" Typical clergy. You know, God IS love, but he does not condone wrongdoing. The God of the Bible is JUDGING you, whether you choose to believe it or not. Ever read the parable of the sheep and the goats? That shows that Jesus and his father are Judging people according to their actions now, and those who act in a way contrary to God will be destroyed. So go ahead, keep teaching your lies, Mr. Clergyman. That way you can make sure that the ears of those you tickle will be destroyed during God's great day, right along with you. "

" Excellent letter, Reverend. This attitude will catch more people than attitudes like those of 'the truth'. "

" It'll catch their attention because it panders to the easy side of worship. In effect, this clergyman is saying "it's okay. live your life the way you want. God isn't watching, and he doesn't really care as long as you believe". That is one of the biggest lies promoted by christendom today. The clergy is lying to you, people. God is not only watching, he is judging and keeping account of all you do, all you don't do. People like Anita and this clergyman want to have their ears tickled, they want to worship God they way they see fit, not the way he sees fit. It's really a shame because in the end, when the Most High comes and vindicates his sovereignty, the bloodguilty ones are the clergy, not the poor people of the earth like Anita. Flee from false religion and learn the real truth from the Bible. "

" Our clergy friend is correct that God is not judging now. He is calling all of us to follow him through Jesus Christ. However, judgment is inevitable. There will come a day. We may go to God's court now and plead guilty, asking for pardon or we can wait for that dreaded and terrible day when there is no more time for repentance. It's pretty difficult to say all you want to say in an editorial, so my guess is that Pastor McCann would agree with my short note. Religion separates us but God unites us in him. "

" To 'The Truth' - Yes, God is keeping an account of everyone. However, on the day of judgement, when the Judge says, "OK, you have to pay the price of your sins," I can give him a coupon, and it says, "Save 1 Life." The small print says, "The price incurred by this man's sins have been paid for by Jesus Christ, to be redeemed at time of death and judgement." (that too is a parable, but an accurate one). This is why Jesus is called the Redeemer. ---- God is holy and unapproachable, and His laws are impossible to follow completely, as demonstrated in the Old Testament (or the Old Will). Thankfully, the testator, God the Son, came and rewrote his will and said (basically), "By faith, believe in me, and I'll pay your sin penalty and thus you can inherit eternal Life." This became God's LAST Will and Testament when Jesus (the Testator) died (thus sealing the Will). No one, not even the Judge, can overturn a sealed will. I'm grateful that we're no longer under the Old Will, because as hard as I try - and I do try because I love the Lord - I fail miserably when measured to that standard. I thank God he paid my penalty so I can inherit the right to dwell and rule with him someday. "

" Great post, Collatine. I get the impression that some people who post at this site believe God is looking for an opportunity to send anyone and everyone to hell, and that He's going to have great fun doing it. It must be kind of scary to believe that way. I am personally grateful we don't have to worry about every little mistake we make. "

" Collatine, where did you get your Bible education? The Bible for dummies? God is not Jesus; Jesus is not God. What is a Testator? Where is that in the Bible? Bible truth is not as complicated as you make it. Since "appear" to be so well educated, tell me, what is the issue that stands before all men, women and children at this time? What is the theme of the Bible? Why do we grow old and die? What is the punishment for sin? Do you think Adam and Eve are in heaven? What kind of a place is hell? If you can answer these questions properly and without babbling, THEN you will be on your way to a proper Bible education. "

