I don’t know who’s going to read this, or
what your views are, as far as believing in a Higher Power; but, I believe in a
being called God, and I believe in The Bible. So, as I explain what’s on my
heart, I’m going to be using Scripture references from that book, to help me
convey my message. I hope that, regardless of what your spiritual beliefs are, you
will take time to read this. It would make me very happy to know that you were
open-minded enough to hear me out, even though you don’t believe in the same
Higher Power as I do.
I love you! I just want to make that clear…I
don’t care who you are, or what there is about you that I don’t fully
appreciate, I still love you. John Keats said “I have been astonished that men
could die martyrs for their religion – I have shudder’d at it. I shudder no
more. I could be martyr’d for my religion; love is my religion. And I could die
for that. I could die for you.” I could, too!
The Dalai Lama teaches about peace, love and
compassion. Jesus also taught about love. Jesus said, “and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first
commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” This is the
Law of Love (Mark 12:30-31)…and this is the law I live my life by. Love is MY
religion.
I have often said, I do not have to agree
with certain aspects that make you who you are, in order to love you. And I
stand by that! If one of my friends was a serial killer, I certainly wouldn't agree with their lifestyle, but I would still love them…same with an habitual
liar; I don’t appreciate that quality about a person, but I can still love them,
despite their shortcomings. Or, you may be one of those few who does something
that annoys me, or makes me uncomfortable around you (I wish you wouldn't be
that way!)…but I still love you, regardless.
To love someone does not mean you have to
accept who they are, or how they live their life; that’s not what love is. If
there is something about you that I cannot accept, it doesn’t mean that I don’t
love you; and not accepting something about you does not make me judgmental,
either! One of my favorite movie quotes is when Forrest Gump says, “I’m not a
smart man, but I know what love is.”
This is what love is…
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and
kind. Love is not jealous, or boastful, or proud, or rude. It does not demand
its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It
does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love
never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every
circumstance.
"It does not demand its own way"…for anyone to say that we have to accept them for who they are, when we tell them we love them, is demanding your own way; and that is not love. That reminds
me of the recent article about the homosexual couple who are suing a bakery for
turning away their business; this couple is not walking in love, because they
are demanding to get their own way, knowing that this particular bakery is run
by folks who view homosexuality as a sin.
This belief doesn't mean the bakers are
being bigots, or unfair; it just means they’re standing by their beliefs and
what the Bible says. And, by law, they don’t have to serve anyone (even straight people), if they choose not to!
Love is not tolerant of sin, but will also
not hold it against us (that's the patient part, and the not keeping a record of being wronged part). Yes, I said “us”; I’m not perfect, but I try my best.
Lord knows, I fail Him daily; I’m sure there are certain things about the way I
live that upset Him, or make Him uncomfortable…but, I know He loves me.
He
loves all of us, regardless of how we live our lives; but He doesn't want us to
live in sin! I know He expects us to correct the things that He’s does not approve of, because we are His Children. That’s the key…do you love your parents? As a child, did it make you feel good, knowing that they were proud of you, when you lived up to their standards? We CAN be loving toward each other. It’s very simple, too.
If you know they’re uncomfortable with foul
language…don’t use it, when you’re around them. If you know that dressing a
certain way will make someone you know uncomfortable, when you’re around them,
try to dress in a way that makes them feel more secure around you. If you know
talking about politics, is a sore subject for them, don’t bring it up in conversation! I’m
facing a moment in my life where I’m going to have to practice that very thing;
I’m going to Georgia, the end of this month.
My youngest daughter told me her boyfriend’s
mother wants to meet me, while I’m there. Yay…super excited about this!! I've also been instructed to avoid certain conversation topics…namely, God and the
Bible. The woman is an Atheist, and apparently views anyone who discusses God,
or the Bible, as being an odd sort. Since this will be my first impression, of
course, I’m going to want to make a good one….I’ll need to dress well, be
polite and respectful, and refrain from preaching.
Just to make this clear, I’m not going to
approach her coming off as someone who is phony; but, putting someone in an
uncomfortable situation, because you can’t (or
won’t) refrain from talking about things they’re uncomfortable listening
to, is not a loving gesture! That conversation becomes all about you, and what
you know…not about sharing what you know with them. So, I've decided that the
conversations she and I will have with each other will be anything she wants to talk about! I’m
sure we’ll get along just fine...we even have something in common; we're going to be Grandmothers!!
With that being said, if I've made anyone
uncomfortable with this Note, I do apologize! However, I think I've managed to
keep it “user friendly” for anyone…including non-Believers. We are all human
beings, after all. Which brings me to my next point.
I’m sure, by now, we've all heard about the Coexist Movement. But, do any of us truly know what this movement is all about? Those involved in the movement claim that all human kind needs to be tolerant of all religions; why is this movement only interested in uniting the world’s religions?? Do you honestly know what “coexist” means, or are you just regurgitating a mantra, because it sounds nice?
