That's exactly what it means. Everyone sins, and no sin is greater than any other, be it murder, lying, coveting, etc. You can be not just a "good" person, you could be "terrific!", but the ONLY way, sinful or good,(and no one is without sin no matter how good they are) one may enter in the the Kingdom of Heaven is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Period. But it doesn't mean that you get to be like a "mafia guy" and just repent at the "end". God knows the condidtion of your heart. If you truly mean your amends and repent, be it at the end or not then yes, you do get to go to Heaven.

i dont know if you will go to hell, its not my call to make, it says in the bible that no one but God is to judge ppl...i do believe however that God takes into account your intentions and he knows your heart...if it is simply a case of relativism and how you were raised...i dont see how God, the all loving diety that christians assume him to be, could possibly condemn you for facets seemingly out of your control...everyone thinks that they are right, from whole different religions to different denominations to a church by church basis, whose to say who is right ultimately other than God? certainly not other humans who could each be just as misled as the next...least thats how i see it

By the way, it is unfortunate that a favorite comment is to get ready to shovel coal in hell. And more unfortunate that a Christian would write that awful comment to you. That is not an accurate attitude of any Christian to show a believer or nonbeliever. I do hope you find Christ. I am not here to chastise or belittle, or portray an attitude of anything other than offer a little morsel to chew on as requested. Take care.

is this the best that you can do? that question is pathetic. it just shows how far you are going to prove what? to prove to yourself that you are right? you may make up something that makes you feel that you are right, but we Christians know whats really going on. God Bless you and I hope that someday you do some real research, as in within yourself.

arent christians supposed to life people up, you just made the author of this blog and myself feel stupid...that makes me want to believe in your Christ who is ultimately the center of your Christian belief system....you need to search within yourself and find a more constructive way of dealing with things as to not offend "sinners" into buying your cause

Humans are but humans even when we do good it is with an intention at heart and God can see right through us. The most amazing thing about christianity is as you said already even the mafia guy who has a change of heart and accepts the Lord still has a chance of eternal life...so since we're all sinners, sinning everyday wouldn't it be great to know that there is a God who forgives sin whenever you truly realise within you that u have done wrong and ask for forgiveness? If God was to count our sins who would stand? The main principles in christianity are love the Lord with all your heart and Love your neighbour as yourself and so doing good should come naturally and we shouldn't be keeping count of all the good we do..cos i say again there is none righteous

"the question is pathetic"?

I was not trying to prove anything. I honestly was asking. I was trying to open up a fruitful conversation. I am was not deriding your beliefs. How are you ever going to convert others (if that is what you want to do) if you are so persnickety?

There is so much of a division in America, and in politics right now. Dialog is so black or white.

Let's play nice.

thankyou

Jillpixy,
I think your question was open, honost, and pertinant to many out there feeling the same way you do. I hope you might have found even the littlest bit of insight. I am saddened and suprised not more responses were given, however in this subject, you'll find many out there arguing rather than enlightening. I have heard your music and like it! I myself have not heard (other than the snippet offered) the song in question. I was intriqued by your post and request for information. Have you been exposed to much religion and if so, may I ask what or which ones?

i pray that something maracales happens in ur life that shows u god is real. But its up to u in the end what u want to believe in. All i can say is read the bible for ur self its a book just like any other book it wont kill u to just read. start from the new test. and read a new century version. u will understand better. but as u read I promise u will feel something like uve never felt before. all god wants is for ur to believe.I dont have anything against and as a christian i respect u but i do truely think u might want to re-consider. hell isnt a place u go for a month or two ur there for eternity think about that. comment number 1 is soooooooooo true. god bless ur good heart tho.

fdfsat

Reading these comments, all I can say is that the world is a weird weird place. Incidentally, I'm giving out capital letters and punctuation if anyone needs any. :)

KD, I grew up in a non-religious Jewish family. I went to a Catholic girls school for two years (really), and have been interested in the history and doctrines of various religions. I am a big Karen Armstrong fan. I find the history and politics of the early church so interesting. Growing up without a specific dogma has made me both open and cynical.

Also, I hope to deal with issues of faith and politics in this important election season.

Test

Proove to me that Jesus Exsisted.
You dont know the truth so you will never be free. Salvation was given to mankind in the old testement. You have not studied so you have become ignorant of the truth. Blinded by the lie that has been told for thousands of years. Do you realize why the majority of the Jews dont believe in Jesus? Because he never exsisted.They werw there. Look deeper and you will AWAKE and really see.

test 2

Jill, if you had a food processor big enough to fit all these nuts, you'd be the next sandwich spread mogul....

I like the song.

Jillpixy, I couldn't answer your question any better than mommybear36 did. I will however pray that you experience the power of Christ in your life as I have and as many other bloggers here have. There is a good chance you are experiencing him right now and not yet been able to identify that experience as God given. I have just been through a very difficult year and I thank God for getting me through those days where I couldn't bear the thought of geting out of bed and yet I was able to get throught another day. You may ask how I know that is was God that got me through my day. Its hard to put into words but its a feeling deep down inside, an overwhelming feeling of God's presence and peace. I never felt this until I allowed a hunger so deep inside of me, consuming me to open the door the Christ. You see, most nonbelievers want to know for certain this God is real and evidence to prove it and then they will believe. God doesn't want us to believe in him because we have concrete evidence that he is there, this take the faith action out of faith. It takes our God given human will away, he wants us to believe in him because we truly believe. If he was to say see, I'm real, now believe in me, we would no longer have a choice, we would have to believe because it would be fact. Instead he wants to give us that choice to open the door, as I did and many others have, even just a crack and he will then allow his light to shine through and you will start to see and experience him in your life everyday. You will no longer need that concrete evidence you once needed because his presence in your life will be all the evidence you need. All God wants is for us to want and need him in our lives, not because we know he is real but because we have faith. I guess that is why so many Christians on this blog are so adamant that he is real because they have opened that door to him and have experienced him in their lives. If you are interested, I recommend a couple books written by a once self proclaimed athiest, Case for Christ and the Case for Faith by Lee Strobel. These books are written by a reporter and once atheist who went on a quest to prove that God wasn't real through science, history, fact and personal experience and discovered more than he bargained for. Thank you for taking the time to read these words from my heart and for having an open mind and actually listen to me.

It's not about what you did, good or bad, it's about your acceptance of christ, he died for your sins, you can be forgiven and go to heaven, but you might want look in the bible and see what the sin is you will not be forgiven for.

P.S. My apologies for the distracting test blog entries above. = )