Reader Poll - Would you be a Christian if there was no afterlife?

[St. SteVen]

If there were no consequences or rewards in the afterlife, would there be any point to being a Christian?

- Is there any value whatsoever to Christianity if there is no afterlife?
- If there is an afterlife, how would God treat those who became Christians only out of fear of eternal consequences?

[

 

[MA2444]

If there were no consequences or rewards in the afterlife, would there be any point to being a Christian?

- Is there any value whatsoever to the Christianity if there is no afterlife?
- If there is an afterlife, how would God treat those who became Christians only out of fear of eternal consequences?

[

I'm not sure I understand you. It sounds like you're saying that you dont necessarily want Jesus for who He is but for what He has?

DId it occur to you that...we were created to bring glory to to God? That is our purpose in life. So if there was no afterlife, we wouldnt even be here.

 

[St. SteVen]

I'm not sure I understand you. It sounds like you're saying that you dont necessarily want Jesus for who He is but for what He has?

A similar poll appeared on another forum.
I was shocked at the vast majority who said if there was no afterlife they would not follow Jesus.

DId it occur to you that...we were created to bring glory to to God? That is our purpose in life. So if there was no afterlife, we wouldnt even be here.

Yes, but would an afterlife be required to accomplish that? (bring glory to God)
Many are doing that now. Would that change if there was no afterlife?
We only have a promise of an afterlife now. What if we were met with non-existence instead?
I suppose it wouldn't matter. But then, what's the point?

Don't forget to vote, thanks.

[

 

[MA2444]

What if we were met with non-existence instead?

Correct me where I'm wrong here but it sure sounds like you have little to no faith in Him.

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
What if we were met with non-existence instead?

Correct me where I'm wrong here but it sure sounds like you have little to no faith in Him.

What was it that Job said? Something like, "Though he slay me, yet will I serve him."

My faith in God is strong enough to trust him even if there was no afterlife.
I believe that there is enough value in knowing God in the here and now that an afterlife doesn't matter.

Job 13:15 KJV
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Psalm 42:5 KJV
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?
hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Psalm 42:11 KJV
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?
hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

[

 

[MA2444]

What was it that Job said? Something like, "Though he slay me, yet will I serve him."

Yes sir, that's correct. But St SteVen didnt say that!

Oh I get a one liner about your faith now? Then post a couple scriptures after that and that should be fine....Brother, who do you think I am? I aint that dumb.

Uhhh....please expound on that post of yours?

And please dont dont try to doubletalk me! Just answer me and discuss while we both bring glory and Praise to the Lord! Ok?

Cool. Give me a paragraph about St SteVen and his faith which is sooo strong that it dont matter if you get to be with Jesus! at all.

 

[St. SteVen]

Yes sir, that's correct. But St SteVen didnt say that!

Oh I get a one liner about your faith now? Then post a couple scriptures after that and that should be fine....Brother, who do you think I am? I aint that dumb.

Uhhh....please expound on that post of yours?

And please dont dont try to doubletalk me! Just answer me and discuss while we both bring glory and Praise to the Lord! Ok?

Cool. Give me a paragraph about St SteVen and his faith which is sooo strong that it dont matter if you get to be with Jesus! at all.

This is how it began. Let me know if you want more, thanks.

Saint Steven said: ↑
This is a story worth sharing. At eight years of age I was attending a Summer Bible camp in Wisconsin. In a morning chapel service the man speaking did as they always did, he gave an invitation to receive Christ. He asked that all heads be bowed and all eyes closed. But I found myself peeking to see if any of these "lost sinners" would raise a hand. At that moment God spoke to me. Though it was a supernatural event, it seemed as natural to me as anything. I knew who it was and wasn't frightened, or disturbed by it. What I heard was mind-blowing. It came like a tap on my shoulder. The message was clear and direct. "If you think it is so important, why haven't you done it?" I was speechless. I answered with my feet. I knew the drill. I rose to my feet and pushed my way to the aisle to go forward before we were even asked to do so. When I was a young adult I made a connection about this event that had not been apparent to me at the time. The man who led me to Christ was the son of the man that led my father to the Lord. A Christian Alliance missionary that went from farm to farm inviting people to Sunday School and sharing the gospel in the area where my father grew up. Basically in the middle of nowhere. Such a wonderful mystery, the workings of our great God.

[

 

[MA2444]

This is how it began. Let me know if you want more, thanks.

