(September 14, 2012 at 2:03 am)JohnDG Wrote: I don't think it is possible to be a devout christian or a true christian however you want to put it. To me you can only be a follower because almost nobody can live up to the expectations of the bible. Not saying there hasn't been a perfect christian (rofl). Just saying that I seriously doubt it. Especially since one can sin in thought alone.
(NOTE to moderators: I am wanting to correct a wrong belief about Christianity. My intention is not "to be preachy." Just as an atheist would want to correct a wrong belief regarding atheism.)
You are 100% correct. The Bible actually teaches that no one is perfect and no one can ever be. Only Jesus lived a perfect life.
The only way to get to heaven is by good works. The question is do you want it to be your works that are judged by, or do you want it to be Jesus works that you are judged by?
Christians believe that by placing their trust/faith in Jesus, God looks at Jesus sinless life and counts it as their own. The cross is also called the "great exchange" where Christ took the believers sin and paid the penalty for it, and believers, through faith, can have the righteous life of Christ in God's eyes.
So when judgement day comes, even though I am a sinner and no better than anyone else on this planet, God will count Jesus' righteous life as my own.
Christians get mercy instead of justice.
