This is not intended to be offensive, and is merely a hypothetical wondering. I don't want abuse, but serious debate on the question. Please. All opinions respected and respectful.
Suppose there was no reward. If we died and that was the end, BUT God/Jesus still asks you to worship adore and follow him. Would you? If you follow out of love and belief, then the answer should be yes. And wouldn't it be very shallow to devote to a religion purely for the rewards?
2007-10-25 09:22:14 · 20 answers · asked by munchkin 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree.
To me, the whole "you're going to hell" thing is the wrong wrong wrong way to say to people about Christ. So is using the whole Heaven thing as a reward. I consider myself a Christian follower and I am honestly not sure about the traditional Heaven/Hell beliefs. The point, at least to me is, having a relationship with God, looking for peace and trying to understand life. I believe in God, I believe He has a plan for my life and no I can't prove it on a piece of paper but I feel good about it and that's enough for me.
2007-10-25 09:28:40 · answer #1 · answered by Kiwi 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Suppose there are truly rewards and a promise of a Heavenly Life, after this one. Suppose God the Father will allow all the non-believers into the Kingdom of Heaven. Suppose the non-believers , finally get a chance at the last minutes of their final breath to know that there is a true God. Suppose the non-believers , will finally accept the true facts that there is a God and the non-believers will know that they had nothing to loose, by Believing in God. Wouldn't that be one of the Greatest rewards any human being could have ???
2007-10-25 19:14:58 · answer #2 · answered by Norskeyenta 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I choose to serve and worship The Lord because I love him and I am grateful for him taking MY punishment for me. I am grateful for everyday he gives me and for my kids who have healthy bodies and sound minds, for food on the table and a wonderful shelter from the rain and cold. Those are the rewards! We don't have to wait until Jesus comes to be rewarded! But if by reward you mean eternal life after carnal death, then my answer is yes, I would and will worship God all the days of my life! I am not devoted to a religion and don't encourage it either. Religion can not and will not save you. Only Jesus can. :o)
Suppose we were on an airplane ride together and the stewardess told you to wear a parachute the whole time because it would improve your ride. Its heavy, bulky and very uncomfortable. Would you believe her? Would you at some point take it off?
Now suppose she gives you the parachute and tells you to wear it because at some point during the ride the airplanes engine is going to stall and you will have to jump from the plane to save your life or go down with the plane and burn to death in the fiery crash. Would you wear it? Would you dare take it off.
Its the same with Jesus, Yes the walk is sometimes hard, uncomfortable, and heavy, but I know that at some point in time if I am found with out Jesus in my heart on judgement day, I am going to have to suffer the concequence of Hells fire for all eternity. So I choose to wear my parachute and hand out as many parachutes to all the unsuspecting souls that are unaware of the fiery crash that lies ahead. I hope you understand and God bless! :o)
2007-10-25 16:46:52 · answer #3 · answered by jojo9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is highly debated as to the existence of Heaven even amongst those that believe in God. Some say that we are not guaranteed a place in Heaven even if we do follow Christ. To be honest with you, I follow Christianity because I believe in what Christ did for me. I have love for the Lord based on his sacrifice not my reward. God can and will see through those that follow based on greed. The true message of Christianity is beautiful even without the reward. What better way to live your life, based on love, forgiveness and patience.
2007-10-25 16:31:28 · answer #4 · answered by keoh6 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes. I thought about this also for a long time. through scripture, i realized that it is not about me. its not about getting into heaven. Its about helping God gather his children back into his house. We have spread so far across the world and have been blinded by the modern lifestyle. I think about my judgement almost on a weekly basis. and honestly I feel like I have sinned so badly that my chances in entering heaven is slim at best. I will never know until it comes to be, but the point is, is that I have not deterred from spreading the word of God and continuing my apostlistic responsibilities to my fellow brothers and sisters of the world. The end never justifies the means. When it comes to faith, you are a vessel for the works of God, and just maybe someday, God will grace you with a calling for you to answer.
2007-10-25 16:43:56 · answer #5 · answered by Ray E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would totally still worship Him. That's like asking if I would still love my husband if there were no afterlife. I love my husband because of WHO HE IS --- not because of what he does for me. Similarly, I love the Lord for His character. The rewards stuff is just bonus. It's the best bonus imaginable --- actually, it's beyond imagination, but it's still just a bonus. The really good stuff is who God IS.
Edit to add: The glory of Heaven isn't the rewards or getting to drink lots of chocolate milkshakes. It is getting to hang out with the One you love. Again, my husband could give me foot massages all day long, and that's awesome. But I didn't marry him for that. I married him because I wanted to be *with* him. That's also the appeal of Heaven.
2007-10-25 16:29:41 · answer #6 · answered by KL 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Really I can't suppose there will be no reward because God himself said there will be and he will do it.
Eventhough we fall, He'll still be faithful. It is because of this concept that Christianity stood and is still standing the test of time.
I don't really know what the reward is though. I'm still searching. Maybe it is Christians becoming Kings like Him.
2007-10-26 14:57:49 · answer #7 · answered by talleymark 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I originally asked Christ to be my God for what was in it for me. After several years, I told Him that I'm not worthy of His amazing sacrifice and told him to keep it. I would serve Him, but please send me to Hell, because I didn't want any part of His death. Later I realized that was not God's will and Satan would win if that was the case, so I accept it. There has been a lot of reward just knowing Him all these years.
Kind of a weird answer I know, but that's it.
2007-10-25 16:34:13 · answer #8 · answered by MikeM 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The biggest reason I follow God is, well, God!
God created everything - why would I NOT want
to follow God for God!
God knows me better than I know myself - that is
why I follow Him.
I follow God because I love God and God's love
is SO much bigger than anything I could think or feel!
Eternity does not even matter as much as that,
though it is so closely tied in.
I hope that helped.
Jesus is the ressurection and the life, no man comes
to God except through Him.
2007-10-25 16:29:51 · answer #9 · answered by Nickel-for-your-thoughts 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am happy with my simple life and I would say yes, I would. I worship Him because He made me, saved me and loves me. I dont believe or follow because of the reward to follow. I thank Him daily for my life. Great question, btw! Gods peace to you :)
2007-10-25 16:29:04 · answer #10 · answered by Loosid 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