I was expecting that. Since joining the Navy and after many efforts and accomplishments to do good, I have great pride in myself and will NOT give it up. I had no self-esteen (pride) prior to that.
If God/Jesus won't forgive me for prior sins and not acknowledge all the good I've done since, then I don't want the "clouds" in the sky. I can rot in purgatory while knowing I did good stuff and my heart is good and my conscience is clear. That's all I want on my dying bed.
Thank you very much for your concern.
There is nothing wrong with yourpride of helping others! It is if you try to offer those jewels to the Lord to earn eternal life that is at issue.
I am proud of a few things I have done in this life for others. BUT those deeds do not earn me eternal life. They might warrant a spike or two in my rewards crown when I come before the Bema seat of Christ, in Heaven, in that third Heaven space-time zone where the Throne of God is, but they didn't and will not earn what God alone gives for belkief in wht He has done for our salvation.
God makes it plain, albeit a hard thing to acvcept, that our good deeds do not earn His Grace. Our Belief in Whom He sent brings His Grace to our human spirit, to abide there forever more. If we choose to not believe what He has done for us, we will still stand before His Judgment Throne at the end of the millenial reign of Christ, when all who have yet to be resurrected will be resurrected to bodies fit for eternal sensing ... and the books will be opened and weighing of our works will commence. IF the righteousness of Christ is not found in those deeds of the flesh, we cannot exist with God and must be putr apart from God, for an eternal existence separated from the Love of God.
That weighing event can be eshewed by simply saying thank you to the One Who paid the penalty ahead of time for you. It is therefore Grace and only Grace, which glorifies the Giver of eternal Life, not the value of your good deeds.
It is the 'evolutionary' path which God has designed into the human race, to be born from above into His Life or remain unfit for His Presence due to unbelief in His Gift for you. As a good man, truly, this accepting so great a gift to you will eventually be seen, spiritually. So, I think I WILL see you in the clouds, sooner rather than later. Good men recognize The Good Lord of Grace.
If God/Jesus won't forgive me for prior sins and not acknowledge all the good I've done since, then I don't want the "clouds" in the sky. I can rot in purgatory while knowing I did good stuff and my heart is good and my conscience is clear. That's all I want on my dying bed.
I hear ya...There are billions who think just like you, and I was one of them...
And there are billions more who don't even believe in God/Jesus...
All we can do is plant and water and the rest is up to you and God...We would be remiss if we didn't warn you...
Perhaps there will come a time in your life where all seems lost and you have no where to turn, but to God...It's happened to a lot of us...Probably most of us...If you don't need Jesus he probably won't waste his time with you...
Mat 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
Mat 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
Mat 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
Mat 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
It is not like it was a decade ago...Time is very, very short...