...not by good works, but by the grace of God do you enter heaven. Why should I bother with the guilt of believing myself to be a worthless sinner when I can sincerely convert at the last minute?
And for those who question sincerity, assume I mean the word as it is defined. No effort to trick the Almighty, simply an acknowledgement that I've been tempted all my life to do whatever I want and now that I'm dying, I want to make amends.
According to what I'm hearing on this board, I could be Jack the Ripper all my life, yet get into heaven through that heart-felt conversion.
In other words, God doesn't care what I do with my life, as long as I believe in Him before the end. Thus only will He let me into heaven.
So where is the incentive to do good?
2006-08-20 06:42:09 · 8 answers · asked by bobkgin 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sweetone: Good point (and I'm surprised no one else made it).
But consider there has been no rapture in the 2000 years since Christ. No reason to expect it now, is there?
2006-08-20 12:24:15 · update #1
I think part of it here is you're not listening to the tone of your own question. You're asking, "Why should I do good all my life when I can squeak by on a loophole".
It's like saying, believe in God as a cover yer ***. If I don't believe, and there is a God, I'm burning, if I do believe, and there isn't a God, I'm out nothing.
The very act of deciding to work on a loophole, means you ain't gonna qualify. I know you keep saying "sincere", but there ain't a drop of it in your question.
There is NO requirement to do good works, be a nice person, or act Christlike.There's no code of behavior the Christians have to swear a blood oath to....
When you believe, then you change. When you change, you behave differently.
We gamers have a term for this type of attitude. Rules Lawyer.
2006-08-20 07:05:51 · answer #1 · answered by Hatir Ba Loon 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, think about it. Even if you are serious in your effort to repent at the last hour of your life...how many people do you think get to do that? Most people do not know when they are going to die. It could be tomorrow. Do you want to live with the chance that you may die before you get the chance to repent for your life?
Also, you are mis-interpreting what the bible says. It is by a gift of God that we get into Heaven. If we accept it. It just means that Heaven is not achievable, or to be lost. If you accept that Jesus died for you, you are given the gift of life, and it is only by God's grace, his love, that you were given the choice. That is all that this means. We would not have such a sure way to Heaven if God did not love us so much to create the way through His son.
That is why the other part of the bible says that you can not be saved by just faith alone, because a true Christian would want to honor God and thank Him for his saving grace by living a life of goodness and helping other people.
2006-08-20 14:04:09 · answer #2 · answered by hopewriter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With this question, you are presumimg you're going to have a chance to get saved and ask for forgiveness at the last minute. But in Matthews 24: 42-50 and Matthews 25: 13 it says that we know not the day or the hour your Lord will come. So we should be ready as if he will come at any time. You may die in an instant and you will not have that chance to make amends. then what/ You're headed for the place you don't want to go. If I were you I wouldn't wait until on my dying bed.
2006-08-20 13:59:29 · answer #3 · answered by sweetone 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you were sincere you wouldnt wait till the last minute. purposely disobeying until the end only then trying to convert might not work, God alone will make that judgment. you could die instantly, and never get the chance. the incentive to do good is, it is a kingdom. the kingdom of God. you get rewarded in heaven by your actions/faith etc. God knows your heart, he will decide.
2006-08-20 14:18:27 · answer #4 · answered by mxlj 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you just go around doing evil and not abiding by God's law, why should you be let into Heaven? And I doubt after you sin all over the place, you'll be truly sorry (and God will know) because it was your choice to just do whatever YOU wanted and follow God.
2006-08-20 13:50:25 · answer #5 · answered by Greta 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're speaking of an 11th hour, as it's called, to repent of your sins. You may not get that chance. You may die so suddenly that you'll be in hell before you know you're dead. You already know about the life required of you, so you shouldn't think you can live as you please now and repent just before you die and it's all okay. Remember, the Bible says that a Christian should not be lukewarm, but should be on fire for Christ, or he will "spew thee out of my mouth"....and say...."Depart from me, I know you not". If you don't know him now, forget the last hour, because much is required from those who know!
2006-08-20 13:52:57 · answer #6 · answered by save_up_your_tears 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
christianity has nothing to do with God. don't let christianity turn you into an atheist
2006-08-20 14:14:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I said that it DOES matter.
You will not listen.
2006-08-20 13:50:07 · answer #8 · answered by Gestalt 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