Does Anyone Know How To Find God?

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» left by Terry Mitchell ^(2,785)
Terry Mitchell (128 days 20 hours ago.)

I'm sorry you included Baptists in your list. Apparently you know more about Baptists than I, even thought I've been one for more than 36 years. My church does not believe you have to be a Baptist to be saved. In fact, you do not have to be a member of any church, for that matter. A denomination does not save anyone -- faith in Jesus Christ does. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only path to salvation. Jesus did not start a religion or a denomination. He came to save the world from sin. What denomination a person belongs to is irrelevant. I regret that some Christians have given you the impression their church is the only one. There is really only one church anyway. That church is the body of believers that Christ will one day return for.

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» left by Mr. Keith ^(2,892)
Mr. Keith (128 days 10 hours ago.)

I have a question?

 

 If I was a firm believer in the LDS church....a true believer in the Mormon church, which believes in Jesus Christ as the saviour, Would I go to heaven?

 

Simple Yes or no answer.

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» left by Terry Mitchell ^(2,785)
Terry Mitchell (127 days 21 hours ago.)

Yes. Trusting Jesus as your savior is the only thing that matters. Once again, your religion or denomination is irrelevant.

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» left by Teresa Ortiz ^(4,776)
Teresa Ortiz (128 days 19 hours ago.)

Hi Mr. Keith, I agree with Terry and would like to add that I am truly sorry that you have had more experience with Religion than you have with people who have a relationship with God.

 

The Bible is not the problem. The Bible gives the answers, it is people who have the problem. The Catholics and the Mormons use teachings that are not in the Bible to promote why they are the only true church and that you have to be baptized in their denomination. That is not in the Bible. The Jehovah's Witnesses use a Bible that is a translation of a translation and they also put their watchtower magazine above the Bible as their principle source of belief. I am sure you know this since you have studied with them. So again, it is not the bible, it is the extra biblical writings that bring in the problems and divisions and when they go against the Bible, it is rejected by Biblical believers.

 

Jesus told us how to find God and it is by receiving him, by admiting that we are not perfect and that we have sinned. It's by grace we are saved in total and complete trust in Jesus. This is what the Bible says and the true church is as the Bible says, invisable and has no walls. The "church" is made up of those who follow Jesus period. It is non-denominational in the Biblical sense.

 

Jesus even rebuked those who made a name for themselves. So anyone who tells you that you are not saved because you do not go to their "building" is wrong.

 

And my encouragement to you would be to look to Jesus and forget about religion. It's about a relationship with God through Jesus, not about the name on a building made with hands. As Jesus said, "church" is anywhere God's children meet. Whether in a park, in someones living room, or in front of the grocery store. It's not the building that is sacred and blessed it is the people.

 

I hope this helps, and again I am sorry for the apparent frustration religion has caused you and I do pray that you would not let that keep you from God. Alot of times these people that come to our doors do not even realize they are going against the Bible. I have had many conversations with them and they have left angry with me. I like you am not rude, but I ask them questions and pull out my Bible and they don't have answers. So in some respects you are the one being true because you are not preaching something you really know nothing about. And that is not to say that all of them are not aware of what they are talking about.

 

God bless you and hey, if you ever want to talk more about this or have questions, I would love to chat with you. I promise I won't try to convert you, but I will do my best to answer according to what the Bible says and not merely what I believe. Take care Mr. Keith.

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» left by Mr. Keith ^(2,892)
Mr. Keith (128 days 10 hours ago.)

Hi!

You say "the Bible", that is my point!

 

There are so many translations and beliefs and you yourself say the others are wrong.  That is the entire point!

 

Here is my question, If I were a true believer of the Catholic church, I mean a avid believer.  Would I go to heaven by the doctrine of whatever church you belong to?  What if I was a  Jehovah's Witnesses?  Would that matter?  They all have different theories but still accept Jesus as the savior.  Therefore if they are believers in Jesus they are saved and that is that? 

 

I feel as if all churchs have their own reasons why the other church is wrong.  Despite what you write I hear it in your response also.  I have read the Book of Mormon and in THAT book there is nothing that goes against the teaching of Jesus.  Yet other churchs that never read it say it is wrong.

 

Simple question....If I were a J.W. or a Morman.  I mean a loyal, Jesus believing member of that church, would I go to heaven based on the doctrine of your church? 

 

A simple Yes or No response?

 

 

 

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» left by Anonymous (128 days 8 hours ago.)

Mr. Keith,

 

I was searching for another topic when I came across this blog. 

