Is one’s eternal fate set in stone?

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

I don't choose to go to hell. I just think that if there is a all-loving and rightous God out there, he or she will have somewhat other rules than the most conservative of you christians think.

God created this world so He gers to call the shots. There's no other way.

If you don't want to go to hell, get to know God. He's nicer than you currently think and He has the power to transform you too. He will help you to repent and overcome your sins. He surprised me when He worked so powerfully in my life to actually do those things - I'm normally so stubborn. And living with Him and for Him is an adventure- it's never boring! I really am happy living with Him and for Him.

 

[Just_A__Follower]

Thank you for your deep concern of the future of us non-christians; that is: The majority of human-beings.
Thank you.

Brother I called myself an atheist for many years. One day it hit me that I was wrong. There had to be a higher power. There’s no way that everything could come from nothing. I had the same questions that you have about Christianity. For the most part I was just wanting it to not be true. The more I searched for a reason to falsify it, the more it proved to be true. God gives us what we truly desire. If we truly desire Him then he rewards us with an eternity with Him. If we desire to be apart from Him then he gives us eternal separation aka hell. It wasn’t that I wanted to go to hell but rather I wanted to live how I wanted to live. I wanted to be the god in my life. When I finally surrendered, those desires changed. It took me hitting bottom and realizing that I couldn’t do it on my own before I surrendered. Going to heaven isn’t about going to a place. It’s about who you’ll be there with. You just have to ask yourself 3 questions: 1:How did we get here? 2:What are we doing here? 3:How are we leaving here?

 

[the_seeker]

If you don't want to go to hell, get to know God. He's nicer than you currently think and He has the power to transform you too. He will help you to repent and overcome your sins. He surprised me when He worked so powerfully in my life to actually do those things - I'm normally so stubborn. And living with Him and for Him is an adventure- it's never boring! I really am happy living with Him and for Him.

Happy for you!

In fact, I am happy that you have found a meaning in life. If you are happy about your direction in life, please follow it.

 

[the_seeker]

You just have to ask yourself 3 questions: 1:How did we get here? 2:What are we doing here? 3:How are we leaving here?

First of all, to what you wrote before this: I agree that it might be a higher power. But I just cannot see that that higher power has to be the christian God.

Then to answer your questions:
1: I don't know.
2: I don't know.
3: I don't know.

 

[Just_A__Follower]

First of all, to what you wrote before this: I agree that it might be a higher power. But I just cannot see that that higher power has to be the christian God.

Then to answer your questions:
1: I don't know.
2: I don't know.
3: I don't know.

Believe it or not that’s probably the best answers to those questions I’ve ever gotten from an atheist. It’s not about what we know because we all including you walk by faith. I walk by the faith I have in a creator of the universe that is the origin of my morality, the origin of love. I have faith that He loves us enough to save us from our own mistakes. Not sure if you have children or not but being a father I can relate to making sacrifices for the wellbeing of my children. I’m sure you make sacrifices for the ones you love whether it be family or friends. Can I prove to you that He is real? Nah just as you can’t prove He’s not real. You have faith that He’s not real just as I have faith He is real. But somewhere deep inside, you’re probably asking yourself “what if He is real?” I doubt you would be on this forum if that question wasn’t inside you.

I’m assuming you’ve read the Bible or are reading it. If so I would suggest you to look at the world using the Bible as a lens and ask yourself if things make sense?

 

[the_seeker]

Believe it or not that’s probably the best answers to those questions I’ve ever gotten from an atheist. It’s not about what we know because we all including you walk by faith.

Thank you.

I somewhat agree with you, and I will reflect upon your writings.
By the way: I am a father.

 

[the_seeker]

Just somthing I thought about when into this discussion.

 

[Just_A__Follower]

Just somthing I thought about when into this discussion.

Why God doesn’t show Himself is a question I’m sure everyone has. For one I believe that He does show Himself in many ways especially through His creation. We have to remember that God is also spirit being invisible to us just as we can’t see our own spirits. But we can see the product of a man’s heart or spirit. Also God manifesting Himself in flesh as Jesus allowed us to see more of who He is and who He wants us to be. John 1:18. Then there’s Ex 33:20 that says we cannot see His face and live.

