Comments on: If you plant it, it might grow http://aristophrenium.com/ryft/if-you-plant-it-it-might-grow/ Proclaiming the truth of the gospel and the centrality of Christ in all things Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:48:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Adam http://aristophrenium.com/ryft/if-you-plant-it-it-might-grow/#comment-1012 Adam Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:28:11 +0000 http://aristophrenium.com/ryft/if-you-plant-it-it-might-grow/#comment-1012 Very encouraging....great stuff.<br><br>I have, however, always liked Greg Koukl's response to "the question". When asked if people go to hell because they don't believe in Jesus, Greg responds; <br><br>"Tell them the question misses the point. Tell them everything is at stake and everyone is at risk, including you. Each will have to stand before God and give an account. That’s the reality, and it’s not good news because we’re all guilty in the final analysis.<br>But there’s another reality that is good news. God has made provision for clemency. If anyone accepts the pardon God offers through Jesus, they will not be punished as they deserve but will instead receive the kindest mercy of all, complete forgiveness.<br>If they ask about those who never heard, tell them that’s a more complicated issue. Simply put, God will judge each according to the light he’s been given. (Ultimately, they will still be lost, but your answer emphasizes that no one is lost out of ignorance, correcting a misunderstanding that calls into question God’s goodness.)"<br><br>Nobody will get sent to hell because they did not believe in Jesus. <br><br>Rev 20:12 "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books."<br><br>We are sent to hell because of our deeds not our beliefs. Our beliefs can save us from that punishment but they don't convict us. Very encouraging….great stuff.

I have, however, always liked Greg Koukl's response to “the question”. When asked if people go to hell because they don't believe in Jesus, Greg responds;

“Tell them the question misses the point. Tell them everything is at stake and everyone is at risk, including you. Each will have to stand before God and give an account. That’s the reality, and it’s not good news because we’re all guilty in the final analysis.
But there’s another reality that is good news. God has made provision for clemency. If anyone accepts the pardon God offers through Jesus, they will not be punished as they deserve but will instead receive the kindest mercy of all, complete forgiveness.
If they ask about those who never heard, tell them that’s a more complicated issue. Simply put, God will judge each according to the light he’s been given. (Ultimately, they will still be lost, but your answer emphasizes that no one is lost out of ignorance, correcting a misunderstanding that calls into question God’s goodness.)”

Nobody will get sent to hell because they did not believe in Jesus.

Rev 20:12 “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”

We are sent to hell because of our deeds not our beliefs. Our beliefs can save us from that punishment but they don't convict us.

]]> By: Rick Baskett http://aristophrenium.com/ryft/if-you-plant-it-it-might-grow/#comment-1011 Rick Baskett Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:09:45 +0000 http://aristophrenium.com/ryft/if-you-plant-it-it-might-grow/#comment-1011 Wow, excellent story, thanks for sharing. It is indeed very encouraging. Wow, excellent story, thanks for sharing. It is indeed very encouraging.

]]> By: René Mulder http://aristophrenium.com/ryft/if-you-plant-it-it-might-grow/#comment-1010 René Mulder Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:25:45 +0000 http://aristophrenium.com/ryft/if-you-plant-it-it-might-grow/#comment-1010 Fantastic story :) That's what it means to be a light in this world!<br><br>I'm almost envious of the person you were able to help find God like that, it sounds like he really made a strong turn-around with God working in a powerful way.<br>Now of course that doesn't mean I think God hasn't done great things in my life. Just differently, and I guess I sometimes let my 'demons' get the best of me, making me somewhat blind of that.<br><br>I like the honest approach best: there is a hell and a lot of people are on their way to it. And of course the best thing: Jesus wants you to not go there and reaches out to us so we don't have to. If we can't be honest about what we believe, then why bother with it?<br><br>I'm still trying to figure out what it is that makes me unable to be a light myself. If that is in fact the case. My thoughts are often trying to trick or betray me, yet people around me are really positive about me how I stand in faith. Fantastic story :) That's what it means to be a light in this world!

I'm almost envious of the person you were able to help find God like that, it sounds like he really made a strong turn-around with God working in a powerful way.
Now of course that doesn't mean I think God hasn't done great things in my life. Just differently, and I guess I sometimes let my 'demons' get the best of me, making me somewhat blind of that.

I like the honest approach best: there is a hell and a lot of people are on their way to it. And of course the best thing: Jesus wants you to not go there and reaches out to us so we don't have to. If we can't be honest about what we believe, then why bother with it?

I'm still trying to figure out what it is that makes me unable to be a light myself. If that is in fact the case. My thoughts are often trying to trick or betray me, yet people around me are really positive about me how I stand in faith.

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