2007-03-23 12:12:20 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
People who don't murder, steal, and rape your wife make better neighbors, and are less likely to make you meet Jesus when you least expect it.
2007-03-25 06:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
THAT was pascal's wager...which has been asked about and alluded to several times this week on Q & A.
If you recall, their were two thieves/murderers on each side of Jesus; when He was crucified....One mocked, the other sized up the reality of the situation, and confronted the mocker. Jesus said, "This day you will be with Me in Paradise"...Now, that is a last minute conversion !!!
I am curious about how pascal's gamble paid off. Here's my thinking: being a Christian is NOT about a certain persona or imitation (of Christ or a disciple or even an apostle) nor to eschew the delights of food, woman and nice things: no, being a Christian means being as "genuine" and well balanced as Jesus was. An added benefit is:
When one is born from above (again); THEN, the real growth and genuine worthy motives for living occur. While not a Christian, we are 'dead in trespasses and sins' simply because those are the 'rules of the game of life'...And, don't get me wrong: you can be a lot more moral, stable of personality and living an ethical life than many Christians are: that still doesn't detrhone the ego. And That is the problem.
As Freud observed: his majesty the baby...the pharoah or your or my ego, considers itself god; and it takes an act of faith and will to de throne it. Once it is detrhoned, the 'god of this world brings heresy's, persecutions and trials against the Christian; and growth occurs out of that 'mortar and pestal' process. Just as pharoah changed his mind and went after the hebrews...and God drowned his sorry butt. The point of that is: it is God who does the delivering.
So, back to pascal.....IF him having a priest pray for him (on his deathbed) caused his salvation; THEN, he awakened to the 4th dimension of existence. And, most likely, his head still hangs in shame for his late choice.
Maranantha
2007-03-23 19:59:01 · answer #2 · answered by Bill S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First thing first, we Christians don't repent for our sins after death. We will be judge by the the Redeemer according to our deeds (big or small). And yes, we do repent or confess and reconcile with God before death. Because it's the only way you can put your soul at peace. Now if you think that it's foolishness because of your question "Christians why Live?", then it's all up to you, because we rejoice in the gift of life given to us by God. If you think otherwise, then we can't do anything about it. But i say to you, enjoy life because death can come knocking on your door anytime, are you prepare to welcome it?
2007-03-23 19:33:42 · answer #3 · answered by Happyman 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's not as if God can be fooled by an insincere act of confession or repentance. Someone could conceivably repent at the moment of death, although a lifetime of not caring or worrying about it would make it difficult. But if someone thought saying some magic words would someone fool God, they've misunderstood what was expected of them. That realization might be too late to make a difference.
2007-03-23 19:30:35 · answer #4 · answered by a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one can repent after death!
The Christian life is exciting, each day with Jesus is wonderful!
For I know the plans I have for you says God
Plans for good and not for evil
Plans to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29 v 11
2007-03-23 19:25:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Being a Christian has to do with a relationship. It's less about what you do right and what you do wrong.
Think about it in terms of parents. I don't know your parental situation, but lets say you have a great mom. Someone whom you are confident loves you and wants the very best for you.
Lets say she asked you to do some chores, because it builds charachter and she knows it would be good for you to learn how to keep the house clean.
Lets say you get in a fight with her. Now, you could make up with her and apologize while she's on her death bed, and that would be cool and all, but it would be far cooler to actually have had her wisdom and experience to draw on for the duration of her life. Because she wasn't trying to hurt you in the first place; she just wanted you to vacuum the living room.
I realize thats simplifying the situation and minimizing a lot of what it means to live as a Christian, but, breaking it down, that's the best way I can think of to explain it.
2007-03-23 19:21:43 · answer #6 · answered by Jil-Jil 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because noone knows when that may die. If you have a serious illness you may know about when, but even then it is not certain. Do you think if you are in a serious accident and die on the spot that you would have enough time in a matter of seconds to to repent and or confess to anything. NO, cause the first and only thought you would have time to develop is OMG WTF! So if you are living like there is no God...then you had better be right, otherwise God help you.
2007-03-23 19:26:53 · answer #7 · answered by GoOd GrL 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it's up to you, it's a valid question, you just take a chance on the last time you were conscious and thinking about salvation. God is loving before, and filled with wrath after death. While we're at it, throw in "saved" up until the age of reason. Confused? God loves everyone...but it's an offer...but it's not begging...and he knew how we would choose...but we have free will...and when you die, you had your chance...
How about tossing that entire theology in the trash, and giving Man's almighty power of choice back to God where it belongs? That way the predestination verses make sense. And if you repent before death, it's because God drew you unto Himself, because you never did have that ability. No more glory to Man, no fooling or trying to fool God with a perceived "better life" of sinning. Salvation becomes a gasp of where you were headed and God's grace, rather than a pat on your own back for turning your own heart around. Your "heh-heh - gotcha, God" turns into something the Lord did for you in spite of yourself.
2007-03-23 19:56:07 · answer #8 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because you get The Truth and God's love. You can get more rewards in Heaven if you're a Christian and do good things for God than if you just give Him your life before you die. Also, you might die in your sleep and not have time to repent.
2007-03-23 19:19:34 · answer #9 · answered by Me Encanta Espanol 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can not repent after death, you are done. You should get to know Jesus now; because it is not JUST about the life after death, Eternal Life begins the moment you give your life over to the Lord, and I know that no one can understand that until they experience it. Jesus told the people that He not only came to give them Life, but Life more abundantly, and that includes the present. :)
2007-03-23 19:23:21 · answer #10 · answered by Charles V 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A very valid question... One that Jews have been wondering for almost two millenium.. Prisoners on death row confessing and taking Jesus as their personal saviour while they're sitting in the electric chair..
2007-03-23 19:15:48 · answer #11 · answered by Furibundus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