How to have Eternal Life

[Anonymous]

I think what a lot of the non-Christian posters find frustrating is the degree of confidence with which some posters are talking about eternity, like this is something we’re so sure about.

I have to admit that I find this perplexing as well. I don’t know what happens after death and I think pretending like I do is not right. I live in hope and love and faith that if there is life after death, that it is good.

I also think it is a wrong assumption from non-Christian posters that a Christian lifestyle is one of deprivation and misery. If you are living a “Christian” life and you are miserable, you’re not doing it right. The fruits of the spirit should be joy, peace, love, patience, and the ability to persevere through life’s struggles, which everyone faces. Being a Christian is not going to make your problems go away, but it should give you the strength to deal with them. If you are a Christian and you die and there’s no afterlife, it shouldn’t actually have affected you in a negative way. All Jesus called us to do was love one another as we love ourselves. If you think being Christian makes you miserable, don’t bother, because you have the wrong idea. Being loving is not going to make your life worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what a lot of the non-Christian posters find frustrating is the degree of confidence with which some posters are talking about eternity, like this is something we’re so sure about.

I have to admit that I find this perplexing as well. I don’t know what happens after death and I think pretending like I do is not right. I live in hope and love and faith that if there is life after death, that it is good.

I also think it is a wrong assumption from non-Christian posters that a Christian lifestyle is one of deprivation and misery. If you are living a “Christian” life and you are miserable, you’re not doing it right. The fruits of the spirit should be joy, peace, love, patience, and the ability to persevere through life’s struggles, which everyone faces. Being a Christian is not going to make your problems go away, but it should give you the strength to deal with them. If you are a Christian and you die and there’s no afterlife, it shouldn’t actually have affected you in a negative way. All Jesus called us to do was love one another as we love ourselves. If you think being Christian makes you miserable, don’t bother, because you have the wrong idea. Being loving is not going to make your life worse.

Since we, Christians, take Bible as a direct Word of God, as told by the Prophets, we know a whole lot about eternity from the Bible. This is one of the main tenants of our religion. We are called to believe and some of us do. Without shred of doubt. The problem with challengers of Christianity is that they have not read the Bible. The Bible talks at lenghts about eternity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what a lot of the non-Christian posters find frustrating is the degree of confidence with which some posters are talking about eternity, like this is something we’re so sure about.

I have to admit that I find this perplexing as well. I don’t know what happens after death and I think pretending like I do is not right. I live in hope and love and faith that if there is life after death, that it is good.

I also think it is a wrong assumption from non-Christian posters that a Christian lifestyle is one of deprivation and misery. If you are living a “Christian” life and you are miserable, you’re not doing it right. The fruits of the spirit should be joy, peace, love, patience, and the ability to persevere through life’s struggles, which everyone faces. Being a Christian is not going to make your problems go away, but it should give you the strength to deal with them. If you are a Christian and you die and there’s no afterlife, it shouldn’t actually have affected you in a negative way. All Jesus called us to do was love one another as we love ourselves. If you think being Christian makes you miserable, don’t bother, because you have the wrong idea. Being loving is not going to make your life worse.

Then the other posters do not understand Christianity.

Christians are supposed to think such things and have faith in them.

Why be a Christian if you are uncertain or don’t believe what your religion teaches?

Do other posters question all religion, or just Christianity?

Being miserable sucks. But there are seasons in life. Good and bad.

Finding God is easy during the good times; continuing to reach for Him in the bad is faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what a lot of the non-Christian posters find frustrating is the degree of confidence with which some posters are talking about eternity, like this is something we’re so sure about.

I have to admit that I find this perplexing as well. I don’t know what happens after death and I think pretending like I do is not right. I live in hope and love and faith that if there is life after death, that it is good.

I also think it is a wrong assumption from non-Christian posters that a Christian lifestyle is one of deprivation and misery. If you are living a “Christian” life and you are miserable, you’re not doing it right. The fruits of the spirit should be joy, peace, love, patience, and the ability to persevere through life’s struggles, which everyone faces. Being a Christian is not going to make your problems go away, but it should give you the strength to deal with them. If you are a Christian and you die and there’s no afterlife, it shouldn’t actually have affected you in a negative way. All Jesus called us to do was love one another as we love ourselves. If you think being Christian makes you miserable, don’t bother, because you have the wrong idea. Being loving is not going to make your life worse.

