What is the true cost in surrendering to God? Is there really anything to surrender? The Christian is told that anyone - who by faith, believes in the only begotten son of (Jesus) God shall not parish but have everlasting life. Is it that simple? This is it! The Christian doctrine offends many people and many nations. In an attempt to get this thread moving I will try to convey the word of God as I think it is currently being taught. Lets put the cards on the table and get this going and when I say, all are welcome to participate-I do mean what I say!!

 

I was raised Catholic. I never understood the concept of Jesus as God or the son of God. As such I think he is a great teacher and example. I do believe in God.

As for the cost of surrender, there is no cost. The cost comes when you don't surrender.

Jesus, in my understanding, is the physical embodiment of God.  The Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit is the grace God bestows on us.  So I don't have any problem believing in the trinity.  Nor do I have a problem believing the grace/spirit of God is all around me, in every living thing.  But then I also believe the spirit is in inanimate objects such as rocks.  My "surrender" to God involved no cost to me.  I admit I believe the Son of God may have had several physical embodiments (i.e. buddha).
I also do not believe everyone of a different persuasion in going to hell.
that's my belief.

You have much company my friend! God is God and Jesus is Jesus and the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit, 3 distinct persons and yet they are One! Truly this is paradoxical in nature but is it impossible? I think in all honesty no one can close that door in good conscience if they can answer honestly. Christians have been accused of worshiping 3 Gods when there is only One true God, which they also claim to worship at the same time. I think what we have here is an Earthly and Heavenly explanation rolled up into One, which the mind can't grasp, just as we talk about all of us being One but experiencing that Oneness - where you merge with it all - is quite another matter to behold! One foot in Heaven and the other foot is on the Earth and I know of no one else in this category in history.



 

You have much company my friend! God is God and Jesus is Jesus and the Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit, 3 distinct persons and yet they are One! Truly this is paradoxical in nature but is it impossible? I think in all honesty no one can close that door in good conscience if they can answer honestly. Christians have been accused of worshiping 3 Gods when there is only One true God, which they also claim to worship at the same time. I think what we have here is an Earthly and Heavenly explanation rolled up into One, which the mind can't grasp, just as we talk about all of us being One but experiencing that Oneness - where you merge with it all - is quite another matter to behold! One foot in Heaven and the other foot is on the Earth and I know of no one else in this category in history save Jesus.