Who You Gonna Believe?

In the previous post I pointed out that our universe was created with defined laws of physics, chemistry and biology.   We have built our civilization and the technology that supports it on faith in the reliability of those laws.  So, it makes sense that God would do the same in the area of Spirit matters.  And both the Bible and Jesus Christ make that claim.   

While I’m primarily concerned with the various Christian theologies, I will point out what makes the Judeo-Christian system unique to all other religions is the Bible presents God as inherently moral.  All other religious systems, both mono & poly theistic, present deity as Amoral.  When comparing the different Christian denominations, you’ll find a number of irreconcilable contradictions on many major doctrines.  God who is all knowing, wise and moral would not be the author of that kind of disorder.  God would have established the same kind of order in the Spiritual realm as He has in the physical world.    

I’m going to offer a short overview of the various Christian propositions on redemption.  How is one saved from the penalty of sin.  How do I get into heaven?  Some denominations teach it is by belief in Jesus Christ alone, no good works required but sanctification is works based.  I’ll refer to that as the justification by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone system.  All the others teach some variation of faith in Jesus Christ grants a probationary acceptance with final salvation determined on judgement day when one’s works are reviewed.  The works are defined as things like repentance of sin, baptism, observance of certain sacraments like confession and the Lords Supper.  There are some groups that say you must belong their specific denomination in order to be allowed into heaven when you die. 

Basically, all but the first one, justification by faith alone in Christ alone, say you have a chance at making it into heaven but offer no guarantee.  The justification by faith belief agrees with what Jesus Christ said in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” & John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” 

In John 3:16 Jesus Christ asserts that God loves the everyone in the world.  That He gave His Son to redeem us. And Jesus will give everlasting life to everyone who believes in Him.  In John 5:24 Jesus further states everlasting life is given as soon as one believes in Him.  That person will never face a future judgement.  That means there is no final judgement of works to determine their destiny. That was decided when they believed and passed from death to life.  It is a life that lasts forever. 
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That all seems very straight forward, easy to understand and orderly.  So, when confronted by someone who says otherwise who are you going to believe, Jesus Christ or the other guy?