The wages of sin is death but there is no Biblical reference that suggests eternal life is payment of a wage, or payment for something earned by the sinner.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
theres nothing i hate more than error.. sin is error. to err from the way.. being half german and Australian, the good'ol she'll be right mate just dont cut it with the goad for me.. German's require perfection, hence the Word of the Lord..
sure i have erred, and i hated it when i realised what transpired from it. Christ died, was buried, but rose again. there is something to be said for sound winners so i confessed! and chose to have my debt cleared. yes we of faith are all under sanctification, and still err till our deaths, but pls, for the Love of Christ ;) , make ur comments sound.. i am jealous for him and his perfect glory.. ..does me!
Hi Debbie, the reality is we do what is important to us. If something is truly important and a priority to you, you will do it. There's plenty of time inbetween sleeping, eating, working for reading the Bible. We all have 24 hrs a day- will we spent it in pursuit of God and investing treasures in heaven or will we waste it on trivial things like entertainment that have no lasting value?
How does a person become diligent in putting aside some time during the day for bible reading. It seems I can find the time for every thing else but that. I really am seeking for a sidewalk with Christ...it just seems that I cannot get and remain focused to reading the word.
Many people believe that the soul leaves the body during near-death experiences and survives after death, but in 20 years of research on out-of-body and near-death experiences I never found any convincing evidence that this is so.
I love the Lord God with all of my heart, mind and soul... He who is sovereign, reigns forever, rules Creation, the heavens and earth, beyond space and time; He who IS all Light, all Sound, all Vibration, all knowing, all seeing, always present and all powerful. There is none like Him, none before Him, none like Him after. All praises to the Sovereign Source of All. In Him I live, I breathe and I have my being.
Hopefully we are all focusing on the same God here. The one and only true living Holy God who is our eternal Father. If you believe everybody just goes to sleep, when they die, for however long that's your belief. And I see no need to quarrel about it. Really nobody can prove, or disprove, this.
All I might say is what do you think about all the people who have been "clinically dead" and have experiences out of body, in a paradise or Heaven, and seeing past relatives whom they knew? Maybe one thing in the Bible is when Jesus is transfigured and Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Him. They weren't sleeping.
I believe when my life is over here my destiny is to be with our Father, and Christ, in the Kingdom of Heaven. Only one way to find out.
I believe I gave scriptures to back up what I said. Everyone is welcomed to post their own comments; and you did. Noted.
I do not think about whether or not people are looking down on me. My focus is more evangelistic. People need to have faith in Jesus Christ and just accept what He said in HIS WORD.
My brain leaps over to facts: We must be born again and ready to go with Jesus every day or night... to see our loved ones that have gone before us. I think the best part of going to Heaven; is seeing Jesus in the flesh...in His home.
Once I asked my mother who rarely read her blue Bible: why don't you read your Bible? Don't you want to know what Jesus is like? Most people want to know what a person is like. If you're going to spend eternity with Someone...generally we want to know them well.
The Bible is the only way to get to know your Lord and Savior, is to pursue Him. (Song of Solomon). We are a Bride and He is our Bridegroom. Jesus purchased us with his very best gift; His sinless blood. The deal is sealed. We await the approach of the Bridegroom, come to fetch his Bride!
We have eternity to find all of our relatives :). Mishael
Can People in Heaven See Earth Events - in Reply on Proverbs 29:2
No, of course not, how absurd, and Ephesians 1:3, certainly does not prove otherwise, Mishael.
By all biblical accounts, when one dies, they go to sleep until judgement day and their resurrection.
The God I believe and trust is NO respecter of persons. My God would not take persons to heaven, to enjoy thousands of years of blissful joy while other Christians are here on earth, working hard, many suffering, and having faith of such joy when they die.
More to the point, sinners would have been sent to eternal punishment in hell? and would have been suffering for 10's of thousands of years while their followers are still living on earth today. This is not the god I WOULD WANT TO PUT MY TRUST IN. How cruel would be such a belief.
And then, on judgement day, all Christians in heaven must leave , be judged, and then sent back to heaven again. All sinners would be released from hell?, judged, and then sent back again. How absurd.
I pray for those that would believe the above, and wish for their asking God to sent his Holy Spirit for their understanding.
I praise God, Thank You Jesus. Let us all depend ONLY on the Holy Spirit for understanding.
