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Line 3: + − Many Christians believe that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This is often interpreted to mean that everyone has displeased God and is now separated from him in a kind of alienation and enmity that results from the fundamental conflict between selfish human interests and God's interests (Romans 8:5-8; James 4:4).+ − However, Jesus suggested that those who repented of their sins would be forgiven. He said that "...the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." (Mark 2:10) Jesus also said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Marck 2:17, and "Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men" (Mark 2:28)+ − Jesus Christ taught that "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). There are many theological opinions about how this takes place. Evangelical congregations often use the terms "saved" and "born again" interchangeably.+ − −
→Salvation
== Salvation ==
== Salvation ==
The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This is often interpreted to mean that everyone has displeased God and is now separated from him in a kind of alienation and enmity that results from the fundamental conflict between selfish human interests and God's interests (Romans 8:5-8; James 4:4).
However, Jesus offered a solution to this Biblical dilemma in that by repentance of sins and faith in him (Jesus), their sins would be forgiven. He said that "...the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." (Mark 2:10) Jesus also said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mark 2:17, and "Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men" (Mark 2:28)
Jesus Christ taught that "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Evangelical congregations often use the terms "saved" and "born again" interchangeably.
Born again believers are expected to continue living by Christ's teachings (John 8:31), as is appropriate for "children of Light" (Ephesians 5:8-10). Some believe that this is necessary in order to stay saved. However, this is a common misconception of the text. It is rather referring to proving that one is a child of God by their "fruit" (things that they do and how they behave). The Bible says that salvation is irrevocable and that it cannot be lost, if it was genuinely part of one's life to begin with: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39; NASB). According to the Bible, the reason it cannot be lost by natural things is because salvation was obtained through a supernatural being, namely Jesus Christ. This does not negate Jesus' human side, only that he was both one-hundred percent God and one-hundred percent man, according to the Bible. The Bible also makes it clear that mankind cannot earn their salvation, and that it is a free gift.
Born again believers are expected to continue living by Christ's teachings (John 8:31), as is appropriate for "children of Light" (Ephesians 5:8-10). Some believe that this is necessary in order to stay saved. Others believe that salvation is irrevocable or even universal and unconditional.
== Christian beliefs about God ==
== Christian beliefs about God ==