 

You keep pointing toward a particular church or denomination.  As the previous poster said it is about having a personal relationship in Jesus Christ. If I share the saving grace of Jesus with you in Spanish or French or some other language has nothing to do with what bible I read. It's forgiveness of sin plus nothing. However, when man starts to interprt what a perfect God has created he can put twist on a verse that God didn't intend. 

 

I don't agree with everything my pastor preach's but I ask God to open my eyes to scritpure so that I might understand.

 

Obviously, by you asking these questions you have been touched by the Holy Spirit.  There is somthing that God puts in all of us that makes us want to find the truth.  I have had this very discuss with many people.

 

What about this religion or that religion?

 

I always ask them to show me where they are referring to in the bible.  By the way I use a King James Version as my primary source.  It has sold more copies than any other "book" in history. I also use the New American Standard. I want them to show me what there talking about. Most of time what i find out is that "someone" told them that the way it is.

 

 Quit talking to man and search the scripture. Ask God to show you what's right and what's wrong. 

 

Turn to the book of Romans.......and read these scriptures:

Chapter 3 verse 23

               3:10-18

               6:23

               5:8

               10:9

               10:13

               5:1

               8:1

               8:38-39

 

This explains man's condition from God's perspective not another man's perspective. 

 

Post your repsonse. I'll check back this afternoon.      

 

 

 

   

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» left by Mr. Keith ^(2,892)
Mr. Keith (128 days 4 hours ago.)

You are suggesting to use the KJV?  I question even that.  I learned about the history of the creation KJV and it is much LESS than a spiritual event.

 

I will guess that you dismiss other Bibles because it has not sold more copies?  That would make  Quoations from Chairman Mao the next best source of theology?

 

All the resposnes I have received say "no" you do not have to be a member of my church you just have to accept Jesus.  So does that mean ALL of the Muslims go to hell? 

 

If the KJV is right? Who decided that?  Maybe the Koran is right and all the Christians are doomed?  Either way, if this is the system that God set up......it stinks.  If  this is the system God put in place because he loves us  and then damns half of the world to hell is what he decided would be a great plan , then I think his plan is flawed.  Yes, I think that if this is the plan that God created, it is flawed and that is why I have such a hard time accepting that this plan is actaully the creation of a God.

 

There is nothing I could think of that my children could do that I would want to see them suffer forever.  Why would a god want to see half of the world suffer in hell?

 

So, according to your Churches belief's, are the Muslims going to hell?  They too are god's kids and they will never be baptized because of their birth being in the Middle East, which also was decided by God.

 

Can anyone tell me what church they belong to and then just say "yes" so I can explore the doctrine of that church?  I am not trying to be rude, I just want a simple answer to the question without all the fluff of interpretation of scripture from a certain publication of a certain Bible that is presummed to be the correct Bible.

 

 

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» left by Teresa Ortiz (128 days 7 hours ago.)

Hi Mr Kieth,

 

I thought I answered that. Yes, the answer is yes, if you have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, if you have acknowledged your sin, and asked Jesus into your heart to save you, then you are saved. You will go to heaven and have a personal relationship with God no matter what church you go to. Period.  Like I tried to say, the Bible doesn't tell you you have to go to a certain church, because the church is the people, not if your are Mormon, not if you ar JW or not even if you go to a "Christian church. Because the point is, it's not about being religious. It is about knowing Jesus Christ and about having the Holy SPirit dwelling in your heart.

 

I suppose what I was trying to say by the people who come to my door getting mad at me is that I was pointing out to them that according to the bible I did not have to attend their church or be baptized into their religion. I told them I was already saved because I had Jesus in my heart and I just prefer to attend services at a church that just teaches the Bible and doesn't add things that contradict.

 

As far as the book of Mormon not contradicting Jesus, you are right. But it is the Doctrines and Covenants that do. But I won't go into that here.

 

You say that their are many translations of the Bible, this is true and quite obvious, but have you read them all? They all teach the same thing. They do not contradict teaching. They merely use easier language.

 

Here is an example of Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8-10

 

The New King James Version: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, whick God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 

The Message: Saving us was all His idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enought to let him do its. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play a major role. If we did, we'd propbably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No! We cannot save ourselves. God does botht the makeing and the saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to hoin him in the word he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

 

The New Living Translations: God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so non of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

See how each of these translations worded it differently, but the truth of the message is the same.

 

God does the saving, we have the faith and the evidence of our faith is that we begin to do good works that God wants us to do. Meaning, we follow his commands and love people.

 

But you have to remember, we are not perfect and people grow in their relationship with God at a different pace. So at different times we may stand for something we don't quite understand, but it doesn't mean we are not saved. Because it's the faith in Jesus that saves us.

