The Evangelical Universalist Forum

What does it mean to believe in Jesus?

Practices Christian Living
#11

This is an absolutely insightful paragraph. This, in my mind, completely destroys the notion that there is no post mortem salvation because “Of course it will be obvious when Jesus reveals himself to you”… Wow, I am amazed at how much I learn as time goes on. How silly arguments are diffused so easily with scripture.

“It is too late to repent once you die and Jesus reveals himself to you, because that doesn’t require faith”

Thomas: I refuse to believe that Jesus rose from the dead unless I can touch and see him. Thomas received his request, and while chastised indirectly when Jesus said “Blessed are those who do not see, yet believe” still was loved by the savior and granted his request.

Agnostic: I refuse to believe in this Jesus until I have proof (see it with my eyes, touch him, etc…) Sounds an awful lot like Thomas to me. That is where, I think, the majority of humanity is, agnostic - meaning, not really sure. They are ‘skeptical’, just like Thomas.

I think this is so encouraging and I wish I would have seen this before.

#12

I liked that, Gabe :slight_smile:
Also to me, belief is really a lifelong trusting in Christ…not to say that a lapse of trust will damn you, but it sure makes life easier if you trust. As if my problems are even close to those truly suffering in the world, and i’d hate to tell them something that sounds so pat and cliché, however there are numerous stories of people getting through horrible times with their trust in Christ strengthening and enabling them.
it does shame me to think of the times i’ve lost trust, only to have things be ok anyway…i can picture God chuckling indulgently and saying “oh ye of little faith”.

#13

George MacDonald wrote:

Let a man trust in [Christ’s] atonement to absolute assurance, if he does not do the things He tells him—the very things He said—he does not believe in Him.

—What’s Mine’s Mine, Chapter XV, Page 103

Sixteen Commandments of Jesus

  1. Do not get angry. (Matt 5:22)

  2. Do not commit adultery. (Matt 5:28)

  3. Do not separate from your spouse. (Matt 5:32)

  4. Do not take an oath (Matt 5: 34)

  5. Do not resist an evil person (Matt 5:39)

  6. Give to the one who asks you for something. (Matt 5:42)

  7. Love your enemies, pray for them, and do good to them. (Matt 5:44)

  8. Do not give alms, pray, or fast in order to receive praise from people.(Matt 6:1,5,16)

  9. Pardon others for their blunders. (Matt 6: 14)

  10. Do not hoard goods or be a slave to money. (Matt 6: 19,24)

  11. Do not be anxious about your physical needs. (Matt 6:31,34)

  12. Do not condemn people. (Matt 7:1)

  13. Do not give holy things to those who cannot appreciate them. (Matt 7:6)

  14. Ask for what you need, and you will be given it. (Matt 7:7)

  15. Whatever you want people to do for you, do for them (Matt 7:12)

  16. Beware of false prophets. (Matt7:15)

#14

Do you do those things all the time, Don?

#15

I think it is irrelevant whether I or anyone else does them all the time. What is relevant, if GMD is correct, is that a person does not do what Jesus said, he does not believe in Him.

Many people do righteous acts sometimes—even atheists. But to be consistently righteous, one needs the enabling grace of God:

For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all people, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and to live sensible, righteous, and devout lives in the present age, expecting the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and of our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; encourage and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. (Titus 2:11-15)

#16

I totally agree with you. I made a post on your George’s Gems today that said the very thing!

I have you to thank for bringing me around to this understanding, and of course GMAC.

#17

I appreciate these ‘commandments’ but fail to see how GMD has any more leverage than any other theologian. Though I do realize and respect the founders of this forum.

You said “What is relevant, if GMD is correct, is that a person does not do what Jesus said, he does not believe in Him.”

So Don , what is the fate of someone who doesn’t do what Jesus said, as you say, does not believe in him?

You also said…“Many people do righteous acts sometimes—even atheists. But to be consistently righteous, one needs the enabling grace of God:”

So wait a minute, how the hell does one get this grace if by doing the righteous acts, as atheists sometimes do, they somehow don’t get the grace, even though they did the righteous acts?

What the flim flam is this? :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

#18

This grace is obtained through faith—faith that God will provide it.

