quote:
Originally posted by Jennifer:
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Gray:
And, we cannot forget our vanilla-flavored non-believing Friends -- those who just cannot bring themselves to leave their worldly desires and turn to follow Jesus Christ. I know this character -- for I was him for almost fifty years.
The above post by bill seems to mean that an atheist is an atheist because they don't want to "give up or leave" things that they think would be considered wrong by "christians". I ask bill twice just what he thought we didn't want to give up, but bill, as usual, won't answer.
So as an atheist or non-believer, reformed believer, whatever, what do you think you'd have to "give up" to believe or believe again? I can't think of anything I do differently now than I did when I was a believer. I don't drink, bill has said he drinks wine, I don't smoke, plenty of christians do, among other things. There are many things "christians" and others do that I don't do or approve of. So what do you think you'd have to give up? Besides the obvious things like logic and common sense.
I wish bill would answer questions every once and a while because I'd love to know what "worldly desires" we'd have to lose.
Hi Jennifer,
Look at any person. Whatever that person holds as highest priority in his/her life --
is his/her god. For some it is material affluence or wealth -- for others it is power: job, politics, position of authority, etc. -- for others it may be attention, popularity, etc, (we see this often in our Hollywood crowd) -- for some it is science and intellect, i.e, a feeling of superiority -- for some, it is fun, parties, good times, etc. -- and for some it could be personal relationships.
When the rich young ruler asked Jesus Christ what he must do to have eternal life -- Jesus told him to give away all his riches and follow Him. The rich young ruler could nor part with his worldly riches, because this was his god. So he apparently went away lost eternally.
Luke 18:18, "A ruler questioned Him, saying,
'Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' "
Luke 18:22-23, "When Jesus heard this, He said to him,
'One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich."
When a disciple told Jesus that he wanted to follow Him -- but, let him go home and bury his father first. What did the man really mean -- and what was Jesus' response?
Pastor David Guzik, Director of Calvary Chapel Bible College, Germany, writes in his Study Guide for Matthew 8:
Matthew 8:21-22, "Another of the disciples said to Him, 'Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.' But Jesus said to him, 'Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.' "
a. Lord, let me first go and bury my father: Actually, this man did not ask for permission to dig a grave for his deceased father. He wanted to remain in his father’s house and care for him until the father died. This was obviously an indefinite period, which could drag on and on.
b. Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead: Jesus clearly states the principle that family obligations - or any other obligation - must not be put ahead of following Jesus. So, Jennifer, what must we be willing to give up to follow Jesus Christ? Everything in THIS world? Yet, the beautiful part of this is that no one has to give up their loved ones and family. The solution to that problem is -- just assure that all your loved ones are also Christ Followers. This way, you KNOW beyond all doubt that you will spend eternity with all your loved ones -- in the presence of God. Now, that is truly the absolute best WIN-WIN proposition you will find in this life.
And, don't worry about giving up that Mercedes, that Cadillac, that five bedroom home, that lifetime membership to the country club. All those things will rust and rot. Eternal life with God never deteriorates -- for you and for your loved ones.
In closing, Jennifer, I realize that you will once again accuse me of not answering your question -- because I did not give you the answer you wanted. But, my Friend, I have given you a sincere, truthful, Biblical answer which can help you assure eternal life for you and your loved ones. No one can give you a better answer.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill