That is why Christianity is completely different from other "religions"(I hate to classify my belief as a religion-the term sounds fake) there is nothing you can do (works) to gain favor with God you just have to except Christ as our savior and believe. Of course works come as a result of the relationship. Works reflects faith. Even though you are forgiven of your sins that doesn't mean that you can keep on sinning(of course your going to keep falling into sin because we are imperfect) it involves submission and repentance (repentance meaning trying to turn away from evil-not going to a priest and telling of your sins like Catholics do, but to God )
Anyone can say they are a Christian but most sadly are not. Some say about 1/3 or less of the people who say they are Christians are in fact true Christians, and those people that are not really Christians give Christianity a bad name.(there could be more but that is what some statics say) Back in the Roman times "Christ-ians" was a bad name put on by people from those who disliked followers of Christ and its principles and as a result that is where the name came from. Those people were so dedicated that they did not deny Christ when they were crucified, feed to the lions, killed, and shunned from society. I bet that those people that just claim themselves to be Christians-that are not really-would not take that name if they might loss their physical lives (even though they will eventually), even though they could receive eternal life in heaven. I would gladly give my life. And I mean that.
And I see it this way, if they is no afterlife then it would be like you never existed. You wouldn't have know you had existed. I imagine it would be like falling a sleep and not even realizing it, and without a dream FOREVER. But if there is an afterlife there are consequences for not believing. Hell is nothing to joke about and you will regret for the rest of your life that you did not choose to believe. Hell is described as a place of suffering, pain, torment, and separation of man from God everlasting grief that will never end! It doesn't matter how long you live, your going to be dead a LOT longer!
Christianity is not a blind leap of faith in a dark room-it is a leap in a well lit room, atheism is truly the blind leap of faith.
14-Nov-2006
15-Nov-2006