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Christianity. really scared
I am a Christian, and always have been. I pray at LEAST every other day, I occassionally go to church, I repent, I try to limit how much I sin, and I believe that Jesus is God's son.
I used to be very certain that I would end up in Heaven. But recently, I came across a Bible verse that has been on my mind for a while. It's Matthew 7:13-14.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a fiew find it."
Now I'm basically VERY worried about not making it to Heaven. The Bible says that it's hard to get in, but it also says that believing in Jesus is the only thing you need in order to get into Heaven. So I don't know what to do. =[
I'm also kind of starting to wonder about other religions. I think "If Christianity isn't the true religion, then I'll go to Hell forever", so I worry even MORE.
Please help. I don't need reassurance. I need answers.
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Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
if you belive in jesus christ. if you have been born again. then do not worry. put your faith in God, seek God about this(pray to God), and he'll tell you exactly what he means. hope this helps.
God bless.
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I have wondered about this also. But if you are afraid that you won't go to heaven because you are not a big enough christian, you know that you can always try to be a bigger one, because the bigger the better. It also says in the bible, that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your lord and savior, you are going to make it to heaven. Here are some tips, pray every day, instead of every other day. Find a church that is a good one, and try to attend it as much as you can. You can also, try to find someone that is a big christian, and get advice from them.(everyone has different opinions)In the bible it says that the only way to heaven is through Jesus, so any other religion that doesnt support Jeusus I believe will not go to heaven.
If you have any other doubts, or need support you can ask me.
Have questions?
Ask Keri!
kerizimmerman14@hotmail.com
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Some of these answers are good, some are not. Let me help you here since I have gone through the same thing. "Wide and broad is the gate to destruction" Think about it. I believe the world is 6000 years old. I can tell you why if you want to know, but going off my time line lets go through this starting at Jesus's death. We wont even count before he was made man. Since his death, there have been tons and tons of religions. Jehovahs witnesses for example. Started in 1859 or something like that has stated "Their 1997 statistics state that their peak membership count tallied in at 5599931" 5.6 million people. Thats just one religion and its only been around about 150 years. Then you have mormon, which has millions, and muslims, which is millions, and sheites, and wiccans, and atheists, and satan worshippers, and so on and so on. That is millions, upon millions, upon billions of people just since jesus's death. More people reject God then they do love God. That is why the gate to Hell is wide, and the one to heaven is narrow.
As for your eternal destination, if you truly believe in your heart that Jesus is God, and that he died for your sins on the cross, and rose again on the 3rd day and acended into heaven then you are all set for a one way ticket to heaven.
We are saved by faith, not works: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from youselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do " (Eph. 2:8,9).
God does not purify us through works but, " he [God] purified their hearts by faith. . . .We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved . . . "(Acts 15:9, 11).
The steps to confession, " 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). (this entails knowing the True Christ however).
We were dead in our sins as unbelievers, " As for you [believers], you were DEAD in your transgressions and sins [before you became believers], in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air [Satan], the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. . . .We were by nature objects of [God's] wrath. But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in Mercy, MADE US ALIVE with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved " (Ephesians 2:1-5).
So if you truly believe you are set for a glorious life with Christ in Heaven.
"Then they said unto Him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." --John 6:28, 29
I hope I helped. ANy questions feel free to talk to me
Strata_XIII@hotmail.com
This goes to anyone
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Dear Christian,
What you are experiencing is actually a good thing. You are starting to question and that is the only way your Faith will be stronger. Faith is earned (through hard work and discovery) not given (by words of another). Believing in Christ is not the answer...it is living as Christ did that is important to know. There is not ONE true religion...but there is ONE true belief that is right for you. Religion is man-made, Spirituality is God-Made...religion is just a tool to help us on our path. Only you can discover that...not what your parents have set for you, or your church, or your friends...it is about your journey of getting on the path that leads you to GOD. Your relationship between you and God is personal and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is NOT telling you with your best spiritual interest in mind. It's okay to question things that were told to you and understand that they are not all lies...they are just what other people have discovered to be true for them. I tell my clients try to read the bible with the Spirit and not the head. That is the way the Bible was intented to be read. Yur mind can confuse you when trying to understand such Spiritual Text.
That Bible verse that you quoted is very powerful and very open for interpretation. My advice on that verse is to just think about the many who think they are entering the "gates" because they "think" they know the answers...when in fact they may be misguided. If your heart feels led to follow the Path of Christ, then honor that...his teachings and his ways will lead to God. If your heart does not feel that calling then it would be wise to contact someone you trust to help advice for what is best for you and that will listen without judgement. You may not have all the answers...that is okay...it is your quest for the answers is what is important. Blessings to you on your Spiritual Journey!
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Just believeing in Jesus and that He is God's Son is not all that is involved. It involves believe that Jesus came to earth to save man from his sins. He died on the cross and bore the burden that should have been ours, and rose the 3rd day from the dead, and is now the living God, sitting on the right hand of His Father. Even then, you must live a life that is glorifying and edifying to God. He is everywhere all the time. Anything you do, say, or even think, He is in the presence of it. Even if you're all alone, He is there. So many people are deceived into thinking that they are Christians and that they will go to heaven...which is what the Bible is stating "broad is the road that leads to destruction". it takes more than words and thoughts to get you into heaven. it is a life of dedication to God and that the true purpose man was put on earth was to worship HIM which will also be our purpose in heaven.
"If Christianity isn't the true religion, then I'll go to Hell forever", it takes faith...faith that God will do what He says. If you don't believe that, then you might think that God is a liar *which He isn't* and who would want to worship a God that lies? just have faith that God has the perfect plan, He knows what He is doing
i really hope i helped!! if you have any other questions, just let me know and i will be more than happy to help the best i can =]
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God speaks through His Word. The passage you read in Matthew spoke to you. It may not have felt good, but when God is trying to bring someone close to Him, He brings them to a place where they will seek the truth. You have been given the gift to seek out the one true God who gave Jesus to redeem you from sin. Jesus, and ONLY Jesus, IS the answer. It is up to you to choose now. I pray you will lay aside the doubt and delve into the Bible more. Let God speak to you more. He promises in His word:
Matthew 7:8 "For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."
Ask for understanding, seek the pages of His word, and open your heart to Him.
I want to encourage you to go to my column and read the questions from others and answers I gave. I believe it will help direct you. And ask me more questions if you would like.
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Honey, no one can give you answers.
All you can do is stick through your fate and be a good human being, not just a good Christian.
I just try to give to society because if my afterlife is based on my life, I'm pretty sure I won't be thrown into Hell just because I don't believe in a certain religion. And even if there is no afterlife, at least I've done my bit for mankind.
If you want to take a look at it your way, 33% of the world define themselves as Christian, roughly I can cross out about 50% of them simply because they just say Christian out of convenience even though they don't believe in god. So that's 16% of you who get into Heaven, which is a narrow gate enough, so as long as you know where to look for it, you'll probably find it if it's there.
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The bible is full of contradictions, you just have to deal with it. Talk to your priest for more info on that passage.
Abrahamic(Islam, Judaism, and Christianity) religions are among the few religions that have "eternal hell". Dharmic(Buddhism, Taoism) religions have a hell, but it's temporary. Pagan(Wicca and others) religions don't have a hell, you get into "heaven" no matter what. So no matter which is correct, you're in the safest position, unless you think another abrahamic religion could be correct.
If you need any more help, you can contact me at theymos@lycos.com . I'm not Christian, but I've always been fascinated by religions and I know a lot about many of their teachings.
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