Christ takes you to heaven on one confession

[PeterJens]

So you say "strange stuff" in an effort to get me to "think, to explore, to question"?

Why do you think it is your place to get me (or anyone else for that matter) to do those things? Are you at the place in your walk with the Lord that you do not need to "think, to explore, to question" what others say to you?

How about having discussions where we all speak the truth in love?

Can you imagine the joy it would bring to the heart of the Father to have His children use His Words to encourage rather than to discourage? to build up rather than tear down? to strengthen faith in those with whom we share the truth of God's Word?

This site is interesting. I was in a house group once and we were looking at the Psalms.
I mentioned that David had emotional ups and downs. An elderly couple did not like the idea
that David was anything but stable. They probably thought I meant David had doubts about
his faith, rather than being happy or sad.

So let us get real about what most call strange stuff. When looked at correctly what we
might at first regard as strange is actually correct.

So we are chosen by God yet we choose to follow. We are saved to be righteous in our
walk yet a non-righteous walk testifies against our conviction and seriousness of commitment.

I find your suggestion that I only ask people to think and do not do the same in return interesting.
Ofcourse I do, this is part of loving and empathy. And I always hope that as people let
alone believers we can speak the truth in love and be open to one another.

And I would hope we do build each other up here, which is why I spend time on cc
and promote threads and ideas to explore.

A lot appear to want a very defensive approach, rather than being open and trusting
others intend good things. I would hope this is what I can encourage others to do.

 

[PeterJens]

I have been involved in evangelism.
So you say "strange stuff" in an effort to get me to "think, to explore, to question"?

Here is something to think about:-

The law is the gatekeeper of heaven, Jesus is the law.

Why would I say such a thing?
Without communion with God we fall into sin, and the law highlights this fact.

When we have communion with God we walk in righteousness and the law highlights
this fact, by confirming our hearts direction and our fulfillment of its regulations.

The cross and forgiveness is the empowerment of love, and with the Holy Spirit
we are born again through repentance, and discover our changed hearts want to
walk Gods way.

Now there are some who will kick and splutter against such a reality, because it is
not working for them. So why should I listen to those who find themselves slaves
to sin and want to change the very word of God? They are very vocal and beligerant,
describing certain ideas as the worst evil the church ever suffers from and should be
rejected and thrown out. If they are seeking to follow Jesus and love His people, Amen,
if they are doing the opposite, then there are problems.

 

[followjesus]

Imagine your theology says, one confession of faith, that is enough to be born again.

The thief on the cross.
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Now in this one case this declaration was enough for salvation.

So how much of a belief or confession does it take to enter heaven?
And once spoken are you seal forever?

If this is true, we could do a universal sales drive, getting people to believe and
say the words, and hay, fill heaven with eternal saved people.

Or is it more than just a confession?

I ask this because it strikes me some would have us believe, one statement is
enough.

I hold that our hearts need to be open, and accept Christ in with all we are.
This will show itself with words and statements, and if this position is kept
abiding in fellowship and faith with our Lord, then salvation is real today.

it was enough for the thief on the cross because He lived the remainder of His short life in that faith. He didnt return to living contrary to God after the confession, and also when you consider it the thief died as punishment for His sin, even confessing that He was guilty and deserved His punishment. the thief came into reality and was saved.....Had He been on the ground and confessed that, then He would have lived the remainder of His life for Christ.

Ive heard this example several times that " well the thief on the cross made one confession and was saved.....well in truth He lived out the rest of His life " sinless" as well. its not as if He made the confession and then went about living a sinful life so the example doesnt really fit when compared to a person who has 30 or 40 years to live.

 

[Ariel82]

"
The law is the gatekeeper of heaven, Jesus is the law."

Yeah still don't like that statement, but don't have time to expand upon why.

 

[reneweddaybyday]

So why should I listen to those who find themselves slaves to sin and want to change the very word of God?

You are no different than any other believer. You came from natural born man to born again believer ... child of the Most High God.

All believers are members in particular in Christ's body and each member is placed in the body as it has pleased God (1 Cor 12:18). All believers have a function within the body of Christ and we all have our own strengths and weaknesses.

The reason we listen to other believers is to learn, encourage one another, and grow up in Christ, mature to the point where we are no longer blown about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Eph 4:14).

And speaking of changing the very word of God, how about giving chapter/verse on this statement:

"The Law is the gatekeeper of heaven, Jesus is the law."

Where is that written in Scripture?

 

[Johnny_B]

Imagine your theology says, one confession of faith, that is enough to be born again.

The thief on the cross.
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Now in this one case this declaration was enough for salvation.

So how much of a belief or confession does it take to enter heaven?
And once spoken are you seal forever?

If this is true, we could do a universal sales drive, getting people to believe and
say the words, and hay, fill heaven with eternal saved people.

Or is it more than just a confession?

I ask this because it strikes me some would have us believe, one statement is
enough.

