I don't have a point, just a question:
Why is it that when we envision heaven, it is a place where we can, in God's presence of course, indulge in pleasurable and leisurely experiences constantly? It seems as though we picture heaven as the most perfect theme park, where it's always a perfect sunny 70 degrees, where we're hanging out with all our friends, and we can do whatever we want.
Why do we make heaven into our picture of what would satisfy the desires that we wouldn't consider very Christian to indulge while we are here on earth? Why don't we see heaven as a place where we only do what God wants us to do? Is it because that's not much fun?
Showing posts with label heaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heaven. Show all posts
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
A "Hell"ish Inconsistency
Often, we think it a very grievous offense against God when someone speaks lightly of hell. One may say, "to hell with that idea," expressing their disgust, for example, and we would count it to him as blasphemy.
However, why do we not think it a very grievous offense against God when someone speaks lightly of heaven? Should one say "that's positively heavenly," expressing their delight, we think it to be no offense at all, and yet they have treated God's authority with respect to eternal destiny no less lightly than if they had used "hell" in their dialogue.
If someone says "Oh hell!" because they are frustrated, we would condemn them for using "bad language." But if someone says "Good heavens!" because they are surprised, we think nothing of it.
How can we so slight the good things of God, as to care not how or what people ascribe to the blessed state, and yet concern ourselves greatly with people's ascriptions of the state of the damned? Do we really truly believe that God is not concerned equally with His authority and glory and rightful attribution with respect to both sides of His office as eternal judge and arbiter?
This inconsistency is not right. We should either count expressions on both sides as equally harmless, or as equally serious offenses. We cannot count them harmless, for it is indeed a serious thing to usurp God’s authority; we must therefore guard our tongues (and our friends’ tongues) carefully, so that we speak without offense to God.
However, why do we not think it a very grievous offense against God when someone speaks lightly of heaven? Should one say "that's positively heavenly," expressing their delight, we think it to be no offense at all, and yet they have treated God's authority with respect to eternal destiny no less lightly than if they had used "hell" in their dialogue.
If someone says "Oh hell!" because they are frustrated, we would condemn them for using "bad language." But if someone says "Good heavens!" because they are surprised, we think nothing of it.
How can we so slight the good things of God, as to care not how or what people ascribe to the blessed state, and yet concern ourselves greatly with people's ascriptions of the state of the damned? Do we really truly believe that God is not concerned equally with His authority and glory and rightful attribution with respect to both sides of His office as eternal judge and arbiter?
This inconsistency is not right. We should either count expressions on both sides as equally harmless, or as equally serious offenses. We cannot count them harmless, for it is indeed a serious thing to usurp God’s authority; we must therefore guard our tongues (and our friends’ tongues) carefully, so that we speak without offense to God.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Could You?.......Did You?........What Then?
If you could live your whole life to the fullest and honestly love everyone (not just LOOK like you love everyone), yes, God would have to let you into heaven...the only problem is that you've already blown your chances at a pure, holy life, because somewhere along the line, you have broken God's law:
Have you ever told a lie (or a "half-truth")? Have you ever stolen something? (I have...and I was raised by God-fearing Christian parents). Have you ever used God's name as a curse word? Have you ever hated your brother? (Jesus said that to hate someone is just the same as murdering them). Have you ever looked at a girl (or a guy) and lusted after her (or him)?...that's adultery (or fornication) Have you ever envied your neighbor's (or brother's/sister's/friend's/etc.) stuff?
If you (like me) have broken even one of these laws, you are a lawbreaker...and God doesn't let criminals into heaven - you can't make it if you've messed up just once...and if you don't make it into heaven, there is only one place left for you.
BUT...there is a way. Because God loves us humans so much, He wanted there to be a way for us to be saved ('cause by our own works, there is no way we would make it). So He sent His Son, Jesus (who didn't sin), to become human, just like the rest of us, to live a perfect life, and then to be sacrificed, so that God could forgive us.
