Why do so many believers of Christ think that if you don’t follow the Bible literally, you’re destined to go to hell?

[Anonymous]

They’ll tell you to not listen to secular music, to not smoke weed, to not fornicate (sex before marriage), to not enjoy anything worldly etc when I thought it was all simply about having faith, understanding you’re a sinner, that you will fall but you always get back up and that God is a forgiving God full of Grace (That doesn’t mean misuse his Grace) and because of Christ’s sacrifice, we’re saved if we confess that we believe. They make it seem so hard to follow Christ when although it comes with hardships, it’s pretty simple.

[Miristheiss]

What are you talking about? Be specific? It clearly states anyone who is unrepentant, who hasn't repented and been born again "dies in their sins"

It is pretty clear. If you go around sinning like everyone sins but are unrepentant about it and think "hahaha, such silly fools who believe their is a God, who believe such foolishness, how simple they are. Obviously there is no God and anyone can do whatever they want, nothing happens when you die. I'm a "good" person anyway" (they have no real answer when posed with how did all of the matter in the universe come into existence, how did it come to be and how did things become alive?).

Even Jesus was seen speaking with Moses and Elijah in the "transfiguration" showing that even though those who lived before Jesus and never had heard of Jesus are in heaven... if they worshipped God and repented to God as Jesus later says "he that has seen me has seen the father" and "I and my father are one" and "If God were truly your father you would have believed on me as I came from the father", so those who were faithful to God the father and repented to him and humbled themselves to him that same atonement on the cross covers everyone past, present and future.

Some of the Jews said "God is our father" and Jesus said: "if God were your father you would have believed on me, you follow your father, Satan" so just anyone saying I believe in God doesn't necessarily mean you follow God and not some other idol.

Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. That pretty much sums it up so what are these "LITERAL" things you say have to be followed?

[NamerOfStars]

Because they either don't read the Bible, or don't apply basic logic to it.

Being "saved" requires a necessity of saving; that is, sin. Sin is a personal failing, not an inherent condition- the most basic of epistemologists can tell you that sin requires moral agency, so not only is it NOT an inherent aspect of humanity, but it CAN'T be one; the whole idea of "original sin" is just a stupid marketing gimmick. "Understanding" that you're a sinner when you actually aren't is just dishonesty. Avoid sin, and there's no need for divine assistance in avoiding sin.

Beyond that, though, it's not a matter of faith. Jesus Himself said "No one comes to the Father except through me.". Not through faith, or through actions, or through any such inanimate set of rules, but through the judgement of a reasoning, omniscient being.

[Taniisokay]

I am not Christian. If you love God then follow his commands. If you don't then how can you claim that he will forgive when you aren't following his commands? It's like saying, father I love you live but I ain't give you shit, but you know my heart, I love you.

Don't use excuses that God is forgiving by which he is and start following his commands. He can't forgive the people doesn't obey his commands.

[Asker]

Forgiveness doesn’t come by following commands but okay.

[Taniisokay]

Okay. Whatever you believe in.

[NOTHINGEVERHAPPENS]

When does it become misuse of god’s grace? It’s subjective, they just have a higher standard for godly behavior.

[Asker]

By that I mean always asking for forgiveness when you know you’re really not gonna put in the work to turn away from what you’re asking for forgiveness for. Like you just ask because you know God is God and he’ll forgive you regardless.

[NOTHINGEVERHAPPENS]

Right, but if you read the Bible, then it’s pretty clear cut on a lot of issues. You can’t just knowingly ignore it, and then be all, “well, I said sorry.”

[Asker]

I know, That’s what I’m saying.

[NOTHINGEVERHAPPENS]

Right, and that’s why believers of Christ believe a lot of that stuff. Cause it says in the Bible you’re not supposed to.

