In Reply to: Re: To Moonshiner about hell posted by moonshiner on February 24, 2006 at 14:20:19:
I'm more inclined to believe it's not so much words that we're judged by, but our actions. I believe that God looks on the heart, and that is what he is judging.
When you talk about a contract, you are talking about a law and Jesus said he came to do away with the law. Therefore, if someone believed and then stopped believing because of being hurt by other religious people or some tragedy, I think all that is taken into consideration by a just God. And on the other hand, I think if someone is proclaiming they believe in God, attend church and meanwhile sodomize little boys, I would personally like to see them suffer a bit for their crimes once they pass on. The point is, their Christian cover does not make them a Christian and I think a just God would know this.
Someone who does not profess Christianity, however, by their selfless acts could very well be granted everlasting life on those merits.
I just don't think it's cut and dry the way people have evolved into translating the bible. i.e., "oh, if I don't mouth the words 'I accept Christ as my savior' I'm going to hell." I just don't think it's simplistic like that. That wouldn't be a just god.
And probably, you have a very good argument. :)
Anyway, that's how I deal with those questions.