jaybird18c

Apart from Christ, yes.

I'm just saying that any good deeds the atheist does has no value regarding "justification."

If I lied to someone on the street, not much would happen to me. If I lied to a police officer, I might be fined. If I lied to a judge, I might be put in jail. If I lied on my taxes, I will probably pay a heftier fine and spend a significant amount of time in prison. Same offense, different punishment. What changed? It has to do with against whom the crime was committed. God is infinitely holy. His law is perfect. Punishment for transgression is unimaginably extreme. None of this can be compared or put into human terms.

People don't go to hell because they're never heard of Jesus. They go to hell because they've lied, stolen, committed adultery, coveted, murdered, disrespected parents, and countless other transgressions. However, if they are to be justified, in other words "saved," it will be through the gospel of Jesus Christ, however they knowledge of that transpires.

Hell is not God's form of retribution. It's his justice. In the same way a judge cannot let the convicted murderer go free in the courtroom without being a corrupt judge. There is no malice with God. That would be contrary to his nature. Also, the believer does not do good in order to gain favor with God. The believer does good because God has changed their nature and they're now willing to reflect his goodness. That's why it's acceptable to him. Out "goodness," if you will, is tainted with other motives. This doesn't mean that the unbeliever can't do what we would consider good things. It doesn't mean that the unbeliever can't be a very moral person, from our perspective. It doesn't mean that the believer and unbeliever alike can't do very bad things. They can! We're human. I have a brother-in-law who has been a lifetime atheist. He is one of the kindest, most charitable people I know. But good for your wife. She is being a decent human being and doing good things. It's commendable!

Yes. If you’re going to quote, why not quote context as well? It’s right there with it.

God is not vengeful and jealous as we are vengeful and jealous. What he does is always righteous. A problem people have is that they think they are like God. We are certainly made in his image, but that's where it ends. That said, the God of the OT is the same God of the NT. The difference in action has to do with the difference in covenant. The Bible is a progressive revelation of God's plan of salvation for his people, ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ. Great patience is currently being extended allowing people to come to their senses. Justice being delayed, if you will. If God exacted upon each of us the penalty for lawlessness which we fully deserve, he would end us where we stood. What is now being displayed, as an object demonstration of his character, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You have the opportunity to examine yourself and correct course, because you are currently flying low towards a cliff. This opportunity will end one day.

There has never been a person rejected by God who repented and placed their faith in Jesus Christ, whatever their circumstance or perceived experience.

The Bible implies that babies and those who aren't capable of understanding are accounted for by God's grace. And God can and does save people out of many circumstances, even that of being raised by atheist parents.

Nothing "You" or "I" can do about it. But God can. He can change your nature, direct your conscience.

Agree with the Jew and the Muslim about what?

I quoted Paul Washer. I've met him in person. I knew what he meant.

God does NOT need our "acceptance." We need HIS! I realize that asking Jesus into your heart is probably the most popular catch phrase in American evangelicalism these days. It's certainly the mantra of folks like Billy Graham. I liked Billy Graham, by the way. I don't question his salvation or his motivation. I just disagree with some of his approach. Anyway, could one lead a life of total rebellion and then on their death bed, repent, submit to God's authority, and be saved? Yes. The thief on the cross is an example of that. However, one should not use that example casually. God knows your heart. It is likely that if someone leads an entire life of rebellion, he/she is probably not saved. Walks like a duck, talks like a duck...probably a duck. A profession of faith does not save you. Being baptized does not save you. Faithful attendance of church does not save you. Only faith in Jesus Christ saves. And if he changes you, you will be changed. It will be evident in your life.

When sin entered the world, it radically affected the nature of man and all of creation. From that point on, man's relationship with God was broken, disjointed, out of sync with God's perfect will. This is passed on from generation to generation. Nothing will ultimately be made right except by Jesus.

That is definitely NOT what I'm saying at all.

Joe, do you have to teach a baby, toddler, teenager to be selfish? You have to teach them to not be selfish, correct? It is 100% guaranteed that every single one of us will translate that original sinful nature into our own, without exception, with a lifetime of sinful actions, each of which becomes our responsibility. Of course, a baby or young person who doesn't know right from wrong yet isn't responsible and, therefore, accountable. They are still sinful. However, they are accounted for by God's grace. And dude, original sin has nothing to do with sex. God created us. God designed sex. God designed sex for reproduction. He also created it to be pleasurable and enjoyed between a man and a woman. I have no idea where you get this nonsense otherwise.

He’s referring to original sin.

I'm here to amuse you. You're welcome!

Neither I nor anyone else can convince someone to believe in God. Only God can do that. It requires a supernatural act on his part. However, God can and does use testimonies of others for his purposes. And I disagree with you that God is "far from our plane." He sent his Son to be with us (Emmanuel). He also sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of the believer.

"And what sets a Christian apart from everyone else? This: You interview the orthodox Jewish man. Sir, if you died right now where would you go? I would go the way of the righteous. I would go to paradise. I would go to Heaven. Why? Because I love the law of God. I seek to obey the law of God. I seek to keep the law of God. I am a righteous man. You interview the Muslim: Sir, if you died right now, where would you go? I would go to paradise. Why? I love the Koran. I obey the Koran. I have made the pilgrimages. I give the alms. I say the prayers. I am a righteous man. Then you come to the Christian. Sir, if you died right now, where would you go? To Heaven. Why? And he begins to tell you something you don't understand. He says I was born in sin. In sin did my mother conceive me. I have broken every law of my God, and I deserve nothing before Him but His wrath, His justice. And you stop him and you say, "Sir, I don't understand." The other two men I understand. They are righteous men by their own deeds and thus they have earned Heaven for themselves. But you are contradictory. How are you going to get to Heaven if you claim no virtue or merit for yourself? And the Christian smiles and says, "I will go to Heaven based upon the virtue and the merit of Another, Jesus Christ my Lord." Now that's the doctrine of justification." - Paul Washer

You can always move to another state which better represents your values. It's not perfect, but nothing is.

Deuteronomy 32:35

The United States is a democratic form of government. However, it is not a democracy. It is a republic. There's a big difference. Who has led a proper and pious life according to God's standard of righteousness, which is the one you will ultimately be judged by, one without even an once of selfishness, pride, covetousness, hatred, adultery, lies, etc.? I think you're confusing yourself with God.

Did I say God was a narcissistic psychopath? Ensuring justice is done is a good thing. Don't blame God for your actions.

I would not wish to live in a theocracy. I prefer the constitutional republic that we have.