" Yawn: First of all, you call my church education “bible for dummies’ and then say my message is complicated. So which is it? Complicated or dumbed down? Anyway, I’ll take the bait. Jesus is the Son and Word of God, and equal to the Father and Holy Spirit. He explains it better in the Gospel according to John. A Testator is the holder of a will. Do you have a will and testament? That makes you a testator. When you die, your will is sealed (that is, your stuff will be distributed to your heirs at the time of your choosing, according to your will), and no one can change it. See the gospel accounts of the Last Supper (especially communion), 2nd Corinthians 3, and especially Hebrews Chapter 9 for where it’s in the Bible, and how it relates to Christianity. The Bible is a collection of books, parts of which written over a period of 3 millennia by over 30 authors, all writing as the Holy Spirit inspired them. This collection of books has been passed down through the centuries largely intact, as verified by recently-discovered ancient scrolls. It’s God’s history book of the universe, and chronicles the Fall from perfection and relationship with God, and God’s efforts to win a people separated from him by sin back to him. Paul’s letter to the Romans explains it better. Also, look at Paul’s evangelical message to the Greeks on Mars hill for how to use the Biblical history to witness in today’s world. Why do we grow old and die? Because of Adam’s sin. What is the punishment for Sin? Death. Do I think Adam and Eve are in heaven? I think they’re dead, until the resurrection. What kind of place is hell? It’s bad. As I’m sure I failed the test in your eyes, let me just state that I’m glad I don’t have to measure up to man’s standards, but to God’s, and I have an advocate to defend me, and that advocate is Jesus Christ. "

" Adam and Eve will NOT be resurrected. The punishment for sin was DEATH, in their case eternal death because they willingly disobeyed God. They will not be resurrected for a 2nd chance. Hell is not a fiery place of torment. It is simply the grave. Your babble about a "testator" is not only babble, it isn't scriptural; it is contrived by the lying clergy of this world. What a bunch of hooey. The issue before all mankind today is God's universal sovereignty - his right to rule over mankind. That was the issue presented in the garden of Eden, when Satan challenged God's sovereignty. God will vindicate his sovereignty at Armageddon, when all political and religious systems are destroyed by his SON Jesus Christ, and the angels. Plain, simple, bible truth. Not complicated, not babble. "

" Oh I forgot - Jesus IS NOT GOD. That is a false religious teaching. If he was God, who was in charge in heaven during the 33 1/2 years while he was living on earth? Did he resurrect himself to heaven after 3 days? Who was in charge while God was dead, if you actually believe that Jesus is God? The scriptures in John are the most twisted, misrepresented ones used to supposedly prove that Jesus is God. The scriptures overwhelmingly support the fact that Jesus is SUBJECT to his father - he repeatedly said that the Father was greater than him; that he was going home to his father; that he was doing the work of his father. He didn't say he was going home to himself, that he was doing his own work, or that he was equal to himself. Now I could take you apart scripturally, but it isn't worth the time debating here. Jesus is not God. That is a false religious lie. A "Testator" is babble and hooey. Honey, try to find the truth from the Bible while you still can. I'll be praying for you. Respond if you want to defend your lies; I won't be reading. "

" Regarding Adam and Eve, in case someone gets confused by my flip answer and the caustic response, I meant that they are "sleeping" (as Paul described it) or resting in peace... but they are dead. Eventually, they'll be resurrected like everyone else for judgement. The reason they probably will be granted eternal life is they began religious sacrifices - animal sacrifices that shed the blood of innocent animals, probably lambs and goats to be specific - to cover their sins. In fact, the very first animal sacrifice was probably when God slew an animal to fashion decent clothes for Adam and Eve. And so began the ritual of slaughtering animals - usually lambs - to cover sin, as required by Old Testament law. Then came along Jesus, the son of God, who John the Baptist called, "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world". So Jesus became the perfect sacrifice, and no longer did God require the blood of innocent lambs as found in the Old Testament, because he was The Innocent Lamb. And so, now under the New Testament, we ritualistically partake of that sacrifice through communion. Of course, that act doesn't save us. We're saved from our sins by grace through faith. Just thought I'd clarify. "

" Why would God grant "eternal life" to the very two who started the rebellion against God on earth? They will NEVER be resurrected. They died because of their sin - they have NO CHANCE of ever living on earth again. They are eternally DEAD. Just like Satan who prompted the two rebels - his fate is eternal DESTRUCTION. Well this has just been so cheery. Honey, get a real bible education. Adios. "

" hmmmm.....i love bacon, two eggs over easy, hashbrowns and toast on sunday morning. then my wife and i go to church and worship together. the substitute pastor was female............................................ i guess we're bound for sure damnation according to the bible. "