"Yes, the Bible assures us that Heaven is a place of absolute happiness and joy and peace-far greater than anything we'll ever experience right now. The Bible says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ" ( Ephesians 1:3).
Do those in Heaven know what's happening on earth? The Bible doesn't answer all our questions about Heaven-but it does indicate that those who have already entered Heaven may be aware of events on earth. The book of Hebrews, for example, pictures life as a great arena, with those who have gone before us cheering us on in our daily spiritual struggles (see Hebrews 12:1).
Once when Jesus' appearance was changed and His heavenly glory shone through, Moses and Elijah spoke with Him about events on the earth (see Luke 9:30-31).
Does this mean people in Heaven are sad when evil seems to be winning the day?
No, not at all. For one thing, they (unlike us) see the whole picture; they know that even in the midst of life's heartaches and trials, God is still working behind the scenes. They also know that Satan is a defeated foe, and some day all evil will be destroyed and Christ will rule in perfect peace and justice."
Comment by Billy Graham
Who better to answer this question? I've seen the scriptures mentioned. I always think of them cheering us onward. To avoid pity parties with myself. To never doubt what the Word teaches. Mishael
This was the very thing on my mind yesterday, Matthew. With all that's going on here on Earth & as we rapidly head towards a major upheaval, if not the advent of the anti-Christ, I was thinking of those redeemed from the Earth & their view of anything outside of Heaven.
I can't give any specific Scriptures to help understand this as the Bible doesn't generally deal with departed souls having any interest or view of earthly matters. We do have a couple of other separate portions as seen in 1 Samuel chapter 28 (some see this as the real Samuel being called up, others see it as an impersonating spirit) & Luke 16:19-31, where the rich man in Hades has concern for his maybe equally sinful brothers. But how these two portions of Scripture help in knowing whether our departed loved ones have knowledge of Earth's affairs is uncertain. Maybe, they will look keenly as to how the Word/prophecies of the Lord are being accomplished on the Earth as declared by the Lord.
But to spend their time focused on worldly events & family/friends on Earth instead of worshipping of the Lord, delighting in His Presence & Glory & attending to Heaven's activities, may be like the earthling with his face buried in his phone oblivious to what's happening around him. Can't see that happening in Heaven. Just my musings.
Some believe that while Jesus' body was in the tomb, His spirit was in hell. Scripture does not support that position when it is taken in context and we look at the meaning of the word "hell." In the Old Testament, the place of the dead or the place of departed souls was called "Sheol." It was to this place that all souls of the dead went to await resurrection.
In the New Testament, we find the story of Lazarus and the rich man who both died and went to Hades ( Luke 16:19-31). The King James translates the Greek word "hades" as hell but most other translations use the Greek word. Hades had two separated parts. Those who died in faith believing in God's promise waited for the resurrection in Abraham's Bosom. Those who died spiritually separated from God wait in torment for the resurrection unto death, or eternal separation from God. The rich man was on the torment side and Lazarus was in Abraham's Bosom, which was called "paradise" by the LORD Jesus Christ when He addressed the thief who found faith the day Jesus was crucified ( Luke 23:42-43)
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" ( 2 Peter 2:4). The word translated "hell" here is not the Greek word "hades" but is the Greek word "tartarus" meaning abyss or the lowest regions. This could very well be the "gulf" that was fixed between the place of torment and Abraham's Bosom ( Luke 16:26).
Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fulfill all things Eph 4:8-10. Leading captivity captive seems to refer to Jesus taking all those that waited in Paradise to heaven to be with Him. The descending into the "lower parts" then refers to Jesus mission of declaring victory
Mikell, the matter of predestination is in the realm of God's Plan & Prerogative for each one of us. When God tells us that we are sinners & that the only way back into a right relationship with Him is through faith in the finished work of Christ at the Cross, then surely that requires a response from us.
Jesus is God's Gift of salvation to every one, every sinner - we need to respond to receive it. You must have believed the Gospel at some point: isn't that belief then classified as a 'work'? Or maybe, you have not believed, & feel that since you have been predestined & regardless of any response to God, you would just drift towards eternity based on being predestined.
