Sexually excited about geometry (or getting off on a tangent)

Most people's sex lives are a big part of what they have to confess and repent of. That is large part of most people's lives and not something that you just would not think to include.

 

People can not help being a sinner but they can repent of it. I do not buy into that classification system. You do not say it is ok to be a thief but it is a sin to steal. You do not say it is ok to be a liar but a sin to not tell the truth. You do not say it is ok to be an adulterer but not ok to cheat on your wife. People are defined by their actions not what desires they may have.

 

But we are "Saved by Grace, not by Law". Having all these rules and regulations is trying to turn it back into "Saved by Law". Most of the Christians I have talked to say "Just accept Jesus", and you will be saved. Oh, and you have to repent. Oh, and add confess your sins to that. Oh, add baptisim to that. Oh, you have to be dunked, not sprinkled.

 

Baptism is a physical ritual that publically demonstrates your personal, private acceptance of Christ. I was baptized at 10 years, but really didn't appreciate it until high school. I chose not to be baptized again.

I've always felt Jesus was a good Jew, but he took Jewish law and turned it on it's ear.

 

I agree that some try to add requirements to salvation that are not truly there but there is a very strong biblical basis for including repentance in the salvation process:



“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13).

“Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:20-21).

“And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:2-5).

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. … Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7, 10).

“And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:46-48).

Christ’s goal in dealing with men was not merely to lead them in a sinner’s prayer, but to bring them to repentance and genuine salvation. He described salvation in terms of coming to repentance.

“And they went out, and preached that men should repent” (Mark 6:12).

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31).

“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:22-23).


“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).

“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:20-21).

“But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20).

 

I was baptized on Sept 26, 1982, I accepted Jesus on Sept 12th, 1982. It didn't take.

 

I voted yes.

Jesus loves us all, regardless. That's why he's Jesus.

 

What exactly does "repent" mean? I'll give you an example which parallels gay marriage. My current girlfriend was divorced several years ago. Let's say I married her, and later (due to a blow to the head where I lose sanity JK) I "get religion" and decide to dedicate my life to Jesus Christ. In order to do this I would have to confess my sins. Since being married to a woman that was "put away", makes me an adulterer, I would have to confess and repent of that sin. Exactly how would I do that? (The parallel here would be a man or woman who has a gay partner). (Of course, I could still get married, and a gay person can't.)

 

Did you really and sincerely accept him, including a realization that you were a sinner and repentance from it?

 

I do not subscribe to the doctrine that says divorce is not valid and marrying a woman who has been divorced means you are living in adultery.