As far as Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, and tooth fairy, well I don’t agree with any of it. Sure it’s fun for the kids. But we lie to them about these made up characters then eventually we tell them that they’re not real while expecting them to still believe God is real.

Nothing to do with Santa Claus but another book other than the Bible I would highly recommend is Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I found it to be a very good book that answered many questions for me.

 

[the_seeker]

Nothing to do with Santa Claus but another book other than the Bible I would highly recommend is Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I found it to be a very good book that answered many questions for me.

OK.

 

[the_seeker]

Calvin and Hobbbes.

 

[JohnRH]

However, since Mr Smith is a chirstian, he will be free as of today.
Do you think this kind of judgement is fair and rightous?

In your attempt at drawing a parallel, I think you should change that to: "However, since Mr Smith is [remorseful], he will be free as of today. And, no, that would not be fair and righteous because the dead victim is unable to testify in court of his forgiveness.

In God's dealing with sinners, God is both the judge and the victim (Against thee, thee only, have I sinned ... Psalms 51:4). As victim, God is able to testify of His forgiveness to the remorseful sinner. As judge, He can righteously apply the penalty-paid-in-full-by-Someone-else to the sinner's account.

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:26

 

[Edward429451]

I learn more on how to love everyday and I am miles ahead of where I was when I didn’t know Christ nor love. I’m still no where close to loving as He loves.

Haven’t given everything to the poor that’s for sure. Giving to the poor nowadays can be tricky. What is poor for starters? I guess it all depends on the society that they are in. A poor person in the states would be rich in other parts of the world. Another question is why are they poor? More than likely being poor isn’t their problem. Being poor is just a symptom of a problem. Drugs, gambling, irresponsible spending, criminal record, or pure laziness can often be the problem. So giving to the poor in those occasions would be giving them a job or rehab tuition. The best thing we can do no matter the situation is share Jesus with them and show them love. Talk to them and find the root problem. Giving them money is no different from the doctors these days handing out drugs to treat symptoms without fixing the cause of the symptoms.

I used to have a typical man's heart until after I met the Lord again I asked Him, Teach me how to love people the way that you love me? And I'm not sure if I regret that or not because within 24 hours I had the most obnoxious guy in the neighborhood as my friend. I had no idea who he was but I found out quick! It made sense to me because that's what they did to Jesus so I knew I had to try, and I did try. One weekend I invited him over for a bbq. I had steaks on the grill cooking for us, and...he starts talking smack to me and about me! Who does that?! You don't walk into a man's house and talk smack about the host of the BBQ! I threw him out and he didn't get no steak. I knew as soon as he left that I failed that test! About a month later he had a stroke and is now paralyzed and blinded from it and they moved him to some home somewhere. I felt bad for basically failing him when he needed me. But I just couldn't get through to the guy about the Lord. He'd say, God does His thing, and I do my thing...talk about something else...

I may have failed leading him to the Lord...but I think I now know how Jesus must feel because most people on earth feel like that guy did. So it was a love lesson for sure but I should have still fed him. I did not love the guy for being obnoxious but I sure was concerned for him a month later. So I perceive a change in my heart. Walking in the Spirit affects you!

I noticed other things too. I actually wept during a movie for the first time in a particularly good movie. I didnt expect that and have never been like that. I used to tease my (ex)-wife about crying in movies. I guess she had more heart than me back then? But I'm learning. That's largely what the Lord has been teaching me is about Love so it's a part of the Romans 12:2 transformation that it speaks of. When we do what the book says to do, it changes us on the inside and we might react differently than we used to because of these changes. Becoming more holy is largely impossible for man. But! The Lord isnt looking for perfection. He looks for the intent the heart. Is he trying? Is he trying to hang out and spend time with the Lord?

I thought about that and I realized that I'd get up in the morning read and pray, then go to work. So God was getting minutes? Not fair! So I started inviting Him to go to work with me and I would talk to Him all day long. I discovered I could hear Him better.

