Whatever Takes Us Away

What is required of us to enter heaven?

This is a tough question, and one that raises many more. The answers, you may find, are varied from denomination, but don’t most Christians come to believe the same thing based on the same book, the Bible? Yes and no.

In the Cincinnati Enquirer online, Sunday, February 15, 2009 was an article about the Catholic church reviving an old practice, one I have read about and heard about, but did not believe was still viable today. Plenary Indulgence anyone? Here's the article http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090215/NEWS01/902150...

Not familiar with this term? Fear not, oh sluggish Protestant. Most Catholics seem to not even understand this practice. Here is where the great schism has had a lasting effect on a knowledge based faith, and where sense and sensibility have been broken. For the Protestant, getting into heaven is a matter based solely on faith. Protestants are justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. For the Catholic there are a myriad of other requirements that must take place prior to a soul entering into heaven. There is purgatory that must be gone through. If you confess your sins the eternal punishment for those sins is removed, but the temporal punishment (the physical, time centered punishment that is paid for in purgatory) remains. The indulgence removes either in whole, or in part, that temporal punishment.

I’m not trying to offend either side in this, but I believe most of you are good thinking people that can read through and between the lines here. Open your Bibles once in a while and find out if these things are true. Don’t read anything into the text, but rather, seek the historical background of a book or chapter, find a commentary to help expand your knowledge of a particular book of the Bible. Some doctrines seem way off base and not even closely related to the Christian faith – if it seems odd, find out where it comes from and research it. Many heretics were cast out of the faith centuries before we came about, but here we are nearly 2,000 years after Jesus and some of those heresies still linger on.

We are justified by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves. Read through Ephesians 2 sometime to see what role we play in our salvation. We bring nothing more than our sins that need to be forgiven and an empty hand of faith. I feel for you if you feel that you need to DO something in order to receive the gift of God in salvation. Do you honestly think you would have anything of value for Him to begin with? In my estimation He needs nothing from you or I and is more than powerful enough to accomplish above and beyond what I could ever conceive, this includes my salvation. No amount of works or deeds will ever pull me into a right relationship with my Creator.

What is required to enter heaven? Faith in Jesus Christ. This, I submit to you is what is necessary.

I'm not one to look for handouts, but sometimes you've got to do something that will help. Over on the left side of the blog are a few links to various websites you may find to be of interest to you. I have recently added another link . . .

I do not expect everyone that reads this to hurry up and start buying the items found in my Amazon.com wish list, but anytime you feel so led to do so would be more than appreciated. This list is for me, as a way of keeping track of what I would like to read, and I intend to use it frequently to remind myself of what I still need to read up on. This also helps me from having to search through the miriad of book cases through the house to check a book. You will notice that nearly all of the listed items are related to the Christian faith, its history, important figures, and apologetics. From time to time I may include some CD's or DVD's as well.

Again, don't think I am sticking my hand out for the sake of saving a buck (though it is nice to do so), but as I have a house full of kids and am a college student, sometimes the budget just isn't there to acquire the books I would like to include in my personal library. I know there aren't many that read this and therefore I am not expecting a truckload of books to arrive at my door anytime soon. However, if you do feel so led to help out I will appeciate it and will note here on the blog anytime someone does send me something.

Thanks in advance. God bless.

The bulk of this post was originally put up in December 2006. After reading an article of a friend (http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/02/not-so-good-samaritans...), I decided to revisit this post. After reading my own story I decided to repost it. At the end of this post I will be adding some additional information/follow up on the post. For those of you who may have read this before, read it again and read my friend Dan's post over at Cerulean Sanctum.

Original Post:

Sometimes we are, as Christians, put to the test. Our convictions are tried and our ability to do the right thing and make the right decision are truly tested. Today was one of those tests for me, and a reminder of something in the past.

I got ready, like I do most every Sunday morning, helped get the kids ready and headed out the door to start the van - in hopes it would be warmed up by the time we all got in to go to church. As it would turn out I said "hello" to a passer-by on the sidewalk. He stopped, greeted back and said he was on his way to church. "So am I," I replied. "Where do you go to church?" he asked.

I told him where I went to church, exchanged some pleasantries, and then he threw out the question: "Could I go with you?" Mind you I had some trouble hearing and understanding him; he's a little older and has a slight speech problem. Well, as I turned and looked at our van, warming up, counting heads I dumbly replied, "We don't have much room." And then conviction set in. "Hold on just a second," as I turned to the front door. I called to Tina, explained the situation briefly, set myself straight and headed back out. "We'll take my van so there's room enough. Let me get it started and warmed." I still had an odd feeling, but went with it anyway. I brushed the frost from the front windshield, told Tina I'd see her in a little bit and we headed to church, Jepp and I.