The Dictionary says the word “coexist” means 1) to exist at the same time or in the same place; and 2) to exist in mutual tolerance despite different ideologies or interests (of nations or peoples).
Well, by definition, #1…we already do! We’re here, in the here and now, sharing the same planet. And, #2…that will only happen when we set our differences aside and learn to work as a people, known as the human race. As long as we separate ourselves by way of religions, political affiliations, social status, skin colors, nationalities, invisible borders, etc. (notice I used more than just religion as a factor) we will never coexist. It just can’t happen. Until we’re dead. I believe in Heaven, and Hell; and the inhabitants of both realms coexist with each other….Heaven with Heaven, Hell with Hell.
In Heaven (as in Hell), or the After Life (whatever
you call it), we are all the same…there are no differences between us; no
political parties, no religious denominations, no alternate “lifestyle
choices”, no separate races/nationalities; and no gender differences, or
different skin colors, either. We are all THE SAME! The only difference between
those who are in Heaven, and those who are in Hell, is that the folks in Heaven aren't being tortured for eternity….according to the Bible, anyway. Remember, I
did say that this would be a reference for me, during this Note, because I
believe in what it says.
I have a lot of young friends who are quick
to tease about being sent to Hell. They’ll say something, or do something that isn't entirely wholesome, and then quip “I’m going to Hell for that!” This is
one of those annoyances I mentioned, earlier. I was taught that the only reason
any of us would go to Hell, is if we die without accepting Jesus as our Lord
and Savior…that, and deliberately living a wicked life, will send anyone to Hell! So, when I hear people tease
about the things that will send them to Hell, it gets on my nerves!
But, if they don’t know any better, who am I to judge them…and I love them,
anyway! LOL!
And the one thing that I can’t stand about
society, as a whole, is the belief that if you don’t accept someone’s lifestyle
choices, mannerisms, views, etc. it means that you are a bigot, a racist, or prejudiced
in some form or fashion. That simply isn't true; it just means you have
differing ideals than the rest of us.
For instance, the American government now has
the belief that if we disagree with anything the President says or does, it
automatically qualifies us as being racist, because he’s black (well, half
black). Now, I’m sure that there are some folks who are racist, and that’s why
they don’t agree with him…but for those of us who are not racist, being called
a racist simply because we don’t agree with him, is pathetic...ans insulting! I don’t like what he's doing to my country,
at all…but he is a flesh and blood human being; therefore, I love him, as a
fellow human….as my neighbor (refer to the Scripture reference (Mark 12:30-31)
above).
Obviously, I don’t know if you believe in
Heaven, or Hell, but because I do, I gotta tell ya…I’d much rather spend eternity
in Heaven, than in Hell. Using what I've been taught, I’ll give you a
description of both places…you can, then, see why I've chosen Heaven!
What is Hell Like?
- Think
of the worst smelling thing, on the face of the earth, and multiply that by
1,000,000.
- The
Bible describes Hell as a fiery oven, the pit of darkness, a burning wind, and
an unquenchable fire.
- It
also says that those who end up there, will NOT get another chance to enter
Heaven. It’s too late for them; they chose their destiny, and they’re stuck
with it.
- Everyone
who is stuck in Hell will be tortured and tormented for all eternity…no rest,
no refreshment, and no peace. And, there are different levels of Hell,
depending on how bad you were, while you were a human being.
 |
| An artist's rendition of Hell |
What is Heaven Like?
- In
Heaven there is no sickness, death, poverty, hunger, loneliness, sadness, hate,
etc.
- In
the book of Revelations, the Bible describes what Heaven looks like. I think it
looks beautiful!! (Revelation 21:11-27)
o
It
shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as
clear as crystal. (v 11)
o
The
wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. (v 18)
o
The
wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious
stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth
emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the
eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the
twelfth amethyst. (v 19-20)
o
The
twelve gates were made of pearls - each gate from a single pearl! And the main
street was pure gold, as clear as glass. (v 21)
o
And
the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city,
and the Lamb is its light. (v 23)
 |
| An artist's rendition of Heaven |
There’s nothing beautiful about Hell, and
none of us will be partying once we’re there.
However, there will be a HUGE party, in
Heaven! According to the Bible, Jesus spoke in parables, so the people of that
day could understand what He was telling them about God and the Kingdom of
Heaven. In one parable, He said the King is preparing a Great Feast for
everyone…the King had invited many people, but most had made excuses as to why they couldn't make it; and, there were some who deliberately tortured and/or killed the
messengers the King had sent out to extend the invitation. Those who have rejected
the King’s invitation will be thrown into the outer darkness (a reference to
Hell).
