Losing my religion....?!

[Karenluvs6]

What if you are raised up with no religious background?
I mean, if ya spent your entire life, never having gone to church, sunday school, bible studies...etc.
How do you make a choice, as an adult with no knowledge...how do you know what is right or wrong?
How do know what to believe?
There are sooooooo many different religions and a zillion different beliefs in this world...I do not know what is what and what is not!

how would a person go about deciding what is right?

[jamesglewisf]

Those are excellent questions. I think you have to look at what the different religions offer and make a decision about which one sounds right.

I chose Christianity because of how it was different from all of the others. It was the only religion that seemed reasonable to me.

The Bible says that all people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Well, that is me. I know that I am a sinner. Every stinking day I do things that I know I shouldn't. I'm short with my wife. I'm a selfish driver. I'm self-centered. I think impure thoughts. I lie. No matter how hard I try, I blow it. I know that I'm not good enough to please God.

The Bible also says that "the wages of sin is death...". That means spiritual death--complete separation from God. That sounds pretty hopeless until you read the rest of the verse: "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus." Wow! Eternal life (heaven) is a gift. That means I don't have to earn heaven, it is just given too me.

Why on earth would God do that? The Bible says that "God so loved the world that He gave his only son so that whoever believes in Him has eternal life." God offers me this gift because He loves me. He loves me in spite of how I treat Him every day. It also says that He "has loved loved you with an everlasting love."

God loves me, and He doesn't want me to go to hell. But God is also just. He cannot just wink at my sin and ignore it. The Bible says sin cannot go unpunished. So how can he punish my sin and still give me the gift of heaven? God solved the sin problem by sending His son Jesus Christ. Jesus lived the perfect life that I could not live. Then He was crucified to pay the penalty of sin in our place (for the wages of sin is death). And then he conquered death by raising from dead. He still lives!

That is the other thing that makes Christianity different. My Savior conquered death and purchased a place in heaven for me.

The Bible says that "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." What that means is that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. He died in our place. If I believe that He died in my place, then His righteousness is transferred to me.

God is saying (my paraphrase) "You are never going to be good enough to get into heaven. If you will just admit that and accept my way, I'll let you in." His way is is Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."

When asked, "What must we do to do the works of God?" Jesus replied, "This is the work of God: that you believe in the one whom He sent." What work do I have to do to please God? I just have to believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and rose from the grave to purchase a place for me in heaven.

How do I do it? Simple. I just pray a little prayer. Something like, "God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I cannot save myself. Thank you for Jesus who died in my place and rose from the grave to conquer death. I now turn from my sins and trust in Him for eternal life."

So is there a big huge change? Fireworks? Yes and no. The big change is that I am now righteous before God. All of my sin has been wiped away, and I have a clean slate with God. Not only that, He through the chalk and the slate away. I can never lose my salvation because I did nothing to earn it. It was a gift. Here is the no part: no fireworks, except in heaven to celebrate another lost sheep being found by the Shepherd.

That's why I like Christianity. It sounds so much more reasonable than "You just have to be good enough." I know that I will never be good enough.

You can read a more lucent explanation here (http://marriedadults.com/howtoknow.htm).

[jamesglewisf]

Karen,

Why are you here? I mean at MarriedAdults.com. I think it is for a purpose. Can I tell you why I created MarriedAdults.com? It's not a secret. I love to chat in forums. I love to debate important issues like favorite ice cream and Bush vs. Gore. I thought I would provide a board where we could discuss all of lifes issues, have fun, make friends, etc.

But tucked away in my board are two little forums called "Bible Q&A" and "Mentoring Forum." Nobody has to come into these two forums. They are just here in case somebody has a question. At other boards you might get an answer about the Bible or Christianity from someone who does not believe that the Bible is 100% true and relevant for today. But here you are going to find me. And if you ask me to, I'm going to introduce you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After I'm done telling you about Him though, I'll head back to "Anything Goes" and have fun talking about whatever. I won't hound you or relentlessly pursue you; but if you decide you have another question, I'll still be here waiting.

I want MarriedAdults.com to be a fun place where people can ask sincere questions about God or not ask about Him at all--and here is the important part--and still know that we love them regardless. I'm going to have fun talking with you whether it is about sports or current events or ice cream or God.

I don't think it is just a coincidence that you are here. I think you had questions about God, and God in some mysterious way got you to a place where you can ask them without fear of condemnation. That's MarriedAdults.com. Or at least that is what I want MarriedAdults.com to be.