I think you may be confusing someone's 'works' towards gaining salvation as opposed to a repentant sinner responding with conviction to a Merciful God & a response of love, accepting & believing in the Son of God. I think responding to God is the correct natural thing to do, just as you would respond to someone giving you a gift. Or would you?
i think the idea that you have to accept jesus to enter heaven is blasphemy. WHen these type of believers read the Bible, they have to skip multiple paragraphs talking about how Jesus saves you without works. Accepting Jesus is a work. In Ephesians, they have to skip many verses talking about predestination. So now, they have cherry picked Bible versions that are fake, just made for their type of belief. That is why the KJV is the superior verson
Stephen, what saith the Scriptures concerning the wilful taking of life (murder) of another? Our governments, for their own reason, promote their own agenda rather than abide by the Holy requirements of God's Laws. But we rest on Rom 12:19, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
this is probably one of the best chapters in proverbs as well as in the Bible it really helped me with a problem i have been dealing with im not gonna say of course but please read this chapter and enjoy it
this is probably one of the best chapters in proverbs as well as in the Bible it really helped me with a problem i have been dealing with im not gonna say of course but please read this chapter and enjoy it
Proverbs 29:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Boy, this is true in order to live a righteous life. I like to speak my mind but I want it to be right; pausing is usually best and listening. My idea of a good discussion is to give something of value to the other party as I am getting insight from them.
This is ended very sobering. To know that continuing to ignore God will result in one being hard necked and cause their sudden destruction death, from which there is no remedy. Today is the acceptable day of the Lord. Seek him now while he may still be found. Changing your mind and obeying Christ, forgiving all and being forgiven. Shalom
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
sure i have erred, and i hated it when i realised what transpired from it. Christ died, was buried, but rose again. there is something to be said for sound winners so i confessed! and chose to have my debt cleared. yes we of faith are all under sanctification, and still err till our deaths, but pls, for the Love of Christ ;) , make ur comments sound.. i am jealous for him and his perfect glory.. ..does me!
Matthew 6:19-21
Thank you
Hopefully we are all focusing on the same God here. The one and only true living Holy God who is our eternal Father. If you believe everybody just goes to sleep, when they die, for however long that's your belief. And I see no need to quarrel about it. Really nobody can prove, or disprove, this.
All I might say is what do you think about all the people who have been "clinically dead" and have experiences out of body, in a paradise or Heaven, and seeing past relatives whom they knew? Maybe one thing in the Bible is when Jesus is transfigured and Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Him. They weren't sleeping.
I believe when my life is over here my destiny is to be with our Father, and Christ, in the Kingdom of Heaven. Only one way to find out.
Peace be with you brother. God Bless.
I do not think about whether or not people are looking down on me. My focus is more evangelistic. People need to have faith in Jesus Christ and just accept what He said in HIS WORD.
My brain leaps over to facts: We must be born again and ready to go with Jesus every day or night... to see our loved ones that have gone before us. I think the best part of going to Heaven; is seeing Jesus in the flesh...in His home.
Once I asked my mother who rarely read her blue Bible: why don't you read your Bible? Don't you want to know what Jesus is like? Most people want to know what a person is like. If you're going to spend eternity with Someone...generally we want to know them well.
The Bible is the only way to get to know your Lord and Savior, is to pursue Him. (Song of Solomon). We are a Bride and He is our Bridegroom. Jesus purchased us with his very best gift; His sinless blood. The deal is sealed. We await the approach of the Bridegroom, come to fetch his Bride!
We have eternity to find all of our relatives :). Mishael
No, of course not, how absurd, and Ephesians 1:3, certainly does not prove otherwise, Mishael.
By all biblical accounts, when one dies, they go to sleep until judgement day and their resurrection.
The God I believe and trust is NO respecter of persons. My God would not take persons to heaven, to enjoy thousands of years of blissful joy while other Christians are here on earth, working hard, many suffering, and having faith of such joy when they die.
More to the point, sinners would have been sent to eternal punishment in hell? and would have been suffering for 10's of thousands of years while their followers are still living on earth today. This is not the god I WOULD WANT TO PUT MY TRUST IN. How cruel would be such a belief.
And then, on judgement day, all Christians in heaven must leave , be judged, and then sent back to heaven again. All sinners would be released from hell?, judged, and then sent back again. How absurd.
I pray for those that would believe the above, and wish for their asking God to sent his Holy Spirit for their understanding.
