Forgiveness, eternal life and Richard Dawkins

Submitted by Michael S (United States), Oct 2, 2016 at 04:55

Hi, Moh.

You got the nugget of it all:

"As far as forgiveness goes, it's not THAT hard to understand. Even an evolutionary biologist with an open mind should be able to pick up on it.this is now seen as being part and parcel of having a healthy psyche. You're doing it ultimately as much for yourself as the forgiven. Imagine if the world was an illusion or that the person/thing that caused you harm was no longer in existence - and you were still harbouring hatred towards them - who is the fool? Who suffers from your hatred?"

It's not hard to understand, but it takes PRACTICE to work it into your life, so it benefits you -- forever, as it turns out:

Matthew 6:
[14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
[15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

As far as I know, THIS is the nugget of the gospel, not John 3:16. Christians have "come to the faith", because they want to receive eternal forgiveness from God. They think that by confessing the "Jesus is Lord", they will receive it, based on Jn 3:16. But Jesus said,

John 14:
[15] If ye love me, keep my commandments.

There is no "new religion" here: The Old Testament was about keeping God's commandments; and the New Testament is about keeping God's commandments. What is "new", is that Jesus gave us a commandment that can save our soul and keep us for eternity: "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven". "Christians" are not exempt from this commandment, and "Non-Christians" are not kept from it: If you really "believe" that God has sent Jesus into the world, then you will accept what he said as God's word: You must forgive all others, or God will not forgive you: You will bear the punishment you wish on the other, forever. But if you forgive them, God will forgive you. Do you believe that God sent Jesus into the world? Then you will do this. Do you say you "believe", because you "confess Jesus as Lord and Savior", or some other such initiation; yet you don't forgive others? Then you do NOT believe in Jesus, that he is who he said he is; and you will not be forgiven.

As I said, this must be BELIEVED; and true belief produces action; intellectually understanding this does one no good, but practicing it produces life and peace, in this world and the next.

I was informed, a few days ago, that I have an aortic aneurism; and I could die suddenly. These words of mine are not intellectual fluff; I am counting on them for my own salvation

I'm sorry to hear that Richard Dawkins' wife left him. I don't wish him harm: I hope he repents, and finds peace. It will do us all good.

God bless and keep you and yours.

Michael :-)

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