If God is so loving, why then, is the path to heaven so narrow?

All Questions, Christianity

If God is so loving, why then, is the Christian path to heaven so narrow?

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Christianity, All Questions

Last Updated

Jul 31, 2021

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This question can be further elaborated by another question “why is the path so narrow, and why does it not include many who think they are right in their own consciences?”

Before we answer, we first need to understand why so many religious beliefs exist and why they contradict each other by presenting us with conflicting natures of God.

The simple reason is that Satan is seeking to divert souls from Christ to the world, from the truth of the gospel to deception, and from Heaven to Hell.

If you have a legal currency note, there will always be those who would try to come up with counterfeit currencies.

Therefore, it may seem right in people’s minds; however, Satan has made replicas and diverted people’s attention from God.

What is fascinating about the Christian path to heaven is that it is not narrow but rather a road full of mercy and grace.

If the Christian path were indeed narrow, it would have many restrictions to get to heaven, such as how many laws you had to obey, or how much money you had to contribute, or how many deeds you would have to perform to break out of a caste system and the list goes on.

Take, for example, the pantheistic worldview (with its caste system) states that there is nothing you can do to change the purpose for which you were born, and ultimately it is the universes’ way to settle your karmic debt.

This kind of path is what we should consider as narrow as there is nothing one could do to break free from the shackles of the caste of your birth. This illustration is accurate and similar to other world religions as well.

Coming back to Christianity, when Lord Jesus said that if anyone comes to Him, He will not cast them out does not seem like a narrow path. Instead, it just shows us that the gates of heaven are open for anyone who calls out to Him.

John 6:37 (NKJV)

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

The narrowness lies in the fact that we cannot manufacture our own truth. God is one, and so is His provision is for you and me, and all He has asked of us is to receive that provision.

Let’s turn our backs on that provision. We are not submitting to the generosity of God but instead becoming narrow in our own choices.

The path prescribed in the Bible is not narrow at all; rather, it is a road filled with the prevenient grace of God and is a free gift for the entire world to receive.

John 3:16 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The Christian path to heaven is not narrow but rather, a road full of mercy and grace.

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

What are the 5 Solas of the reformation theology?

The Five Solas are five Latin phrases popularized during the Protestant Reformation, which took place in the 16th century.

Are not all religions the same?

we don’t have to go very far to see how various religions teach us different views about God.

what does it mean Christianity is a relationship, not a religion?

Christians believe that their faith is not a religion but, instead, is a relationship with God through His Son Jesus.

Are Christians extremists in their beliefs?

Christians are sometimes tagged as extremists for claiming that there is only one way to heaven. That is by putting your faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Do all roads lead to God?

Everyone believes that they are sincerely right about their religious beliefs yet could still be sincerely wrong.

Why Christianity?

All Questions, Christianity

Why Christianity?

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Christianity, All Questions

Last Updated

Jun 28, 2021

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With many mainstream religions out there, many new believers and non-believers often ask the question, “why Christianity?”

So what is different with Christianity when compared with other religions?

What is so different on comparing Christianity with other religions?

Christianity is Testable.

One of the unique points about the Christian faith, when compared to other religions, is that Christianity is ‘testable.’

This means that we can investigate the evidence of Christianity from the Biblical records and through historical documents.

It is worth noting that there are scores of material to support the gospel we have today, making it both reliable and testable. Jesus did not just claim to tell us how to get to God; in fact, He claimed to be God and performed miracles with public evidence backing up those claims.

Jesus claimed to be God.

No other religious leader or prophet in History had claimed to be God. Jesus affirmed this and proved it by His resurrection from the dead.

The Bible.

No other written religious authority claimed to be the revealed Word of God. Jesus claimed to the word Himself, and He proved it by the fulfillment of various prophecies. The Bible records a multitude of predictions which were fulfilled with 100% accuracy.

Salvation.

Whereas other religious faiths require human works (or performance) for the redemption of sins, the good news of Christianity is that it is a free gift for all those who trust and put their faith in Jesus. While other religions require considerable amounts of works from their believers, Christianity offers a free gift based on the finished works of Jesus and not based on human accomplishment.

Relationship.

Christianity is, above all, more of a relationship with the creator rather than a religion. While other religions focus on the number of good works which one must perform to reach heaven, Christianity depicts a loving and merciful God who reached down to man by sending His Son so that we could be united with Him.

