John Paul II has died

[jmwhalen]

"Do you know for a fact that Pope John Paul never gave his life to Christ?"

My comment:

Justification has nothing to do with "giving your life to Christ"-that is service, or sanctification("your walk") for those who have already been justified as children of God..

The Biblical order is SONSHIP(justification), then SERVICE(sanctification). Those who reverse this biblical order are putting the proverbial "horse before the cart", and are confusing service to our Father AS SONS with service TO BECOME SONS. Those who make statements such as "make Jesus Lord of your life", "turn your life over to Jesus", "give your life to Christ", misunderstand the fact that the foundation of the gospel of Christ, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, is that the Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for us-"...Christ died for our sins...."- and has nothing to do with us giving him anything as a basis for our acceptance by a Holy God!

The Lord Jesus Christ died for "the ungodly"(Romans 5:6), Christ died for us "while we were yet sinners"(Romans 5:8)-no "fixing yourself up"(service=works)prior to justification. The LORD God is not interested in us "giving our life" to Him as a basis of acceptance. He tells us to accept by faith the sacrifice of His only begotten Son's life in our place, and the resurrection 3 days later, and He will justify us and REPLACE OUR LIFE WITH THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST within us-eternal life!

Again, the biblical order is Sonship, then service, not the works-based performance system("religion") of service to become Sons(Roman Catholic Church, Mormons, Islam...............). Eternal life is not a reward for doing good, but a gift to those who deserve death, received by faith. The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to make bad people good, He came to make DEAD people ALIVE.

No, salvation is not about us giving God anything-He needs nothing from any of us. The foundation of the "good news" centers on the gift, accepted by faith, provided by God the Father, of the Lord Jesus Christ giving you eternal life through His substitutionary atonement and resurrection, i.e., by Him giving up His life, and God the Father accepting that sacrifice by blood as a satisfactory payment(propitiation) for the wages of sin, which is death. The resurrection is the "proof" that the sacrifice of this great Saviour of ours was satisfactory.

The "pope" may have "given his life to Christ", but that does not save anyone. That is service, and the LORD God will not accept any work-based performance system, despite the "good intentions", as a basis for justification. The only standard of righteousness acceptable to a Holy God is the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is available only to those who BELIEVE what was already done on their behalf 2000 years ago by the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corithians 15:1-4, as it is written:

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:5

In Christ,

John Whalen

[nebula]

Although I can appreciate your feelings on the matter, WSB, your statement makes it seem as if you believe all those who have been given the Spirit are immune to differences of opinion or even deception.

I know that this is not true.

[emmetkeogan]

Pope John Paul II has died.  Pray for a good successor.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hi im new ,i think he was one of the best popes.He will be remembered for a long time to come.

[emmetkeogan]

i am a new member and think the greatest pope has pasted away.

[Botz]

[refugepsa91]

I was watching some old footage of John Paul II, it was after his recovery from getting shot...he went to the prison where the shooter was and forgave him...then he sat down and they were head to head in a embrace and the pope prayed for him...the shooter was crying and you could see the disbelief on his face...disbelief that he was being forgiven...it was a wonderful thing to watch...it actually brought tears to my eyes...

Love and Blessings,

Angel

[Keith]

I was watching some old footage of John Paul II,  it was after his recovery from getting shot...he went to the prison where the shooter was and forgave him...then he sat down and they were head to head in a embrace and the pope prayed for him...the shooter was crying and you could see the disbelief on his face...disbelief that he was being forgiven...it was a wonderful thing to watch...it actually brought tears to my eyes...

Love and Blessings,

Angel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wish I had television right now because from my studies, this was one amazing man. I'd like to see some of his life's highlights played across the screen. Regardless of what anyone says, I know the Pope was a born-again believer and is now with the Father.

[Abigailwc]

Pope John Paul II has passed on from this life.  His fate is in the Lord's hand.

Our concern needs to be towards those who are living.

.......

And let us pray for the selection of the next Pope - that he will be a follower of Jesus and faithful shepherd under the Lord.

Fully agree with you, Nebula.

[refugepsa91]

Keith,

It was on ABC I believe....if you go to their site you may be able to watch a video feed of it....just a thought...it was so moving...if its there you won't be disappointed.... I will go look too for ya....

Love and Blessings,

Angel

[dgolvach]

I think the Catholic Church and the Pope were and are dead wrong on some issues. I don't need to list them. I think the Protestant Church (Me) are probably dead wrong on some issues as well. We don't even agree with each other half the time. Just consider the OSAS threads we have seen here on this board. My guess is for those who chose Christ, when they cheak out as the Pope did on Saturday, Jesus will probably look at them and say" You got alot of it wrong, but you chose me and my grace. Well done good and faithful servant." I believe the Pope went to heaven wrong about some things but I believe his faith and love for Jesus was very real. He was a Christian and a fine man who stood up for so many Godly causes. He was a brother in Christ as are many other Catholics who trust Jesus but get some things wrong ,do.

P.S. for all of you non-OSASers on this board. I believe you are brothers/sisters in Christ as well. I believe if you trust Christ you will join the Pope in heaven and you and Catholic believers both can tell me how right I was on all my doctrines.

God Bless John Paul and Catholics who love the Lord and all of the Protestants who disagree with me.

Dan