Also this: "It seems that God purposely assembled a book that makes it almost impossible for us to put him in a box with concrete answers, no matter how comfortable that box might be for us."

Thanks Redlefty!

I was in the dollar store looking for a small handy size bottle of mouthwash. As I made my way to the front of the store I picked up on a conversation between the cashier and a woman shopper pertaining to job availability.The woman inquired about various jobs around town made a little small talk, then told the cashier that it was up to the Lord to find her the perfect job…and that it was up to Him to decide what hours she would be working, etc… Then she made a comment like “I know that must sound weird”, and proceeded to ask the cashier if she was a believer and if she knew where she would be spending eternity if something should happen…the cashier agreed with her about being a believer, and said she DID know where she was going…

God Bless this woman for what she was intending to do…
I m absolutely nobody to sharp shoot anybody else’s evangelistic style…

however,

Recently a friend of mine made this observation about Christian’s

“They were so wrapped-up in the joy and rapture, that they could’nt really communicate with their fellow man in a realistic way. So…in that sense…how do others benefit from their state of grace?”

I wondered if this was sort of what both of you meant?

All I know is what worked for me,and that is definitely not what would’ve worked for me. If I were the cashier, and I was in fact unsaved, I think I might of gone away from that encounter feeling like some Christian people are kind of nut-zo and that I was NOT at all compelled to be one!

Of course, everyone s different…and you know what they say about all of the shots you never take (you miss everyone of them) But how many people do you alienate before you find someone who says

No, I m not saved and could you tell me more about this Jesus?

Whats happening in our world right now is more than enough of a backdrop to work from as an ambassador of Gods love. I’ve found that the many opportunities to share the love of Christ are more tangible in nature…food,shelter,compassion,a listening ear or maybe even an interesting blog for people to read.

As Christians, we constantly talk about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We evangelize and exhort people to come to know “Him” but do we through our actions show others the love of Christ by taking the same time to get to know them either before we do our “cold call” or afterward? Do we feel the need to hang about at all and see that they are discipled or that the seed we have scattered is’nt eaten up by the birds of the air? relationship,relationship,relationship! lol

I appreciate your thoughtful response and graciousness even when I'm being a bit prickly. I have considered those questions you list, though after looking at several other passages, I still believe that only believers will get to heaven.

I, too, have seen some changes in my theology as I study, and I will check out your blog to see if you can show me anywhere I'm wrong

Thank you for the post! I, for one, think this world would be a much better place if we all shopped for the same clothes you are wearing…..

I grew up in a very conservative church (which I still attend, actually) and the bible is still my #1 source of guidance in life. I have studied it in-depth for many years.

For me, I've found that the more I study, the less I'm able to say that any particular verse means just one thing. It seems that God purposely assembled a book that makes it almost impossible for us to put him in a box with concrete answers, no matter how comfortable that box might be for us.

The same bible that includes John 14:6 also has sections that show:

— Jesus took ALL sins of the world upon himself at the cross… even the ones who didn't ask for it?

— Jesus was forgiving people before he had died/resurrected… perhaps the penal substitution model isn't the only way to look at Jesus' sacrifice? Maybe instead of HAVING to die to settle some cosmic sense of justice, he HAD to die to illustrate how much we've been loved all along? It doesn't change God's answer at the garden, but it might change how we see God. And both models can be supported (or shot down) biblically.

I could go on for a while but I'll try to use some self-control (fruit of Spirit!).

If the bible had simple interpretations, we wouldn't be experiencing thousands of denominations using the exact same source text.

So since my studies often seem to leave me answerless, and even add more questions, I've been trying on different interpretations like people try on clothes. Then I see how those interpretations change my daily walk.

Right now, if I'm wrong, I'm erring on the side of grace. And this set of clothes — choosing to believe that God has better plans for mankind than I've previously given him credit for — fits me nicely. No clue if I'm "right", but I sure am a better person (and Christian) now!

I guess that shows why we Christians need to study the entire Bible so we can better support our arguments! (And why I shouldn't always jump in mid-conversation without having seen what others have said before me.)

http://johnshore.com/2008/06/03/jesus-the-decider…

I am interested in hearing what other ways there are to interpret "no way to the Father except through me." I've studied quite a few different interpretations of the Bible and have never heard another one for that one.

Also, if there were another way, why would Jesus have died? He is even recorded as praying for another way before His death (Mark 14:35-36). Even if you personally do not believe the Bible is true, you should at least be able to see why those of us who do cannot be logically consistent and say there are other ways to God.