forgiveness and heaven

[pinkbible]

I come from a dysfunctional family as I am sure many people do. here is some of my story my grandfather is a mean man who is a gambler, adulterer, verbally abusive, mentally abusive, and a child molester. he walks around all day everyday cursing and going off on people mainly his kids, whatever we do to make our lives better he says we ain't doing **** my grandmother doesn't know about the molesting but my auntie let the cat out of the bag last summer and someone from the family that he has molested confronted him on it and he still says he doesn't care. he will curse me out in public, he has pulled a gun out on me a few times, and has even tried to jump on me physically. and after all of this he says because he is a Christian no matter what he does he will be saved:shock: I told him that being a Christian means following in the footsteps of our lord Jesus Christ and even has an argument about that (to much for me to get into) my question is should a person be given the same reward the kingdom of heaven if they act sinfully all of their lives and then when they are on their death bed and can't do anything anymore and they ask God for forgiveness should or do they get the same reward as people who have tried to do right all of their lives I wish him no harm but I wish he would get out of my grandmothers life. he always say he is leaving her but never does it is making me sick to watch my grandmother go through this and it is making it hard for me to focus on my studies to be a missionary (which he also says is worth nothing) it is like living with the devil himself.

 

[snowcatwnc1]

Forgiven

A person would not only have to ask God sincerely to forgive them, but they would also have to truly repent (be sorry for and turn from) of their sins. From your story, it does not sound like he is sorry for his sins nor has he turned from them. It almost sounds like he is proud of them. Forgiveness does not come without repentance.

The problem with a deathbed conversion to Christ... One can go to their eternal destiny in a twinkling of an eye with no chance for true repentance or forgiveness.

 

[Coconut]

Dear pinkbible, open your Bible to 2Jn 1 and read this chapter. There are many, like your grandfather who call themselves christians, but who do not live by Christs commandment. His commandment is love. (John 15:12)The Scripture here says clearly (2John 1:9) "Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ (love one another)...does not have God."

To those who would say 'but but but...' my answer is, let Gods Word be true and all 'butters' be liars. The Word effectively destroys any argument Grampa is using to the contrary. (2Co 10:5) "Putting an end to reasonings, and every high thing which is lifted up against the knowledge of God, and causing every thought to come under the authority of Christ;"

Romans 12:9 "Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good."

Your grandfather is clearly being a hypocrit, a play actor, for he neither is abhoring what is evil (hurting others - Rom 13:10), nor is clinging to what is good (love)

2John 1:6 "And this is love: that we live according to his commandments. This is his commandment, just as you have heard it from the beginning. You must live by it."

This passage also clearly answers your question about rewards. (2John 1:8) See to it that you don't destroy what we have worked for, but that you receive your full reward."

I`m going to add this, because so many have a humanistic view of "love",
and will tell you its not "loving" to disassociate yourself from someone who claims to be a Christian, yet does not live in obedience to Christs teaching.
The scripture in that same chapter states it simply:

[BBE] 2Jn 1:10 If anyone comes to you not having this teaching, (love one another) do not take him into your house [by implication a family] or give him words of love: For he who gives him words of love has a part in his evil works.

Why? In modern language, we might say one bad apple will spoil the whole barrel. Or if you prefer the way Paul says it in 1Co 5, "a little bit of yeast, will spoil the whole loaf." Thats why it is hard for you to stay focused...

Let me say I know all too well what you are going thru...try not to get weary in well doing...

1Pe 3:17 Because if it is God's purpose for you to undergo pain, it is better to do so for well-doing than for evil-doing.

2Th 3:13 Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing.
2Th 3:14 If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
2Th 3:15 Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
2Th 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.

Blessings

 

[pinkbible]

thanks for the response brother and sister in Christ. you both are correct but I just had to vent. I also want to say it seems that I have upset someone with my post and that was not my intention at all. I will not apologize for it because I feel that I have said or did nothing wrong, since this is a Christian site I thought that I could come on here with my fellow Christians and discuss topics since this is a Christian message board. I know that we have to watch what we say and how we say it and I thought I was being careful but I guess in someone else's eyes I was wrong.

 

[pebosworth]

I do think it's fair (that one can live their life as they wish and then be saved on their death bed) for two reasons:

One: We are all sinners. We have all broken the 10 Commandments. It doesn't matter how many times or when it was because time does not forgive sins. The Bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" and that "there is not one righteous" and that "the soul that sins shall die". Furthermore it states that if we break one commandment we are guilty of breaking all of them and that God will punish all sinners whether it be liars, thieves, adulterers, murderers, rapists, fornicators etc. Also God see's hate as murder, and lust as adultery. He judges not just our actions, but our thought life - our hearts. The truth be, we all deserve hell.

This leads me to my second reason: "It is not by works, so that no man can boast". We do not have eternal life because of the good deeds we have done here on earth. That is an insult to God. Because He says "no one is good" and that would mean that not only are we insinuating He is a liar, but we are trying to buy His free gift to us. Wouldn't you be insulted if you bought me a car as a gift and I tried to pay you $50 for it? Not only would my amount be insulting, but the mere fact that I'm trying to buy the gift is hurtful. If I bought it, then it wouldn't be a gift anymore, it would be a very good bargain and I could boast about it.

