QUOTE (onnig @ Aug 19 2004, 01:55 PM)
Hi Sasun,
My claims are only truth not by my own concoction but by what is stated in God's Word. Not only is it stated in God's word but these things are evident in the world. Look at other religions, they either deny sin or they think they can repay sin with good works. The Word of God is clear about how sins can be paid for, in Romans 6:23:
"For the wages of sin is death,"
not good works. If one sins, one must die, not just physically but spiritually and since the soul is eternal, spiritual death is equated with everlasting punishment in hell, and that is literal.
In actuallity, if one is trying to pay for sin with good works he is yet sinning again. See what the prophet Isaiah says, Is 64:6
"For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;"
Righteous deeds are works. And also, Paul says in Rom 3:20:
"because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin."
and in Rom 11:6:
"But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."
and in Galatians 2:16:
"nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified."
and so on and so forth. There are many passages but I think I've posted enough for now.
Onnig, it is my understanding is that one of the fundamental teachings of Christ is to do good. On the other hand, we are all sinful. The from what you are saying we should not do good? That sounds like contradicting Christ's teaching.
Of course, without God's Grace noone can be saved. However, God's Grace is not given unfairly towards everyone. Those who do good are more deserving than those who don't. Do you not agree?
In that case doing good is very important for salvation.
I must say that the idea that the sinners will go to eternal hell is wrong and contradicts to Christ's teachings. We are God's children according to Christ. Therefore our Heavenly Father will never condemn us to eternal hell. Otherwise it is not a father at all. Love is the most important relationship between God and man, and a key in Christ's teachings, therefore eternal hell makes no sense at all.
P.S. I believe there is hell but not eternal.