Yes, atheists sometimes do righteous things through self-effort. Even Christians sometimes do such through self-effort. But to be consistent in righteous living requires one to appropriate the enabling grace of God through faith. Doing so does not entail that they will never again do anything wrong. For they may sometimes fail to appropriate that enabling grace which is able to “train them to live sensible, righteous, and devout lives,” and to be purified as Christian people “who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2)

#19

To learn about the dynamics of how faith works through love I recommend, “Future Grace” by John Piper:

Another good book dealing with the foundational promise of all other promises:

It’s about trusting God or having faith and depending on Him to meet our needs. This secures the future and gives one hope. The grace comes from God and therefore we are grateful as we find our joy in glorifying Him. All the praise and glory goes to God. Here’s how it works:

Fear and anxiety and worry are about the future. When I’m worried about the future I’m in my mind or ego. In the past this fear of being harmed or plotted against by others has caused me to drink and do drugs. Alcohol released my fears where I could communicate and talk with others but the next day I would feel more fear and shame. Shyness turned into social phobia and social phobia turned into megalomania paranoia. I have found that this fear is uprooted by having faith in God. Such a faith secures the future and gives one hope. Hope pushes the desires that lead to sin out of the heart as one relies on God like Christ did. It’s by the joy set before us. Not only does it push desires out of the heart but it brings strong desires to the heart as one is thrown into the current of love. It’s faith - hope - love. It’s faith working itself out through love. The joy of faith. In the Bible faith produces obedience. The power to love is the confidence that God will take care of my future. It’s the obedience of faith as one trusts and relies on God like Jesus did. It’s faith working itself out through love. Christ’s atoning death secures the future with his blood bought promises. Example:

God says, Vengeance is Mine I will Repay

When my faith is in God the desires for sin is pushed out of the heart. I let go and let God handle it. Rather I love the enemy just like Christ did. Another example:

God works all things together for good for those that love Him.

I place my faith in God and Christ as it gives me hope. God promises to work all my frustrating circumstances together for my good. This secures the future getting rid of impatience and depression as it gives me hope.

Dealing with shame:

If we confess our sins He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

My faith is in God. Indeed. when facing shame that comes from the rejection, and ridicule of others I trust God when He promises to one day vindicate His children. Oh the glory that awaits those who are despised and rejected by others misplaced shaming. It’s faith working itself out through love. When my future is in the hands of an all powerful and loving God who promises to work out all my circumstances (past, present and future) for good, anxiety and shame is broken as the heart opens up to love. The desires that lead to sin are pushed out of my heart as God infuses me and covers me with His righteousness. I therefore have intrinsic eternal worth in Christ.The past is covered in His blood and the future is secure. I’m fee to live in the present moment.

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#20

Biggest bunch of malarkey I’ve ever heard.

You are a judgemental twit. :laughing:

Many don’t believe what you believe. When anyone does something good be them atheist’s or otherwise, we should give them praise. Doing good is doing good.

Wacko.

#21

Hard to argue with that.
Whether the poor guy in the ditch on the side of the road is helped by a saint or by a sinner - the poor guy doesn’t care as long as he gets to the hospital, and maybe when he leaves he thanks God or maybe he doesn’t, but the original good deed itself was, well…good. And who knows? - maybe the saint was grudgingly doing his duty, and the sinner had a warm heart and giving spirit. It happens.

#22

When we praise someone for doing good through his self-effort, we encourage him to become an arrogant b-----d!

When someone does good by the enabling grace of God, then it is God who gets and deserves the praise not only from the man himself but from others as well.

#23

That is true. And there are the idea’s of angels and helpers from God.

We can all be the people God has put forth to help others.

But my point is that many of us can be angels. We can be the very persons God is using. Gotta roll with the creator. :wink:

Ponder on that for a while.

God is indeed working.

#24

Okayyyy… My “pondering” didn’t last even a minute until this sentence came to mind:

…all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment…(Isaiah 64:6 NAS95)

Looks as if God doesn’t think that highly of our righteous deeds—or should I say, “self-righteous deeds”?

#25

I think that if we are trying to sway or fool God by doing good things for that purpose, that’s not going to get us anywhere.
OTOH people do good at times, and they are not thinking about God, perhaps, just wanting to help others. I cannot believe God would sneer at that. We are after all in his image, which is not completely broken.
More and more I’m thinking that it is the rulers of this world that have caused the wars, poverty, starvation, corruption - not the ‘common’ folk. Of course the common folk are not pure as the driven snow, either, far from it.

#26

You are absolutely right Dave on both accounts… they do and He doesn’t.

#27

Well, me thinks that God is indeed in control, and when folks do good things, even if they don’t know of any God, they are doing his will.

If they have a different God than you, so be it. They are still doing good. AND GOOD IS GOOD.

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#28

Yes, and you see that principle in play right here…

Rom 2:14-15 …for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)…

#29

True, but I don’t you would find Paul saying that either ‘group’ did NOT need a living relationship with Christ - for deliverance from sin, for hope of immortality etc.

#30

Well, as I understand it… God HAS remediated the deliverance from sin issue; what remains is the opportunity in life to experience the inner peace knowledge of this brings — that’s the advantage of the gospel, and the doorway to service of God if one wills.