My point is, if we truly repent and only God knows our hearts, then we will have eternal life no matter what our past was like.

Your grandfather sounds like a mean man, and I know it must be hard growing up and being around him. I pray that your situation will better. But rest assured that God will punish him for what he as done and if not, if he repents on his death bed be glad that he has changed and realized what he has done. Even if gets saved, there are still consequences for our actions that we have to face and regret is one of the worst.

We should love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. He deserves eternal life as much as we do (or as little as we do) because he too is human who is being influenced by Satan. Remember our battle is not against flesh and blood! If your grandfather can be saved before he dies then even better, so let's pray for him to change for the Holy Spirit to work in him and convict him of his sinful ways.

I will be praying for you and your family. God Bless.

 

[pebosworth]

thanks for the response brother and sister in Christ. you both are correct but I just had to vent. I also want to say it seems that I have upset someone with my post and that was not my intention at all. I will not apologize for it because I feel that I have said or did nothing wrong, since this is a Christian site I thought that I could come on here with my fellow Christians and discuss topics since this is a Christian message board. I know that we have to watch what we say and how we say it and I thought I was being careful but I guess in someone else's eyes I was wrong.

And also, please try not be offended by our answers. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that our intention is not to hurt you or argue with you. Text is hard to read into because you can't see the persons face or hear how they are saying it.

There was nothing wrong with your post and you don't need to apologize for anything. We are here to listen to you venting how you feel and we stand by you 100% as your siblings in Christ.

 

[paganmystic]

ty for your post pinkbible ... you are right as Christians WE MUST be there for each other, in good and in bad to offer up our prayers based on what we know. you are right you have nothing to apologies for
and my sister i truly hope you are as well adjusted as you appear to be. under the circumstances, as previously posted love for one and other is key to a Christians life I would like to offer a Gospel quote. Matthew12:35-36-37 .death bed atonements will still have to be Judged by God for justification or condamnation. You however must forgive him for what he did and your forgiveness must also be sincere, It is the only true way to free your heart. God bless you for your strength and courage.

 

[pinkbible]

I do think it's fair (that one can live their life as they wish and then be saved on their death bed) for two reasons:

One: We are all sinners. We have all broken the 10 Commandments. It doesn't matter how many times or when it was because time does not forgive sins. The Bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" and that "there is not one righteous" and that "the soul that sins shall die". Furthermore it states that if we break one commandment we are guilty of breaking all of them and that God will punish all sinners whether it be liars, thieves, adulterers, murderers, rapists, fornicators etc. Also God see's hate as murder, and lust as adultery. He judges not just our actions, but our thought life - our hearts. The truth be, we all deserve hell.

This leads me to my second reason: "It is not by works, so that no man can boast". We do not have eternal life because of the good deeds we have done here on earth. That is an insult to God. Because He says "no one is good" and that would mean that not only are we insinuating He is a liar, but we are trying to buy His free gift to us. Wouldn't you be insulted if you bought me a car as a gift and I tried to pay you $50 for it? Not only would my amount be insulting, but the mere fact that I'm trying to buy the gift is hurtful. If I bought it, then it wouldn't be a gift anymore, it would be a very good bargain and I could boast about it.

My point is, if we truly repent and only God knows our hearts, then we will have eternal life no matter what our past was like.

Your grandfather sounds like a mean man, and I know it must be hard growing up and being around him. I pray that your situation will better. But rest assured that God will punish him for what he as done and if not, if he repents on his death bed be glad that he has changed and realized what he has done. Even if gets saved, there are still consequences for our actions that we have to face and regret is one of the worst.

We should love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. He deserves eternal life as much as we do (or as little as we do) because he too is human who is being influenced by Satan. Remember our battle is not against flesh and blood! If your grandfather can be saved before he dies then even better, so let's pray for him to change for the Holy Spirit to work in him and convict him of his sinful ways.

I will be praying for you and your family. God Bless.

thank you sister for keeping me in your prayers.

 

[pinkbible]

And also, please try not be offended by our answers. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that our intention is not to hurt you or argue with you. Text is hard to read into because you can't see the persons face or hear how they are saying it.

There was nothing wrong with your post and you don't need to apologize for anything. We are here to listen to you venting how you feel and we stand by you 100% as your siblings in Christ.

I wasn't offended by the answers on the message board. someone sent me a pm saying that this post was inappropriate

 

[pinkbible]

ty for your post pinkbible ... you are right as Christians WE MUST be there for each other, in good and in bad to offer up our prayers based on what we know. you are right you have nothing to apologies for
and my sister i truly hope you are as well adjusted as you appear to be. under the circumstances, as previously posted love for one and other is key to a Christians life I would like to offer a Gospel quote. Matthew12:35-36-37 .death bed atonements will still have to be Judged by God for justification or condamnation. You however must forgive him for what he did and your forgiveness must also be sincere, It is the only true way to free your heart. God bless you for your strength and courage.

thank you brother.