Why do people think that faith or belief in God alone is enough to get to heaven? And why do some Christians carry arrogance towards nonbelievers?

[WhiteBoyChill]

I don’t believe heaven is this thing that is freely given to everyone that believes in God.

Because I know plenty of people that believe in God, yet still live extremely morally repugnant lifestyles.

Lifestyles of worse moral caliber than even the average non religious person.

So let me ask this:

Do Christians that participated in the slave trade deserve to go to heaven?

Do Christians that espoused racism and engaged in race riots deserve to go to heaven?

Do Christians that made the world a worse place deserve to go to heaven?

All because they believed in God?

How about the fact that many Southern Baptists literally physically abuse their kids on a regular basis?

How about the fact that many also engage in premarital sex with multiple different people, not just once or twice, but several times per week?

My point is, I don’t think it’s arrogant of me to assume these people aren’t going to heaven. And I don’t believe I’m automatically guaranteed a spot in heaven either just for “believing”

Faith alone isn’t enough.

You can believe in God, but still live a lifestyle rotten to the core in sin.

Also, I don’t get why so many religious people feel the need to carry around this badge of arrogance and just screach from the rooftop about what great people they are, all the while shaming nonbelievers for not being more like them.

Like no, I don’t think that’s how you convert people.

If anything its the behaviors and actions of many religious people themselves that drive people away from religion.

More so than perhaps even media and technology, I’d argue.

Updates

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Keep in mind, I’ve actually converted people to the faith.

And get this: I never actually tried to convert them.

I just lived my life, became friends with non-religious people, and the spirit of God worked through.

[RespectfulGuy]

I suppose at 23 you don't have kids.

I have a few. And my eldest is about your age.

What's interesting is, all my kids are of different characters. And while they may listen to me talk, they only follow 20% or less what I want.

Mundane things are easy. Nice food, new gadgets, basic shelter and transport makes everyone happy.

But diversified personalities are difficult to unite. One has more leadership quality and chose independence early. Another choose independence but would also accommodate us parents. Another listens and follows. Yet another observes and think.

But whatever the case, even after they fight until one bleed, I still allow them in the house.

Of course I'm not God. But as an image of love, I think love surpasses justice and righteousness.

This I think is what Apostle Paul's faith is all about.

And going to heaven or hell, my opinion is to leave the decision to God. Us men just "live life" on earth as given by Jesus. Then leave all judgement to God. We should receive grace and approval this way.

[WhiteBoyChill]

That’s kinda how I see it as well. Its not really my place to try and predict where I’ll end up, but I might as well do the best I can

[RespectfulGuy]

Yes. Live by faith. Walk in grace.

Despite Lot foolishly chose Sodom and Gomorrah, he was still acceptable by God.

And Peter denied Jesus 3 times. But still, he's accepted.

Really, we don't know how God judges.

[Anonymous]

That's not true. Because the devil believes in God, and he ain't going to heaven.

Faith that Jesus died for your sins is. Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life. Nobody comes to the father except through me.

The whole point of this is God is the light. You cannot turn away after you've seen the light of God. You're supposed to be transformed. And this is a division in the Christian faith. You got what I consider to be "drive through" Christians they accept Jesus into thier heart and consider thier name written in the book of life and they are saved. They can go on about there life. I say NO. And that leads me to the second group. Once you've accepted God you are fundamentally changed. You live your life for him. You cannot turn away. He is always speaking to you (as he was before). But now you're listening. And you're rejecting him every time you turn away from his guidance. You asked him to rule over your life when you accepted him. Now you have to make good on that promise.

[WhiteBoyChill]

Exactly so in order to get to heaven, we must make our lives about dedicating ourselves to Jesus. That’s the only way

[Opinion Owner]

Thank you for the MHO. Yeah, I think it's the paradox that "man is evil by nature and falls short of the glory of God". So a lot of people say, "well, if I can do no right in God's eyes then there's no reason to try". I think people need to remember that God knows thier heart. He knows when they're giving it thier all and when they're just phoning it in.

[WhiteBoyChill]

Precisely right! :)

[docster]

I agree that people aren't saved by believing in God. According to the bible we can only be saved by believing in, and putting our faith in, Jesus the Messiah for the full payment of our sins. Jesus said that he came to save sinners and not the righteous so yes, everyone in Heaven ( except Jesus Himself ) will be a forgiven sinner. That includes me.

As for those who beat their children and such, not everyone who sits in church is a true believer. Some go because their spouse wants them to. I knew a woman who actually told me she doesn't believe what is taught, she just liked to sing in a choir.

A true believer tries to live a God-pleasing life, but we all fail. Jesus wants us to put our faith in Him, not in our own good deeds.

[WhiteBoyChill]

So what about those that believe in Jesus, yet still choose to deliberately sin regularly because “I’m just doing what I want, and I’m saved anyway”

[WhiteBoyChill]

Do they still go to heaven?

[WhiteBoyChill]

Are slave owners (that never repented) eligible for heaven?

[Dongie]

Firstly, what may be perceived as arrogance might only be a feeling of security because they have thought of the alternative to Heaven. If a person tries to lead you to Christ, please follow. All you have to lose if it's all lies is minutes. You know what is lost if they are not wrong. Not many, I've discovered, have been given physical proof of God and Jesus Christ's existence. I was afforded this privilege. Not for nothing tho. I've suffered a horridous childhood that would turn tour stomach. But I survived and ended curses and beat the devils ass through my Gaurdian. Ask for more

[WhiteBoyChill]

Who are we to ever decide for ourselves whether we are destined for heaven? Only God can decide and that seems mighty arrogant to me

[Dongie]

Wrong. When you except Jesus Christ as your Savior, done deal. Sure, you'll sin again. He didn't come to die for the righteous, He came and died for the sinners. There's going to be a whole lot of sinners in Heaven, and it's going to make Him happy.

[WhiteBoyChill]

What if someone believes in Jesus, but decides to willfully rebel and sin against God with reckless abandon?

How would they still be at peace with God, if they waged war against him?

[Alwayreckles93]

Gidbwill devide even dough I know catholic people believe their salvation is from Marie or Saints. Yeah glad I felt catholicism decades ago. I never looked back. NOT being rude just try to make a deep research. I just can't understand why so may people followed catholicism.

[WhiteBoyChill]

The truth is somewhere in the middle. Our conduct on Earth, and the reasons for it will play a role in determining where we end up