Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: wheaton!kroth@uunet.uu.net (Ken Roth) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Last moment (death bed) Message-ID: Date: 2 Apr 91 09:05:55 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Lines: 28 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu >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? Well, who do you think has more enjoyment from life? I have found that people who are hedonistic and do whatever they want before they are saved are miserable in life. They have no goal and no guidelines for joy. They seem to believe that joy comes from freedom, but I have found that I must enjoy slavery if the master is just and loving! You can also argument that there will be more rewards in heaven, and believe it or not, I think that there will be stratification of heaven (not levels, just people who have a better time). Those who have been Christians all their lives will have the satisfaction that they have done the work of the master as much as they could. That is a great reward, and those who are saved just before they die never have this joy. Just some ideas from the flat-lands... Peace to you all. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: kroth@wheaton.uucp | uunet!tellab5!wheaton!kroth || They call me Gryfalia "We believe, we believe, 'cause we felt it burning in our hearts"--77's "He is no fool who loses what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose."