if you are only doing good or being a good person just to get into heaven .... well isn't that a little like trying to buy your way into heaven? to answer this you might want to read my last question. this a serious question so i would really like some serious answers.
2006-07-11 08:48:06 · 14 answers · asked by bgdadyp 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
most people do just that. the vast majority of the people who beleive in any religion that offers a heaven act the way theyre supposed to simply because they want to get into heaven...
the fact is that if there was no promise of heaven there would be very little beleivers of the christian faith. would you invest money into the stock market if there was no return? no. its the same with religion, they invest faith in hopes to gain profit (heaven).
people, wether they admit it or not, only beleive for their own perosnal gain.
2006-07-11 08:51:40 · answer #1 · answered by johnny_zondo 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Stairway To Heaven comes to mind. "..Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know, The piper's calling you to join him, Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow, and did you know Your stairway lies on the whispering wind. And as we wind on down the road. Our shadows taller than our soul..."
I think you'd have to prove heaven exists first, and then find out what is necessary to get in. However, assuming it is a reward, the life you live would be the same either way. The golden rule. Do what you will harm none. And so on. All religions and philosophies have it, but how many individuals live by it?
Imagine comes to mind, too.
2006-07-11 15:57:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
people always think they have to do something to get into heaven. Heaven is free, it's a gift. 90% of all Christians say that heaven is free, but they don't get it. They're still trying to get into heaven. Worrying about themselves all the time.
I'm thinking of it like this,
Christians are already saved. They just have to ask God. But the devil keeps whispering in they're ear that they're not good enough. so they keep on improving themselves, trying to be perfect. Thus never reaching out to where God needs them to be. So all they end up being is a perfectly good waste of time.
They're saved, sure. but they're working too hard on themselves to help anyone else.
Just be free guys. God is in your heart and you know you're trying your best so stop letting the devil beat you up about it.
Get out there and mean something to someone! The way God means something to you!
you're free. You're saved!
enjoy it!
2006-07-11 16:07:38 · answer #3 · answered by lallie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are only doing good or being a good person just to get into heaven...well...you aren't going to get there. You can't buy yourself into heaven. That's called salvation by works. The only people who will go to heaven is those who love the Lamb. HOWEVER - if you love the Lamb, you will WANT to follow His commands - such as the Ten Commandments. We are saved only by the grace of God. But we obey Him out of our love for Him. He is so passionately in love with me, and with you, that I want to do my best to please Him and make Him happy.
2006-07-11 16:05:10 · answer #4 · answered by songoftheforest 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We all have to start somewhere. The idea is to improve one's ability to love genuinely and deeply, and striving to live by The Golden Rule.
Just going through the motions of being kind and serving others is a stepping stone. You first have to learn how to crawl before you can walk and then run.
One cannot buy oneself into a heavenly plane in The Light after death. You earn it through good works, by improving your character, and by Radiating Love.
Heaven is achieved through deed, not creed.
-- Emanuel Swedenborg
2006-07-11 16:02:37 · answer #5 · answered by solistavadar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In heaven there are going to be alot of bad people that ended good, in hell there will be alot of good people that ended bad.
The theif on the cross was a bad man in the sight of man, but he trusted in Jesus and was promised paradise. The young rich ruler said he followed all the commandment from his youth but when Jesus asked that he give up his riches and follow him he turned and walked alway from Jesus and salvation.
We choose our path in life, it might not be the right one but it is our choice. What path will you choose??
2006-07-11 15:59:10 · answer #6 · answered by Commander 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being good will get you into Heaven. Jesus said as much - Except your righteousness exceed that of the pharisees -
But, no one is that righteous. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (and if Jesus was not God incarnate, then he must have sinned. But the Bible says Jesus never sinned. Ergo, He is God). Jesus died for us to take the penalty of sin from us.
Believe in Him is the only way to get to Heaven.
2006-07-11 15:55:04 · answer #7 · answered by wiregrassfarmer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is like buying your way into heaven and it's a check that will bounce! There's only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ.
2006-07-11 15:55:17 · answer #8 · answered by dph_40 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You finally understand at least what I have been saying all along. You can't do enough good works, give enough to the poor, say enough prayers. Good works, get you no where with God. It has to be by His grace because of faith. Even then the faith is His gift yo the believer. You can do nothing but except His gift..
2006-07-11 15:59:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
im sorry i didnt read your last question, but i do know you cant buy your way into heaven, thats why Jesus died on the cross and thats the only way to heaven, his blood paid the way
2006-07-11 15:53:46 · answer #10 · answered by san_ann68 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