How do different Christian beliefs affect different Christians?

Answer 1

There are probably a multitude of possible answers to this question, seeing that God deals with individuals. The following are a number of different views: In my opinion, the most poignant difference between Christians and their beliefs is in one very important issue: the belief that one can lose his salvation vs. the belief that once you are saved you are always saved. I've had several disputes, arguments and debates with fellow Christians over this matter. One group might argue that once you become a Christian, you are bound to lead a sinless life and that you must be found without sin in order to receive eternal life. Another group might argue that, because of Jesus' sacrifice, Christians are redeemed from their sins forever. This group holds to the argument that all people are sinners and, although we can't help that, we can rely on Jesus to keep us from sin and to forgive us. How do these differing beliefs affect Christians? In two ways: The argument itself brings strife into the Christian community (and therefore, it is sometimes avoided and never resolved). And, those who believe you can lose your salvation live with the constant fear of not holding up to their Christian status, while those who believe you can never lose your salvation sometimes use it as an excuse to sin and think they can get away with it. Both sides of the debate have valid points, but there is only One who knows the true answer. On a different plane, many Christians find great encouragement to the whole field of intellectual and scientific endeavor through a number of the statements in The Bible. Quite apart from the obvious fact that if the Bible is true, then God created the human brain, and that brain is meant not to be idle but to be used for good. Also Christians are encouraged by such statements as 'test everything' (KJV 'Prove all things) in 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

Questions of faith and life also have answers both from the Bible itself and from a personal knowledge of the God of the Bible who has promised to guide and lead His people into 'all truth.' This cannot be simply confined to matters of faith.

The following verses have been a great encouragement to me personally, since they encourage seeking for answers and also promise that they will be found. In over 30 years of looking, I have never lacked a satisfactory answer, although there is always more to be learned.

7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?