I will start off this journey with saying that the Bible needs to be our "source" to the answers to our questions. We all have our own opinions on "Christians" or "Getting to Heaven" but usually it is based on pre-conceived notions that we have heard from others and not on what the Bible actually teaches. I look forward to hearing from all, young and old.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Motive
Well, I know that we as a family often have strong opinions about different issues. There are those of us (ME) that tend to verbalize, or sometimes dominate the conversation over those who tend to be less vocal or those who are aware that someone's feelings may be hurt, so avoid the conversation. The purpose of this blog is to open an honest and (for me non-judgemental) dialogue about, what I hope everybody wants for our family, How do WE get to Heaven and what do WE need to do to get there. It is my hope that we are able to evaluate ourselves and make the changes in our lives so that in the end, we will see all of us in Heaven.
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I hope this will be a good way for us to talk about how we feel about God and what he can do in our lives.
ReplyDeleteMom wrote the following, but was not able to post on the blog herself. Does anyone know how or if everyone can post comments?
ReplyDeleteDad and I talked last night about your blog. Dad said for me to become a believer I need to read the bible, try to live a Christian life, pray, ask for forgiveness for mysins and accept Christ as my personal savior. I asked him about Presbyterians and Methodist etc. going to heaven and he said that as long as they follow teaching of scripture they will be saved and go to heaven. Do you agree with that?
A response to Mom and Dad's comments....... I think that is basically correct. It is not about your denomination, it is about your faith. One of the problem areas of Christianity today is the "believing in Christ as Savior" Most people who call themselves "Christians" have an inadequate or false concept of faith. What exactly does that mean? Many believe that God existed sort of like Lincoln or Washington existed. The Bible says in James 2:19 that even the devil believes in God's existence. I don't think that satan is going to heaven. Many people believe in God when it is convenient for them, like when their baby is sick they pray to God that they will get better or when they are on a bumpy plane ride they pray to God for a safe trip. This type of faith is a good thing, but it does not get one into Heaven.
ReplyDeleteThe type of faith that gets you to Heaven is called saving faith. It is trusting in Jesus Christ ALONE for salvation(getting into Heaven). Like Mom and Dad said, that is truly accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. .............Praying, reading the Bible, living a Christian life and going to church does not get you into Heaven. We do those things out of gratitude to Christ, because we are thankful for the gift or salvation(getting into Heaven), which is something we could never earn. Any thoughts?
Life is so unpredictable.... it is not too soon to start thinking about this subject, but soon..... it could be too late.
I think Aimee helped me get this set up....
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ReplyDeleteWell I have been thinking alot about eternal life (salvation)- as in life after our life on this earth. It's been said that EVERYBODY lives forever- it's either on your knees in heaven glorifying God, or on your knees in hell begging for mercy. As I understand it, God created a perfect world, man and woman- but they rebelled against Him- so he had to punish us for that, (Genesis) just like we punish our kids out of love. - but He loved us so much He decided to send His Son down to earth to be tortured and beat and hated and killed to pay that price for us- wow, I don't think I could do something like that. Imagine sending your own child- who never did anything wrong to pay for someone else's mistakes. I think with "saving faith"- you actually let Jesus live in your heart- and there is a change. You become His child, or he is the Shepherd and you are the sheep.( I know for me, growing up without a father, that is a very comforting relationship.) For one thing, the distractions of this world like money, nice things, partying, powerful jobs, plastic surgery, etc just don't mean as much as they used to. It's like you want to know more about God's word, and you want to be a kinder more fulfilled person, and you enjoy hanging our with other people who believe like you do. I have realized that this 70 or 80 years on earth that I get is like a blink compared to eternal life. There has to be more to it than just this! I'm not saying I want to live like a monk- I think God gives blessings, people and experiences in our life to love- but not love MORE than Him. So what do you think keeps people from seeking out and accepting Christ's gift of dying on the cross? Do you think people feel they have lots of time to make that decision? or they don't believe there is a hell? or they think being a Christian is too boring or too hard? Just wondering.....
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I just wanted to make a comment on how this blog is great way for us to talk about things that may be hard to understand and ways we can share what we believe and think!
In response to my moms comment...
I think of those questions whenever I meet people who arent Christians. I think that many of them dont realize how short this life really is. I think many people, including myself, get wrapped up in all of the worldy things this world has. It is soo easy to be selfish and I feel that a lot of people would rather live this life for themselves instead of God. I believe there is a difference from being selfish and feeding off what this world offers and using the blessings God has given His children and appreciating them and thanking God for them.
I also think that many people dont take the "Heaven and Hell" thing very seriously. I know some who think, "Well, if God was loving enough to send His perfect Son to die, then why wouldnt He be loving enough to let me into Heaven"... But Im not sure that many people know about the jealousy and wrath God has. Yes, He is loving, but I have also learned that He wants His people to fear Him. In other words, He don't mess around.
I think some think being a Christian is boring and hard. But I think that thought changes with a change of heart. If the desires of your heart is to please and glorify God then if wouldnt be difficult or boring. And when you truly accept Christ into your heart and understand what you are doing, then the Holy Spirit takes over and forms you into being more like Jesus. Its like automatic- you just feel differently. Now, dont get me wrong, being a Christian can be very difficult at times. Yes temptation is always there, but being a Christian is an ongoing process. Christ is constantly molding and forming us into His image. But- I must say, its pretty cool to see God work along the way! It takes work to live for someone other than yourself, but soo worth it!
What do you guys think?
Like Kathy mentioned, many people have a false perception of what being a Christian means (boring) They usually base their thoughts on what they have seen from people, either in the media or in person, who call themselves Christians and not what the Bible actually teaches. I think that it is interesting how we tend to take what society says as truth, but not what the Bible says.
ReplyDeleteI really like what Kim posted in that being a true Christian is a process. As long as we are moving in the right direction, we are going to be fine. Many think that because we are Christians we are perfect. The bible teaches that our lives are a wreck. To me, that doesnt sound like someone who thinks that they are perfect. It is only by God's grace that even though we stumble often (sin) we are forgiven through the cross.
ReplyDeleteAt our bible study last night, Dan mentioned something that I thought was interesting.....With the winter olympics going on, he was watching the figure skating event and thinking....They work hard for years to get where they are, often carrying the weight of their country on their shoulders. Then after a fall they feel like losers with such a burden on their shoulders...... Luckily for us (believers) when we fall (sin)we are able to confess our sins and bring it before the Lord who forgave all our sins. We a great feeling knowing we do not have to carry the weight of our burdens.
ReplyDeleteI have been going to a bible study on the Life of Christ. ........ There are a few things that I thought were pretty interesting. The first .....is that when we think of the life of Christ, we often think of Jesus life starting from the birth; however, we seem to forget that Christ was with God the Father in the beginning. John 1:1 says in the beginning was the Word(Jesus) and the Word(Jesus) was with God, and the Word(Jesus) was God. verse 2 says that He(Jesus) was in the beginning with God. continuing to verse 14...And the Word(Jesus) became flesh and made His dwelling among us.... I think that this clearly indicates that Jesus was with God in the beginning before God created the universe.... We can also look at Genesis 1:26 Let.....US....make man in OUR own image, according to OUR likeness........This is referring the Trinity, (I know that it is difficult to grasp the Trinity subject) God the Father, Son(Jesus) and Holy Spirit. So...... Jesus existed before his actual birth to Mary.....there other places in the old testament where Jesus appears, but it is too deep to go into now. I honestly didn't think about the fact of Jesus living before his birth. I thought that it was interesting.
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