See: One News Now Article on Obama's Statements
QUESTION: Do the morality and works of man (apart from Christ) merit heaven?
Answer: No.
A. Because of our sin nature and sinfulness, our works are not acceptable.
Isaiah 64:6 "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."
B. The only acceptable offering before God is His Son whom he anointed, has taken pleasure in, and accepts.
Hebrews 10:5-10 "Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: 'Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.' Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.' "First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). 9Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
C. Apart from Christ, no one meets the God's righteous standard.
Rom 3:22-23 "...There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
D. Those who believe in Christ will be saved.
Acts 16:31 "They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
E. Those who reject Christ will not be saved.
1 Cor 15:55-57 ""O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin; and the ower of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jn 14:6 "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Conclusion: Only those who are in union with Jesus Christ through faith, who have been justified by his blood, and who are shielded by his covering will avoid God's displeasure and wrath. Hence, only true believers will be saved. Others, including Muslims, moralists, etc., who persist in their unbelief will not be saved nor find themselves in heaven.
This is not surprising and in fact is common in the American church today. Most of the leadership of the main line (liberal) denonminations would say pretty much the same thing. I have heard a Methodist bishop say it and the USA Presbyterians have debated it at their general assembly.
ReplyDeleteIf a person affirms other ways to salvation, he is in effect denying Christ's atonement as even being necessary. This is called unbelief and such people are not saved......