A long and wicked life followed by five minutes of perfect grace gets you into Heaven. An equally long life of decent living and good works followed by one outburst of taking the name of the Lord in vain - then have a heart attack at that moment and be damned for eternity. Is that the system?
2006-12-20 14:32:15 · 45 answers · asked by Critical Mass 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
sounds correct
2006-12-20 14:33:40 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No, that's not the system.
We aren't all equally righteous, nor are we all equally wicked, so our eternal reward will be tailored to suit us.
Jesus Christ referred to this when He said,
"In my Father's House, there are MANY mansions - - - "
Also, the spirit which inhabits a body at the moment of death is the same spirit which goes into the eternities.
The concept of deathbed repentance is a false teaching and a cruel joke.
You cannot suddenly change a life of wickedness in five minutes of panicked prayer.
Now, while you're alive and healthy, is the time to begin working on your repentance (from a Greek word meaning "change").
We often hear that we're saved "by grace".
Well, that's true, BUT - - - we are saved by grace "after all we can do."
We have to do our part, then God can do His.
After all, God is our FATHER, and we are his CHILDREN.
Don't fathers love their children?
Don't children want to grow up to be like their fathers?
That's what it's all about.
We are indeed children of God, which makes us literally brothers and sisters, so we should be helping each other and looking after each other.
If you want to know more of what I'm talking about, then I urge you to investigate further at:
http://www.mormon.org/
2006-12-20 14:44:34 · answer #2 · answered by John Robert Mallernee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I disagree with your assumption that five minutes of "grace" buys a ticket to Heaven. Might buy a ticket to "Purgatory" or reincarnation for a second chance to get it right. And I don't believe one "outburst" at the end of a good life sends one South. Surely God would understand and forgive minor trespasses, and may even view his name being taken in vain as a plea for help. So, nah, hopefully the scenario you've painted is not the "system". To quote that crazy Brit, "You gotta have faith".
2006-12-20 14:40:25 · answer #3 · answered by fearslady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A person who has lived a decent life and good works- does not equal asking God into their life. Good works does not get you in heaven, it that was true, nobody would enter heaven, and God would not have had to send his son to die for us...
Your right, some people live horrible lives and in there last 10 minutes they might accept the Lord as their saviour. Does this seem fair? Depends on how you look at it... I would feel worse for them, A life living for God is far more fruitful and rewarding. The ones who get saved right before passing away, thats great for them and we should be happy, but also don't plan on that happening for you.. nevermind the fact that you should want to serve God your whole life. If you are looking for an "easy" way out, and wishing you could live how you want and then get saved... one might want to question their relationship with God...
I don't know if this helped at all, but I tried... good luck
2006-12-20 14:36:40 · answer #4 · answered by eric 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IF you think that you can live an unrighteous life and you know at the last minute that you might die and you decide to become born again is how it works, you could not be more wrong.
If you think that for one moment that Jesus doesn't know if your are sincere or not when you call upon His name for salvation, you could not be more mistaken.
As far as taking the Lord's name in vain. God says this about that.
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
What ever we do, say or how we act, we must do it in a way that brings glory to God. To blaspheme the name of God goes against that instruction of God
Blastphpeme-
A primitive root; to puncture, literally (to perforate, with more or less violence) or figuratively (to specify, designate, libel): - appoint, blaspheme, bore, curse, express, with holes, name, pierce, strike through.
None of which brings glory to God, and is punnishable by the wrath of God.
2006-12-20 14:44:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Not at all. Five minutes of perfect grace doesn't leave time for the things that the bible says are needed to be done, such as baptism, repentence, and forgiveness. In the same time, everybody slips up now and then, and if you life a long life of good living and good works, it won't bound you to eternal death.
2006-12-20 14:36:00 · answer #6 · answered by Akarui 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not in all religions. different religions (and even sects in those religions) have their own version of heaven and how to get there. catholics, for example, would argue that a long and wicked life would have to be followed by sincere penitence and a commitment to live a righteous life before one could get to heaven. as for the person living the long life- the same would apply- take the lord's name in vain, but you are truly sorry and you are ok. not to mention, there is the whole component of if you get the last rites by a priest, which takes care of the confession and pennance portion for you.
2006-12-20 14:40:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way to get to Heaven is by accepting Jesus into your heart. When you do that you are saved, meaning you are saved from the penealty of sin which is eternity in Hell.
Decent living and good works will not take you to Heaven at death. Neither will sin keep you out of Heaven.
The main thing is accepting Jesus.
2006-12-20 14:38:05 · answer #8 · answered by Tenn Gal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, as a Baptist, I say no. You cannot be a horrible person all your life, and think that at the last minute you can just say "Ok, I'll be good now. Save me!" unless you truly believe that God is who He says he is. You can't just "fake it" to get in. You have to truly believe and trust in God.
To answer the second part, taking the Lord's name in vain is a sin, yes, but not enough to take away your salvation if you are a true believer. Once you are saved, you are saved. Not saying that you won't ever sin again, but your sins are forgiven.
Again, this is my belief. Different versions of Christianity will tell you different things.
2006-12-20 14:37:43 · answer #9 · answered by purvislets 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. I think that if in your HEART you believe and follow the path God has set planned for you, you should be good. Of corse everyone is a sinner.. nobody is perfect. So the outburt you were talking about.. we all have them. Taking the Lord's name in vain, I dont know. But I think that if you truly believe and worship Him, your good to go.
2006-12-20 14:35:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well this is coming from a Protestant's perspective here:
Faith alone can save a man. If you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior, you are redeemed of the sins that you have committed and sins that YOU WILL commit. As long as you do not deny Christ. Repentance is what Christians should do but it's not what gets someone into heaven. Christ has died for the sins of all of mankind.
2006-12-20 14:40:09 · answer #11 · answered by CK 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