 

This is the Bible's message. But again, different religions will say that you have to be baptized or you have to do this or that in order to go to heaven. But that is not what the Bible says, so that is all I am pointing out. I know Mormons who are saved, and I know some JW's who are saved. I also know some Catholics and Baptist's etc who are not saved. Again, it is a heart issue. And the simplest way to know that you have the truth, is just stick to the Bible.

 

These JW's and Mormons that I know are saved have admitted that their Doctrines and Covenants or Watchtower magazines contradict the Bible, so they don't follow them. Yet they feel compelled to stay in that particular group.

 

I know you wanted a simple yes or no, but I felt the need to add this based on your other comments back to me.

 

Here is simplicity:

 

Trust Jesus to save you= saved

Do not trust Jesus to save you= no.

 

The choice is ours.  As the commentator says, obviously the Holy Spirit is working in your heart. Do not resist him because of past religious experience.  Invite him into your life and He will come in. Begin a relationship. Forget about religion. The Holy Spirit will open your understanding to God's truth if you let Him. But it starts with your surrender.

 

A simple heart-felt and meaningful invitation from you to Jesus:

 

"Lord Jesus, I am confused by a lot of things and angry by religious hyprocrisy, but I do know that I am not perfect and I am ready for some sense of peace in my soul. Come into my life, make things clear to me and teach me. Forgive me of my sin and help me to live the life that you have planned for me. I need you and I am willing, but help my unbelief and my unwillingness. Thank you for accepting me just as I am, In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

 

If you do this, or something similar, you will be saved. Their is no magical ritual you have to do. Romans 8:8-10 also talks about salvation being by profession of faith. And if your profession of faith is real, pretty soon it will be evident by a changed lifestyle and the peace that will flood your life. For some people the peace is instant, for others,, they feel nothing after praying, but then gradually they notice the change, more importantly, the people around them do.

 

I didn't even go to church when I first got saved, I read my bible and prayed. I got strong in my faith as Jesus revealed His word to me. It might be good for you to do the same since you have been wounded by "church"

 

Sorry this was so long. I do mean it when I say I understand where you are coming from and may God continue to woo you with His love.  Your friend, Teresa 

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» left by Mr. Keith ^(2,892)
Mr. Keith (128 days 4 hours ago.)

So, If I read what you write that if I accept Jesus as my Saviour I will go to Heaven?  If that is the case then ALL Mormons will go to heaven?  All of them have been baptised and accept Jesus as their Saviour.  That is a fact!  So do the J.W bunch.

 

If I am to understand what you write then all of the world will go to heaven as long as they accept Jesus in their heart?  Is that true?

 

If I am a Mormon and do all that I am asked I WILL belive that Jesus is my personal saviour.  I will believe he is the Son of God and was sent here to save me from my sins.  If I were to ask your pastor he would also spend time teaching from the pulpit that Mormons too will go to heaven?

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» left by Teresa Ortiz ^(4,776)
Teresa Ortiz (128 days 1 hour ago.)

Yes, you heard me correctly. that is true. And the Bible tells us that every person who have ever lived and will live no matter what country will have the opportunity to received Jesus as Savior. Because God created everyone, he created hell for the demons and his angels, not people. But people will go there of their own chosing, not because they didn't have any choice. This is very well laid out in the bible. My pastor will say that anyone, be it mormon, JW, Whatever will go to heaven if their faith and trust in in Jesus, not in their works or the church they claim to belong to.

 

Like I said, Not all people who go to a church building will go to heaven. Only those who have received Jesus. I wll not say that all mormons, or all Catholics or all of any particular group are going to heaven, because I cannot see their heart, only God can. And that is what you will hear from me, my pastor or any true Christian who follows the Bible and not the man-made guidelines set by their denomination.

 

As far as the teaching of each individual church outside of the Bible, that needs to be checked against the bible before it is received, because the Bible is the final authority for truth as it relates to following Jesus.

 

I personally make no claim to be anything other than a Christian. I am not baptist or methodist or whatever, my alligence is to God and God alone.  I will say that the reason I stay away from a mormon church or JW is because they put more emphasis on their doctrine and not the Bible and for me, that bothers me, but I don't judge individual mormons because of what their church doctrine teaches. I only judge the doctrine if it doesn't align with the Bible. For me, it is less confusing, and I only have to worry about one truth and that is what is taught in the Bible. It makes my relationship with God simple. Besides living a humble and self-less life is hard enough without adding a bunch of rules that are not even in the Bible.

 

God makes a promise in the book of Jeremiah that anyone who seeks God with their whole heart will find Him. Many other places as well, but that one lays it out beautifully.