" As a Christian, I am amazed at the amount of criticism, judgment and disagreement in the BODY OF CHRIST. I was sure our job was to be Christ-like and be an example of Jesus to the world. We are called to hate sin, but love the sinners; love our neighbor as ourselves; feed the hungry; clothe the naked; lay hands on the sick so that they will recover; love the unlovely...and we are bashing people because of what they wear or how they worship or just arguing theology for argument's sake?? We will all face judgment one day, that is a promise - the judgment comes from God, not from each other. Did you ever read "judge not lest ye be judged"?? That’s the Father’s job – not yours or anyone else’s. I personally don't care what you wear, where you come from, what you've done, what kind of music you like or how you wear your hair...I care that you know who Jesus is and that you know that HE loves you and gave His very life to set you free from condemnation and judgment and bondage. (HELLO!) Come on. The world criticizes us all enough already, can't we all just get it? We are all the body of Christ, furthering the kingdom of the ONE TRUE GOD. His word declares that any kingdom divided against itself will fall. No wonder we are not accomplishing what we should on His behalf. If we could all put pettiness, judgment and negativity behind us, maybe – just maybe, we could impact the world. The Pastor who wrote this article is MY Pastor. A man who is respected, admired and loved - but more importantly - a Godly man who was called to this area for a specific purpose, who leads us with the love of Christ, who does not condone sin, but understands forgiveness, whose life goal is to spread the Gospel. Say what you will…God is our judge. "

" to jdcalla, No doubt your pastor is a fine man and I support him even though I do not know him. Do not be discouraged by the hateful comments from others. Not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord" will make it. When I read comments like some of the above, I wonder how far we Christians are from the radical Muslims we criticize. "

" Thank-you, Pastor McCann for the article to remind me that Jesus loves me. I thought it was well written and explained the need for a savior and the need to turn from sin. Keep on keeping on for Him. ...illinoisbound "

" Here is THE REAL TRUTH, straight from the word of God, quoting Jesus Christ: John 5:22 "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son," (Oops, I guess Rev. McCann already mentioned that one; worth repeating, though, since others have PLAINLY missed it!) John 10:30 "I and the Father are one." So, this makes "The Truth" (???) and "Yawn" out to be liars. Anyone notice that neither quoted scripture? This is a typical method of the devil, and is why every one needs to study the bible to understand the context. It is very easy for scriptures to be twisted to fit one's own desires, as "The Truth" and "Yawn" appear to be very skilled at. Those of you not certain of your place in eternity in context with this article and the comments, please know this: God HATES sin. But he LOVES the sinner, no matter how bad a sinner you think you may be. If this were not so, do you think that he would have sent his precious, blameless lamb as the sacrifice for all sins? Do not reject this gift; if you refuse to believe that Jesus died as a sacrifice for all of your sins, in essence you are rejecting this gift. Those who reject this gift will not enter Heaven, but suffer eternally in hell. Also, "The Truth" and "Yawn" appear to deny the triune God. It would be interesting to know what their denomination is. It is clear that their God is out to condemn. "

" Here is THE REAL TRUTH, straight from the word of God, quoting Jesus Christ: John 5:22 "Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son," (Oops, I guess Rev. McCann already mentioned that one; worth repeating, though, since others have PLAINLY missed it!) John 10:30 "I and the Father are one." So, this makes "The Truth" (???) and "Yawn" out to be liars. Anyone notice that neither quoted scripture? This is a typical method of the devil, and is why every one needs to study the bible to understand the context. It is very easy for scriptures to be twisted to fit one's own desires, as "The Truth" and "Yawn" appear to be very skilled at. Those of you not certain of your place in eternity in context with this article and the comments, please know this: God HATES sin. But he LOVES the sinner, no matter how bad a sinner you think you may be. If this were not so, do you think that he would have sent his precious, blameless lamb as the sacrifice for all sins? Do not reject this gift; if you refuse to believe that Jesus died as a sacrifice for all of your sins, in essence you are rejecting this gift. Those who reject this gift will not enter Heaven, but suffer eternally in hell. Also, "The Truth" and "Yawn" appear to deny the triune God. It would be interesting to know what their denomination is. It is clear that their God is out to condemn. "