Now, in order to make up for a sin that I've done, I would have to do over and above what God's law requires of me. But since it was hard enough to even live up to the law, it would be absurd to think that I could surpass it and do more good than the law requires...so how can my sins be forgiven, if I can't make up for them?
Jesus had not sinned even a single time...he did not have to die...but He chose to die -- this was the one thing that He could do that was over and above His duty...Jesus had to keep the law just like everyone else - He couldn't obey for us (He had to obey for himself), but since He had never broken the law, he didn't need to be punished. Jesus suffered in order to "make up" for my (and your) sins; public justice was satisfied - this means that all could see that God upholds the punishment of the law, and at the same time, was willing to forgive people who have sinned.
If you have sinned -- you have two options; you can suffer the consequences (not a pretty thought), or, thanks to God's grace (Jesus' sacrifice), you can be forgiven.
How does a sinner receive this forgiveness? It is not by trying our best to do better (we tried that already), and it is not by any merit of our own (we deserve to be punished). It is through faith in Jesus Christ...this means two things: that you believe that He died for your sins (and that He will forgive you), and you repent (this means that you stop serving yourself, and give yourself wholly to God). These two things, repent and believe, are all God requires...these are easy, and yet at the same time hard. There is no work involved (all we can do is accept the gift of forgiveness), but at the same time, we are giving our entire lives to God - we are not our own anymore.
If you have accepted God’s gift, God has said that he will give you the power to actually keep His law, so that, as a believer, you don’t ever have to sin again – “live in holiness and righteousness all the days of your life” is how the Bible puts it – and God will admit you to heaven.
Have you ever told a lie (or a "half-truth")? Have you ever stolen something? (I have...and I was raised by God-fearing Christian parents). Have you ever used God's name as a curse word? Have you ever hated your brother? (Jesus said that to hate someone is just the same as murdering them). Have you ever looked at a girl (or a guy) and lusted after her (or him)?...that's adultery (or fornication) Have you ever envied your neighbor's (or brother's/sister's/friend's/etc.) stuff?
If you (like me) have broken even one of these laws, you are a lawbreaker...and God doesn't let criminals into heaven - you can't make it if you've messed up just once...and if you don't make it into heaven, there is only one place left for you.
BUT...there is a way. Because God loves us humans so much, He wanted there to be a way for us to be saved ('cause by our own works, there is no way we would make it). So He sent His Son, Jesus (who didn't sin), to become human, just like the rest of us, to live a perfect life, and then to be sacrificed, so that God could forgive us.
Now, in order to make up for a sin that I've done, I would have to do over and above what God's law requires of me. But since it was hard enough to even live up to the law, it would be absurd to think that I could surpass it and do more good than the law requires...so how can my sins be forgiven, if I can't make up for them?
Jesus had not sinned even a single time...he did not have to die...but He chose to die -- this was the one thing that He could do that was over and above His duty...Jesus had to keep the law just like everyone else - He couldn't obey for us (He had to obey for himself), but since He had never broken the law, he didn't need to be punished. Jesus suffered in order to "make up" for my (and your) sins; public justice was satisfied - this means that all could see that God upholds the punishment of the law, and at the same time, was willing to forgive people who have sinned.
If you have sinned -- you have two options; you can suffer the consequences (not a pretty thought), or, thanks to God's grace (Jesus' sacrifice), you can be forgiven.
How does a sinner receive this forgiveness? It is not by trying our best to do better (we tried that already), and it is not by any merit of our own (we deserve to be punished). It is through faith in Jesus Christ...this means two things: that you believe that He died for your sins (and that He will forgive you), and you repent (this means that you stop serving yourself, and give yourself wholly to God). These two things, repent and believe, are all God requires...these are easy, and yet at the same time hard. There is no work involved (all we can do is accept the gift of forgiveness), but at the same time, we are giving our entire lives to God - we are not our own anymore.
If you have accepted God’s gift, God has said that he will give you the power to actually keep His law, so that, as a believer, you don’t ever have to sin again – “live in holiness and righteousness all the days of your life” is how the Bible puts it – and God will admit you to heaven.
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