[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by byte1

reading through all the answers, it appears that one will not have to worry about heaven being over crowded. Of course, this is just my opinion, because it may also just mean that many "believers" are just not into these discussions on controversial subjects.
Perhaps another appropriate thread would be titled "what is faith?" more than half the answers on this thread seem to indicate a huge lack of faith. A 2021 pew poll found that only 63% of americans consider themselves christians. That is way down from years past. Maybe the lack of faith and the lack of fear of one's judgement after death is a contributing factor in all the violence in the world, especially in the mass increase in criminal activity in the u.s.
When i was in vietnam in the middle of several firefights, i found the old saying that there are a lot of believers created in the foxhole to be very true. Some folks that believe that they are close to impending death suddenly find remorse for their less than honorable lives. Ever notice how many charity drives there are in the villages? How many food drives to collect food for food pantries and soup kitchens? How many volunteers for school mentors, va clinic, neighborhood drivers, etc? Perhaps, folks are exploring different means that they hope will buy their way into heaven if they are worried about the possibility that heaven exists and that they might be excluded for their less than stellar lives in the past?
I believe that i have been blessed to have always believed in god since as far back as i can remember. I never understood the concept of salvation through the death and resurrection of jesus until the early '70's. I won't go into the "how" but i suddenly saw the proverbial "light" and felt the relief that i now knew that my past sins were forgiven. It's a great feeling. Now, i promised that i would not argue my "faith" or religion. I am just expressing my thoughts, and maybe it will give some an itch to learn more, or maybe it will just make some think about the op's subject of "what happens when you die."
let me just ask one question related to the subject. If you don't believe in salvation through christ, what if you are wrong? If i am wrong (i have faith that i am right) then what happens to me? According to those that do not believe, nothing would happen because i would just be dead. If i am right (my faith says i am ) then i will live an infinity in god's glory. I have a saying that i like to use, that i have life insurance. I don't like to use the threat of eternal damnation to hell when i speak about the evils of sin, because i think that most folks already know that sin is wrong. The bible says that "all" have sinned. It also states that the only way out of the punishment for sin is for jesus to be there for us as our mediator upon our final judgement. He died a sinless death of torture upon the cross to pay for our sins and will stand before god the father for us with a promise that our debt has been "paid in full." if someone offered to take your place for something you have done wrong, wouldn't you accept that great gift? All god requires of you is to accept his gift. So, you don't believe? I am sorry. That's what is great about having a free will. I am not judging anyone. The bible says that all are sinners. Accept it or not, that's your option. What have you lost for accepting god's gift?
I apologize for the long post. It was not my intention.

amen and thank you