[SkyPilot]

Sometimes we need to be cut to the heart to know our sin, so that we will repent and turn back to Christ.

Acts 2: 36-39

"36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

[boycott]

Jesus answered that for us.

Luke 18:9-14King James Version (KJV)

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

[taxcontrol]

I often get asked “How can a God who is good, send someone to hell?” My response is simply this:

Your statement shows two incorrect perceptions. First, God is not “good”... God is perfect. Which is better than merely being good. And as such, God remains perfect by requiring perfect justice. We are sinners from our births, separated from God because of this sin. Until there is judgement and justice, we can not enter into God’s presence. But God in his mercy, made a path that everyone can follow. This path is accepting Jesus as Lord and savior. The sin-less (Jesus) became the atonement under a perfect God’s judgement and justice for those who were tainted by sin.

But God has allowed us to choose. During our lives, we either choose to be with God or to be away from God. We either strive to live a life pleasing to God ... or we don’t care. God honors that choice. If a person chooses to live a life of sin and separation from God, then they have chosen to spend eternity in hell. Because the very definition of hell is the absence and separation from God.

So the correct question would be:

Why does God who is perfect, honor a person’s choice to spend eternity separated from God? I find that when you ask the right question, the answer becomes obvious.

[MosesKnows]

A man dies and goes to heaven

Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates.

St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."

"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."

"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"

"Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."

"Terrific!" says St. Peter. "That's certainly worth a point."

"One point!?!!" "I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."

"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.

"Two points!?!! "Exasperated, the man cries.

"At this rate the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God."

"Bingo, 100 points! Come on in!"

We often try to fix problems with WD-40 and duct tape. God did it with a nail.

AMEN

[LearsFool]

They were, to use Paul’s language, spiritually “dead”.

Exactly right. So what should they do?

"But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him....Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus." - Romans 6:8-9, 11

Well how do we do that, Paul? How do we "die with Christ"? How can we "live with him"? How do we become "dead unto sin, but alive unto God"?

"Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; for he that hath died is justified from sin." - Romans 6:3-7

As the author says, "Unless God sets you free from the bondage of sin, you will never enter the kingdom of God." Thank God for killing the sin-slave in baptism, and raising us up as free men from the watery grave!

[Old Yeller]

The Catholics will say Mary deserves Heaven, because she was sinless.

[reed13k]

I don’t deserve it because I’m a sinner. He died for our sins. I have faith that he did this so I will get in.

My struggle has always been with the guilt that He had to suffer because of my sins. I don’t deserve it, but he loves me that much - hurts to know.

[redleghunter]

So are we, spiritually. Despite appearances, in my natural state I am dead toward God. There is no spiritual life in me. Only when I see this will I begin to see why God’s grace is surprising and amazing. For it is to spiritually dead people that the grace of God comes to give life and release.

Amen!