I’m all about speaking the truth…I did say
lying was a pet peeve of mine, right? I know some of you won’t accept what I've said, and you might even get angry with me for saying it, but I refuse to water down the truth. That would be like saying, “It’s
not something I would do, but I’m not you”….instead of saying, “that’s not
right, and you shouldn't do it!” (This is not being judgmental…this is called
correction)
Folks…according to what I've been taught, God (or what/whoever it is) expects us
to live a morally upright life. Morals are not subject to interpretation,
either; right is right, and wrong is wrong. If something was wrong, back in the
day…it is still wrong, in this day! And, to believe that morals change with the
times, is to be a fool! Lusting after someone you’re not in a relationship with
is morally wrong; as is being a liar, a thief, a bigot, a hypocrite, a murderer, a sexual deviant, etc. Wrong is wrong....period!!
Think of God as you would a good parent…a
good parent will not tolerate their child’s bad behavior, even though they love
their child; instead they will punish them, for what they've done wrong, and
then discipline them to know why that behavior was unacceptable, and how to
avoid getting into trouble again. They teach their children to raise their
standards, because they want them to have a good life.
If we want to get to Heaven, we have to live
our human lives by God’s standards…not by human standards. I’m just as culpable
as any of you; I know I don’t live 100% according to God’s standards, but that
is my goal. I want to live my life with the hope that one day He’ll look at me
and say He’s proud of me for doing so well. Then I’ll be allowed into Heaven.
Here’s a list of the people who will NOT be
allowed into Heaven, according to the Bible (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)….
- the
unrighteous - one who violates justice; also one who is an habitual
liar/deceiver
- the
fornicator – prostitutes (that’s literally what the term for fornicator mean,
in this verse!)
- the
idolater – a worshiper of false gods; anyone who puts anything above God, in
their life
- the
adulterer – one who is faithless and ungodly
- the
effeminate – men who don’t act like men (they appear, and behave, as women);
also a man who subjects his body to unnatural lewdness
o
“unnatural
lewdness” - indecency, unchastity, incontinence, fleshliness, vulgarity,
lechery, wantonness, lubricity, lasciviousness, aphrodisia, bodily appetite,
libidinousness, sensuality, licentiousness, voluptuousness, lecherousness,
profligacy, dissoluteness, obscenity, salacity, scurrility, coarseness, carnal
passion, grossness, boorishness, sensuous desire, vileness, salaciousness,
pornography, fleshly lust, depravity, brutishness, lustfulness, carnality,
ruttishness, pederasty, nymphomania, pruriency, prurience, incontinency,
corruptness, satyriasis, corruption, raunchiness, unnatural desires, dirtiness,
ribaldry, incest, indelicacy, incestuousness, concupiscence, eroticism, sadism
- the
abuser of oneself with mankind – one who lies with a male as with a female,
sodomite
- A
sodomite is a person who engages in lascivious behavior, is unloving/abusive to
others, one who degrades or humiliates others, a person who engages in
bestiality (sex with animals)
- the
thief – persons who embezzles (misappropriates, misuses, cheats, etc), pilfers
(steals, takes things that are not theirs to take, poaches); also, a person who
does not care to instruct others, but abuses their confidence for their own gain
- the
covetous – people who are not satisfied with what they have, and want more
(especially if it belongs to someone else)
- the
drunkard – alcoholics; those who intentionally get intoxicated
- the
reviler/railer – a person who expresses objections or criticisms in bitter,
harsh, or abusive language
- the
extortionist – a person who commits extortion (coercion, blackmail, a
shakedown)
According to what I've been taught, unless
those people turn away from their sins, and receive Jesus as their Lord and
Savior, they are going to Hell (whomever they are); the choice to do so, or not, is theirs. God
gave us all something called “free will”, which is the right to choose for ourselves how we want to live our lives.
You don’t have to accept that Jesus
died on the cross to save us from our sins, and that we need to turn from those
sins and live according to God’s standards, but I sure hope you do! This is why
I will always share what I've learned, because I don’t want to see anyone go to
Hell, when they die!
Once you've received Jesus Christ as your Lord and
Savior, and have turned away from your sins, God counts you blameless, and
righteous…so, if you are one of those people who are destined for Hell, and you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior (and you turn away from your sins), nothing you did prior to that moment matters anymore, and you are now destined for Heaven, now that you are “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17)!
And, if
you slip up, all you have to do is repent (apologize for goofing up),
and try harder to abstain from sin, from then on. I make it a practice to do
that, several times a week…because I just don’t know what behaviors I've done,
that He’s frowned upon!
If we could all learn to live by the Law of
Love (Mark 12:30-31) and stop being so critical, compassionless, and/or
verbally abusive toward each other…the human race would accomplish SOOOO much!
And, yes…even non-Believers can love their neighbors, as they would love
themselves.
Sorry this one was so long…but, this was
something that was laying heavy on my heart, and I just knew I needed to share
it with you! God bless you for reading it all the way through!! LOL!!
Love you!! oxoxox
