You ever have that moment when someone asks you a specific question, asking for a specific answer to which you don't really have that perfect solution? I had this happen to me, recently.
A newer friend of mine ( who I have no idea where he stands in terms of religion, etc) asked if I was sure I was going to heaven, since he knew I was a Christian. I had made a comment like, "If there's a heaven and I'm allowed in..." and he was taken aback.
"I thought all Christians had that issue taken care of." He said.
Yeah.
I remember there were a few people Christ said weren't going to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. And NO, it wasn't Paul's list of "fornicators and homosexuals and anyone who doesn't share my extremely narrow view of salvation through beating myself up". It was those who were pretty damn sure they were going to heaven. The Pharisees. Heck, they were doing everything right! They were obeying practically every commandment. They were penitent, pure, and devoted. They taught the scriptures to the unbelievers and adhered to a "set apart" life style.
And they were most likely all going to hell. The brood of vipers.
Jesus' words, not mine.
So the whole concept of being "assured" that I am going to heaven has been a lesson in ambiguity to me. Despite the fact that those who are "confident in their salvation" are, in general, JERKS-- I think they are often the illustrations of Jesus' parables. And not the good kind of illustration. They are the 'what not to be.'
Those who "have their act together" in modern Christian circles have put on pressure for others to see if they are worthy of heaven. "Have you accepted Christ into your heart? Have you prayed the prayer? Is your life showing fruit of a life devoted to Jesus?"
These are questions designed to segregate, not to encourage true spiritual growth.
As a lightning storm thunders overhead, I can't help but be reminded of Yahweh's words, "I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.."
The Lord be with you.
Yes.
ReplyDeleteFavorite verse, "Do you have an arm like God's? Can your voice thunder like His?"
ReplyDeleteThinking of salvation and eternity always makes me think of the beginning of Romans 5 when Paul talks about hope. He doesn't say assurance, he says hope.
Christ set a precedent in death and resurrection.And in that we have hope. and faith. and those are different from a positive future. I have to remember that when I feel proud. And I have to remember that when I feel desperate.