Christianity has proven itself through many tests to be true, but that isn’t the only reason why you need to choose Christ. The Bible tells that God is Holy and we have sinned against Him, and in our natural disposition, we are bound for hell.

But the Bible also tells us that we can restore our broken relationship with God by repenting of our sins and believing in the free gift of Salvation accomplished by Jesus on the Cross.

If you doubt your faith or are not from the Christian Faith, I urge you to spend some moments thinking about these points and, most importantly, answer the question – Who is Jesus Christ to you?

Christianity is above all more of a relationship with the creator rather than a religion.

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

What are the 5 Solas of the reformation theology?

The Five Solas are five Latin phrases popularized during the Protestant Reformation, which took place in the 16th century.

Are not all religions the same?

we don’t have to go very far to see how various religions teach us different views about God.

what does it mean Christianity is a relationship, not a religion?

Christians believe that their faith is not a religion but, instead, is a relationship with God through His Son Jesus.

Are Christians extremists in their beliefs?

Christians are sometimes tagged as extremists for claiming that there is only one way to heaven. That is by putting your faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Do all roads lead to God?

Everyone believes that they are sincerely right about their religious beliefs yet could still be sincerely wrong.

Is it possible to know for sure if you are going to heaven?

All Questions, Salvation

Is it possible to know for sure if you are going to Heaven?

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Salvation, All Questions

Last Updated

Jul 21, 2021

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Many people doubt if they would ever be part of Heaven and wonder if there is a way to know for sure.

Let’s think of a scenario to illustrate this. Suppose you are at the airport gate – if you have a ticket, you can have the assurance that the flight attendant will let you on the flight.

The same is true for getting into Heaven.

The simple question is, how do you get this ticket? And the answer is by repenting of your sins and believing in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Why does this matter?

1. It matters because when you trust in Jesus alone, you can have the assurance that you belong to God and are one of His;

2. It matters because it now no longer depends on your performance; but rather on His finished work on the cross as a sacrifice for all our sins. Therefore, we are saved on His terms and His authority.

3. It matters because once we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells within us and gives us the assurance that we are His Children.

When you have realized all of the above in your life, you will have a deep assurance that you belong to God. The process starts with a simple Yes to His calling.

In conclusion, salvation is through faith alone in Jesus Christ and not through our performances or rituals. He alone is able to and will save you, and you can have the assurance that when death comes, your name will be called.

Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Salvation is through faith alone in Jesus and not through our performances or rituals.

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

How can I know if I am one of the elect?

This question is prevalent among believers who have read about the doctrine of election and are mainly guided by a sense of doubt and fear as they wonder if God did in fact, choose them.

What are the signs that I have been saved?

This is one of the core questions every believer may ask themselves one day.
The Bible tells us that we should examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith:

What does it mean to be saved?

The scriptures speak about salvation as having a past, present, and future.

I am saved, what’s next?

The gift of eternal life does not free us from serving God and knowing more about Him. The main purpose of our being – to know Him and to make Him known.

What if I was not born in a Christian family?

Atheists usually raise this question claiming that Christians who believe in God are merely doing so because they were born into that family or environment.

Can we lose our salvation if we commit another sin?

All Questions, Salvation

Can we lose our salvation if we commit another sin?

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Salvation, All Questions

Last Updated

Jul 11, 2021

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One of the oldest tricks used by the devil is to make every believer think that God would turn against them by taking away their salvation if they ever commit another sin.

But this is not true, and neither is this biblical. When Jesus died on the cross, He became the final and complete sacrifice for all our sins—without exception. Jesus did not die for just some of our sins but for all of it, the past, present, and future!

1 John 5:18 (NKJV)

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

The verse above does not say that a Christian never commits an act of sin but that they do not continue in the course of sin – refusing to confess and repent of their sins.

If someone has been born again, there will always be something in their conscience that draws them back to repentance every time they sin. This is why God gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us to complete the race and become more like Christ (also known as the process of sanctification) and so that we may not be deceived by the evil one.

We tend to tell ourselves that there is no sin in us, but the reality is that we are still in a fallen world, and our body is weak, as also expressed by the apostle John;

1 John 1:8 (NKJV)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

The scriptures make this truth clear that even though we are redeemed, we would inevitably continue to sin to some degree. Therefore, If it really were up to us to generate enough strength to persevere and guarantee our future salvation, then we would indeed have very little hope of persevering.