Hanging out with the Lord God leaves a residue on you. Remember, Moses spent 40 days on the mountain with God, and Moses was glowing when he came back down! He had to wear a veil! This is the oil from the 10 Virgins' Parable, it is the Holy Spirit, the very essence of God. Each believer must spend time one on one with God to buy their own oil.

It's not hard to spend the day with the Lord. To be led by the Spirit. It takes a conscious awareness that, you have your best friend and helper with you and even scripture says He will never leave us or forsake us so He is going to be there whether you like it or not!

There has never been a moment of actual Privacy on this planet. So it's just a matter of getting used to it. At first when I invited Him to work with me, I'd leave him in the truck at the Customers house but I got over that when I needed Him one day, and He fixed it too!

 

[Just_A__Follower]

I used to have a typical man's heart until after I met the Lord again I asked Him, Teach me how to love people the way that you love me? And I'm not sure if I regret that or not because within 24 hours I had the most obnoxious guy in the neighborhood as my friend. I had no idea who he was but I found out quick! It made sense to me because that's what they did to Jesus so I knew I had to try, and I did try. One weekend I invited him over for a bbq. I had steaks on the grill cooking for us, and...he starts talking smack to me and about me! Who does that?! You don't walk into a man's house and talk smack about the host of the BBQ! I threw him out and he didn't get no steak. I knew as soon as he left that I failed that test! About a month later he had a stroke and is now paralyzed and blinded from it and they moved him to some home somewhere. I felt bad for basically failing him when he needed me. But I just couldn't get through to the guy about the Lord. He'd say, God does His thing, and I do my thing...talk about something else...

I may have failed leading him to the Lord...but I think I now know how Jesus must feel because most people on earth feel like that guy did. So it was a love lesson for sure but I should have still fed him. I did not love the guy for being obnoxious but I sure was concerned for him a month later. So I perceive a change in my heart. Walking in the Spirit affects you!

I noticed other things too. I actually wept during a movie for the first time in a particularly good movie. I didnt expect that and have never been like that. I used to tease my (ex)-wife about crying in movies. I guess she had more heart than me back then? But I'm learning. That's largely what the Lord has been teaching me is about Love so it's a part of the Romans 12:2 transformation that it speaks of. When we do what the book says to do, it changes us on the inside and we might react differently than we used to because of these changes. Becoming more holy is largely impossible for man. But! The Lord isnt looking for perfection. He looks for the intent the heart. Is he trying? Is he trying to hang out and spend time with the Lord?

I thought about that and I realized that I'd get up in the morning read and pray, then go to work. So God was getting minutes? Not fair! So I started inviting Him to go to work with me and I would talk to Him all day long. I discovered I could hear Him better.

Hanging out with the Lord God leaves a residue on you. Remember, Moses spent 40 days on the mountain with God, and Moses was glowing when he came back down! He had to wear a veil! This is the oil from the 10 Virgins' Parable, it is the Holy Spirit, the very essence of God. Each believer must spend time one on one with God to buy their own oil.

It's not hard to spend the day with the Lord. To be led by the Spirit. It takes a conscious awareness that, you have your best friend and helper with you and even scripture says He will never leave us or forsake us so He is going to be there whether you like it or not!

There has never been a moment of actual Privacy on this planet. So it's just a matter of getting used to it. At first when I invited Him to work with me, I'd leave him in the truck at the Customers house but I got over that when I needed Him one day, and He fixed it too!

Amen brother. Those truck conversations are where I learn the most. Being a good Father, He doesn’t simply give us strength, patience, love, and self control. He gives us the opportunity to learn. How many times have you asked for patience and shortly after found yourself behind a 90 year old lady on a curvy 2 lane highway? How many times have you asked for self control and shortly after you feel like Job? And as in your case ask for love and He’ll give you someone who is very hard to love. If I give my son $20 he will learn nothing but giving him the opportunity to earn the $20 by mowing the grass will teach him something that will last a lifetime. He gives us opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them.