[Asker]

My thing is, the purpose is to live, be fruitful, be creative and multiply. Not focus on things that you feel will take you out of the presence of God. If you smoke weed, listen to a certain kind of music, you party etc all those people will be in heaven right along with the ones who didn’t. Some of the ones who didn’t may not even be there and vice versa. My point is, it’s all internal work. He sees your heart (Your true intentions) no amount of not listening to secular music, how long you go without smoking weed etc will change who you really are and what God sees and what you truly believe on the inside. I say believe, live your life, and give yourself grace

[Asker]

Yea I get that but a lot of what’s said in the Bible are lessons. That’s what’s meant to be taken from it, not be taken literal. All they see is “Don’t have sex before marriage.” And they miss the message.

[NOTHINGEVERHAPPENS]

Oh, damn. You know who’s going to heaven? Am I on the list?

[NOTHINGEVERHAPPENS]

Message? The Bible says not to have sex before marriage. That’s so simple. That’s so clear. Just don’t.

[Asker]

Uh no, that’s my point. You give yourself all these rules that you feel will get you there because the Bible says so and still ultimately, you may or not get there so just live and believe is my point. You can say all day “Well the Bible says don’t do it so you shouldn’t.” But what did you get out of the Bible saying that beyond the fact that it said you just shouldn’t do it? If you get me you get me and if you don’t you don’t.

[NOTHINGEVERHAPPENS]

Well, it stands to reason that if you follow all the rules set out in the Bible, then you’ll get to Heaven.

[Asker]

Because not once did I say I know whose going to heaven which is why I said those people who do none of those things may or not go the same way I said those who do do those things may or may not go. I’m not God. I just try my best to serve him.

[Asker]

If following all the rules is the way to Heaven, then Jesus sacrificed himself for no reason but then again I don’t know what religion you follow so that may be what you’re taught.

[NOTHINGEVERHAPPENS]

He sacrificed himself to cover situations where we make mistakes, or didn’t understand one of the rules, or didn’t know. He didn’t sacrifice himself so that people could just ignore whatever parts of the Bible they want and get away with it. I’m not Christian, but it’s just logical that if your religion sets out rules, you must adhere to them.

[Asker]

Religion and true faith doesn’t go hand and hand considering it was religious people who crucified Jesus. Jesus sacrificed himself because he was the only one that could step in and do so. He was sent for that purpose and in his life he gave messages referred to as parables to live by. That’s all he ever wanted/wants us to do. To have life through him, Not follow commands but follow him and his righteousness but he knows that we can’t 100% be him which is why through him we are forgiven. He understands we are 100% human while he was/is Both God and man, big difference. Faith without works is dead. Following all the commandments without true faith won’t get you far is all I’m saying. That weed smoker, fornicater, partier, porn watcher etc could very will still be a true believer just as the the ones quite opposite of that and who follows all the rules may not be. Is all I’m saying.

[NOTHINGEVERHAPPENS]

The Bible is the word of god. Jesus is god. Therefore the Bible is Jesus’ word.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

The Bible doesn't teach you can't listen to secular music.

That's a personal conviction one can have no to.

I try to follow the Bible the best I can through the grace of God, but I certainly don't abuse God's grace.

[andreasderjuengere]

... because they never met Jesus?

- but only his self nominated interpreters. First, but not last: Paul the self focused writer.

[NamerOfStars]

Actually, the first would be Matthew; NONE of the gospel authors (well, the cannonical gospel authors, anyway) met Jesus. Paul came along later, and was arguably more focused on anti-Zionist Roman imperialism and a baffling objection to homosexuality than himself.

[andreasderjuengere]

@NamerOfStars :) I meant: first in line. Paul imprinted his own views in his private letters that leaked into the Bible.
Where I see Matthew more on the reporting side. Where of course I also sense some fiction sinking in.
Unfortunately, the ''non canonical'' books and gospels are extremely thought provoking and worth reading them.
But of course the established clergy does not like to see that :D

[kaucky1]

Well bible is basic instructions before leaving earth

[Dargil]

Not very many.