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I'm not a Pastor or Biblical scholar, but I do feel that it is important for me to share with you the perspective of the topic of Salvation that God has allowed me to form. I believe that the Salvation of our soul is absolutely the most important consideration that there is within our life here on earth; and that our understanding of Salvation has a great impact on how we live our life, and what example we set for others. I've evolved from a person that had no definitive opinion of what it took to get into heaven; to a person that recognized in a general sense that Jesus is the way; to a person that recognized that there are differences of opinion regarding the specifics of how Jesus is the way.
I believe that there are a lot of people that are like I was; living a life of being aware of Jesus, watching Him work in my life, praying, attending church, etc...; comfortable with a feeling that something positive was in store for me in the afterlife; but honestly not having much confidence in my understanding of Heaven and Hell.
Some opinions say that basically after; honestly recognizing Jesus as Savior, asking for forgiveness, and having a sincere desire to be clean of heart; that our seat in Heaven is secure; despite the fact that the process may have taken minutes or even seconds; and that future beliefs, thoughts, actions, etc... are irrelevant as pertaining to our eternal destiny. Something in me wishes that is true, so that I'd feel better about the chances of certain of my family members and friends of getting into heaven. I fully realize that any individual's relationship with God is a deeply personal matter, and is not subject to any other person's judgement. Having said that, my plea to each Christian is to be honest with yourself, and allow God to lead you into the understanding that He would have you to form.
For me, I have been led to focus on the scriptures that state that repentance and obedience are necessary. It is universally accepted that we cannot earn our way to heaven through good behavior; but scriptures like John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, Matthew 18:3 Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven, and 1John 2:4,5 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that are in him; make me realize that it is critically important for me to surrender and allow Jesus to have His way with my life.
I honestly believe that when we dig in our heels and refuse to allow Jesus into certain parts of our life, and/or refuse to address things within us that are displeasing to God, that we are telling God that those things are more important to us than He is, and that we don't trust Him to sustain us in the absence of the things that we'd prefer to hold onto.
An important part of being born again means actually being willing to allow displeasing desires to leave, so that you are a different person on the inside; not the same person that is trying to comply with God's commandments. What God commands, He enables us to abide by, if we allow it.
Despite our unwillingness, because of His love, God has given many of us chance after chance to totally give our lives to Him. Stubborness is often laughed about. Some are jokingly referred to as being "hard headed". Others are given the less negative sounding label, "strong willed". In any case, an insistence to do things our way, instead of God's way, ultimately can be the worst mistake that we can make!
I don't believe that God wants us to worry each day about sins that we might commit. I feel He wants us to enjoy our life in Christ with a confidence about our eternal destiny; realizing that it's not about perfection, it's about direction; surrendering our will so that we may move closer and closer to God. He wants us to honestly view our reflection, using His standards as the mirror. Making peace with, and being comfortable with sin; is not an option! If you were to die tonight ...
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