Christians, when you spend your entire life in anticipation of some sort of "heavenly" rewards...?

Question

How can you enjoy the true pleasures of this life? There is so much to do, so much to experience yet most of you will spend your time with regret, guilt, and, dare I say it, close mindedness concerning other people and their cultures. Wouldn't it make more sense to LIVE your life while you have it, instead of constantly judging yourself and others, regardless of what you think you believe your afterlife rewards might be?

NOTE: While I know there are Christians out there who do "stop and smell the roses" so to speak, but in my experience they've been the minority.

Sigh. So many are so insistent on the idea they they are being persecuted they don't even read the question properly. I did not generalize, I said most not all. And you're lying to yourselves and everyone else if you say you don't know any christians who live their entire lives spouting scripture and judging others, yet don't bother to get out there and LIVE.

Answer 1

You know, they do it so they can consider themselves above all... and that considering yourself above all is in fact a form of Satanism... Funny, isn't it.
"We are so pious and holier-than-thou..." Hahahahahahahaha.

Answer 2

I am a Christian and actually there is a degree to which I agree with you. You are able to live a rich, rewarding, loving , happy life without Jesus. Jesus in your heart does complicate things and causes every action to be reconsidered. This is actually very draining sometimes. But I will tell you it is worth it because even though there are times without the wonderful, the rewarding , and the richness, the peace in my heart is what gets me through. So if you are at the bottom of the barell without the peace that is when it concerns me. To each his own and truly if you are living right and are a kind loving person why do you think you are being judged by Christians. It's not the business we are suppose to be in! If you are being judged they are wrong! I am not ticked off that you don't believe in "the sky fairy", I am not ticked off at all! I love you regardless! Michele

Answer 3

Funny, most of the Christians I know, including myself, DO live their lives while they're here. Most of us realize that while Heaven will be wonderful, the Earth is God's creation, and as such, we should enjoy it.

Why do some people seem to believe that a Christian's life is defined by regret and guilt? I realize that it was the life I led the first twenty-five years of my life that led me to become a Christian almost eight months ago. And it's BECAUSE of that life that my faith is now as strong as it is. I don't regret any of it, and any guilt that I might have felt has been forgiven.

Answer 4

Missing out on the pleasures of life? Excuse me? HA! Am i missing out on sexual immorality, adultry, idolatry? I think not. If you think that there is more to life than spreading the love of God think again. Have you experience the satisfaction of giving the homeless a new house or giving the hungry food and care? Going to the elderly hospitals and spending time with them in their last days? What is it that i am missing out on. I have traveled the world an i have observed many different cultures. What am i missing? This is the most ignorant question i have ever seen posted on Y/A answers and i expect to see an update on what i am truly missing out on. I think someone has their priorites out of whack. and i bet you dont know of the full life you could live in Christ and the blessings that you are missing out on. I pray that one day you may find the truth.

Answer 5

You are stereotyping Christians and being, dare I say it, closeminded. The true pleasures of life are different for everyone and I do enjoy them. I'm not sure what you're referring to when you say "true pleasures in life", but as far as I'm concerned I am pleased and I am still going to recieve my "heavenly rewards"

Answer 6

only a fool looks only towards the future and doesn't live in the present...religion has nothing to do with it...but thanks for looking like a moron to single out Christians...i think you are the closed minded one, judging and pointing fingers...
Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Answer 7

I don't expect anything. I follow my convictions because they seem to be the right way to view things and I do it without any reward.

God is not a Game Show host and this is not DEAL or NO DEAL.

Now if YOU want to continue driving as fast as you wan't without any regards to those speed limit signs.

If you want to smoke while filling your tank with gasoline

If you want to drive drunk and not feel guilty or regretful, that's up to you.

Answer 8

Some people need rule and regulation in order to feel safe. So it may be that the strict guidlines that look like stifling factors to us are really rules that make them feel safe and keep them from being afraid of life. Even if these rules stop them from experiencing life, their fear of it is greater and the rules help them feel safe.

Answer 9

No regrets no gilt its a joy to know the lord the world has a lot to offer but its whats import tent to each man like before i was saved i had no desire to drink do drugs see porn fight steal ect.

Answer 10

Unfortunately, you have absolutely no idea about what you are talking about. Most Christians are the happiest people I've ever met. We have no regrets, we live our lives like we want to why does that threaten you?

Answer 11

As Christians mature, we can see truth in a new light and know and rejoice that following the commandments is right.

"And I have the keys of hell and death, signifies that He alone can save. By "keys" is signified the power of opening and shutting; here the power of opening hell, that man may be brought forth, and of shutting, lest, when he is brought forth, he should enter again. For man is born in evils of all kinds, thus in hell, for evils are hell; he is brought out of it by the Lord, to whom belongs the power of opening it. That by "having the keys of hell and death," is not meant the power of casting into hell, but the power of saving, is because it immediately follows after these words:

Behold, I am alive for ages of ages;

by which is signified that He alone is eternal life (n. 60); and the Lord never casts anyone into hell, but man casts himself. By "keys" is signified the power of opening and shutting, in Revelation also (3:7; 9:1; 20:1; also in Isa. 22:21, 22; in Matt. 16:19; and in Luke 11:52). The power of the Lord is not only over heaven, but also over hell; for hell is kept in order and connection by oppositions against heaven; for which reason, He who rules the one must necessarily rule the other; otherwise man could not be saved; to be saved is to be brought out of hell" (Apocalypse Revealed n. 62).