I recently attended a Women's Conference where Candice Cameron Bure was one of the Speakers. I've never heard her speak before until then. I must say that I was very impressed with what she had to say! She, like many others in this world, had accepted Christ into her life, as a child, at the age of twelve years old. But there was really no commitment to Him, until she became an adult. But even as a young adult in her early 20's; as a wife and mother, she still struggled with "why" she needed to "live for Christ".
Candice's belief, like many of us, was that she was a "good" person, so why did she "need" Jesus, anyway? As long as she lived a good life, and was a good mom; a good wife; and etc., she didn't need Him in her life. She had already accepted Him when she was a young girl, so what more did she really have to do? Did she really have more to do to get into heaven? Or was accepting Him at the age of twelve, and just being a good person, enough?
Her brother, as some of you may know, is Kirk Cameron. He and Ray Comfort work together on The Way of the Master. Kirk was also on Family Ties, when he was a young kid. Candice was on Full House from the age of eight until she was eighteen.
Kirk was the one who had taken a more serious walk with the Lord. He offered Candice a book to read one day, that explained to her the importance of having a "real" relationship with Jesus, versus just being a good person, and "hoping" to get into heaven. As Candice began to read this book, one thing stuck out to her that she read. The Ten Commandments.
As she explained at this conference, the Ten Commandments are God's "rules" for us to live by. As Christians, we should be taking these commandments seriously. And as she read the Ten Commandments over again, it dawned on her that even if she had only broken one of the commandments, that was as serious as breaking them all, to God. Let's take just one commandment as an example: Thou Shalt Not Lie.
Have you ever told a lie? Even a little one? Or how about a white-lie? You know, the ones that really don't count. Or do they all count? What about the lie you tell when you don't feel like going into work, so you call in sick? Or what about when you've gone shopping and you've spent more money than you were supposed to, and you tell your spouse that you didn't spend that much? Or how about when you make up an excuse as to why your child was not in school today; or why they hadn't completed their homework? Or what about when your wife was away for a few hours, and you decide to go see what you can "find" on the Internet, and when she returns and asks what you've been doing, and you reply, "Nothing"? Or how about that flirtatious co-worker that you tell your wife or husband "there's nothing to it"????
Sometimes when we lie, we can make up so many excuses for our behavior! We justify why we lie. We make excuses why it's okay. When in actuality, it is not okay! It is a commandment that you have broken. It's a sin. Sin is sin, no matter which commandment you have broken. When you've broken one, it's like you've broken them all.
God wants a RELATIONSHIP with us. He wants us to abide by His commandments, also, inside that relationship. He wants us to get serious about our relationship with Him. Not just lukewarm. He says "if you are lukewarm, I will spit you from my mouth". He wants all or nothing.....no in-between!
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do you ever look at something your neighbor just purchased and then went out and bought the same thing (or very similar) to keep up with them?
2. Have you ever looked at the opposite sex and had an impure thought about him / her?
3. Have you ever dishonored your parents?
4. Have you ever horded money away in fear that you would lose it?
5. Have you ever really given God your whole heart? Or are you just toying with Him?
6. Have you ever really taken the time to just sit and talk to Him about whatever is in your heart? He knows you inside and out; so what are you waiting for?
I believe God gave these commandments to us for a reason. I believe they are instructions for us to live by, just as Candice explained at this Women's Conference. As she explained that just being a good person, wasn't enough, I began to really look into my own heart, and ask if I had really gotten serious with God. I had to ask myself if I had truly given Him my all. Or was I just lukewarm? And if I was lukewarm, what was I waiting for? What was keeping me from giving Him my ALL? Wouldn't these things be considered idols in my life, if I were putting them before Him?
I made a commitment to Him that day, to take Him more seriously, and to give Him my ALL. How about you?
Do YOU think just being a good person is enough to get you into heaven? Or do you feel that there is more to it than that?
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Comments (58)
I guess my version of this topic was to heady / theologically dense for ReveLife. Basically the "Cult of 'good enough' " strikes again and tries to refashion 'god' in their own image. Good luck with that one guys... although we already know how it ends. Most of us already read the last few pages of the book. (Hint: no liars make it into heaven... guess those who thought they were good enough didn't count on that one...)
@fallingraindrop@xanga - I have no issue with it being an affirmation. However, it was designed as an affirmation against Rome. This is not opinion. This is fact and Islamic origin.
@fallingraindrop@xanga - You wrote "Baptism is necessary for salvation. That is our human obligation, not God's obligation. Telling people they will go to hell if they are not baptized is assuming God's power of judgment and so, should never be done."
Im not sure you understand what Im asking. There seems to be a contradiction in your traditions. One statement affirms baptism is absolutely necessary as well as several other beliefs and then another statement seems to support inclusivism. Help me out here...
@MC_Shann@xanga - However, it was designed as an affirmation against Rome. This is not opinion. This is fact and Islamic origin.
Protestantism was designed as an affirmation against Rome, not Islam. Muhammed had visions which he put down in the Koran. Where in the Koran does it say that Islam was designed as an affirmation against Rome?
Regarding Protestantism as an affirmation against Rome, we have Luther's own words.
@MC_Shann@xanga - There seems to be a contradiction in your traditions. One statement affirms baptism is absolutely necessary as well as several other beliefs and then another statement seems to support inclusivism.
I made no such contradiction. You are coloring my words with your own interpretation. There is no contradiction in man's need for salvation and the fact that it is God who save.
@GodlessLiberal@xanga - Man that is in honor and understandest not, is like the beasts that perish. Ps 49:20
If you don't know the true God, then you will just perish like any animal, and return to dust, and be no more. That's your end. You can worship a false god all you want, and it won't make any difference. The reward of the righteous is not going to heaven either, according to the Bible. It's being in the Kingdom of God on earth.
What God is looking for is love, and for us to want to emulate His character. The first commandment is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength, and the 2nd is like that..love your neighbor as yourself. If you cannot do these perfectly, then you are a sinner, and need forgiveness. And there is no one who isn't a sinner. We all need forgiveness and mercy from God. Thinking that you are "good" enough is showing you don't understand your position, nor your need for forgiveness and mercy...so you don't understand, and you will just perish. And why would you want more? God in his righteousness is not going to fill the earth with a bunch of sinners who have eternal life. God isn't creating a "star wars" situation. God's will will be done on earth as it is in heaven. How great our God is, that He is a God of love, and righteousness and mercy.
From your comment, I think you create your own god, and there is no power in that. But have a good life! You can enjoy your life while it lasts, and that is God's gift to you that you have life and can make your own decisions and live how you want to live. But once it is over. you will have no existence, and that is merciful. There is no burning hell for the disobedient. God is a God of love, not evil. God will destroy evil once the end comes.
Not enough. We Need Jesus!!!
@sarahzthoughts@xanga -
Dear deluded religious sychophant,
I'll try to keep this simple. Bear with me here.
Morality is based on things that people generally do not like, or try to avoid naturally. Some examples include: Violence, (People don't like to hurt, I'm sure we can agree on that) Lying (Halts communication, is disrespectful, and can ruin foundations for relationships that people naturally seek) Cheating, and the list goes on and on.
Now.
To make the huge leap and say that we need a self-contradictory "omniscient / omnipotent creator" (which didn't even answer man's basic questions on the "TRUTH" of the world HE created for us, thus making it quite the shoddy candidate for omniscience) is completely vapid, dishonest, and outright delusional of you.
To save time, please don't try and "argue" or debate this with me... it's scientifically proven that truth can not be reasoned with. It just is. Get over it.