Since we, Christians, take Bible as a direct Word of God, as told by the Prophets, we know a whole lot about eternity from the Bible. This is one of the main tenants of our religion. We are called to believe and some of us do. Without shred of doubt. The problem with challengers of Christianity is that they have not read the Bible. The Bible talks at lenghts about eternity.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay here's where I confess that the thought of eternity scares the sh!t out of me.

I mean when does it ever end?

It doesn't. That's the difficult part. God sent his Son to us to deliver us from our sins precisely because eternity burdened by the debt of sin is worse than anything you can possibly imagine in this life. We are spirit beings. Today we see massive onslaught against spirit. It will get worse in the end times. There will be only a handful of Christians left due to sheer hatred and prosecution against us. Yet, God's might is so indescribable. In one move He will smash all evil that ever existed. He will create new Earth and Heaven because he is not interested in correcting anything that is rotten. Corruption is irreversible. God is not interested in correcting and saving anything that has been corrupted. He is interested in a completely new. And His will be done.

You contradict yourself. If God isn't interested in saving things that have been corrupted, then he wouldn't have sent his son to deliver people from their sins, as you proclaim.

Christians like to talk in circles and then wave away the contradictions and hypocrisy in their words and actions. It also never ceases to amaze me how much Christians pretend to care about other people then take joy in the notion of the end times and the idea of people suffering.

If pinnacle of your day is to bash Christians than you have not found internal peace in your own religion or lack of thereof.

When did I say the "pinnacle of my day" was bashing Christians? But of course that's what Christians do when you question their contradictions, they shame you and then accuse you of not having internal peace.

For what it's worth, I've yet to meet a Christian IRL or in person who seems to have internal peace.

And frankly, I think humans are meant to have some angst, some inner rumblings. So I don't take your accusations as an insult.

If you have never met a Christian who impressed you as a person filled with peace or love, I am not surprised that you are not impressed with Christianity as a whole. I don’t blame you for remaining unimpressed when confronted with hypocrisy and people who seem really confused about what they believe or who seem to be telling you a lot of nonsense.

I have met very few people in my life who have actually internalized Jesus’ message. Very few people have even read the Bible or even have an understanding of what it actually says. This forum in particular is full of some very authoritative Christians who have clearly not read the Bible all the way through. Reaching the point where you actually follow Jesus’ teachings is like becoming an Olympic athlete. Very few humans are going to get there, because it is a tall order. Jesus preached a radical message of rejecting your own self interest, and it is very hard to accomplish that. How many people have sold all that they have and gone out to serve the poor? How many people actually love their enemies? How many people have read the Bible? These are really, really hard things to do. But I can say that I have met Christians who have inner peace and being with them is delightful. They are loving and kind and just being with them makes you feel better.

[Anonymous]

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 ESV)

“Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered.” (Revelation 5:5 ESV)



At His first coming Jesus came as a Lamb. He was born as a helpless babe in a lowly manger. He grew up in obscurity in Nazareth. His public ministry consisted of teaching and miracle-working as He revealed the glory of God in grace and truth. He showed compassion to the crowds and restraint in the face of opposition. He set aside the use of His divine rights, refused to call the angels, and allowed Himself to be crucified on a cross. Then He rose again to live forevermore.

At His second coming Jesus will come as a Lion. He will appear in the heavens as the almighty King dressed in a blood-dipped robe, sitting upon a white horse, His eyes like a flame of fire. In righteousness He will judge and make war. He will strike down the ungodly nations and rule them with a rod of iron. He will execute the full measure of the fury of God’s wrath. Then He shall reign forevermore. (See Revelation 19 and Zechariah 14 for a depiction of Christ’s return.)

I believe this. Jesus will return as a Lion. If you don’t believe it, fine.

But the returning Lion has no room for those who doubted, or discounted, or mocked.

If you believe the Bible, you should be all in for your beliefs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay here's where I confess that the thought of eternity scares the sh!t out of me.

I mean when does it ever end?

It doesn't. That's the difficult part. God sent his Son to us to deliver us from our sins precisely because eternity burdened by the debt of sin is worse than anything you can possibly imagine in this life. We are spirit beings. Today we see massive onslaught against spirit. It will get worse in the end times. There will be only a handful of Christians left due to sheer hatred and prosecution against us. Yet, God's might is so indescribable. In one move He will smash all evil that ever existed. He will create new Earth and Heaven because he is not interested in correcting anything that is rotten. Corruption is irreversible. God is not interested in correcting and saving anything that has been corrupted. He is interested in a completely new. And His will be done.

