Firstly, though I appreciate the sentiment, you don't love me.
In Bible speak there are three types of love
- Eros- romantic & sexual in nature
- Philo-Love like for a family member
- Agape- The type were you dont want to see anyone get hurt or suffer. A genuine concern.
The agape love was the type I was refering to. I care about you, and want to share with you the most valuable thing I have to share.
Secondly, you speak of false assurance. Where does that come from? Other churches? Other religions and philosophers?
[ It's possible it can even come from our selves as we believe our own lies.
Have you ever heard someone say my god would never....?and they are correct, thier god never would as he is a product of their imagination not the God of the Bible. But what I was talking about is walking down the isle say a little prayer and ask Jesus into your heart. False assurrance can come from a pastor Not preaching the gospel or talking about sin & never mentioning Hell, or just thinking were good to go, because we went to church on Sunday and put the check in the box for the week. It can come from trying to work your way to heaven doing good works, when in fact they are nothing more than good deeds and account for nothing in Gods eyes thats another way you can decieve your self.
I made Christ my Savior at 14, but not my Lord. Oh I said it, but didnt understand what Dieing to self was, sureendering of the self will, so he could live through me, and giving my life to him. My life didnt change I still loved my sin, and the things of the world, and everything in it.
You have to (ok you never have to, but it's true anyway) realize that to every other religion and philosophy you are just as wrong as you say they are.
Understood, and you need to explain to them in away they can understand not out of hate, or as a put down. They may hate you, but if you can get through, they cant thank you enough.
Why are you right?
Don't say because you've read and understood your book (how you read the original and know the authors intent over 2k years, many translations, and a dead language I don't know) because so have they and everyone else 'knows' you are wrong just as you 'know' they are wrong.
[Third Question]
I believe Christianity is correct because Christ is the only one to returned from the dead and is alive today! Mohamad, and Buddah when they died, that was it they were dead. That's documented outside of the Bible in history books.
I dont have to work to try to obtain my salvation and then die never knowing if I made the cut. I have Gods promise and he's never lied to anyone. All the other religions require works and me being rightousness or good enough. I could never be good enough to win Gods favor.
Mans dead in his sin he cant see it ( a fish dosent know its wet) he hates God, and wants nothing to do with him.(he's deaf and Blind to the things of God) They hate it everytime someone brings up his name. It's his life and he's going to do it his way and no one is going to tell him any differnt.
It's God that choose us before the creation of the world.
Its God that opens our hearts and mind towards him. (Effectual calling)
Its God that gives us faith to believe in him.
Its God that at some point will Regenerate us.(Change us) Save Us, Redeem us.
Its God that scantifies us allowing us grow in Holliness over our life time.(Not Over Night and we still sin but hate it when we do)
Than its God that Glorifies us when we die
Its called the order of salvaion and man dosent have anything to do with it!
Its all God by his grace that does that for us.
Did I answer everything?