Two other interesting questions that are often asked in relation to this matter are as follows;

(1) What about Christians who continuously sin and live an immoral lifestyle?

(2) What about Christians who later reject the faith and deny Christ?

The answer to these questions is best found by asking, “who are Christians?” According to the Bible, a true Christian will not choose to live an immoral lifestyle.

1 John 3:6 (NKJV)

Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

Concerning the second question, the Bible declares that anyone who departs from the faith demonstrates that they were not a Christian in the first place.

1 John 2:19 (NKJV)

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

In conclusion, true Spirit-filled Christians will not choose to live an immoral lifestyle, nor will they reject the faith and deny Christ. On the contrary, such actions are a sign that they were never redeemed.

God is gracious and just. And if you have put your faith in Jesus Christ and honestly believe in Him, then He is faithful to see you through and complete the good work He began in you.

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Our assurance of our salvation should rest in the fact that Jesus promises to intercede for us daily as our Great High Priest and that our future salvation rests in the confidence that God will keep His promises to preserve us through the workings of His Spirit.

Jesus did not die for just some of our sins but for all of it, the past, present, and future!

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

How can I know if I am one of the elect?

This question is prevalent among believers who have read about the doctrine of election and are mainly guided by a sense of doubt and fear as they wonder if God did in fact, choose them.

What are the signs that I have been saved?

This is one of the core questions every believer may ask themselves one day.
The Bible tells us that we should examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith:

What does it mean to be saved?

The scriptures speak about salvation as having a past, present, and future.

I am saved, what’s next?

The gift of eternal life does not free us from serving God and knowing more about Him. The main purpose of our being – to know Him and to make Him known.

What if I was not born in a Christian family?

Atheists usually raise this question claiming that Christians who believe in God are merely doing so because they were born into that family or environment.

Justification, Sanctification & Glorification?

lets have a quick overview of the 3 phases is as follows.

can a christian be saved by works?

It is very common for people to believe that they can earn their way into heaven through specific acts during their time on earth such as good deeds, acts of kindness, giving to the poor, etc.

What about those who have not heard about Jesus?

The Bible says that salvation is through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
This statement has caused many to ask about those who did not have the opportunity to know the good news of Jesus. Would they be condemned to hell? Just because they never heard?

Is Baptism necessary for Salvation?

Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but instead, it depicts what took place in salvation. Baptism is a beautiful act of obedience to God’s word, and every Christian should be baptized post-salvation.

What does it mean to remain in Christ?

The writers in the new testament constantly warn the churches and the readers to remain in Christ.

Is the Bible Historically Reliable?

About the Bible?, All Questions

Is the Bible Historically Reliable?

Category

The Bible, All Questions

Last Updated

June 11, 2021

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The Bible demonstrates having divine authorship and also proves to be consistent with science.

But, if the Bible is true, it must also be historically reliable. In other words, its portrayal of people, places, and events that it claims to have occurred must be accurate.

To answer this, we will look into six lines of testimony that begin with the letter E. These steps can be applied to validate any type of historical document.

Early testimony – most if not all the new testament scripture is written before the year 78 AD. Having these documents written so close to the recorded death and resurrection of Jesus and during the life of the apostles helps prove that these documents were authentic.

Eyewitness Testimony – between the Gospel of John and the book of Acts, there are about 140 accounted details documented from eyewitnesses. These details were either written by the apostles themselves or by people who they knew were eyewitnesses. Having eyewitness testimonies is an essential component of any historical evidence.

Embarrassing testimony – there are so many embarrassing details recorded in the Bible, which you would not expect the writers themselves to have made up like for example;

The Pharisees calling Jesus called Satan.
Peter denying Jesus 3 times when questioned if he knew who Jesus was.
The disciples running into hiding while the women were the brave ones during the crucifixion.
Having women as the first to witnesses the resurrection while the disciples were doubting that Jesus would even rise from the dead.

Having embarrassing details such as these adds to the historical evidence and helps confirm that the story of the Gospel is not made up.

Excruciating testimony – the New Testament writers died brutal/agonizing deaths when they could have saved themselves by just saying that Jesus had not risen from the dead. But they went to their deaths anyway because they could not deny the truth that they had witnessed.