Many things were going through my head as we drove along. One such thing was a Newsboys song, "Entertaining Angels" and there was another thought right behind that one . . .

While we still lived outside of Chicago we had a visitor at our church one Sunday morning. That morning about 30 minutes before the service started a person began hanging around outside, walking around as people headed inside. She asked for spare change, food, work, anything that may be given. Many people walked by trying hard not to take notice of her. Others told her to simply leave. One of the last people to come in had noticed her, walked to her and asked her to come in for the church service. And so she came.

We did the usual. Sang songs, shook hands, did "church" things. The pastor started to give his message and then to the many, shock set in. He had asked this woman to come up front with him, gave her a microphone and began asking questions about her life, how she got to where she was in life, what was in store for her future, etc. What most of the congregation didn't know was that this was all planned. This woman wasn't a homeless person, but a social worker that worked with the homeless in and around Rockford, IL. Many in church that morning found themselves looking introspectively, asking themselves what they had said, or not said to this person and how they may have treated many others like her throughout their lives. It was a definite eye opener for many, myself included - even though I knew about it before hand.

Jepp and I shared, though he didn't know it, a moment this morning that made me realize that I needed to be tested. My faith in action had laid dormant for a while and required a little dusting. I brought him to church, introduced him to those we encountered, showed him the fellowship area (complete with freshly brewed coffee) and a familiar face to boot. You see, Jepp walks the streets of Bethel all day long. Each morning he visits McD's and sees some of those faces (from church this morning) while they are having their breakfast and coffee. From what I gather he seldom ventures outside of our little village - and his known world - but this morning, God put him in my path, to check me and my Christian action. After church, I gathered my things, watched Jepp chat (very little) and watched as those around him shake hands, hug and greet him with love, inviting him to come back again. We walked to the car, quietly got in and drove off.

He isn't much of a talker, and that's okay with me. I can handle comfortable silences with friends and strangers alike. We got a couple miles away when he pulled out a small wallet, showed me a McDonalds symbol and asked if I could take him there - you see, in addition to the speech problem, Jepp is also illiterate. But, again without his knowing, Jepp and I shared a moment. He has a routine, and each day that routine includes McD's.

I still felt bad about our initial encounter, even after returning home and having had a few moments to myself to take it all in. After all, at first I wanted to send him on his way, walking around the streets of Bethel. With this simple testimony I am reminded of two things that Jesus taught: 1. Luke 6:43-45 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. 2. The parable of the Good Samaritan. I am sure many have simply walked by this man, day after day without even giving him a single glance. I was convicted this day to be the Samaritan that stopped.

And there we were, Jepp and I.

Follow up commentary:

Well, it has been a while since I first posted this/read it. After I read Dan's article about the Good Samaritan I was immediately reminded of this post and set out to find it in my archives. Once I read it I realized I hadn't posted much about Jepp in quite a long time. Sadly, I haven't seen Jepp around in several months. Once in a while after I had taken him to church with me he would stop by. Usually, Tina or I would give him some food (brown bag lunch if you will) and occasionally some spare money (if we had anything to share). He went to church with us one other time, and he was greeted with just as much love the second time as the first. People remembered him, shook hands, and talked with him as best they could. However, at some point over this past summer Jepp no longer came by. I do not know what has become of this man, if he moved on to another town nearby (which is doubtful) or if he had passed on, gone to meet his Father in Heaven. Whatever the case, I am again reminded of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Sometimes our Christian walk seems virtually unrewarding, like we have said "yes" to something, but never get to share that with someone outside the walls of the church, someone with whom we could make a difference. This was a chance in a lifetime for me, and I am glad I did what I did. Having seen poor children in Mexico, Korea and Thailand beg for anything they can get their hands on, I know too well that feeling when you know you can do something decent, but don't. That cold December morning, a man approached me with a query and I had to make a decision, and fast. The decision I chose to make impacted me then, still impacts me today, and will most likely impact me for the rest of my life. Once again, without his knowing, Jepp and I share a moment - the blessing may have been his on those days when I took him to church or shared a meal with him, but without his implicit or explicit knowledge I will have the blessing of having known and provided something for him the rest of my life.

