Christian

Thank you.

You're welcome .