You contradict yourself. If God isn't interested in saving things that have been corrupted, then he wouldn't have sent his son to deliver people from their sins, as you proclaim.

Christians like to talk in circles and then wave away the contradictions and hypocrisy in their words and actions. It also never ceases to amaze me how much Christians pretend to care about other people then take joy in the notion of the end times and the idea of people suffering.

If pinnacle of your day is to bash Christians than you have not found internal peace in your own religion or lack of thereof.

When did I say the "pinnacle of my day" was bashing Christians? But of course that's what Christians do when you question their contradictions, they shame you and then accuse you of not having internal peace.

For what it's worth, I've yet to meet a Christian IRL or in person who seems to have internal peace.

And frankly, I think humans are meant to have some angst, some inner rumblings. So I don't take your accusations as an insult.

If you have never met a Christian who impressed you as a person filled with peace or love, I am not surprised that you are not impressed with Christianity as a whole. I don’t blame you for remaining unimpressed when confronted with hypocrisy and people who seem really confused about what they believe or who seem to be telling you a lot of nonsense.

I have met very few people in my life who have actually internalized Jesus’ message. Very few people have even read the Bible or even have an understanding of what it actually says. This forum in particular is full of some very authoritative Christians who have clearly not read the Bible all the way through. Reaching the point where you actually follow Jesus’ teachings is like becoming an Olympic athlete. Very few humans are going to get there, because it is a tall order. Jesus preached a radical message of rejecting your own self interest, and it is very hard to accomplish that. How many people have sold all that they have and gone out to serve the poor? How many people actually love their enemies? How many people have read the Bible? These are really, really hard things to do. But I can say that I have met Christians who have inner peace and being with them is delightful. They are loving and kind and just being with them makes you feel better.

No Christians can measure to Jesus. That’s impossible. No human can.

That’s why His sacrifice saved us. We can never hope to be as He is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay here's where I confess that the thought of eternity scares the sh!t out of me.

I mean when does it ever end?

It doesn't. That's the difficult part. God sent his Son to us to deliver us from our sins precisely because eternity burdened by the debt of sin is worse than anything you can possibly imagine in this life. We are spirit beings. Today we see massive onslaught against spirit. It will get worse in the end times. There will be only a handful of Christians left due to sheer hatred and prosecution against us. Yet, God's might is so indescribable. In one move He will smash all evil that ever existed. He will create new Earth and Heaven because he is not interested in correcting anything that is rotten. Corruption is irreversible. God is not interested in correcting and saving anything that has been corrupted. He is interested in a completely new. And His will be done.

You contradict yourself. If God isn't interested in saving things that have been corrupted, then he wouldn't have sent his son to deliver people from their sins, as you proclaim.

Christians like to talk in circles and then wave away the contradictions and hypocrisy in their words and actions. It also never ceases to amaze me how much Christians pretend to care about other people then take joy in the notion of the end times and the idea of people suffering.

If pinnacle of your day is to bash Christians than you have not found internal peace in your own religion or lack of thereof.

When did I say the "pinnacle of my day" was bashing Christians? But of course that's what Christians do when you question their contradictions, they shame you and then accuse you of not having internal peace.

For what it's worth, I've yet to meet a Christian IRL or in person who seems to have internal peace.

And frankly, I think humans are meant to have some angst, some inner rumblings. So I don't take your accusations as an insult.

If you have never met a Christian who impressed you as a person filled with peace or love, I am not surprised that you are not impressed with Christianity as a whole. I don’t blame you for remaining unimpressed when confronted with hypocrisy and people who seem really confused about what they believe or who seem to be telling you a lot of nonsense.

I have met very few people in my life who have actually internalized Jesus’ message. Very few people have even read the Bible or even have an understanding of what it actually says. This forum in particular is full of some very authoritative Christians who have clearly not read the Bible all the way through. Reaching the point where you actually follow Jesus’ teachings is like becoming an Olympic athlete. Very few humans are going to get there, because it is a tall order. Jesus preached a radical message of rejecting your own self interest, and it is very hard to accomplish that. How many people have sold all that they have and gone out to serve the poor? How many people actually love their enemies? How many people have read the Bible? These are really, really hard things to do. But I can say that I have met Christians who have inner peace and being with them is delightful. They are loving and kind and just being with them makes you feel better.

