How do we get to heaven?
Leon
♦ September 12, 2013
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Is it possible to go to heaven, or have eternal life with God, by following our conscience? Can an atheist, or a member of a non christian religion have eternal life, according to the Holy Bible, and the words of Christ? Many would think so, and apparently the Pope is among them. I have reprinted an article that quotes the Pope as saying, “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience. “Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.” Sin is defined in the Bible as, the transgression of the law. 1 John 3.4. We do not go to heaven by following our conscience, and avoiding breaking the law, we go to heaven by believing we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and fall miserably short of keeping God’s perfect and Holy law in any meaningful way. Romans3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. The above verse states that by the law comes the knowledge of sin, and all the world is guilty before God. The law was given to show us our need for a Savior. Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. This is the Gospel of Christ. We do not have to believe it, or follow it, but it is the True Gospel of Jesus. Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. The Bible indicates we are saved by grace through faith, but faith in what? Romans 10: 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. What does the Bible have to say about those who teach salvation through another way? 2 Corinthians 11: 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. Finally, what does Jesus himself have to say about salvation, and going to heaven ? John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. And the Bible also has this to say, 1 Timothy 2 : 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; , 1 John 5 : 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. Speaking of Jesus, Peter said, Acts 4: 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. If we could have eternal life in heaven by being good, or following our conscience, then Jesus suffered and died in vain. Lets not be fooled into thinking that apart from Jesus, their is any salvation.
Pope Francis assures atheists: You don’t have to believe in God to go to heaven
Wednesday 11 September 2013
In comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.
Responding to a list of questions published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a Roman Catholic, Francis wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.
“Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”
Robert Mickens, the Vatican correspondent for the Catholic journal The Tablet, said the pontiff’s comments were further evidence of his attempts to shake off the Catholic Church’s fusty image, reinforced by his extremely conservative predecessor Benedict XVI. “Francis is a still a conservative,” said Mr Mickens. “But what this is all about is him seeking to have a more meaningful dialogue with the world.”
In a welcoming response to the letter, Mr Scalfari said the Pope’s comments were “further evidence of his ability and desire to overcome barriers in dialogue with all”.
In July, Francis signalled a more progressive attitude on sexuality, asking: “If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him?”
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