" They are one IN PURPOSE, not the same person. If you read that scripture a LITTLE FURTHER DOWN, it says that Jesus is also one with his disciples. Does that mean they are the same person? No. Perhaps you need to take your own advice about reading the scriptures in context. That is a good question. Did Jesus resurrect himself if he was God? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Jesus is not God. God is not Jesus. Any person or clergy that says so is a LIAR. They simply are united in their purpose and beliefs. Did you know there is a scripture that says that Jesus was in hell? If that is the case, if Jesus is God, he went to hell? Explain that. There is no such thing as a triune God. That is a false religious teaching, originating with the catholics when they tried to merge "religion" and paganism together. "

" Dan - Both Mormons and Jehovah's Witness deny that Christ is both God and Man, both human and divine. To some, this leads to a quite simplistic view of God, as evidenced in the "who was in charge when Jesus died" comments that have been explained by both simple and wise for 2 millenia. Frankly, we can't understand God anymore than an ant could understand us, except through his revelation. If The Truth/etc. were interested in learning how Jesus was "God with us" , "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father..." and so on, they could find it in COUNTLESS Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox resources. The notion that Constantine invented the concept of the trinity has been soundly debunked countless times, but it continues to crop up over the centuries in new forms of the old Arian Heresy, which first denied the divinity of Christ in about the 3rd Century, I think. "

" Collatine, you truly need a bible education as has been stated here. God is not Jesus. Jesus is not God. The scriptures simply do not support that. A few "men" over thousands of years have twisted scriptures to make it appear that Jesus is God. They overlook the true meanings of original Hebrew words, of Greek words. I feel sorry for you. You will die at the end of this system of things because you are uneducated, and have been lied to by the clergy. That's too bad. Now is the time to find out what the Bible really teaches; not what man teaches. Jesus is not God. To say so is a lie and blasphemy. "

" For the person or persons posting who claim (without backing it up) that the Bible does not teach that Jesus is God; maybe you need to re-read the book of John. In John 8:58-59 Jesus says, Verily, verily I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am. In response, the Jews tried to stone him. They recognized that Jesus was claiming to be God--uttering blasphemy, according to their beliefs. Also, in John 10, Jesus says, I and my Father are one. Again, his listeners were prepared to stone him. When Jesus asked why they were going to stone him, they told him, "because that thou, being a man, makest thouself God." There are many other examples. There is no scripture-twisting here. Jesus was claiming to be God. The responses of those who heard him make it very clear they interpreted his words that way. If I read Scripture objectively, I have to conclude that they teach Jesus is God. "

" Though not a member of Pastor McCann's church, I commend him for his well-written article and bravery for what I'm sure he knew would wreak a great deal of controversy. Though I'm a Christian, I refuse to believe that there are not other ways to practice a faith in which there is a higher being, regardless of the name attached. I think of some non-Christians who are more "christian" in the manner in which they live their daily lives than many of us REAL Christians. It shames me to see the hateful comments written in these blogs against anybody who differs from us, whether it be looks, religion, nationality, etc. Some of you are so all-knowing, judgmental and mean-spirited, all in the name of God, that it is an embarrassment to those of us who to live as Jesus commanded us: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV, Mark 12:28-31). "

" DEMOCRATS: Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden: Roman Catholic New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: Methodist Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd: Catholic Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards: Methodist Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich: Catholic Illinois Sen. Barack Obama: Christian New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson: Catholic ------ REPUBLICANS: Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback: Catholic Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani: Catholic California Rep. Duncan Hunter: Baptist Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: Southern Baptist Arizona Sen. John McCain: Episcopalian Texas Rep. Ron Paul: Baptist Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: Mormon Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo: Presbyterian Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson: Southern Baptist Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson: Catholic "

