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Bible Question: My
issues now are this:
| 1. |
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If
I simply believe Jesus Christ did exist and He is the only way
to salvation, does this make me a Christian? I actually know
the answer to this. The answer is "no" as even Satan
recognized and believed in who Jesus was but it is a matter
of acceptance. |
| 2. |
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Why
then, do I resist accepting? These are the reasons, I think...
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-
I do not feel I am up to it. The commitment, the laws,
the commandments. I do not know whether I can uphold them.
- Fear of ridicule. I, who have been quite an adamant
"freethinker" in the past! What will my friends
say? My mom, who is an ardent Hindu, how do I deal with
her?
- I am not sure if I am really ready or using it as a
"crutch." Is this the way in? Should I not turn
to Jesus when I am centered and sure, rather than turn
to Him as a "crutch"? |
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| 3. |
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To
be sure, I do want to accept the gift of salvation, but how
do I do it? What is the implication? Am I approaching it the
right way? Does it matter? |
| 4. |
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What
about baptism? Should I accept Christ, how important is this
issue of baptism? Is it necessary? |
| Bottom
line! I accept that Jesus is who He is and He is the only way
to salvation. I do want to be saved. This I do not lie. Therefore,
the answer is easy. Accept. I have even tried saying the acceptance
prayer but still it did not seem real/right to me. To be frank,
it is quite confusing/vexing. Is this a normal process/struggle
people go through? Why do some people find it easy to make this
leap of faith? |
Bible Answer: God
is speaking to you! Satan is trying to confuse you. You are correct
on your first question. To believe in Jesus is more than believing
that Jesus existed or died for our sins. Satan is not a Christian
and yet He knows that God exists and that Jesus died for our sins.
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You
believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe,
and shudder. (NASB) James 2:19 |
Faith
or belief is not just facts. To believe in Jesus is to depend, to
trust, to rely on Him for the forgiveness of sins. Then a Christian
responds by wanting to obey. A more complete explanation is given
in a study in Hebrews 11.
Second Question. Why do you resist
accepting Jesus? Jesus answered the question for us in His illustration
of the sower and the seed.
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When
anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand
it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown
in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the
road. And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places,
this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives
it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only
temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because
of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one on whom
seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the
word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches
choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom
seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the
word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings
forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”
(NASB) Matthew 13:19-23 |
Here
is a summary of His illustration followed by an explanation. |
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