Whether they got there through misunderstanding or through understanding, they thankfully got there.
At times Jesus will pick us up and carry us for a time while whispering in our ear and strengthening us to walk with him it’s never just one thing because we all have a different level of understanding
im old , I’ve met a lot of people in life and because I’m Christian I’ve met a lot of Christian’s in life and I’ve heard alot of them explain what they know and believe about God and each person has a personal understanding and view of him based upon what they have been taught by elders in thier family , thier pastors , just other Christian believers in general
a some of those folks never even heard about Jesus sending the holy spirit I have known a pastor who didn’t know about receiving the holy spirit , I’ve met lifelong Christian’s who never knew that God has called us believers in Christ of all peoples his beloved children
ive heard some who never knew that we must all stand before the judgement seat of Christ and give account of everything we’ve ever said and done ect
But all of them knew and believed the basic truths that Jesus is Gods son , that he came in the flesh lived and died for thier sins and was raised up to life for thier justification all of them had a general knowledge about the gospel and believed it’s true
To my own shame now , i used to look at them like “ they don’t know enough to be saved like I do “ but it was my own arrogance and pride and just total misunderstanding of the process of faith and grace and just being willing to hear what Jesus is really saying in the everlasting gospel even if we are slow learners and late bloomers Jesus wants us enough to give his life on a cross and give us all the knowledge we need to be saved and live with him forever if we don’t turn away we’re always safe if we turn away because we don’t want to let go of our sins and start disregarding his word we need to repent post haste and get back to learning from Jesus it’s always enough at whatever point we are
If we believe and are seeking to understand we’re going to always find a new thing to let go of and do better I’m old and near the end so I hope it’s a lifelong process cause I never did reach perfection and every day still have to check myself at points and find flaws and chinks to iron out
But I see things differently now I believe how ever much we have heard is what we are accountable for some younger haven’t heard as much as others who are old like me so they aren’t going to be held accountable for what I know about only what they know about and God knows it too that’s how we can be judged justly
it really comes down to trusting Jesus that the real biblical gospel according to Matthew mark Luke and John presents to believers but when we begin to know that Jesus we’re going to know how capable he is of saving us even when our faith may fail at times like Peter who was called and walking by faith and then his faith failed him and he began to sink and drown but he just called out “lord save me !”
and immediately Jesus reached and saved him set him in the boat safely then he taught him something by asking him a question after he was safe even though peters lack of faith and focus o christ is why he sank he can keep his word to believers like this word
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 KJV
probably the most well known verse of my generation anyways and that simple true it’s testified throughout the Bible like this
“
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:43 KJV
“as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: And whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
Romans 9:33 KJV
Paul’s quoting of course
“therefore thus saith the Lord GOD,
Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
Isaiah 28:16 KJV
“And
he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and
for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 8:14 KJV
of course Peter too
“Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture,
Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”
1 Peter 2:6 KJV
salvstion is really simple if we believe in Jesus as the scripture presents him to every reader of the true scriptures we can’t invent our own version of Jesus like some do but if we believe in
the one God sent it is repeatedly testified that we shall be saved
but when you hear more of the message you begin to understand more like this is also true and testified throughout the Bible
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:5 KJV
“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”
Romans 6:15-
“Therefore,
brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh,
to live after the flesh.
For
if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Romans 8:12-13 KJV
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For
this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
Ephesians 5:3-7 KJV
As one begins to hear this and it starts to sink in thier accountability raises with it is my point an old guy like me can’t go back to only knowing what I knew when I was you band live according to that knowledge I can’t now tell god “I didn’t know lord “ the more we come to grasp and understand over time the more we need to acknolwedge our accountability to that true knowledge that is precious of God and this doesn’t mean I’m sinless or perfect but that what God has taught me in my mind and heart has become my law now I can’t live against it and still pretend I’m not sinning I have to repent and start walking by the faith in me of Christ and his gospel is my point
Not talking of me specifically but as an example we have to let Jesus decide who’s saved and who isn’t because the bar isnt the same for a bar and an old codger who has a lifetime of experience and failure but also some overcoming of some huge challenges and vices …