" If you truly are interested if Jesus is God or not, you will find the following information helpful. A true Bible student will see that Jesus IS NOT GOD. Is Jesus Christ actually God? John 17:3, RS: “[Jesus prayed to his Father:] This is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God [“who alone art truly God,” NE], and Jesus Christ WHOM THOU HAST SENT.” (Notice that Jesus referred not to himself but to his Father in heaven as “the only true God.”) John 20:17, RS: “Jesus said to her [Mary Magdalene], ‘Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (So to the resurrected Jesus, the Father was God, just as the Father was God to Mary Magdalene. Interestingly, not once in Scripture do we find the Father addressing the Son as “my God.”) Does John 1:1 prove that Jesus is God? John 1:1, RS: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God [also KJ, JB, Dy, Kx, NAB].” NE reads “what God was, the Word was.” Mo says “the Logos was divine.” AT and Sd tell us “the Word was divine.” The interlinear rendering of ED is “a god was the Word.” NW reads “the Word was a god”; NTIV uses the same wording. What is it that these translators are seeing in the Greek text that moves some of them to refrain from saying “the Word was God”? The definite article (the) appears before the first occurrence of the•os´ (God) but not before the second. The articular (when the article appears) construction of the noun points to an identity, a personality, whereas a singular anarthrous (without the article) predicate noun before the verb (as the sentence is constructed in Greek) points to a quality about someone. So the text is not saying that the Word (Jesus) was the same as the God with whom he was but, rather, that the Word was godlike, divine, a god. What did the apostle John mean when he wrote John 1:1? Did he mean that Jesus is himself God or perhaps that Jesus is one God with the Father? In the same chapter, verse 18, John wrote: “No one [“no man,” KJ, Dy] has ever seen God; the only Son [“the only-begotten god,” NW], who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.” (RS) Had any human seen Jesus Christ, the Son? Of course! So, then, was John saying that Jesus was God? Obviously not. Toward the end of his Gospel, John summarized matters, saying: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, [not God, but] the Son of God.”—John 20:31, RS. Does Thomas’ exclamation at John 20:28 prove that Jesus is truly God? John 20:28 (RS) reads: “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” There is no objection to referring to Jesus as “God,” if this is what Thomas had in mind. Such would be in harmony with Jesus’ own quotation from the Psalms in which powerful men, judges, were addressed as “gods.” (John 10:34, 35, RS; Ps. 82:1-6) Of course, Christ occupies a position far higher than such men. Because of the uniqueness of his position in relation to Jehovah, at John 1:18 (NW) Jesus is referred to as “the only-begotten god.” (See also Ro, By.) Isaiah 9:6 (RS) also prophetically describes Jesus as “Mighty God,” but not as the Almighty God. All of this is in harmony with Jesus’ being described as “a god,” or “divine,” at John 1:1 (NW, AT). The context helps us to draw the right conclusion from this. Shortly before Jesus’ death, Thomas had heard Jesus’ prayer in which he addressed his Father as “the only true God.” (John 17:3, RS) After Jesus’ resurrection Jesus had sent a message to his apostles, including Thomas, in which he had said: “I am ascending . . . to my God and your God.” (John 20:17, RS) After recording what Thomas said when he actually saw and touched the resurrected Christ, the apostle John stated: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31, RS) So, if anyone has concluded from Thomas’ exclamation that Jesus is himself “the only true God” or that Jesus is a Trinitarian “God the Son,” he needs to look again at what Jesus himself said (vs. 17) and at the conclusion that is clearly stated by the apostle John (vs. 31). Does Matthew 1:23 indicate that Jesus when on earth was God? Matt. 1:23, RS: “‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emman´u-el’ (which means, God with us [“God is with us,” NE]).” In announcing Jesus’ coming birth, did God’s angel say that the child would be God himself? No, the announcement was: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:32, 35, RS) And Jesus himself NEVER claimed to be God but, rather, “the Son of God.” (John 10:36, RS) Jesus was SENT into the world by God; so BY MEANS of this only-begotten Son, God was with mankind.