It's not mine.
I was asked a question recently by a co-worker. He knows that I'm a Christian who believes the bible is without error. He was confortational, spiting out the usual 'we Christians are horrible people who believe in the exclusion of non-Christians. He felt that it was bigoted and that everyone can go to Heaven.
Of course the Christian bible says otherwise. There is only one way and that is through Jesus.
A little about my past. I was politically correct before they started calling it that. I've counted among my friends belivers and nonbelivers, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhist, etc. I've had a good friend who was gay. Yet, when I became a Christian, I found myself questioning God. How could so many people be excluded from his Kingdom. And yet, it was there in the bible.
So I tried to become an athiest. Didn't work. And I tried thinking that I'd misinterpreted it. Didn't work. And then I went to the Father again and asked how he could exclude so many wonderful people. Finally, I accepted, my job on this earth as a Christian is to tell people His word. This doesn't mean that I should hate those who don't accept It. It just means that I tell them what the bible says and leave it to them to make their own decisions.
Do I like that so many of my friends are not invited into Heaven? No. But it is not my job to like it or not. It is not my job to judge. God tells us to love. So I do that daily. And I pray, because the bible is without error. And sometimes I cry, because I'm still politically correct. I still believe in the goodness of people and wish that was enough. But ultimately, I know that it is not my job to decide who gets into Heaven.
So back to my coworker. He was worked up, accusing me of being a bigot. And I shut him up quickly.
His question: How can you say that someone can't go to Heaven because they're not Christian.
And my answer: It's not my House. How would you like it if I brought someone over to your house that you didn't like? How would you like it if I said that most people think that person is nice so he's coming in wheather you like it or not?
It's not my House. It's not my decision. If it were, everyone would get in. Even the athiest would be in Heaven. But I can't make that decision for God. Neither can I tell him His word is wrong or unfair. Neither can I save you on the day you stand before the Lord. All I can do is to tell you to read the bible and make an educated decision. There is no point in arguing with me because I have no power. It is not my House.
Of course the Christian bible says otherwise. There is only one way and that is through Jesus.
A little about my past. I was politically correct before they started calling it that. I've counted among my friends belivers and nonbelivers, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhist, etc. I've had a good friend who was gay. Yet, when I became a Christian, I found myself questioning God. How could so many people be excluded from his Kingdom. And yet, it was there in the bible.
So I tried to become an athiest. Didn't work. And I tried thinking that I'd misinterpreted it. Didn't work. And then I went to the Father again and asked how he could exclude so many wonderful people. Finally, I accepted, my job on this earth as a Christian is to tell people His word. This doesn't mean that I should hate those who don't accept It. It just means that I tell them what the bible says and leave it to them to make their own decisions.
Do I like that so many of my friends are not invited into Heaven? No. But it is not my job to like it or not. It is not my job to judge. God tells us to love. So I do that daily. And I pray, because the bible is without error. And sometimes I cry, because I'm still politically correct. I still believe in the goodness of people and wish that was enough. But ultimately, I know that it is not my job to decide who gets into Heaven.
So back to my coworker. He was worked up, accusing me of being a bigot. And I shut him up quickly.
His question: How can you say that someone can't go to Heaven because they're not Christian.
And my answer: It's not my House. How would you like it if I brought someone over to your house that you didn't like? How would you like it if I said that most people think that person is nice so he's coming in wheather you like it or not?
It's not my House. It's not my decision. If it were, everyone would get in. Even the athiest would be in Heaven. But I can't make that decision for God. Neither can I tell him His word is wrong or unfair. Neither can I save you on the day you stand before the Lord. All I can do is to tell you to read the bible and make an educated decision. There is no point in arguing with me because I have no power. It is not my House.
Replies
This is oh, so true. Neither you, nor I wrote the Bible or made \"the rules\" up. God did. And it really is quite simple. Heaven is God\'s House, and He is the one who offers EVERYONE His invitation. However, the invitation is predicated on one\'s faith in Him. Everyone has the choice whether or not to accept His invitation by accepting Jesus Christ. It\'s remarkably simple really.........Joe....:-)
Very well said, Truhal, and likewise, Joe....wonderfully put. I am blessed to have accepted the Invitation, and blessed to count the two of you among my friends....Hugs, ~E~
Amen! Great answer...definitely inspired. The one thing I am very grateful about and helps make things comforting is that after 20+ yrs of praying for hubby to recieve the invitation...he is in God\'s house now. Actually just jealous at times that I\'m left here to clean up after him. >sigh
Good point. It is easier for me to talk about God when i can admit i don\'t have all the answers.
I totally feel the same way that you do. There are so many good, great and wonderful people in my life who do not know the Lord. I wish I could let them all into Heaven but it is not my house. There is only one way thru Jesus Christ. It doesn\'t say non-christians can\'t get into heave but only those who believe and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. There is a difference. Christ came to save sinners, which we are all sinners christians and non-christians alike. We sin every day even those of faith. I like you answer to your co-worker and will have to remember it. I feel the same way that you do. One in faith thru Jesus Christ Diane Baillie
In my faith, we believe the bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe in baptism for the dead, as we do them in holy temples. We do work for the dead, because we feel that when a person dies who didn\'t have a testimony of Jesus Christ, they know when they go to the other side and they didn\'t have a chance on earth to have the ordinance done for them. So we do genealogy and we have the work done for them. A loving Father in heaven would have it done that way..it makes sense to me. I hope that you find some peace about the subject. We are all God\'s children and He has a plan for us all. He loves us and wants us to come back to Him, and someday we will know all things. Our husbands know it. Hugs~Shelley