 

Please don't judge God by the imperfections of man. We are a fallen race. The book of Colossians tells us the bottom line and the substance is Christ. Period.

 

 

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» left by Mr. Keith ^(2,892)
Mr. Keith (128 days ago.)

Oh I will not judge anything but you.....

 

You get an A+++ for your answer.

 

I love to play the devil's advocate all too often and your answer is good enough to be in a text book. 

 

I still wonder about all those Muslims though.......

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» left by Teresa Ortiz (127 days 23 hours ago.)

Well, thank you Mr. Keith.  I always pray that I will give simple, understandable, yet biblical answers :-)

 

All those Muslims will have their opportunity.....

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» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr. ^(6,499)
Robert Melaccio, Sr. (125 days 3 hours ago.)

Yes, I have found God. Now if you read my work you know where he is or at least should be in a true believer. Actually it shows up in all you do or don't do. Your very interesting dialog with really good people illustrates the division of men concerning  a God that Loves. Who says, regardless of religion denomination who profess a belief in Him that  LOVE is the most important thing we can do. That is to love him, and then our neighbor as ourself. Everything else is covered in that. As for Catholics they no longer say if you are of another Christian faith you go to hell. They even accept baptism in a trinity believing church and they accept marriages as well. What is now preached is they are a "full menu" church which was handed down from the Apostles. Now I must agree some preach that there is no salvation outside the church. So here is my opinion based on faith. Example-  We are in a boat in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico and it is sinking. We both are sinners. I'm a catholic, your of anotehr denomination. I call my priest for confession, sorry, you have to come in, I don't do any over the phone. But I have a mortal sin. Well its between you and God. He'll judge you as he will me. The other is in the same state of affairs. We both die and get up to stand before God. The rest is up to him. Now we both know the reason we feel we will be saved. That is faith. I will add however, faith without works is dead regardless if you say your born again or not. Yes what you have done for the least, etc. The rest, didn't we Lord, depart. There is the answer. Best wishes my friend and regards. Robert.

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» left by David Pekrul ⁽⁷¹⁰⁾
David Pekrul (16 days 18 hours ago.)

I haven't read all the comments on this page, so I will probably be repeating what others have said. The way to God is through Jesus Christ, who is the perfect sacrifice for our sins. It's as simple as that. I have attended many denominations in my 58 years; Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, Assemblies of God, Pentecostal Apostolic Church, Baptist, Lutheran, Anglican, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Missionary Church, Mennonite, Church of the Nazareth, and Foursquare Church. Because of my faith in Jesus Christ, they all consider me to be a Christian.

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» left by Mr. Keith ^(2,892)
Mr. Keith (16 days 6 hours ago.)

Thank you for the gracious comments. 

I never intended for anyone to think I am tired of God and articles related to God.  The subject is fascinating and ongoing for me.  What I have grown tired of is reading articles that just go back to quotes of scripture.  It seems as if everywhere I go there are groups of people pushing their agenda by taking a quote from some holy publication and then stepping back with the attitude of "see, it must be true, it is right there, in writing."

 

I do not single out the Bible because the zealots of the Muslims are much worse and much more violent about this.  Maybe years ago, during the crusades, the Christians were the same way?

My entire point is that I feel as if God exists and I grow weary of groups pointing to their religion as if it is the only way.  Most religious organizations pity those who do not feel the same or maintain the same beliefs. 

 

If I do not believe in Christ, will I get to be with God?  In the spectrum of time and the vastness of the universe I feel that to base my entire life on the creation of one book I am limiting the vastness of God?  If I asked a Muslim if I did not believe in Allah would I be able to be with God?  The answer is the same one the Christians would give.  No.

 

All religions limit the membership of their "club" by what is believed.  Without toting the "party" line you do not get granted membership.  My point is that God is too large to be weighted down by the mere rules put into one book.  If God were to be limited by the "rules" of ANY book I only see God being "fenced" in by the minimal understanding and possibilities of what God can be.  I do not accept on faith that God inspired mere men to gather and write a book.  If it were so important to God he should have done it himself.  But then there is that faith thing, which leads back to the book.

 

God is greater than any description that man could ever conjure up. If I have to limit that belief to some book that was written by men I really do not want to be included in the plan. 

 

The love and vastness of God goes beyond a book.  I desire answers.  I believe in God.  I do not grow weary of God I just grow weary and the only scripture I do put ANY faith in is James Chapter 1 Verse 5.  That would be the KJV, I would not want to confuse the situation by the hundreds of possible Bible versions that are out there.

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