Is it a sin to believe Jesus deceives us, to protect our souls?

Question

Jesus ultimately cares about the judgement of our eternal soul.

Is it a sin to believe in a Holy deception that the reason He made His return unknown and mysterious is to keep us in line - or away from sin? If we are in anxious awaiting that he can return any moment, we are more likely to stick to His way and in result, preserve our soul. I am not saying He is lying, but loves us so much that He will give us any impression possible to keep us away from the Devil or Hell

Does this go against any other Christian belief or doctrine?

EDIT

Notice how Biblical passages can look like lies but are not. Please read this very good Christian writers article: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/october/26.56.html

"He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. … For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone." [All Scripture citations from the New Living Translation.]

At first blush it sounds really good, but that day I had to say what I really thought. Through tears I told the group, "I don't get how this is true. He did not rescue us from a fatal plague. He did not keep us from striking our feet on a stone but, in fact, allowed much worse than that."

Answer 1

I think to answer your question we have to address some foundational items of Christianity.

First Christianity is a religion based on being saved by grace. Nothing done by you will warrant salvation for your soul. (Romans 3:23 (No one is good enough), Romans 6:23 (God gives us the gift of salvation), Ephesians 2:8 (Grace saved us)) It seems that the foundation of your argument implies that by telling us He will come back at any moment will make us "remain in the faith." One could argue that you are "working" your salvation.

Second I think there is a heart condition behind this statement. Think of someone who is living ready for war to break out. They would stockpile food, possibly ammunition, water purifiers, etc. They live with a mission in mind. The same with someone who lives as if Christ could return tomorrow, because in reality He could. If i truly believe that Christ is coming back at any moment coupled with Luke 12:16-21 would really change how I approach life.

As a fun final note, depending on where you land in Calvinism (a good portion of Bible based believers (not talking about people who say they are christians but are more of a functional atheist)) then God has chosen you to believe and you believe purely based on his effectual calling.

I know i probably did not answer your question but i hope i shed some sort of light from some angle. It is a very interesting question to ask. As always i recommend praying through all questions for if God does exist He will answer your questions (in due time).

---

Edit: Based on the first comment.

I always recommend that if there is a question about the Bible, God, Jesus, etc.. First find what you can from the Bible and pray. As long as emotions/your view is set aside and a humble prayerful approach is made, i believe all questions can be answered. They just may not be answered expediently or the way you like.

Answer 2

_{I know I should probably reference these, but I'm going to appeal to common knowledge}

Before answering, I just want to re-emphasize two central teachings that are common to the vast majority of Christianity:

• It's safe to say that almost every denomination, and almost every major division within Christianity agrees that God does not and cannot lie. I'm sure there are exceptions to that rule, and agnostics/atheists may balk at the idea, but for the most part that's accepted teaching for the vast majority of Christianity.
• Most (but not all) Christian denominations and traditions accept the Diety of Jesus. In other words, Jesus is God. (There are exceptions.)

If the second point is true, then to say that Jesus lies is to say then God lies. And the first point flat out denies that.

So, according to Scripture, as understood by the overwhelming majority of Christianity, it is absolutely a heresy to say that Jesus would deceive us to protect our souls.

And most denominations that I am aware of state that Heresy is a sin.

So yes, to the overwhelming majority of Christianity, it would be be accurate to say that it's a sin to believe that Jesus would lie to us to protect our souls. Not only does it go against "any other Christian belief or doctrine" it goes against two central, almost universally held Christian beliefs/doctrines. The doctrine of God's character and the doctrine of Christ's Diety.

Answer 3

It is good to consider "all things" and to "make sure of all things. THere is no condemnation in CHrist oyu are free form it. It does not mean you will not have questions or doubts about some things time to time. As for Our Saviour he cannot lie