Since when is a duty of any Christian to impress a non-Christian? Do members of other religions try to impress us Christians? Seems that tall order is only applicable to Christians in your world view. Not in mine. I am here to impress God only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what a lot of the non-Christian posters find frustrating is the degree of confidence with which some posters are talking about eternity, like this is something we’re so sure about.

I have to admit that I find this perplexing as well. I don’t know what happens after death and I think pretending like I do is not right. I live in hope and love and faith that if there is life after death, that it is good.

I also think it is a wrong assumption from non-Christian posters that a Christian lifestyle is one of deprivation and misery. If you are living a “Christian” life and you are miserable, you’re not doing it right. The fruits of the spirit should be joy, peace, love, patience, and the ability to persevere through life’s struggles, which everyone faces. Being a Christian is not going to make your problems go away, but it should give you the strength to deal with them. If you are a Christian and you die and there’s no afterlife, it shouldn’t actually have affected you in a negative way. All Jesus called us to do was love one another as we love ourselves. If you think being Christian makes you miserable, don’t bother, because you have the wrong idea. Being loving is not going to make your life worse.

Since we, Christians, take Bible as a direct Word of God, as told by the Prophets, we know a whole lot about eternity from the Bible. This is one of the main tenants of our religion. We are called to believe and some of us do. Without shred of doubt. The problem with challengers of Christianity is that they have not read the Bible. The Bible talks at lenghts about eternity.

I think the Bible is divinely inspired but I do not take it literally, like many Christians. Many of the stories in the Bible are a product of their time and place, which is thousands of years ago in the Middle East.

I don’t worry about eternity because I try to live the way I think is right. I see no reason to worry if my conscience is clear and I am right with God.

You can judge that if you want but I will warn you that I have actually read the Bible in its entirety many, many times, and that I believe what I do for a reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But... I don't want eternal life.

You are singularly simple-minded, OP.

That’s your choice.

Are you religious for other reasons, then?

I don’t see much kindness and acceptance coming from you, and wonder if you dislike and disparage those who have different value systems than you do?

Let me explain it to you, then
I am allergic to people like OP. I like decent people who mind their own business.
My parents come from opposite ends of the earth and each come from a different culture, language and religions.
I was exposed to different denominations of Christianity, as well as my other parent's religions (plural!). The history of religions is a fascinating study.
I have lived, and have family, on several different continents.

I find we all get along best when no one urges one's beliefs on others. Because at the end of the day, we all strive to be good people. You don't need to box yourself into a specific religion to be a good person, and you don't need to worry about continuation after death if you are a good person. Good doesn't mean obeying the strictures of your church, I hope you can understand this one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay here's where I confess that the thought of eternity scares the sh!t out of me.

I mean when does it ever end?

It doesn't. That's the difficult part. God sent his Son to us to deliver us from our sins precisely because eternity burdened by the debt of sin is worse than anything you can possibly imagine in this life. We are spirit beings. Today we see massive onslaught against spirit. It will get worse in the end times. There will be only a handful of Christians left due to sheer hatred and prosecution against us. Yet, God's might is so indescribable. In one move He will smash all evil that ever existed. He will create new Earth and Heaven because he is not interested in correcting anything that is rotten. Corruption is irreversible. God is not interested in correcting and saving anything that has been corrupted. He is interested in a completely new. And His will be done.

You contradict yourself. If God isn't interested in saving things that have been corrupted, then he wouldn't have sent his son to deliver people from their sins, as you proclaim.

Christians like to talk in circles and then wave away the contradictions and hypocrisy in their words and actions. It also never ceases to amaze me how much Christians pretend to care about other people then take joy in the notion of the end times and the idea of people suffering.

If pinnacle of your day is to bash Christians than you have not found internal peace in your own religion or lack of thereof.

When did I say the "pinnacle of my day" was bashing Christians? But of course that's what Christians do when you question their contradictions, they shame you and then accuse you of not having internal peace.

For what it's worth, I've yet to meet a Christian IRL or in person who seems to have internal peace.

