Quote:
Originally Posted by Praxeas
Yes, we can tell them there is eternity to expect, but what the thread is about isn't eternal rewards, but NOW rewards. The fallacy is that we reach them by simply telling them they will be happy, that life will be much better. Just like the flight. It's not the telling them about their possible destination that is the fallacy, it's the telling them that if they turn to Christ He will make your flight just great.
And as any believer knows, this walk since being converted has it's ups and downs.
And when they experience those downs, they feel cheated just like the guy on the flight who is told if he wears this parachute it will make his flight better...when the reality was that the ONLY reason for the parachute was that in the event of trouble he will be secure...the parachute actually was uncomfortable but for the man that is not disappointed by the stories that it will make your flight better, but instead is wearing it because he knows it can save him, he does not mind wearing it.
True and false conversion. True conversion is knowing that Christ died for the ungodly...sinners like you and I and otherwise we were all lost. The fallacy here is not telling them about eternal life...the eternal perks....the fallacy is about NOT telling them WHY they need Jesus...WHY they need to repent and instead focus on TEMPORAL perks...not eternal perks....which is a fallacy
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There are NOW and TEMPORAL perks....and some of them are internal peace, joy and love in the midst of suffering and pain...to think there are NO benefits here on earth for being a christian and that all the benefits will only be seen in the after life is simply naive...I can name a gazillion benefits for living as a christian....as an example, if my boss gets irate and flips out, while others are harboring bitterness and get moody, I have inner peace and celebrate in my joy...this is just but one minor example and I can probably write volumes of books showing how I benefit here on earth for being a christian......everyone already understands that life on earth is difficult...that is the obvious...who would be so naive to think that becoming a christian means everything will go your way and the Jesus is a magic jeanie? But to say that wealth and prosperity for a christian is not providence from God is truly not understanding the Bible....does that mean that all christians will prosper in that manner here on earth....absolutely not!!! But when it does happen for a God-fearing and devout christian, surely it is a gift from God.
If I start working at 9am and you start working at 9pm and we're done with work at 10pm and God pays us the same wages for our work....who am I to get jealous over what my Master decides to pay you...should I get jealous over my brother....absolutely not...
I am not saying that we are to teach false promises, but to say that there is fallacy in thinking there are benefits here on earth as there will be in heaven for being a christian is irresponsible...and this does not suggest that there is not suffering for being a christian either....many are and have been killed for the cause of Christ.....
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