—John 3:17; 17:8. It was not unusual for Hebrew names to include within them the word for God or even an abbreviated form of God’s personal name. For example, Eli´athah means “God Has Come”; Jehu means “GodIs He”; But none of these names implied that the possessor was himself God. What is the meaning of John 5:18? John 5:18, RS: “This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God.” It was THE UNBELIEVING JEWS who reasoned that Jesus was attempting to make himself equal with God by claiming God as his Father. While properly referring to God as his Father, Jesus NEVER claimed equality with God. He straightforwardly answered the Jews: “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing.” (John 5:19, RS; see also John 14:28; John 10:36.) It was those unbelieving Jews, too, who claimed that Jesus broke the Sabbath, but they were wrong also about that. Jesus kept the Law perfectly, and he declared: “It is lawful to do good on the sabbath.”—Matt. 12:10-12, RS. Does the fact that worship is given to Jesus prove that he is God? At Hebrews 1:6, the angels are instructed to “worship” Jesus, according to the rendering of RS, TEV, KJ, JB, and NAB. NW says “do obeisance to.” At Matthew 14:33, Jesus’ disciples are said to have “worshiped” him, according to RS, TEV, KJ; other translations say that they “showed him reverence” (NAB), “bowed down before him” (JB), “fell at his feet” (NE), “did obeisance to him” (NW). The Greek word rendered “worship” is pro•sky•ne´o, which A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature says was also “used to designate the custom of prostrating oneself before a person and kissing his feet, the hem of his garment, the ground.” (Chicago, 1979, Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, Danker; second English edition; p. 716) This is the term used at Matthew 14:33 to express what the disciples did toward Jesus; at Hebrews 1:6 to indicate what the angels are to do toward Jesus; at Genesis 22:5 in the Greek Septuagint to describe what Abraham did toward Godand at Genesis 23:7 to describe what Abraham did, in harmony with the custom of the time, toward people with whom he was doing business; at 1 Kings 1:23 in the Septuagint to describe the prophet Nathan’s action on approaching King David. At Matthew 4:10 (RS), Jesus said: “You shall worship [from pro•sky•ne´o] the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” In harmony with that, we must understand that it is pro•sky•ne´o with a particular attitude of heart and mind that should be directed only toward God. Do the miracles performed by Jesus prove that he is God? Acts 10:34, 38, RS: “Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘ . . . God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; . . . he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.’” (So Peter did not conclude from the miracles that he observed that Jesus was God but, rather, that God was with Jesus. Compare Matthew 16:16, 17.) John 20:30, 31, RS: “Now Jesus did many other signs [“miracles,” TEV, Kx] in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” (So the conclusion we should properly draw from the miracles is that Jesus is “the Christ,” the Messiah, “the Son of God.” The expression “Son of God” is very different from “God the Son.”) Pre-Christian prophets such as Elijah and Elisha performed miracles similar to those of Jesus. Yet that certainly is no proof that they were God. Is believing in Jesus Christ all that is required for salvation? Acts 16:30-32, RS: “‘Men, what must I do to be saved?’ And they [Paul and Silas] said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ And they spoke the word of the Lord [“God,” NAB, also JB and NE footnotes; “God’s message,” AT] to him and to all that were in his house.” (Was that man’s ‘believing in the Lord Jesus’ just a matter of his saying sincerely that he believed? Paul showed that more was required—namely, knowledge and acceptance of the Word of God, as Paul and Silas now proceeded to preach it to the jailer. Would a person’s belief in Jesus be genuine if he did not worship the God whom Jesus worshiped, if he did not apply what Jesus taught as to the kind of persons his disciples should be, or if he did not do the work that Jesus commanded his followers to perform? We cannot earn salvation; it is possible only on the basis of faith in the value of the sacrifice of Jesus’ human life. But our lives must be consistent with the faith that we profess, even though that may involve hardship. At Matthew 10:22 [RS] Jesus said: “He who endures to the end will be saved.”) "

" Good grief, Good Grief, give it a rest. I, for one, vote to pull your soapbox from under you! Did you ever hear: "Less is more"? I would say you lost me with your first paragraph, but, sad to say, you never even got my attention. How about some common sense--keep it brief, concise and on the subject! "

" The people wanted proof, so they got their proof. Every angle answered so there is NO question, no stone left unturned. It's not my fault you can't use (or more than likely, won't use)your reasoning abilities to wade through the information. Short concise answers don't work with people who are bent on proving that they are right. Jesus is not God. God is not Jesus. That is a false religious teaching. If you believe that lie, then when the end of this system comes, you will KNOW the truth when Jesus comes (SENT BY HIS FATHER, he doesn't send himself!) with his angels to execute his father's vengeance on those who do not believe. "