Saint Steven said: ↑
This is a story worth sharing. At eight years of age I was attending a Summer Bible camp in Wisconsin. In a morning chapel service the man speaking did as they always did, he gave an invitation to receive Christ. He asked that all heads be bowed and all eyes closed. But I found myself peeking to see if any of these "lost sinners" would raise a hand. At that moment God spoke to me. Though it was a supernatural event, it seemed as natural to me as anything. I knew who it was and wasn't frightened, or disturbed by it. What I heard was mind-blowing. It came like a tap on my shoulder. The message was clear and direct. "If you think it is so important, why haven't you done it?" I was speechless. I answered with my feet. I knew the drill. I rose to my feet and pushed my way to the aisle to go forward before we were even asked to do so. When I was a young adult I made a connection about this event that had not been apparent to me at the time. The man who led me to Christ was the son of the man that led my father to the Lord. A Christian Alliance missionary that went from farm to farm inviting people to Sunday School and sharing the gospel in the area where my father grew up. Basically in the middle of nowhere. Such a wonderful mystery, the workings of our great God.

[

Oh, forgive me brother. Not trying to be offensive or anything, but I've read that before. I suspected you copy/pasted it. So you didnt really type that today and I wanted to hear something fresh and new from you. Anything good about the Lord without using scriptures! Something fresh from your fingertips. No copy/paste!

There's a twist eh? Lol

 

[MA2444]

This is how it began. Let me know if you want more, thanks.

I want more. Thanks for asking.

Tell me about the last week with the Lord. he last month. No copy/pasted old stuff from before. Ok?

 

[St. SteVen]

Oh I get a one liner about your faith now? Then post a couple scriptures after that and that should be fine....Brother, who do you think I am? I aint that dumb.

Not that dumb? We should vote. - LOL

[

 

[MA2444]

Not that dumb? We should vote. - LOL

[

Hey! God must love stupid people! He made so many of them!

 

[St. SteVen]

Hey! God must love stupid people! He made so many of them!

We all like sheep...

[

 

[St. SteVen]

Post #7 repost for @MA2444

This is how it began. Let me know if you want more, thanks.

Saint Steven said: ↑
This is a story worth sharing. At eight years of age I was attending a Summer Bible camp in Wisconsin. In a morning chapel service the man speaking did as they always did, he gave an invitation to receive Christ. He asked that all heads be bowed and all eyes closed. But I found myself peeking to see if any of these "lost sinners" would raise a hand. At that moment God spoke to me. Though it was a supernatural event, it seemed as natural to me as anything. I knew who it was and wasn't frightened, or disturbed by it. What I heard was mind-blowing. It came like a tap on my shoulder. The message was clear and direct. "If you think it is so important, why haven't you done it?" I was speechless. I answered with my feet. I knew the drill. I rose to my feet and pushed my way to the aisle to go forward before we were even asked to do so. When I was a young adult I made a connection about this event that had not been apparent to me at the time. The man who led me to Christ was the son of the man that led my father to the Lord. A Christian Alliance missionary that went from farm to farm inviting people to Sunday School and sharing the gospel in the area where my father grew up. Basically in the middle of nowhere. Such a wonderful mystery, the workings of our great God.

[

 

[MA2444]

Post #7 repost for @MA2444

This is how it began. Let me know if you want more, thanks.

Saint Steven said: ↑
This is a story worth sharing. At eight years of age I was attending a Summer Bible camp in Wisconsin. In a morning chapel service the man speaking did as they always did, he gave an invitation to receive Christ. He asked that all heads be bowed and all eyes closed. But I found myself peeking to see if any of these "lost sinners" would raise a hand. At that moment God spoke to me. Though it was a supernatural event, it seemed as natural to me as anything. I knew who it was and wasn't frightened, or disturbed by it. What I heard was mind-blowing. It came like a tap on my shoulder. The message was clear and direct. "If you think it is so important, why haven't you done it?" I was speechless. I answered with my feet. I knew the drill. I rose to my feet and pushed my way to the aisle to go forward before we were even asked to do so. When I was a young adult I made a connection about this event that had not been apparent to me at the time. The man who led me to Christ was the son of the man that led my father to the Lord. A Christian Alliance missionary that went from farm to farm inviting people to Sunday School and sharing the gospel in the area where my father grew up. Basically in the middle of nowhere. Such a wonderful mystery, the workings of our great God.

[

Hmmm? I'm sorry Brother, but if that is so then I did not make a mistake. That is the exact post that I said that about. Ok it came across to me as a copy/paste and I was trying to get you to speak independant in the moment. The one liner response that I referred to was what you wrote as an intro to your post. Subtle humor for sure but nevertheless it helped me make my point.

...and I'm still waitin' .....lol.

 

[Wick Stick]

Did it occur to you that...we were created to bring glory to to God? That is our purpose in life.

I don't think I agree. God already has all the glory, and all the power. What exactly can man do to increase that? We are insignificant by comparison.

 

[Bob]

Thank you for your post. Not surprisingly, you are taking a lot of grief just for asking. The problem is you appear to be calling into question one of the foundations of the New Testament.

Your question is in part to determine if we are enjoying each day of the life God has given us, or (as some accusers say) the primary purpose of the Christian life is to behave in such a way that we can’t wait for death.

