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For 30 years, Christian leader and spiritual adviser Billy Graham has been offering advice to the thousands of readers who share their problems ...
Read more about By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services.
For 30 years, Christian leader and spiritual adviser Billy Graham has been offering advice to the thousands of readers who share their problems ...
Read more about By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services.
Do We Pay for Our Sins While We're Alive?
By Billy Graham, Tribune Media Services
Q: My neighbor says he believes in God's judgment, but that it occurs
while we are on earth, not after we die. In other words, if we do
something wrong God makes us pay for it now, not later. He also
believes that everyone will go to heaven, since they already will have
paid for their sins while they were alive. This isn't what the Bible
says, is it? -- T.N.
A: No, this is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible is clear: "Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). Jesus warned, "Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to (eternal) life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:14).
These are sobering words, and we ignore them at our peril. Someday, we each will stand before God to give an account of our lives and our relationship to God. Tragically far too many people go through life refusing to think about what will happen after they die. But the Bible warns us to be ready, "because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (Luke 12:40).
How can we be ready? First, we must be honest about our need of God, and our need for His forgiveness. In our pride we may think we are good enough to get into Heaven on our own -- but the Bible says otherwise. Then we need to turn to Christ and trust Him alone for our salvation. Only Christ can save us, for only He took all our sins upon Himself and died in our place.
It is true, however, that sin has consequences in this life, as well as the next. If we ignore God's laws, we pay a price right now in unhappiness and emptiness. But why live this way? Follow Christ instead, who came to give us peace.
========
Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
(c)2008 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
This news arrived on: 09/06/2008
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Posted Comments:
09-08-2008 13:31
jw wrote:
wonderful example Revmark-I agree with GrannyPam.
God is merciful, but as Dr.Graham explained the Bible teaches of a Judgement Day-because God is a Just God. T.N.we're Joining our Prayers also concerning your worthy question.Be encouraged and blessed!
God is merciful, but as Dr.Graham explained the Bible teaches of a Judgement Day-because God is a Just God. T.N.we're Joining our Prayers also concerning your worthy question.Be encouraged and blessed!
09-06-2008 16:39
ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL wrote:
ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL
I AM ETERNAL
09-06-2008 13:17
Granny Pam wrote:
Paying for sins here
Wow! revmark, you hit the nail on the head. Dr. Graham had a great answer too. But you gave examples...great...to the individual who sent this question...we pray the Lord will open your heart to all these answers to your question. They are certainly food for the heart and soul...God bless you and keep you in His care.
09-06-2008 11:45
Revmark wrote:
Paying for sins while here.
Unfortunately, where God is forgiving, nature is not. And in many cases, God allows nature to take it's course.
If you are a Christian, for instance, and you smoke, there is no guarantee, because you are a Christian, you will not get lung cancer, or any of the other diseases associated with smoking, because it affects every organ in the body.
If we over eat, there are no guarantee, because we are Christians, we will not die from congestive heart failure.
Just a couple of examples, of what your neighbor may be talking about.
Yes, God forgives, but nature is less forgiving.
God will not shield us from being reckless with our bodies, which is why He gives us so many warnings, such as,
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1 Cor 3:16-17
God Bless
If you are a Christian, for instance, and you smoke, there is no guarantee, because you are a Christian, you will not get lung cancer, or any of the other diseases associated with smoking, because it affects every organ in the body.
If we over eat, there are no guarantee, because we are Christians, we will not die from congestive heart failure.
Just a couple of examples, of what your neighbor may be talking about.
Yes, God forgives, but nature is less forgiving.
God will not shield us from being reckless with our bodies, which is why He gives us so many warnings, such as,
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 1 Cor 3:16-17
God Bless
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