Yes, the Bible verses that you site are correct. Salvation is a "free gift of God."

BUT "And hereby we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" I John 2:3, This is not an isolated passage. Scripture is very clear, Repentance, Restoration ( if you have wronged someone, you will need to do all you can go get it right) and then Forgiveness. Then you are to "walk with God". "Behold, All things will be new." Many of the former things you did and places you went to, you cannot do or go there anymore, because they violate one or more of the Ten Commandments and you now, have a Testimony to maintain because you call yourself a "Christian."

Since your article is about Mr. Woods, and I do not know much about him except what I see. But a mark of a true Christian is the "Keeping of the Ten Commandments" and a Christian walk that is pleasing to God, he could turn and "confess his sins and God would be faithful and just to forgive his sins", BUT "to whom much has been given, much will be required." He has sinned publicly and that is the "danger" of being a leader for what a man has done publicly, he will have to confess publicly, and will have to maintain a humble, honest walk with God, forsaking "all others" to go on with the Lord.

So "Whosoever will may come", but Scripture is very clear, you must "keep the Commandments". When the heart has truly been converted, it is not grievous to keep those Commandments, it is an "outward show" of an "inward condition of the heart" that you have been "redeemed". All Praise and Honor to God Almighty.

For God & Country

Ruth Ann Wilson

Ruth,

Be careful, it is easy for someone to misinterpret what you have said. Keeping the law is not a path to salvation for Christians. But keeping the law is a natural behavior for someone who already has salvation.

A person's behavior does not determine whether they will eventually go to heaven or hell. Their destination is determined only by whether they are believers and thus a recipient of God's grace. If a person confesses their sins, repents, and believes that Jesus is the son of God who died for our sins and was resurrected, then they are saved. Proper behavior is a logical consequence of having first been saved. It is not a requirement for salvation - it is the fruit of salvation.

What David said. Other than that, a message for Ann, don't know if she'd ever see it:

Dear Ann,

From a fellow believer, great article about our Christian faith.

I wanted to point out one more verse however. Matt 10:16 "Be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves."

Don't get me wrong, I understand that you're not a wimpy, PC, "kinder and gentler" conservative Christian. You tell hard truths, that people often don't want to hear, and that can be hurtful. And they'll hate you no matter what. But honestly, sometimes, even for you, you get a little carried away. Talking about Christian love and hating Susan Sarandon (understandable as it is) don't go too well together. Perhaps you're only kidding about that, but a lot of people won't get that, and I'm not even sure myself.

Also, Christians aren't supposed to swear, though believe me, I know how hard that can be sometimes. (It is SO hard not to swear when you hear these lying sacks of manure smear us.)

I'm not saying don't keep writing the hard truths that hurt the libs' wittle feewings. Somebody needs to do it, and it's very entertaining to read. I'm just saying be careful. There's such a thing as being a tad TOO outrageous, sometimes. There's a fine line there, I know.

God Bless,

Ben

The libs are out in left field as usual. The very good thing that Brit Hume said was "I don't *think* that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption..." (emphasis added) That places his comment well in the context of his opinion, based on what he knows about Buddhism and what his own priorities would be, were he in Tiger's shoes.

The simple fact is that there is no sin in Buddhism, so there is no need for redemption. That's not to say there's no responsibility. There is, and Tiger will have to work through these things. But he can do it within the construct of his own religion.

Other than the forgiveness of those he has wronged, within the context of Buddhism, Tiger would not be seeking "forgiveness and redemption".

In assuming that's what Tiger seeks or needs, Brit merely shows his own perspective and his unfamiliarity with the tenets of the Buddhist faith, especially in the context of something that is an issue of sin for Christians.

Anyone who was listening with both ears would know that this does not "dis" Buddhism. It's a statement made in ignorance about the religion. Similarly, when spotted owl Gore referred to Joseph and Mary as homeless, instead of knowing that there were traveling on the night of Jesus' birth, it doesn't dis Christianity. It just shows his ignorance.

The scariest religion in the world ... is the religion of politics. I see the many gods of politics worshipped by Christians and Jews alike.

Kenny and Chris, so what? If you've gotta go that far sideways when this question of eternal destiny confronts you, where are you?

Ben, if Ann seems a little glib sometimes for the subject matter, think of her as going where no evangelist has gone before. I love it when she talks about Jesus. She appeals to the smart-alex in all of us. And even Smart Alex's need Jesus!

Ruth Ann and David. Well said and well cautioned.

I don't know. This question still tags along where ever I go. But I think too much and wonder if it really is so complex.

I am a Christian who claims rebirth in Christ but am not without sin.

Whoever takes the deal, gets the deal. Is it quite so simple?

The Bible refers to the faithful in Christ as His bride. And Christ refers to marriage as inviolate, except for the cause of infidelity. The apostles urged, pleaded and begged for their brethren to remain faithful.

Did Tiger really marry? Was he lying when he took his vows or was he only found to be a liar later.

The proof's in the pudding. He is proved to have been no Husband. His wife's unbound from the obligation she once accepted.

People walk down an aisle or stop where they are (and put Susan aside) and say a prayer.

I say Jesus, I've been so wrong, please forgive me.

Come in to my heart, I will trust you and I will let you govern me.

But will I be faithful? I rejoice in His Grace, but might not I be proven a liar? The Word says, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling."

There are no end to "If's" and "But's" in the Bible.

The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost contain none.

The truth is triune.

Not Either/Or.

Therefore I may loathe my own heart's potential for betrayal...while resting assured in this Gift of Salvation...while knowing God alone is the Judge of each soul.

Note: Do Not Attempt Christianity Without Prayer.

And perhaps bring along a sense of humor.

And now I really hope we don't meet again in some special compartment of Hell reserved for the pompous.

Well, these are questions philosophers and theologians have wrestled with for centuries, so I doubt we're going to settle them here. I don't think that was the point.

The point is to show the hypocrisy of the Left on the subject of Christianity. "Who are we to judge anyone??" is the Liberal mantra -- except when it comes to Christianity and Conservatives. They have no qualms about judging US all day long.

And they scream at the tops of their lungs about diversity and respect for other views, but not when it comes to Christianity and Conservatives. Then it's all about shutting us up, slapping vile labels on us and trying to force us to conform to THEIR beliefs. Lemme see...we can't judge a terrorist or a child rapist because we can't know every single thing about every second of their lives, so who are we to judge? But if you even ask a question about Barack Obama you are a racist bigot who'd better shut his mouth -- or else.

I did get a huge kick out of the insanity of "separation of church and television." I hadn't heard that one. I'm at the point now where I want them to keep talking. Talk louder. Shout. Keep it up from every rooftop, billboard, talk show, newspaper and website on the planet. I want every single voter in America to see EXACTLY what Liberals are really all about. Once Americans realize that these radical crazies are effecting a de facto coup -- a bloodless coup, so far, but still a coup -- that will be the END of Liberalism as a dominant force in American politics for a long time.

So....Keep talking, Liberals. Keep talking.

Jimmy D -- I'm not sure what you're saying Your first sentence makes no sense to me at all. Certainly does not seem to respond to Kenny's and my posts.