I sometimes look for Jepp in places I would see him around town, but I see him no longer. Sometimes when there is an unexpected knock at the door I think it might be him, but it no longer is. Not all stories will be so good, but if you step out in faith from time to time, you might have a Jepp story of your own - one that will have a positive impact on your life and the life you reach out to care for.

Another month has come and gone, and surprisingly, the first month of the New Year went pretty darn fast. I am glad however, that we near spring and warmer weather once again. Just the thought of more snow makes my head turn in a Poltergeist kind of way. Don't get me wrong, I like snow and have enjoyed playing in the snow with my kids, but I really do enjoy the warmer months of the year.

I think I used to get cabin fever, that unrelenting feeling that you'll never see the outside world again, sometime between late November on through about the beginning of March. However, the past couple of years have seen a decline in that feeling. I suppose my taking up hunting as a new hobby has helped in this department, getting me out of doors at least a few times a month from October through the end of January. This, possibly, will keep cabin fever at bay - at least until April when I will actually be able to get out, work in the yard and see my perinnial flowers in bloom once again.

I will be outside doing other things of course. I have been asked by two unnamed suspects to do the Flying Pig half marathon this spring. This means I will have to get my running shoes out and get back into training mode yet again.

So, for all of you couch potatoes that feel the dread of winter creeping up on you, get out and do something. What our country needs is not another wonder pill to keep us thin, but just a little bit of movement to get the blood pumping a couple times a week. I am not suggesting that everyone get out and do a half or full marathon, just get out and walk for Pete's sake! There are pills for just about everything these days and little is done for one's health by one's self (I am not saying that all pills are evil, but just watch TV for a while and see how many commercials are now for some drug that will "improve" some bodily function that could be helped with proper dieting and exercise). Winter is drawing towards its close here in southern Ohio, start making plans to do some exploration, walk the local park, or go for a short run, some of you may even have a dog that could use the exercise, take your dog for a walk each day - you both might find you feel better in a matter of weeks.

As I get back into a running routine I will try to keep a log here as to how things are progressing. Those that read this, let me know how you are doing in the same respect. I'll be glad to cheer you on.

For a biblical perspective, take some time to read what the Apostle Paul says about exercise. Yes, even the Bible tells us to keep our bodies in shape - and I don't mean round. I Corinthians 9:23-25 While this isn't specifically speaking towards our physical attributes, it is helpful to know there are references to our physical well-being. Likewise, Hebrews 12:1-3 helps illustrate this point. As Christians, when we take serious our spiritual well-being, our physical well-being is also kept in check. Strengthen your mind and fix it on the work done on the cross and through the resurrection, and strengthen your body as well. For, you cannot have one without the other, if the body dies, so dies the mind contained within.

I am not normally one to post on things political, but recently I have heard an outcry that goes against Biblical Christianity. I am saddened and puzzled by the remarks I hear.

Sadly, I think that most “Christians” today fail to see God at work in all things. I hear reports of those “Christians” praying for the failure of our newly elected president, and I must say, I find these reports most disturbing. Please do not misunderstand me, I am not a flag-waving democratic party rally-boy, but as we live in a democratic republic, we the people did elect this many to be our president; like it or not those are the rules set forth by our founding fathers. Those who would pray for this man’s failure are blind to see that God does work in all things – for His glory, not for our wants or desires.

If, for example, you believe in the Christian God and believe that He alone is in sovereign control, why do you rebel against what He has put before us in the Scriptures? Romans 13:1-3 makes it painfully clear, “1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.” You see, to ask God to go against himself – by seeking to have Him overthrow His decision to put someone in authority – seems most absurd. Your reasoning dances in circles and makes less than zero sense. If you call yourself a Christian, adhere to the principles, rules and mandates set forth in the single rule of faith and practice, the Bible. Read through it and attempt to put those principles into practice in your life. Please, do not let friends, family or the media tell you what is and is not, especially when it comes to the Scriptures! Going to church on Sunday mornings does not constitute a Christian lifestyle, your thoughts and actions Monday through Saturday speak volumes to what you truly believe.

So, if you are going to pray to God about our president be specific. If you disagree about some of his policies pray that God’s mighty hand would not allow such policy changes that go against Christian belief and doctrine. However, as it is stated in Scripture, those in authority have been given that authority from God. Do not pray that God would overturn His own decision, but rather, that we as a “nation under God” would have a collective change of heart and that heart would be repentant.

Like it or not, we have a newly elected president who has authority to govern from both man (who went to the ballots) and from God (who gave us the ability to go to the ballots). Be found on the correct side of the equation and, “do what is right.”