Yo bro!

No, I will not be punished for my sins. Jesus was punished for my sins. God will let you off because he was satisfied with the payment. Why is trusting in Jesus enough? I don't know, but it's reasonable for a sovereign God to deem what he will accept, and that's where he's placed the bar. He expects perfection, and provided a way for imperfect people to be counted as perfect.

Analogies are tough, because they're often just a pale shadow of the reality they're trying to portray. So I know its subject to be filled full of holes, but here is an analogy. Its like I got a speeding ticket. You can go to court and tell the judge you're sorry, but if he is a good judge (that is, strictly by the book doing his job) then he's going to say "OK, yeah, you're sorry, but the fine has to be settled." Now when you go to the clerk to pay, they don't care where the money comes from... they just want the fine paid. So imagine Jesus striding in, "I'll take that bill" and he throws down the cash. The government is satisfied, and you're credited as an Outstanding Citizen. Again, you can extend the analogy (Jesus won't go to traffic school if you're sent there), so I know there are holes, but like our wargames, its an abstracted picture.

And just making yourself better... no, not really going to help. Because my prior life as a rebel against him is still counted against me without someone who was perfect that can stand in for me. Not to mention, that even when we strive to be better, we're really not, let's be honest. We might stop obvious stuff like shoplifting, but continue to steal from work by fudging a timesheet or eeking out a few extra minutes for lunch. 

Incidentally, this is also where I cringe, when detractors say religion was invented just so people can get through their day. Well, in my experience, nothing could be further from the truth.  My life became exponentially more difficult after being saved. I suddenly needed to become a real father for my kids, by dropping my selfish stuff and sacrificing for them. I suddenly needed to become a real husband for my lovely bride, and pick up the slack for so many things I left on her. I work hard to stay graceful and tactful with folks, out in the world and here on the 'webz. I feel bad (not guilty, mind you) for trashing others... Jesus saved me, the worst guy I know, so how can I attack someone on an Internet forum in hate? I have been made a stronger person, no question... but not to BE saved, but BECAUSE I have been saved.

Ok this is a super cool idea, I'd like one. No idea what for yet, but I may as well stake a claim.

Life-long Orioles fan. Doing well, within the AL East at least, but the West is looking strong. We're drooping on a west coast swing through OAK and ANA.

Whoah up to 13 pages today!

The free speech is cool, and venting has value, but I was kinda looking for a more conversational tone for a religion thread.
 
It'd be cool to debate and question with tact, grace, respect, and honest truth searching, instead of winning an argument and just trying to make someone look stupider than you are.

I'd love to chat with the folks here who were honestly questioning, particularly those calling me out. But the signal to noise ratio is just too low.

Still, you guys are cool.

Edit: Michail I Potemkin, I'm sure we'll pick it up again sometime, good chatting briefly with you back there somewhere! 

Enrico, you mentioned that there were previous incarnations of The Game Box prior to this one.

How is this one doing? Does it compare will with the previous? Is it working as planned?

Looks like we've been active, I guess we've hit the critical mass for survival.

Not me! I love the opportunity to chat about The Lord.

I think between here and my time on BGG I've done a fairly adequate job of just Being Cool. 

EDIT btw, where in Germany? I lived in Bad Bertrich for three years, LOVED IT!

You were picking and choosing, not saying anything about it.

The Law was given to the Israelites, yes? Jesus fulfilled them for those who trust in him.

A perfect being cannot have demands? I don't know what you mean, can you elaborate?

Finally, are you suggesting that data from old books are invalid simply because the books are old?

Hi.

Now who is picking and choosing?

Is a place of punishment for those who break laws not reasonable?

If God is perfect, it's logical that he would demand perfection. We cannot be perfect, but he can. So sending a perfect Son that can keep the laws in our place is reasonable, and the most loving thing anyone has done fir you.

Justice is satisfied, and your fine is satisfied. Pretty good deal.

And again, gays are simply sinful people just like I am. No rules for them either. Trust in The Lord, and turn from sin in response to his amazing kindness.

Accessed via tethered iPhone, at work, and in some hotels last week. No captchas at all here.

Ha, 31 responses in the short time I was typing my last reply. That's why it's frustrating to try to address individual things in this thread.

Oh, I did see something about shellfish though.  The ancient Israelites could not eat it and come on, without refrigeration it was probably a good idea. 

The command not to eat it was rescinded in Acts. Once again, Jesus fulfilled the law, so God alerted Peter it was cool.

I'm all for having a serious discussion, but it's tough to respond to the flurry.

I've been a Christian since August 2010. I was not a good person. I'm a liar. I'm a thief. I disrespected my parents. I was an adulterer and a fornicator. I never kept God in importance. As a matter of fact, I lived my whole previous 38 years constructing one idol after another. I worshipped myself. I worshipped money. I worshipped comfort. I worshipped the admiration of other people. I continually blasphemed the name of God who was kind enough to provide air to breathe. Anyone who claims to be free of these is just adding one more lie.

I realized that my life could be snuffed out in a heartbeat, just like it did for many friends of mine, and family I loved. If I faced God with all those things on my account, I'd be in trouble, and certainly hell bound.

Just like ourselves, God doesn't dig people breaking his laws. And just as we have a strong sense of justice, so does God. Those iniquities are worthy of punishment. You can't just say sorry and expect to be let go. That doesn't even fly down here either. It's reasonable that the fine requires payment.

God is rich in mercy, and wishes NO ONE to perish. That is why the Son assumed human form, lived the perfect life that none of us have, and willingly took on the punishment of death for those who will simply trust in him. Jesus Chrust paid the fine, and his perfection is given to us.

There are no rules to follow. The whole point is that we couldn't if we wanted to. Jesus did it all. So-called Christians who claim you gotta do this and that have missed the point.

Note, this is not "picking and choosing" as I'm sure I'll be blamed for. Jesus fulfilled the law so I don't have to.

So this is why Christians who assume their own self-righteousness are deluded. They forget or didn't even know all of this. Westboro Baptists are not Christians. The so-called church across the river in Kentucky that disavowed interracial marriage are not Christians. The faith healers that bilk money from hurting folks and fly around in jets are not Christians. Joel Osteen and his promises of having a better life if you just pray more is not Christian.

Now, I have beliefs, but I don't hate anyone. I believe homosexuality is a sin, because the Bible says so. But I am NOT an iota better. I'll never think less of y'all because you curse more than I do, because without Christ I am far worse. Such was I before The Lord saved me, so I'll never have any superiority.

Pnpfanatic, I'd be happy with addressing each one of those one by one. If you're truly interested, and not just throwing darts that is.

Pick one, slavery, murder, whatever, and see if we can work through it.

This.

Great choice. No Retreat North Africa Front is cool too.

Also, I'd like to add Red Winter to the mix. It comes with player aids specifically for new players, complete with a "START HERE" list. The rules are also in a phased format, with accompanying scenarios that ease you into the full game.

Well then that fellow certainly respected your aim.