Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!rex!ukma!seismo!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: goguenm@chopin.udel.edu (Matthew L Goguen) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: at the last moment Message-ID: Date: 27 Mar 91 04:05:39 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: University of Delaware Lines: 48 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article MAS139@psuvm.psu.edu writes: >I have always wondered about the passage concerning the robber >on the cross who was saved right before he died. If this is >possible, why should anyone be "saved" before the last moment? >What I mean is, what is the incentive to be true to the Word if >salvation can come at the last moment of life? For those who ask this question and are trying to follow it let be be so bold to point out a few things. First: you have to hope that you will have the time to repent. This may not happen. You could get into an auto accident on your way home tonight and be killed instantly. Or you could have a sudden heart attack. God is the creator and sustainer of life. If and when God calls our ticket we go. No ifs ands or buts. Second: If you want a completly selfish motive: God rewards those that serve him. It may mean that you will have to be humble and give up some things now but when you go "Home" you will have something to look foward to besides just being there. Third: God is all wise. I heard my pastor say last night that the BIBLE is the greatest book on Psychology ever written. Think about the reasoning of God. Believers say that God has AGAPE love. What does that mean? That God will pull our strings like a puppet and take away all our fun? No, God wants what is best for his creation. That is why he has given us the instructions and messages that he has. Take a look at the Old Testiment law of not eating pork. Here God is not trying to take away a pleasureable taste but tring to keep his people from getting sick and diseased. Pork can contain some extreamly nasty diseases and worms that will make a mess of a person insides if not cooked properly. IE TAPEWORMS. Animal Biologists would know more. Forth and Finally: The only unforgivable sin is not accepting Jesus as Lord and saviour. Think this one through. The thief at the cross had time to accept Christ and to profess that belief. Christ rewarded him. With the heart man believeth unto righetousness, With the mouth confession is made unto salvation. You may procrastinate but you are pushing your luck especially if you do know better. A brother in Christ, Matthew L. Goguen goguenm@chopin.udel.edu ------------------------------------------------------------ |This is what I understand according to the teaching and | |leading of the Holy Spirit. | ------------------------------------------------------------