Expected testimony – Prophesies mentioned in the Old Testament tell us to expect a Messiah with the same characteristics as Jesus. The book of Isaiah in Chapter 53 has one of the famous prophetic chapters. This book was written approximately 600 years before Jesus was even born. Check it out for yourself.

Extra-biblical testimony – even if you disregard all the manuscripts that make up the New Testament, there are about ten other authentic ancient non-Christian sources available. These sources are written within 150 years of Jesus’s life (documenting His storyline and the early church). Using them alone, you could draft up the entire New Testament.

No archaeological finds have ever disproved the authenticity of the Bible.

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Dead Sea scrolls

The dead sea scrolls discovery was one of the most significant finds of the 20th century.

What about the apocryphal books?

Protestants believe these books are not canonical for several reasons.

Is there enough textual evidence for the New Testament?

can we rely on the new testament scripture? How much evidence do we have for it?

What about the missing Bible verses?

When you compare some of the modern bible translations (example NIV, ESV, HSSB) with that of the King James Version (KJV), it would seem as though there are some “missing verses.”

How can i be sure that the right books were included in the bible?

People often ask this question concerning the canonization (compilation) of the Bible and if Jesus would have affirmed all the books and if God inspired all of them.
So is the Bible we have today complete and authorized by God?

Has the Bible been fabricated, altered, revised, or tampered with?

About the Bible?, All Questions

Has the Bible been fabricated, altered, revised, or tampered with?

Category

The Bible, All Questions

Last Updated

June 10, 2021

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The Old Testament books (OT) were written approximately during the period 1400 BC to 400 BC.

The New Testament books (NT) were written approximately from 40 AD to 78 AD.

As of date, over 3,400 to 1,900 years have passed since the OT and NT books were written, respectively.

During this period, the books were copied repeatedly to preserve them.

Unfortunately, some of the original manuscripts were lost in this process, which has led some skeptics to question whether the Bible we have today is authentic and if we can still trust in it.

So has the Bible been divinely preserved? Let us look at some facts to determine this.

When God initially inspired men to write His word, it was God-breathed and inerrant.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

17. that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Bible nowhere applies this verse to the copies of the original manuscripts. As meticulous as the scribes were in the replication of the scriptures, no one is perfect. Comparative studies that follow word-for-word testing have identified minor variants that consist primarily of spellings or pen slips.

But, these differences would have been likely since the scribes were making copies only by hand since the printing press was not invented until the AD 1500s.

Note these are minor errors, and it does not give any ground to classify the Bible as infallible as some have claimed it is.

Any unbiased document scholar would agree that the Bible has been remarkably well-preserved over the centuries despite these minor differences. Even after 1,000 years of copying, there were no changes in meaning and almost no changes in wording.

Even many hardened skeptics and critics admit that the Bible has been transmitted over the centuries far more accurately than any other ancient document.

In addition, there is no evidence that the Bible has been revised, edited, or tampered with in any systematic manner. The sheer volume of biblical manuscripts available makes it simple to recognize any attempts to distort God’s Word.

It should also be noted that there is no fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith that is put in doubt due to these minor differences between the manuscripts.

Furthermore, various copies of the Bibles were found dating to the 14th century AD, which was nearly identical in content to transcripts from the 3rd century AD.

In addition, with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls (copies of the Old Testament Manuscripts dating to at least 150 BC), scholars were shocked to see how similar they were to other ancient texts of the Old Testament.

So, can we trust the Bible? Yes! God has preserved His Word despite the accidental faults and deliberate attacks of human beings.

Therefore, we can have the utmost assurance that the Bible we have today is a highly trustworthy copy of the original that came from the hands of the prophets and apostles. The Bible is God’s Word, and we can trust it.

God has preserved his word despite the accidental faults and deliberate attacks of human beings.

SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

The Christian path to heaven is not narrow but rather, a road full of mercy and grace.

Christianity is Testable.

Jesus claimed to be God.

The Bible.

Salvation.

Relationship.

Christianity is above all more of a relationship with the creator rather than a religion.

Salvation is through faith alone in Jesus and not through our performances or rituals.

Jesus did not die for just some of our sins but for all of it, the past, present, and future!

No archaeological finds have ever disproved the authenticity of the Bible.

God has preserved his word despite the accidental faults and deliberate attacks of human beings.

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