Faith and the Reward of Heaven

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ephesians 2:8-9

Jeremiah 23:16

Romans 10:9

Revelation 22:18

God sent His Son for mankind, truly.

But good works will not save you. Man cannot save himself.

If man could be good, and do a lot of good works, and help others, etc, and gain salvation, why did Jesus die on the cross? What was His sacrifice for?

But one can get into heaven without being a Christian, or even a believer. The Pope has said so.

No. Read the direct quote in my post above. That’s what the Pope said. Doing good will lead you to Christ, per the Pope.

[Anonymous]

“Pope Francis is trying to deepen our understanding of the fullness of Christ's sacrifice and its reach, which extends to all men and women. We often fall into familiar ways of thinking that are closed. We divide ourselves into groups, forgetting that we are all children of God, identical, regardless of any divisions we establish for ourselves.We are also all called to the One who created us and, through His Son,is recreating us anew. He calls us to accept His salavation.”

Anyone can accept salvation from God. But that’s what saves you, the acceptance of that salvation.

If you reject God, there’s no salvation.

“He calls us to accept His salvation.” - the Pope

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ephesians 2:8-9

Jeremiah 23:16

Romans 10:9

Revelation 22:18

God sent His Son for mankind, truly.

But good works will not save you. Man cannot save himself.

If man could be good, and do a lot of good works, and help others, etc, and gain salvation, why did Jesus die on the cross? What was His sacrifice for?

But one can get into heaven without being a Christian, or even a believer. The Pope has said so.

Read more carefully. That’s not what the Pope said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ephesians 2:8-9

Jeremiah 23:16

Romans 10:9

Revelation 22:18

God sent His Son for mankind, truly.

But good works will not save you. Man cannot save himself.

If man could be good, and do a lot of good works, and help others, etc, and gain salvation, why did Jesus die on the cross? What was His sacrifice for?

But one can get into heaven without being a Christian, or even a believer. The Pope has said so.

Read more carefully. That’s not what the Pope said.

it is what he said. see also https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-assures-atheists-you-don-t-have-to-believe-in-god-to-go-to-heaven-8810062.html

[Anonymous]

That link makes it very clear that that is indeed what he said.

The Pope is not speaking from a biblical perspective. At all.

I wish he would quote scripture to back up His declaration.

But he can’t, because their is no scripture or words of God or Jesus within the Bible that back up what he’s saying, at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That link makes it very clear that that is indeed what he said.

The Pope is not speaking from a biblical perspective. At all.

I wish he would quote scripture to back up His declaration.

But he can’t, because their is no scripture or words of God or Jesus within the Bible that back up what he’s saying, at all.

The Pope doesn't speak for all Christians -- just for Catholics. So all Catholics must follow what the Pope says, but other Christians don't have to follow it. They can continue interpreting the Bible as they see fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That link makes it very clear that that is indeed what he said.

The Pope is not speaking from a biblical perspective. At all.

I wish he would quote scripture to back up His declaration.

But he can’t, because their is no scripture or words of God or Jesus within the Bible that back up what he’s saying, at all.

The Pope doesn't speak for all Christians -- just for Catholics. So all Catholics must follow what the Pope says, but other Christians don't have to follow it. They can continue interpreting the Bible as they see fit.

+1

And unless the Pope backs up His assessment by relevant scripture, you’d be a fool to believe him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Heaven is eternity in the presence of God and pure goodness, with no evil pain or suffering.

Hell is eternal separation from God and all that is good.

Why would you not want to have faith and hopefulness to work towards heaven while here on earth?

Good question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Heaven is eternity in the presence of God and pure goodness, with no evil pain or suffering.

Hell is eternal separation from God and all that is good.

Why would you not want to have faith and hopefulness to work towards heaven while here on earth?

Good question.

Answer: question is irrelevant if you don't believe in either heaven or hell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Heaven is eternity in the presence of God and pure goodness, with no evil pain or suffering.

Hell is eternal separation from God and all that is good.

Why would you not want to have faith and hopefulness to work towards heaven while here on earth?

Good question.

Answer: question is irrelevant if you don't believe in either heaven or hell

Don't you get bored with yourself?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Christians want all humans to go to heaven, not just themselves.

Christians, many of them, would like to share how all humans can be redeemed and spend eternity with a loving Creator, in a place beyond human suffering. In a place where peace and joy reigns forever.

Heaven is open to all, regardless of wealth or lack of, race, sex, age, etc. All that is required is you accept that Jesus made the sacrifice for you.

God knows we are all sinners, and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So we don’t even have to be perfect people to gain eternal life.

Salvation is the goal of Christianity. It’s the end game. Its the big kahuna.

Christians acknowledge life on earth is short compared to the eternity of the afterlife, so spending 60 years living “for yourself” is not a good plan if it takes eternity away.

It’s not about being wealthy, accumulating property, having power here on earth. None of those things will save you or bring you peace. It’s about having true peace worshipping God in a place he has created for us.

Is it wrong to want to be at peace, untouched by human suffering? There is no promise of riches. Just peace.

Many Christians live their lives, before the big “transaction,” as you term it, having a personal relationship with God, learning his word, worshipping in fellowship, and spreading the good news that salvation is open to all. That’s not a terrible way to live.

I think that God knows your heart, and even those that give no thought to God or reject God can be saved at the end, as in the parable that teaches us about the Prodigal Son.

Those people are very precious to God.

“And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 6:40

Jesus will raise you up to the last day. The last day you are on earth, Jesus will still save you if you accept Him as Lord.

He’s that loving, He wants to save you that much.

God is an awesome God.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will be honest and state that one reason I am skeptical of many Christians is because it seems like they are only "in it" for the eternal reward and avoidance of eternal damnation. Their relationship with God is transactional, they only wish for him to help them transcend death. And they are less interested in the contents of the Bible, and more the defense of it.

It sounds like you’re talking about fake Christians. Real Christians are transformed in their desires. They give up living how they want to live to serve God and share salvation with others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will be honest and state that one reason I am skeptical of many Christians is because it seems like they are only "in it" for the eternal reward and avoidance of eternal damnation. Their relationship with God is transactional, they only wish for him to help them transcend death. And they are less interested in the contents of the Bible, and more the defense of it.

It sounds like you’re talking about fake Christians. Real Christians are transformed in their desires. They give up living how they want to live to serve God and share salvation with others.

+1. Tbh you could say this about many religions, not just Christianity. As soon as you get into dietary laws and required rituals, it can become a bit transactional. The crux is the mindset of the person performing the rituals, and what they’re getting out of the rituals.