My answer is ‘yes’ because I completely trust God.

Blessings.

 

[Wick Stick]

If there were no consequences or rewards in the afterlife, would there be any point to being a Christian?

- Is there any value whatsoever to the Christianity if there is no afterlife?
- If there is an afterlife, how would God treat those who became Christians only out of fear of eternal consequences?

[

Yes, there is. I think that the Christian fixation on the afterlife contributes to our self-blindness.

Jesus didn't just come to save us from our [past tense] sins... he came to save us from sinning. That right there is a point to being a Christian - that I can avoid making life-mistakes by simply ordering my actions according to the code of conduct that I have been given.

 

[MA2444]

I don't think I agree. God already has all the glory, and all the power. What exactly can man do to increase that? We are insignificant by comparison.

We are insignificant by comparison for sure, but we are not inconsequntial to Him. So there is a lot that we can do to bring God glory! For example:

Psalm 118:1
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever..../

Psalm 146:1
1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul..../

Psalm 150: 1-6
1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.../

Isaiah 25:1
1 O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.../

John 4:23-24
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth..../

Psalm 22:3
3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.../KJV (and all of above)

Now her in Psalm 22:3 I heard it taught on that this isnt a very good translation of that line. That it more closely translates that line as...He inhabits His people who are Praise...

We have a lot to be thankful for. We should be Praising Him every day. That's why we give thanks for our food. He already knew you would be hungry and all of it is already in place waiting for the time that you need it.

I noticed it long ago when I wasnt even walking with the Lord! We had ups and downs all the time when we was raising kids. But it wa weird, it was like, something always happened at the last minute and made everything ok. We were ablw to buy food, we were able to pay the bills. I have had countless shut off notices for utilities. Want to know how many times I've had it shut off? Ok, once but that was by accident, lol. A miscommunication and I found out that, they are non caring robots in Ohio and not at all like what I experienced with utility companies out west. One time I after I had began walking with the Lord in fact, I had a utility shut off notice and so I did what I could, I prayed because the kids like lights too! So I was self employed and had no other recourse at my slow time of the year (of course) except to pray. Lord, send me some work, send me some money so my lights dont get shut off...every day I prayed. He answered me with total silence. Nothing. No answer. No work. The shut off date came and went...I was worried but I kept praying, and more fervently every day!
Still no answer!

It got to be a full two weeks past the shut off notice date and I was sweating bullets, lol. I hadnt paid them a dime towards it. So...I di what I should have done. I called the utility company and I asked them, I am 2 weeks past the shut off date, my electric is still on. Are they on their way right now or what?
Please hold...
After a small eternity (I didnt know if it had slipped behind their desk, she might be dispatching a shut off guy right now or what?) then she came back on and said, oh yes, Mr. XXXXXX, the reason yur electric is still on is that we took a look at your payment history and it became obvious to us that, if you have the money, you make the payment. So we decided to cut you a break because we figure that you will catch us up when work picks up.....

And that was when it hit me. This was the Lord's answer to my prayer(s)! He just answered it in a different way than I was expecting! The Lord softened the hearts of the Utility companies biling department! Because how often do Utility companies do that sort of thing, Oh your late on your payment? That's ok, let it slide for awhile! ....??? !! They dont do that sort of thing.

And I thought about it. I do hear about people really getting their utilities shut off. SO how does that fit in to my theory? And I know some of those people that it has happened to. Every one of them had a problem. Some sort of addict or drunk or gambler and spends the money that God provided on something else besides paying the bills! And I've never been like that. I had kids early and cant let those things happen.

So they got theirs shut off and I didnt, because I was trying and unconsciously obeying the word of God. And the Lord rewards obedience. So all through the marriage and even now, the Lord has shown me a pattern and it comes true almost every time. "Last minute, Never Late"

And I thought more on it. So this implies that one could really get by on this planet with ever having money. Money is that much of an illusion.

We all have talent given to us from the Lord. And the skills, tools and oppurtunities to go work and make sustenance for our families. We owe God everything! He's been taking care of me (all of us) since the get go. Praise the Lord!

 

[lforrest]

The gospel would not have had the same effect on me without a conviction for my sin and the long term consequence of damnation. I can hardly go back in time and raise the hypothetical to a dead boy.

After college I had an existential crisis, doubting the purpose of my continued existence and humanity's in general. Was the earth as a fish bowl, existing for the sole purpose of watching fish swim around that will soon die? Or Is our purpose to make sons and daughters for God out of the dust? I still only find meaning to continued existence if there is an afterlife.

 

[St. SteVen]

A similar poll appeared on another forum.
I was shocked at the vast majority who said if there was no afterlife they would not follow Jesus.

This time, no one voted. Is there no value in a relationship with Jesus in the here and now?
(Even if there was no afterlife) ???

[