Originally posted by Hawk-A-Loogey:
I already did! I'm not lying, I'm looking to you for spiritual guidance.
Hmmmm. You may have to take way "The biggest lie in the history of internet bulletin boards" from cyclone junkie in your sig line.
You said,
Thanks for helping me see the error of my ways. Actually, this has been quite helpful I now understand that there are at least TWO requirements that I must fulfill in order to get to Heaven. First, I must believe that Jesus died on the cross for me. Second, I must eliminate all continuous, willful sin from my life, as you have done. As of right now, I will no longer engage in any continuous or willful sins. However, I have a couple of follow-up questions.
The demons believe these things but at least shudder. There are not two requirements. There is only one true requirement. We are saved by grace through faith. What "faith" entails, however, is larger than you think and differs according to the individual. There are many things under the umbrella of faith. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. If you had done so you would not brazenly go off into your bathroom and masturbate to another man's wife (probably your sister in Christ). You loved something more at that moment.
You then said,
1. Are there also any requirements in terms of good works? For instance, I go to church every Sunday, and I hear the message, but sometimes I never really feel like I'm taking enough action. I'm not out there feeding the poor, or handing out pamphlets on the street corner -- and I really don't help with the volunteer projects at church. I always find a way to get out of it when they ask for somebody to help mow the lawn. Is this gonna keep me out of heaven?
Good works only prove there is faith. If there are no good works then there is no faith, and therefore one can't be saved by grace through faith.
James 2:14-20
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, ÒDepart in peace, be warmed and filled,Ó but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, ÒYou have faith, and I have works.Ó Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believeÑand tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
People then ask, "How much faith do I need?" People have varying degrees of faith. There is no certain level required by all. The longer we are in the faith the more that is required of us. The amount of faith one has more determines the blessings/privileges they have in their life, rather than whether they are saved or not. Those with more faith have more spiritual victories, confidence, and happiness. Those with less have more defeats, worries, and problems. It doesn't mean they're lost.
God sees things the church people never will. God will judge you in the end. You could have countless good works and fool many people into thinking you're walking the walk. But he knows why you truly do what you do. You know if you're trying to do the right thing or the wrong thing. What are you intentions? Are you continuing in sin thinking grace will increase? One can fool us, but one can't fool God.
James 4:17
17 Therefore, to him who knows the right/good thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
You then said,
2. I understand that I may still occasionally sin, but how do I know for sure whether or not it's a continuous, willful sin, as opposed to an ordinary, everday sin? You have pointed out that I need to repent, and that if I have truly repented, then I will quit doing the sin. Well, I do have a little problem with taking the Lord's name in vain. I have vowed to try very hard to stop doing this. But let's say that I slip up from time to time -- e.g. let's say that maybe once every month or so I slip up in the heat of the moment, and I use a swear word. Obviously, I can't then say that I have truly eliminated all willful, continuous sin -- as you have done -- because I haven't really quit doing the sin! Thus, it appears that it is very important for me to never slip up again with regard to my cursing problem, because my salvation depends on it.
One man sins and beats his chest in shame. He hates the sins he performs and had decided to eliminate it. He doesn't want to have an outburst of anger, but he ended up doing that which he hated. He was saying things almost before he realized it. A month later he does it again, but his conscience is not seared. He is determined to follow his master. He is in repentance. Repentance is not perfection, but a turning of direction. He knows he's on a different path. His old actions are becoming aberrations, rather than the norm. It's just not him anymore.
Another man feels the urge to have an outburst of anger and then realizes he can stop it. But he, in rebellion, knowingly decides to let them have it anyway. He simply loved the satisfaction of the outburst more than he loved God. He then does the same thing the next day. Soon his conscience is seared and it's "just him." I don't believe the Scripture says the second man's sins are covered as he has decided to stay in that sin. His true love has been exposed. He who practices sin is of the Devil, as John the apostle says.
You then said,
3. Also, you have convinced me of the importance of judging other believers. Now, there are a large number of overweight men in my congregation, and I have noticed that they LOVE food. They talk about the buffet at Golden Corral the same way that I used to (before you healed me) talk about the beauty of the female form. Also, when we have church socials, I flat-out see these guys overeating. Some of them are at least 50 lbs overweight, and they're going back for heaping seconds and thirds. And it almost seems like they're proud of it. How should I confront them? Should I pull out the big guns right away -- like you did with me -- and tell them never to enter the church again UNTIL they have repented? Should I confront them one-by-one, in private, or should I just get on the loudspeaker and do it all at once?
The actions of Christians judge them. Others can see the actions and God's revealed judgment on such actions. If it is obvious then it must be dealt with. I would not pull the alleged "big gun" out on them like I did you, unless, however, they were as arrogant as you were about it and openly shaming. Some people need a "slap" the way Peter did to Simon the magician. The people you mentioned are not just mere acquaintances on message boards; you know them. I would go to them in private and ask them if they understand what gluttony is. Maybe they don't know. Are they mastered by food, as the apostle Paul taught against? Do they eat to live or do they live to eat? Do they feel what they're doing is the right thing to do? If they feel they can be gluttons, then they've wrong. If they don't feel it is right then it is sin to them as per James.
I've never read that being overweight is a sin. I think that is because "What is overweight?" It is a sin to be mastered by something other than the Master. Since we have no clear Scriptural fact sheet on the matter then it is obviously a matter of opinion. Often these sins will lead to more obvious ones. Is it ruining their health so they cannot support their family? That's worse than being an unbeliever. Is it ruining their example to others? That's called a sin, too.
It's kind of like smoking. I have found almost all Christians in our church give up smoking because they all eventually believe it is not the
good thing to do. It ruins their example, it wastes money, it's not good for their health, and it doesn't do anything good. Once they think that then they must stop, because according to James it is then sin.
You're probably noticing there is not clear lines on some things, and that is bothersome. However, that's the way it is supposed to be. Life is a test. Also, most of Christianity is not made up of laws. It's not about law following, but truly loving God and being a true disciple. It's doing the right thing. It is to be taken seriously. That's why the next verse is so important.
Philippians 2:12
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
You finally said,
4. Lastly, there are a lot of non-Christians that I see living sinful lives. My neighbor is living in sin with another woman. Should I confront him, and let him know that he's going to Hell if he doesn't change his ways and make an honest woman out of her?
He's going to Hell if he's not a Christian. You can always share your faith with him. If he doesn't want to listen then don't give it to him. If he's not a Christian it's not your responsibility to judge, that is, take action on the outsider. Leave him alone and set a good example.