I praise God, Thank You Jesus. Let us all depend ONLY on the Holy Spirit for understanding.
Do those in Heaven know what's happening on earth? The Bible doesn't answer all our questions about Heaven-but it does indicate that those who have already entered Heaven may be aware of events on earth. The book of Hebrews, for example, pictures life as a great arena, with those who have gone before us cheering us on in our daily spiritual struggles (see Hebrews 12:1).
Once when Jesus' appearance was changed and His heavenly glory shone through, Moses and Elijah spoke with Him about events on the earth (see Luke 9:30-31).
Does this mean people in Heaven are sad when evil seems to be winning the day?
No, not at all. For one thing, they (unlike us) see the whole picture; they know that even in the midst of life's heartaches and trials, God is still working behind the scenes. They also know that Satan is a defeated foe, and some day all evil will be destroyed and Christ will rule in perfect peace and justice."
Comment by Billy Graham
Who better to answer this question? I've seen the scriptures mentioned. I always think of them cheering us onward. To avoid pity parties with myself. To never doubt what the Word teaches. Mishael
I can't give any specific Scriptures to help understand this as the Bible doesn't generally deal with departed souls having any interest or view of earthly matters. We do have a couple of other separate portions as seen in 1 Samuel chapter 28 (some see this as the real Samuel being called up, others see it as an impersonating spirit) & Luke 16:19-31, where the rich man in Hades has concern for his maybe equally sinful brothers. But how these two portions of Scripture help in knowing whether our departed loved ones have knowledge of Earth's affairs is uncertain. Maybe, they will look keenly as to how the Word/prophecies of the Lord are being accomplished on the Earth as declared by the Lord.
But to spend their time focused on worldly events & family/friends on Earth instead of worshipping of the Lord, delighting in His Presence & Glory & attending to Heaven's activities, may be like the earthling with his face buried in his phone oblivious to what's happening around him. Can't see that happening in Heaven. Just my musings.
In the New Testament, we find the story of Lazarus and the rich man who both died and went to Hades ( Luke 16:19-31). The King James translates the Greek word "hades" as hell but most other translations use the Greek word. Hades had two separated parts. Those who died in faith believing in God's promise waited for the resurrection in Abraham's Bosom. Those who died spiritually separated from God wait in torment for the resurrection unto death, or eternal separation from God. The rich man was on the torment side and Lazarus was in Abraham's Bosom, which was called "paradise" by the LORD Jesus Christ when He addressed the thief who found faith the day Jesus was crucified ( Luke 23:42-43)
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" ( 2 Peter 2:4). The word translated "hell" here is not the Greek word "hades" but is the Greek word "tartarus" meaning abyss or the lowest regions. This could very well be the "gulf" that was fixed between the place of torment and Abraham's Bosom ( Luke 16:26).
Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fulfill all things Eph 4:8-10. Leading captivity captive seems to refer to Jesus taking all those that waited in Paradise to heaven to be with Him. The descending into the "lower parts" then refers to Jesus mission of declaring victory
if we all have to stand before the great white throne judgement,
hell should be empty.
but i am reminderd that the rich fool lifted up his eyes in hell being tormented in flames.
thank you very much for clarity
sincerely cornell b flagg.
if we all have to stand before the great white throne judgement,
hell should be empty.
but i am reminderd that the rich fool lifted up his eyes in hell being tormented in flames.
thank you very much for clarity
sincerely cornell b flagg.
Jesus is God's Gift of salvation to every one, every sinner - we need to respond to receive it. You must have believed the Gospel at some point: isn't that belief then classified as a 'work'? Or maybe, you have not believed, & feel that since you have been predestined & regardless of any response to God, you would just drift towards eternity based on being predestined.
I think you may be confusing someone's 'works' towards gaining salvation as opposed to a repentant sinner responding with conviction to a Merciful God & a response of love, accepting & believing in the Son of God. I think responding to God is the correct natural thing to do, just as you would respond to someone giving you a gift. Or would you?
this is probably one of the best chapters in proverbs as well as in the Bible it really helped me with a problem i have been dealing with im not gonna say of course but please read this chapter and enjoy it
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Boy, this is true in order to live a righteous life. I like to speak my mind but I want it to be right; pausing is usually best and listening. My idea of a good discussion is to give something of value to the other party as I am getting insight from them.