Hell is NOT Our Birthright.

Humans are not born with a concept of deserving hell. It's something that is taught to some of us by well intended but misguided religious fundamentalists. Jesus often talked about hell, but it was always in context of horrific action. However.... The idea of inheriting hell - simply because we are human - is a disgusting doctrine, and one that Jesus never taught.

Of course, I'm sure you can possibly interpret some verses in the Bible which suggest that all humans inherit hell as our birthright. But I tend to prefer Jesus' message over such heresies. Jesus never promoted cruel and unusual punishment for those who disagreed with him. Rather, hell was always reserved for those who were unusually and consistently cruel to the least of these. Don't believe me? Check out my other post here. And yes, God's grace extends to even the most evil of sinners, such as the criminal who repented on the cross next to Jesus.

Yes, we can lovingly disagree, and you are free to cling to a harsh perception of God if you so choose. But for me personally, I choose to believe that "God Is Love - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God"  (1 John 4:7). No matter what you may have been taught, be encouraged that God is Love, the Gospel is actually Good News... and hell is NOT your birthright. Rather, let's listen to how Jesus spoke of hell. "Those who have done good will rise to eternal life and those who have continued in evil will rise to judgment" (John 5:28-29, NLT).

Is God the Father greater than Jesus

Jesus is subject to God: When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28).

God is greater than Jesus: "If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I." - John 14:28

God is greater than Jesus: “I am the true Grapevine, and My father is the Farmer… I am the Grapevine. You are the branches” John 15:1 & 5.

Unlike God the Father, Jesus was born: "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." (Colossians 1:15)

Jesus worships God: “…the God of our lord Jesus Christ, the Father…” Eph. 1:17.

Jesus gives credit to God the Father: "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. (Mark 10:18)

There is one God [the Father] and also one Mediator [Jesus]: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus who gave Himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time” (I Tim. 2:5-6).

Unlike Jesus, God can never be seen by human eyes: "You can not see my face, for no one may see my face and live." (Exodus 33:20)

Unlike Jesus, God the Father exists in Spirit form: “God is spirit, and those who are worshiping Him must be worshiping in spirit and truth” John 4:24.

Love those who are Different

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

(Matthew 5:43-48)

Can Saints by Single?

My friend Ian Simkins once said, "Single adults cannot and should not be viewed as any less developed, fulfilled, or actualized because Jesus Christ himself, a single man, was and is the perfect man."

Adding to that, I think it's important to learn to value every moment - the moments we are alone and the moments we aren't. Being jealous of another person's spouse robs us of joy in the present moment, which is probably why the 10th Commandment says: "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife"

Green Card Gospel

I'm afraid that the Gospel of Christ has become a "Green Card Gospel". We have been taught that Christianity is all about escaping hell by repeating a certain prayer. Really? Is that it? What about loving your neighbor? What about learning to judge less? What about blessing those who curse you? What about following Christ? I think these things are much more likely to lead us to true salvation than simply repeating a prayer on a tract. The Green Card Gospel is easy - as it requires no discipleship. It requires absolutely no love. This is evident in those who accept it, as they are often quite obnoxious about their new citizenship. Their "get out of hell free card" guarantees them a membership into an elite Country Club of mansions and feasts. And who wouldn't want that? Yet we must remember the words of Christ: "Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter" (Matthew 7:21).

U2 lead singer Bono once said that he would rather be called a Christ-follower than a Christian. To me, this makes sense, because it reflects how Jesus preached. "Come and follow me" he would often say. We must be careful that time and carelessness do not allow these words to be morphed into, "Repeat after me".

Thoughts on Heaven

Some people believe that in heaven, we will all be given personal harps and clouds, that it will be a dull, boring, and very white place...

But I think that the Bible paints a very different picture of heaven.  As Revelation 5:9 says, "With your blood you purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'"  Heaven will be a place of great variety.

In our world, there are so many wars and natural disasters that it is easy to become disillusioned.  We have all experienced tragedy to some extent.  In many ways, we long for peace.  I believe that there will be peace in heaven.  As Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."  Heaven will be filled with those who wage peace.

Heaven will also be filled with people who forgive.  As Matthew 6:14 says, "For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."  Grudges are not encouraged in heaven.

But can we experience heaven on earth?

Some people are convinced that we have to die in order to experience heaven.  However, in the 'Our Father' prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, "on earth as it is in heaven."  So as we learn to grow in truth, peace, and forgiveness, I believe we can experience glimpses of heaven  here on earth, even if we can't play the harp.