Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Every Man For Himself (Woman too)

When it comes to salvation, it is up to you to make that decision to accept Christ as your personal saviour and walk with Him.  Your faith in Him will save you.  Your works do not pay your way but w/o works, faith is dead.  Last week at church, the pastor asked, "How many of you know without a doubt where you are going when you die?"  I raised my hand and a handful of other people including my 15 year old daughter and her friend.  There were many people that I know personally who should have raised their hand.  If they don't know where they are going when they die then they have missed a major factor of their faith .  Either that or they weren't bold enough to claim eternal life in Heaven before a church congregation.  Now if you are unable to do that in the church house, will you have the boldness to speak about eternal life to others?  That is an important factor in evangelism and witnessing.  You must know where you will spend eternity and be able to help other's understand how you could possibly know that.  How could you be bold enough to talk about heaven and tell people how to get there? 
I have heard a lot of Christians admit that they aren't sure if they will go to heaven when they die.  Honestly, there was a time when I wasn't even sure myself.  My Mother was the one who assured me to know and believe without a doubt that I will spend eternity with God as long I continue to follow Him, trust Him and have faith.  Don't just take my word for it but study God's word to show yourself approved.  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

No one can pray you into heaven after you die.  Some people believe that if you die in a fallen state of grace, you will go to purgatory (between heaven and hell) while your living relatives pray you into heaven.  Really?  What is a fallen state of grace?  Does that boil down to not being perfect when you die?  Well that means we will all end up in purgatory waiting for our loved ones to pray for our salvation?  If that be the case then Jesus would've never had to die on the cross for us.  Jesus is the only way to eternity with God aka heaven.  Salvation is a free gift, and it's up to you, not your mother, not your father, not your sister, not your brother.  Please understand that grace is going to lead you home.
 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever  1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 .

5 comments:

  1. Ok, so I tried replying to your latest post but I couldn’t,

    Maybe you could post it for me? here it is:

    First of all, I enjoy and love your blog. I also love you to death. You are a great inspiration not only to me but to others. You are the one I turn to when I need advice or a comforting word. You are so knowledgeable and well versed when it comes to God and His word. However (of course there is a however or but in this whole thing I’m writing); I will have to disagree with what you have written on your last blog: “Every Man For Himself (Woman Too). As a Catholic I feel that I have to defend my faith and also my beliefs, and make some things clear.

    The Bible does not mention the exact word “purgatory”, but instead makes references to a place. The name does not make the place; the place must exist first, then we give it a name. We call this place “purgatory” because it means “a cleansing place”. There, the souls are purged from the small stains of sin, which prevent their immediate entrance into Heaven. In Matthew 5:26 Christ is condemning sin and speaks of liberation only after penance, “Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny”, the reference must apply to a third place. 47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:47-48.

    The Bible declares that nothing unpurified can enter Heaven. “… but nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who does abominable things or tells lies” Rev. 21:27.

    The majority of people are neither free from sin as to merit immediate entrance into Heaven, nor so bad as to be punished forever in Hell. This is the place we go when we have failed to do sufficient penance for sins already forgiven. Yes, He has forgiven us, but we still must pay a price. To claim that you are assured of your salvation and entrance into Heaven because you simply believe in Jesus is blasphemy. If that were true, you would have to be as perfect as God and Jesus, which no human being is capable of. You wouldn’t have the ability to sin. The majority of people believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, that he paid the price for all of it. His sacrifice doesn’t do away with all the worries about the possibility of future punishment due to one’s sins. It does not mean that God will not punish people for future sins. It does not mean that the penalty for all the sins of the whole world has been taken away.

    Pixie

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  2. continued..........

    Let’s say for example you have mud underneath your shoes, you wouldn’t dream of entering your home without cleaning them first, or taking them off at the door. You don’t want to soil your clean house, therefore, you clean up. Also, you wouldn’t want a person doing that in your house would you? It’s the same with purgatory and Heaven. Again, I quote: “nothing unclean shall enter Heaven” Rev. 21:27. Soooooo, going to purgatory is a good thing, it is not a second chance at salvation, you are already saved. You want to make sure you are free from ALL sin before entering Heaven. We will enter Heaven after the cleansing fires of purgatory, “For everyone will be salted with fire” Mark 9:49. This is a refining fire which makes good material better by purging out impurities (Malachi 3:2-3; Peter 1:7). God uses suffering to purify the soul and detach it from worldly things. The scripture more than once makes the comparison of gold and silver being purified by fire. I’m not sure what other examples or scriptures I can quote in order to explain what purgatory is and how it works. But those who do not accept the doctrine of purgatory should be careful not to condemn those who do.

    As for praying for the dead, it doesn’t mean you are praying them into Heaven. Then Hell would be empty. It is a way to aid those who are in purgatory, to make their stay shorter. Like I stated before, if you are in purgatory, you are already saved, you will go to Heaven. No questions asked. We don’t pray for their salvation, just for a short stay. Just as if you were praying for someone’s speedy recovery. You don’t want them to be hurting or suffering too much longer. You want them to get well soon.

    We will be judged by God and for what we did on earth, not just by faith alone, but by our works as well. And He will decide where we will go.

    Pixie

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  3. I just read your Blog and must say a HEARTY AMEN SISTER!!! I agree with every thing you said and I would RAISE my hand that when my spirit leaves this earthly body, I will be "present with the LORD" as He has promised. I am chief amongst sinners but I know His blood covers my sins and by faith He has saved me for an eternal life with Him!

    Laurie

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  5. That's the best part about grace. It is unmerited favor. We don't deserve it and we are not worthy but Jesus is the one who made it possible for us to enter heaven w/o having to make any pit stops when we die. It is my belief that everyone with a true relationship with God, will be with Him in heaven.

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