[blinc]

It's weird you said that about "coincidences" James. I was just thinking a couple of days ago about how so many of the people I've grown to like over the internet are really nice people at heart. How although they or I may or may not have a firm belief in God, there seems to be a common bond of just plain decency in all of them, that has really touched my heart. They all seem to share a great deal of compassion and caring for other people.

For awhile, I was seriously doubting people on the internet. These friends were there to reaffirm my belief that there ARE decent people out here in the cyber world. It's kind of odd, how after all the doubts I was having... they were the ones who never changed in the way they behaved... and without knowing it, decided things for me to stay in a cyber community.

I've also been thinking about the chain of events that happend... Was it a coincidence? That's what has me wondering. :)

[Debby]

Just have a little something to add here....it is only by God's mercy that any of us will make it to heaven, I too fail God every day, no matter how hard I try...I smoke cigarettes, I drink occasionally, and sometimes I find myself telling a lie....but I love God...I pray to him every night, and he lives in my heart, he may not always approve of what I do...but he will always be my heavenly father...and only by his mercy are we saved. My father, who passed away in August, was the most godly christian man I have ever met, and I know he is in heaven now...he spoke in tounges, and even gave interpretaions, sorry if this is a little heavy, but hey, I want to speak my mind...my dad would stand up in church and give a message from God...it was so beautiful and the power was so strong, and you could feel the spirit surround you, to the point where you felt glued into your seat. I miss dad, but I know that he is up there rooting for me, saying...I know shes bull-headed, and makes alot of mistakes, but she has a really good heart, and she loves you Lord!!

[4everHis]

Karen, I found this to be interesting... the following is long, but I think it addresses all that you are asking.

I have heard so often, people say that Christianity and the Bible is man's creation. That people, many centuries ago put together some stories and started this 'religion' and it just spread.

Think about it. If man was going to create a religion... He would create a religion that exalts himself. He would create a religion that gave him total control of his own destiny. If he had a God in his religion, he would create God in his own image (a way that makes him feel better). He would be a 'superman' of sorts. This religion might state the people are generally good, and they learn to be bad. One would be able to earn the 'final prize' by doing certain things that meet the criteria to win the prize.Do you know what the difference is between all other 'religions' and Christianity? All of the above points are false in Christianity. All are true in every other religion in existence.

You see, the Bible shows us that... Man must become less to become more. Man is not in control, God is in control. We are created in God's image, not Him in ours. God is perfect; we are not. We are not supermen, but must humble ourselves and recognize that we need God. Man is a sinner, non are capable of meeting the requirement of perfection to enter heaven. We cannot earn the prize (heaven and an abundant life), we must accept the free gift that God offers us and can do nothing to earn it.
Good works are an evidence of your faith, not a means to achieve it.But the greatest difference is this one...
If there is a 'Savior' in the religion (one who has come to redeem all mankind), none have overcome death, which is a necessity to have eternal life, accept for Christianity!

And you might say, How do we know for certain that Jesus Christ was really resurrected from the dead? Did he really die in the first place? Maybe the Disciples took the body from the grave to carry this story past Jesus' death. Did the Romans remove him from the grave?These are all things that critics have said.

Here are a few facts: First, Jesus' crucifixion was prophesied in the Old Testament 400 years prior to crucifixion even being invented by the Persians Crucifixion was perfected later by the Romans who used it as a normal course of law The beatings that Jesus endured where often enough to kill the prisoner. Jesus went through 7 of these beatings where normally one of these beatings was enough to kill the prisoner. Jesus was crucified by professional killers. These men did this very thing as a profession. It was their job.
They were trained to know exactly how to kill someone beyond any doubt. They usually broke the legs of the convicted to make them relax, which restricts the ability to breathe, ultimately hastening death. They didn't need to do that with Jesus, because he his body had already relaxed and he had already died (it was also prophesied that His bones would not be broken). The soldiers knew how to check the deceased (or finish the job if needed) as they pierced the heart with a spear. Blood mixed with large amounts of water would gush out if the prisoner was dead. The heart naturally fills up with water following death (there is a scientific explanation that doesn't need to be explained here).
This blood/water mixture has been documented in history as being the case with Jesus (not just in the Bible). If Jesus was able to fake death after 7 beatings and 6 hours on the cross... a tremendous loss of blood from the wounds covering his body, and a punctured heart, would he have the strength to leave the tomb (even with help)? Where would he go? Wouldn't people recognize Him? Remember everyone knew this man. He was a very popular speaker in the streets. If the Disciples had helped, would they have died for a lie? All of the Disciples went to their deaths proclaiming Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Why would they do that if Jesus had failed them? If He had died? What kind of a Savior would that be? If the Romans had removed Jesus from the tomb, they would have squelched the resurrection rumor in a hurry by coming forth with the body. The last thing they wanted was this kind of 'proof' that Jesus was the Messiah! Jesus was seen by more than 500 eyewitnesses following His resurrection. Many of these eyewitnesses went to their deaths proclaiming what they saw. By the way, these witnesses saw a man who showed His wounds in His hands and side, but was not feeble as if he had just been crucified. He was raised by the Power of God in His Holy, resurrected Glory.

