Chaz, I enjoyed those songs you put up!

You said,
"I'm wondering how someone (Jesus) can substitute my righteousness with his, to avoid God's wrath? Substitute righteousness is allowed?
That seems to take the responsibility of growing up and being righteous on our own away. It sounds like "the American way" to me."

I've heard others say that the way I and other christians believe, sounds like the American welfare system. But this is why it's different. The American government is not God, is not Holy, and all they do is dispense money, etc., but they can't pardon sin whatsoever.

God's system is different. He's Holy, perfect, righteous, and He's the only one that is. When it comes to us approaching God, we come empty handed. What can we give God? If we think we have all these good works, etc. to give to him, we fool ourselves. Even the very best things we do are tainted by sin in some way. I heard a minister tell a story one time about how he pulled over on the side of the road one day to help someone change a tire, and he thought in his head, I wish my church could see this right now. Then he thought, that's a terrible thought to have! Here he was doing a good thing, but it was tainted by the desire to get glory for himself. I appreciated his honesty!

Isaiah 64:6 says,
We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Romans 10 says,
1Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Psalm 98:2 says,
The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

God will only except perfect righteousness.

Matthew 5:48

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.


There is only one way for us to have the perfect righteousness of Christ, and that is through imputation:

2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

You may call that the welfare system, but it's the most beautiful welfare system I've ever seen, and it produces beautiful results too:

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Romans 6:14
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 6:18
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.


You said,
"So God is an angry, hateful and wrathful God that always has been and always will be that way? I thought he was a loving God? Jesus said he was a loving father I believe. I'm wondering which one he is."

Yes, God is wrathful toward sin. He hates sin! And that is why he had to make a way for us to be perfect, because he will except nothing else.

James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.

God doesn't ever stop being angry with sin. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever in hating sin. But no, he will not stay angry forever, because some day, there will be no more sin.

Those who are hidden in the righteousness of Christ will inherit the new heaven and earth.
Revelation 21:
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.

But for those who refuse to submit to the righteousness of Christ alone, who seek to establish their own righteousness, and therefore will be found guilty, they will be cast in the lake of fire, and will be no more.

Psalm 37:10
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.

Yes, my hell belief is different than many other christians. You can look up the history of that conversation. :)