I am a Universalist. I believe that whatever happens when we die happens to all of us. I also believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every person and I believe in the Golden Rule. I believe in kindness and love. I believe in trying harder each day to be kinder and more loving.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the point in eternal life. I'd rather have finite, but healthy & happy life, rather than "eternal." Quality not quantity, essentially.

So the thought of spending eternity in paradise with our Creator in perfect peace is unappealing to you?

We have different perspectives. A "creator" of peace, is also the creator of suffering, if all roads truly lead back to them as a creator of everything. And I'm not really interested in spending time with that kind of being. Ultimately this is simply not a worldview I could make myself believe in, if I tried.

But honestly, the concept of eternity sounds incredibly boring. And I'm not exactly a thrill seeker.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.jesus.org/following-jesus/repentance-faith-and-salvation/how-can-i-have-eternal-life.html

Each of us faces the same dilemma. We have a sin debt that we owe to God but no way to pay for it. None of our solutions - living a moral life, being religious, or doing more good deeds - can take care of our problem.

God Himself has provided the solution - one that both satisfies His justice and grants us mercy. He sent His Son to pay the penalty we owed. Jesus was qualified to be our substitute because He never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21). He willingly took our place on the cross and experienced the full measure of the Lord's wrath against our sinfulness. In dying for us, Christ secured our salvation by paying the debt for all our past, present, and future sins. When we trust in Jesus and surrender our life to Him, He becomes our personal Savior and Lord.

The great tragedy is that many have heard the gospel and rejected it. Some are like the rich ruler who placed his trust in material possessions and turned his back on the truth. Others have refused to even listen. Another group is convinced they are heaven-bound, based on erroneous confidence in their own good deeds. Only those who have entered into a relationship with Jesus through faith in Him will be welcomed into heaven.

If you're wondering, How can I have eternal life? there is only one answer: through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). We have an Enemy who actively seeks to blind people to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). Pray that many who are separated from the Lord will trust in the Savior and gain everlasting life.

As Easter approaches and we turn our thoughts to Christ and His Victory over death, take time to consider your own salvation.

He died for you. His agony was for you.

Thank you. Amen.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

[b]16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.[/b][i]

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 John 2:15-17

+1

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?

I don’t know if you are joking, but eternal life is pretty clear.

Would you rather die and disappear?

Anonymous wrote:I don't see the point in eternal life. I'd rather have finite, but healthy & happy life, rather than "eternal." Quality not quantity, essentially.

So the thought of spending eternity in paradise with our Creator in perfect peace is unappealing to you?

I don't see the point in eternal life. I'd rather have finite, but healthy & happy life, rather than "eternal." Quality not quantity, essentially.

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?

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.

You should do both as a Christian.

How does acknowledging Jesus died for us turn you off as a Christian?

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?

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.

Anonymous wrote:So Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Christian agnostics etc., have no shot?

I am not God. I don’t know. Do I have a shot in the listed religions above?

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

You are singularly simple-minded, OP.

So Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Christian agnostics etc., have no shot?

Anonymous wrote:http://www.jesus.org/following-jesus/repentance-faith-and-salvation/how-can-i-have-eternal-life.html

Each of us faces the same dilemma. We have a sin debt that we owe to God but no way to pay for it. None of our solutions - living a moral life, being religious, or doing more good deeds - can take care of our problem.

God Himself has provided the solution - one that both satisfies His justice and grants us mercy. He sent His Son to pay the penalty we owed. Jesus was qualified to be our substitute because He never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21). He willingly took our place on the cross and experienced the full measure of the Lord's wrath against our sinfulness. In dying for us, Christ secured our salvation by paying the debt for all our past, present, and future sins. When we trust in Jesus and surrender our life to Him, He becomes our personal Savior and Lord.

The great tragedy is that many have heard the gospel and rejected it. Some are like the rich ruler who placed his trust in material possessions and turned his back on the truth. Others have refused to even listen. Another group is convinced they are heaven-bound, based on erroneous confidence in their own good deeds. Only those who have entered into a relationship with Jesus through faith in Him will be welcomed into heaven.

If you're wondering, How can I have eternal life? there is only one answer: through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). We have an Enemy who actively seeks to blind people to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). Pray that many who are separated from the Lord will trust in the Savior and gain everlasting life.

As Easter approaches and we turn our thoughts to Christ and His Victory over death, take time to consider your own salvation.

He died for you. His agony was for you.

Thank you. Amen.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

[b]16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.[/b][i]

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

1 John 2:15-17

http://www.jesus.org/following-jesus/repentance-faith-and-salvation/how-can-i-have-eternal-life.html

Each of us faces the same dilemma. We have a sin debt that we owe to God but no way to pay for it. None of our solutions - living a moral life, being religious, or doing more good deeds - can take care of our problem.

God Himself has provided the solution - one that both satisfies His justice and grants us mercy. He sent His Son to pay the penalty we owed. Jesus was qualified to be our substitute because He never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21). He willingly took our place on the cross and experienced the full measure of the Lord's wrath against our sinfulness. In dying for us, Christ secured our salvation by paying the debt for all our past, present, and future sins. When we trust in Jesus and surrender our life to Him, He becomes our personal Savior and Lord.

The great tragedy is that many have heard the gospel and rejected it. Some are like the rich ruler who placed his trust in material possessions and turned his back on the truth. Others have refused to even listen. Another group is convinced they are heaven-bound, based on erroneous confidence in their own good deeds. Only those who have entered into a relationship with Jesus through faith in Him will be welcomed into heaven.

If you're wondering, How can I have eternal life? there is only one answer: through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). We have an Enemy who actively seeks to blind people to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). Pray that many who are separated from the Lord will trust in the Savior and gain everlasting life.

As Easter approaches and we turn our thoughts to Christ and His Victory over death, take time to consider your own salvation.

He died for you. His agony was for you.