“I seriously doubt he cares what you think. The Bible says you will be judged for every action and every word that leaves your mouth.”
Indeed. And that is the wonderful thing about free will. We are eventually accountable. I believe that one would be incorrect in a belief that one will receive heavenly rewards or punishments in this life. The scales get balanced later.
In the same way that Christians have no assurance of an easy earthly existence, neither is there any divine guarantee that the wayward among us will be receive an earthly “correction”. Apparently there are those that take satisfaction, if not downright joy at the human suffering of others. I am not one of them. I work the other side of that street.
All of this business of assuming that the mortal suffering of particular groups is visited by God himself, does God a great disservice. Jews, Gays, even African Christians fall into groups that have had plenty of troubles. To select some as being worthy of divine extermination, and taking satisfaction in this based on self-judgement is intellectually lame, and spiritually bereft of the Christian tenets that Jesus commanded us to exercise during our life.
I will pray for you (I really will!), in the hope that you continue to progress in your spiritual development. As you’re no doubt aware, Christianity can be a joyful experience if one chooses to live in the light, versus the dark. I prefer the joy, but I’m one of those New Testament types.
Galatians 6;
Verse 7- Be not deceived; God is not mocked: For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Verse 8- For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
I am slow, but to me this seems to indicate we should be careful what kinds of seeds we plant and where we plant them. Of course, I am not a scholar.
The whole of Jeremiah Chapter 5 is very interesting to me.
Jeremiah 5:
Verse 23- But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
Verse 24- Neither say in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, but the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Verse 25- Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.
Verse 26- For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
Verse 27- As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
Seems pretty plain to me. I see a lot of Verses 26 and 27 now. Look at the riches our Television Evangelist are gaining.
Jesus also walked the other side of the street. I sincerely hope you are on his side. He taught the wages of sin is death. He fought the dangers of the current “religion” of his time because it had deviated from God's plan. Our religions are following the old plan.
The truth can't be taught in most Church buildings because it would step on too many people's toes. He can't preach about adultery, dishonesty, or homosexuality and a long list of other wrong things. The people would find some way to get rid of him. He would be unemployed and lose many of the benefits the Church members provide.
Some pastors get free housing and cars as part of their salary. Some don't even mow their own grass. It is a whole lot easier to just preach God's love and Oh, be sure to give to the Church so they can afford to keep him.
As a result the Pastor is forced to preach about God's love, not the fear we should have and let his flock wander around aimlessly.
My Bible says:
Psalm 111: verse 10- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.
Proverbs 1: verse 7- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 9: verse 10- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
This makes me wonder if many Churches are on the wrong side of the street. ;0(
Makes me wonder who controls those Churches.
God may or may not be in a Church service. Satan never misses one.