Originally posted by ckoh1965
In other words, what you are saying is that if a person has done some sinful acts in his life; then repented when he found God, he [b]might still end up in hell, because he still need to pay for his past sins.
Hmm... in that case perhaps it is time for the bible to be updated. The Muslim holy book, I believe, is friendlier. If you convert to Islam, all you sins in the past would be washed away. Very appetizing, huh?[/b]
What I am saying is that I believe ALL of mankind to be redeemed by Christs sacrifice on the cross. This applies to men and women who have died before, during, and after the time of Christ.
There is no magic formula for salvation other than sheer faith. What I can tell you is that God desires faith first and foremost. Biblically, sin is merely the absence of faith in what God is telling you. If you do as he tells you will naturally repent of sin because he is a holy God. Also I can tell you that God demands blood sacrifice for sin. This can be seen throughout the Old Testament up until the time of Christ. Then mysteriously blood sacrifices stopped. That is, of coarse, unless you are a Christian. If you are a Christian you believe that God never changes and still demands blood sacrifice such as the blood sacrifice of his Son on the cross. Why does God require a blood sacrifice you may ask? I have my speculations. The Bible says that the life is in the blood. From what we know today, there is truth in this. All I need to do is draw a blood sample from you to get an indication of your overall phyisical health. Therefore, as sin brings death the "lifeblood" of a blood sacrifice becomes a substitute for such sin. The Bible does not come out and say this directly, rather, this is merely my speculation based upon what it does say.
As far as who is saved and who is not, I do not think it worthy of speculation. After all, God is the judge of such matters. Why then do we persist in speculating such matters as if we were to be the judge and jury. All I can tell you is that God judges according to your heart and he is a fair and just judge according to the life circumstances you may find yourself in. Therefore, I think it imperitive that we dedicate our energies instead to examining our own hearts before it is examined for us.