And frankly, I think humans are meant to have some angst, some inner rumblings. So I don't take your accusations as an insult.

If you have never met a Christian who impressed you as a person filled with peace or love, I am not surprised that you are not impressed with Christianity as a whole. I don’t blame you for remaining unimpressed when confronted with hypocrisy and people who seem really confused about what they believe or who seem to be telling you a lot of nonsense.

I have met very few people in my life who have actually internalized Jesus’ message. Very few people have even read the Bible or even have an understanding of what it actually says. This forum in particular is full of some very authoritative Christians who have clearly not read the Bible all the way through. Reaching the point where you actually follow Jesus’ teachings is like becoming an Olympic athlete. Very few humans are going to get there, because it is a tall order. Jesus preached a radical message of rejecting your own self interest, and it is very hard to accomplish that. How many people have sold all that they have and gone out to serve the poor? How many people actually love their enemies? How many people have read the Bible? These are really, really hard things to do. But I can say that I have met Christians who have inner peace and being with them is delightful. They are loving and kind and just being with them makes you feel better.

Since when is a duty of any Christian to impress a non-Christian? Do members of other religions try to impress us Christians? Seems that tall order is only applicable to Christians in your world view. Not in mine. I am here to impress God only.

Your conduct is your main evangelism to the world. No one reading your dcum posts is going to turn a new leaf. Why do you think Paul discussed these matters at so much length in his letters? It was important that people saw goodness in the persecuted church.

The people in your life should see Jesus in you. There should be fruits coming from your spiritual life, per Galatians 5:22. If the people around you see someone who is miserable, judge mental, gossipy, etc., yeah you’re doing it wrong. You should be living in fellowship with others and communion with God.

[Anonymous]

I think the Bible is divinely inspired but I do not take it literally, like many Christians. Many of the stories in the Bible are a product of their time and place, which is thousands of years ago in the Middle East.

- I disagree. I take Bible as the Living Word of God. Not a metaphor.

I don’t worry about eternity because I try to live the way I think is right. I see no reason to worry if my conscience is clear and I am right with God.

- I disagree. I worry about eternity because there is no other place but eternity for my spirit. I strive to dwell in presence of God in eternity. This life is just a blip in eternity. While having clear conscious is great I also need time and place for Jesus Christ on daily basis. If I don't find time for Him on daily basis He will not find time for me in eternity. And rightfully so.

You can judge that if you want but I will warn you that I have actually read the Bible in its entirety many, many times, and that I believe what I do for a reason.

- It's not my place to judge you for anything. Only God can do that. I am having a conversation with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 ESV)

“Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered.” (Revelation 5:5 ESV)



At His first coming Jesus came as a Lamb. He was born as a helpless babe in a lowly manger. He grew up in obscurity in Nazareth. His public ministry consisted of teaching and miracle-working as He revealed the glory of God in grace and truth. He showed compassion to the crowds and restraint in the face of opposition. He set aside the use of His divine rights, refused to call the angels, and allowed Himself to be crucified on a cross. Then He rose again to live forevermore.

At His second coming Jesus will come as a Lion. He will appear in the heavens as the almighty King dressed in a blood-dipped robe, sitting upon a white horse, His eyes like a flame of fire. In righteousness He will judge and make war. He will strike down the ungodly nations and rule them with a rod of iron. He will execute the full measure of the fury of God’s wrath. Then He shall reign forevermore. (See Revelation 19 and Zechariah 14 for a depiction of Christ’s return.)

I believe this. Jesus will return as a Lion. If you don’t believe it, fine.

But the returning Lion has no room for those who doubted, or discounted, or mocked.

If you believe the Bible, you should be all in for your beliefs.

If you are trying to convince people of Christianity by quoting Revelations, you are really, really bad at this.

[Anonymous]

15:15 and 15:27 are to two different posters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My pastor calls things like OP’s post “Christianese,” or stuff Christians say to other Christians to make themselves feel good. No one who isn’t Christian is going to find the idea of Jesus paying your “sin-debt” compelling. People feel like they have more pressing issues, like how to feel peace, be a good person, etc. And sadly, they are so turned off by people like OP that they never see that the love of Jesus can do amazing things in your life, the one you are living right now.

NP. And I call people like your pastor "lukewarm" and not followers of Christ at all. Christianity is not about marketing itself based on popular polling.