Well, after all of this evidence (a small sample), there is no question that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. As a matter of fact, experts in court evidences have said that no jury could come to any other conclusion, based on the evidence, that Jesus Christ did overcome death.

[4everHis]

Karen, to answer your other question How do you make a choice, as an adult with no knowledge...how do you know what is right or wrong?God reveals himself in many ways (not just in churches). First, God has revealed Himself through His creation. Look around you. Nothing is by accident. Nothing is by chance. The most scientific statement that can be made about the creation of the Universe is, "In the beginning, God created..." The human body is the most incredible miracle! How can one look at this evidence and come to any other conclusion than, "it was created by an intelligent being"? See the thread on "evolution".

Secondly, God reveals Himself through conscience. Isn't it funny that all mankind has a conscience that helps them determine what is right and wrong? Granted, some learn to ignore their conscience, and some may be mentally ill to the point of having none at all anymore. But the fact remains that everyone has one. It is also interesting that whether talking about the USA, China, Uganda, Philippians, Australia, UK, France, Africa, or even uneducated primitive tribes around the world, they all have a moral law that helps govern their society. They all agree that it is wrong to kill another human or cheat, steal, etc. A God who wants us to live in a civil manner places this within us. God does not force His Will on us, but gives us an internal guide to help us make the right decisions in life.

Third, God reveals Himself through Christ. Now just because you haven't heard of Christ does not mean that you cannot experience Him. Since the 'beginning' the stories have gone down generation after generation of how the original sin was committed. How God had to shed the blood of an animal (a sacrifice) to cover the shame of man (clothing them). The only way to appease God, following sin, was to present a blood sacrifice. "The shedding of blood for the remission of sin." Ultimately, the final sacrifice is Jesus Christ, because He fulfilled the requirement for a "perfect sacrifice", as He lived a sinless life.

If you go to those earlier mentioned primitive tribes, and hear their stories that have been passed down century after century, they are very close to those same stories told in the Bible. Yes, they have applied different names and circumstances, but the meaning is still there. God has shown all mankind what he expects from us; reverence, devotion, worship, adoration, a humble heart, and recognition that we need Him. God has promised us that if you see his creation, and hear your conscience and search for Christ (search for more answers) that He will reveal Christ to you. If you seek, you will find.

I know I have gone on-and-on so I will stop here. I hope this make sense to you.
I LOVE THIS STUFF! God Bless You! :)

[In_His_Shadow]

Wow, no one could have said it better. I feel like I've been to church this morning. What an uplifting message.

Thanks,

CJ

[Debby]

Jeff....That was great!!!!!

[4everHis]

Thanks, guys. Just sharing from the heart. Sorry it was sooo long. I'll try to keep it a little shorter in the future... If I can... I can't help myself... I go on, and o-

Sorry, there I go again. ;o)

[PsalmReader]

Originally posted by jamesglewisf
I thought I would provide a board where we could discuss all of lifes issues, have fun, make friends, etc.

But tucked away in my board are two little forums called "Bible Q&A" and "Mentoring Forum." Nobody has to come into these two forums. They are just here in case somebody has a question. At other boards you might get an answer about the Bible or Christianity from someone who does not believe that the Bible is 100% true and relevant for today. But here you are going to find me. And if you ask me to, I'm going to introduce you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After I'm done telling you about Him though, I'll head back to "Anything Goes" and have fun talking about whatever. I won't hound you or relentlessly pursue you; but if you decide you have another question, I'll still be here waiting.

I want MarriedAdults.com to be a fun place where people can ask sincere questions about God or not ask about Him at all--and here is the important part--and still know that we love them regardless. I'm going to have fun talking with you whether it is about sports or current events or ice cream or God.

Sorry for the long quote.

Jim, I am so glad that I found your explaination of the forums. :) You're one cool dude!

[blinc]

I thought that was one of the best posts I've seen on this forum. It's so earnest, sincere and welcoming all rolled into one. I think it's part of why I like it here so much. This part is here if you need it, but it's not everywhere on the forum so you don't feel like you're being preached to at every turn. I don't at all mean that in a disrespectful way... it's just that it means alot to be able to come in here if one wishes... don't know how to word it, but can just say that I love the way this board is set up. :)