Post by Barb on Aug 8, 2009 12:02:19 GMT -5
In simple layman terms....
I was having a discussion with a friend of mine...
He believes that, in order to have eternal life with God, you have to make an honest effort to seek forgiveness from all those you "wronged" in this life and they have to forgive you before you die.
I can't believe I sat here with my friend quoting scripture!! But this is not how I believe.
He said that IF we follow the ten commandments, it means that if we "bear false witness" against someone, we need to ask them for forgiveness.
I told him the ten commandments were before Jesus.
He then asked "so we don't have to live by them?"
I said, "yes, because Jesus believed in much the same thing."
I said that MY belief is that God saw that man isn't capable of following His commandments and living the perfect life, so He sent Jesus. I then cited:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
We have to ask GOD for forgiveness...although it doesn't hurt to seek it with people you feel you have wronged. But that if we sincerely believe in Jesus and why He was put on this earth, then we are forgiven.
And just to clarify: this was a discussion between friends. I don't preach - I'm not a preacher. I have a very basic belief that may or may not be shared by others...that's why I'm asking your beliefs.
And while we're at it.....I also believe in predestination. That God knows your birth date and your death date before you enter the world....
My friend asked how I can believe that and "free will" at the same time...
Easy...
I believe you have "free will" between point A and point B.
But there are other things that I wonder about....
Between point A and point B....Brian had some "rough" spots that God probably wasn't thrilled about. I know I wasn't!! However...as it got closer to "B"...things were changing in a positive way..but not by accident. Brian was making the changes. He took that damn job because he was trying to earn money to settle some family obligations (and also because he liked it much better than what he was doing.) But....within two weeks of his death...he called me and said some very nice things which I have discussed here before. I know that Brian never questioned my love and concern for him, and I never questioned his love for me and the rest of the family and his friends, but he said things that made such a difference than if he had died NOT saying them.....
And he called my cousin and wanted to spend time with him and his children. Josh has the sweetest little girl and boy and he's doing a fantastic job as a single dad, and Brian loved those children, and they loved him. One week before his death, the four of them spent the day together...took the kids to the park.
My older son and Brian had a "rocky" relationship, although were always connected by a brother bond. Just before Brian died, he and Steven had spent quite a few nights just sitting and talking and were getting along better than I ever saw them get along.
I don't believe Brian knew he was soon going to die. But...I'm wondering if there is an unidentifiable sixth sense? Something that compels you to speak or act upon what is in your heart?
Everything sounds so complicated and confusing, but I'm thinking maybe there is a guiding light that we aren't totally aware of, but that makes it simpler.....
I was having a discussion with a friend of mine...
He believes that, in order to have eternal life with God, you have to make an honest effort to seek forgiveness from all those you "wronged" in this life and they have to forgive you before you die.
I can't believe I sat here with my friend quoting scripture!! But this is not how I believe.
He said that IF we follow the ten commandments, it means that if we "bear false witness" against someone, we need to ask them for forgiveness.
I told him the ten commandments were before Jesus.
He then asked "so we don't have to live by them?"
I said, "yes, because Jesus believed in much the same thing."
I said that MY belief is that God saw that man isn't capable of following His commandments and living the perfect life, so He sent Jesus. I then cited:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
We have to ask GOD for forgiveness...although it doesn't hurt to seek it with people you feel you have wronged. But that if we sincerely believe in Jesus and why He was put on this earth, then we are forgiven.
And just to clarify: this was a discussion between friends. I don't preach - I'm not a preacher. I have a very basic belief that may or may not be shared by others...that's why I'm asking your beliefs.
And while we're at it.....I also believe in predestination. That God knows your birth date and your death date before you enter the world....
My friend asked how I can believe that and "free will" at the same time...
Easy...
I believe you have "free will" between point A and point B.
But there are other things that I wonder about....
Between point A and point B....Brian had some "rough" spots that God probably wasn't thrilled about. I know I wasn't!! However...as it got closer to "B"...things were changing in a positive way..but not by accident. Brian was making the changes. He took that damn job because he was trying to earn money to settle some family obligations (and also because he liked it much better than what he was doing.) But....within two weeks of his death...he called me and said some very nice things which I have discussed here before. I know that Brian never questioned my love and concern for him, and I never questioned his love for me and the rest of the family and his friends, but he said things that made such a difference than if he had died NOT saying them.....
And he called my cousin and wanted to spend time with him and his children. Josh has the sweetest little girl and boy and he's doing a fantastic job as a single dad, and Brian loved those children, and they loved him. One week before his death, the four of them spent the day together...took the kids to the park.
My older son and Brian had a "rocky" relationship, although were always connected by a brother bond. Just before Brian died, he and Steven had spent quite a few nights just sitting and talking and were getting along better than I ever saw them get along.
I don't believe Brian knew he was soon going to die. But...I'm wondering if there is an unidentifiable sixth sense? Something that compels you to speak or act upon what is in your heart?
Everything sounds so complicated and confusing, but I'm thinking maybe there is a guiding light that we aren't totally aware of, but that makes it simpler.....