 

[Edward429451]

Haven’t given everything to the poor that’s for sure. Giving to the poor nowadays can be tricky. What is poor for starters? I guess it all depends on the society that they are in. A poor person in the states would be rich in other parts of the world. Another question is why are they poor? More than likely being poor isn’t their problem. Being poor is just a symptom of a problem. Drugs, gambling, irresponsible spending, criminal record, or pure laziness can often be the problem. So giving to the poor in those occasions would be giving them a job or rehab tuition. The best thing we can do no matter the situation is share Jesus with them and show them love. Talk to them and find the root problem. Giving them money is no different from the doctors these days handing out drugs to treat symptoms without fixing the cause of the symptoms.

I am the poor! In 2009 I had an Epileptic seizure on the highway at 70mph and it was very hard on me. I broke my back in 2 places and I would have died but I said, Lord be with me so He saved me and here I am still! I'm finally getting disability checks. They made me wait 10 years on that to start. It retired me a few years early so I got poor real fast. I couldnt keep working at my business cuz that took a lot of wind out of my sails. But I was alive and instantly understood that, the Lord did save me and suddenly I had lots of time to pray and read.

So as I sit in poverty, I grow rich in the word! I think there is more security in poverty than there is wealth. I've had both and in poverty it keeps you clinging to the Lord!! I'm not sure if that's funny it is interesting though. I managed to buy a brand new 96% efficient Furnace to keep my gas bill down and it was working until a couple months ago. So for winter they doubled my gas bill and sent me a $200 bill for last month! That will come right out of the refrigerator lol. So I'm clinging to Jesus.

I used to use the excuse dont help the homeless people because they're alcoholics and druggies but the Lord showed me that, alcoholics and druggies still have to eat daily. So that's right huh? I'm not enabling anything. Sometimes as I can I help feed the homeless. I give it with a good heart and if they misuse that money, that's between them and God. But they still gotta eat.

 

[Edward429451]

Amen brother. Those truck conversations are where I learn the most. Being a good Father, He doesn’t simply give us strength, patience, love, and self control. He gives us the opportunity to learn. How many times have you asked for patience and shortly after found yourself behind a 90 year old lady on a curvy 2 lane highway? How many times have you asked for self control and shortly after you feel like Job? And as in your case ask for love and He’ll give you someone who is very hard to love. If I give my son $20 he will learn nothing but giving him the opportunity to earn the $20 by mowing the grass will teach him something that will last a lifetime. He gives us opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them.

There was that obnoxious guy when i prayed that the Lord teach me to love people. There was another time I prayed and asked for more faith (Mistake!) I got dumped with so much tribulation that i regretted the prayer! I did come out of it with more faith but I have not ever prayed that again!

 

[Dino246]

 

[Just_A__Follower]

So as I sit in poverty, I grow rich in the word! I think there is more security in poverty than there is wealth.

No doubt. The transformation from money=wealth to His grace, love, and wisdom=wealth

 

[Mem]

Sorry, but I don't quite understand what you wrote. Can you deepen your argument?

We all stand on equal footing; scripture tells us that God is no respecter of persons and offers everyone an equal opportunity to accept the truth. The righteous receive it and the unrighteous suppress it, that is what determines your outcome, what you personally do with the truth that you are given. Hitler had to suppress an awful lot of truth to reach the conclusions he developed in become who he was so, the scenario you presented is that much more unlikely, but still, it is not totally absolutely impossible. God knows the probability of it. God may have spoken to his heart in those last moments of consciousness, but it seems that Adolf, having chosen rather to shoot himself than humble himself in defeat, he wouldn't hear it.

I lean toward the theology of annihilation, which would, imo, illuminate the irony of Adolf's objective. The poor jude had a better opportunity of surrendering his fate into the hands of God, who has the power to kill both body and soul (in hell), than to him that boasted all the power to kill the body.

 

[Edward429451]

View attachment 284620

I know right where that is! I used to work up there a lot. Do you live in C. Springs?

 

[Edward429451]

No doubt. The transformation from money=wealth to His grace, love, and wisdom=wealth

And just in time too! As soon as the rapture happens, the age of easy Grace is OVER. Then is a short age of Judgment.