I hold that our hearts need to be open, and accept Christ in with all we are.
This will show itself with words and statements, and if this position is kept
abiding in fellowship and faith with our Lord, then salvation is real today.

It takes repentance, the sign of that is that you same in the faith, you leave you were never part of it.

 

[OneFaith]

Imagine your theology says, one confession of faith, that is enough to be born again.

The thief on the cross.
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Now in this one case this declaration was enough for salvation.

So how much of a belief or confession does it take to enter heaven?
And once spoken are you seal forever?

If this is true, we could do a universal sales drive, getting people to believe and
say the words, and hay, fill heaven with eternal saved people.

Or is it more than just a confession?

I ask this because it strikes me some would have us believe, one statement is
enough.

I hold that our hearts need to be open, and accept Christ in with all we are.
This will show itself with words and statements, and if this position is kept
abiding in fellowship and faith with our Lord, then salvation is real today.

The situation with the thief on the cross does not count for us today, because Christ had not yet purchased His Church with His blood- therefore the way into His church had not been established yet. They were still under the Old covenant.

We are under the new covenant- we have the gospel of Christ- which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible says "With flames of fire (hell) He will take vengeance on those who (1) know not God, and (2) who obey not the gospel of His Son."

Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected- these are facts, how do you obey a fact? By doing the same. At baptism we die to ourself, bury our old sinful self in the watery grave of baptism, and are raised a new creature alive with the Holy Spirit.

Where did Christ shed His blood? In His death- and that is where we come in contact with His life-saving blood. We are baptized into His death so that just as He was raised from the dead, we too may rise to newness of life. (Romans 6).

"Baptism doth also now save you." (1Peter 3:21). Tell me where in the Bible it says "Ask Jesus into your heart"? Tell me where in the Bible it says "Faith only."? Tell me where in the Bible it says "Make one confession and thou shall be saved"? Because the Bible I read has more than one commandment in the New Testament under Christ- Who has all authority over God's people today.

It's His Church, He purchased it with His blood, He is the only head and authority over it. He established the way into it, He established the rules we must follow. So many choose one rule- either believe, or confess, or repent, or be baptized, etc. Well I have a newsflash for all who think this way....

We must obey all of them, not just one.

 

[PeterJens]

You are no different than any other believer. You came from natural born man to born again believer ... child of the Most High God.

All believers are members in particular in Christ's body and each member is placed in the body as it has pleased God (1 Cor 12:18). All believers have a function within the body of Christ and we all have our own strengths and weaknesses.

The reason we listen to other believers is to learn, encourage one another, and grow up in Christ, mature to the point where we are no longer blown about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Eph 4:14).

And speaking of changing the very word of God, how about giving chapter/verse on this statement:

"The Law is the gatekeeper of heaven, Jesus is the law."

Where is that written in Scripture?

A good question.
The meaning is as follows.
1 Paul says the law was written for lawbreakers not the righteous.
2 The law convicts law breakers of sin
3 In loving our neighbour we fulfill the law, walk in purity and holiness.

Jesus and the cross empowers us, brings light into a dark world.
So for someone walking righteously , in the Spirit, the law does not
bring condemnation. To walk as Jesus walked is to walk in love.

 

[MadebyHim]

Hard question. Its hard to even respond with no, or yes, one of those questions. Could be yes and no, or no, and yes. In the word we see say either or, nothing in middle. Is this a trick question, its confusing, not calling you the devil op, but we know who the author of confusion is. Sorry eye looked back at title, forgive me eye see it wasn't a question, but a statement. It's still confusing. But mind will give a yes answer then a no.

This is yes answer, only the answer that came to mind, not saying its most high gospel truth. Yes if we are sincere when we say it. No if we are not sincere. Sometimes people think they can fool God, and people of God. Not going to happen. Father only lets things go so far. Almighty wants us stick to Him, and this one is holding on to Him for Dear Life.

 

[PeterJens]

Hard question. Its hard to even respond with no, or yes, one of those questions. Could be yes and no, or no, and yes. In the word we see say either or, nothing in middle. Is this a trick question, its confusing, not calling you the devil op, but we know who the author of confusion is. Sorry eye looked back at title, forgive me eye see it wasn't a question, but a statement. It's still confusing. But mind will give a yes answer then a no.

This is yes answer, only the answer that came to mind, not saying its most high gospel truth. Yes if we are sincere when we say it. No if we are not sincere. Sometimes people think they can fool God, and people of God. Not going to happen. Father only lets things go so far. Almighty wants us stick to Him, and this one is holding on to Him for Dear Life.

What I love about your post is yes I agree with it.

A confession in context is everything. A confession out of context is meaningless.

Faith in context brought healing to the woman who touched Jesus's cloak.
She knew Jesus was from God. She knew if she reached out and did something that
meant she accepted Jesus as Christ, the Son of God, God would heal her. A gift of
faith, connected to the acceptance of the reality by an action.

So context and meaning are everything.

This separates Jesus from magic. It is not just a few words spoken in the right order
that brings power, it is speaking to the source of all authority and power and Him answering.