Death, fear, and resurrection are topics, today. Also, there is more on hardened hearts. A “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Young Penguin” (Level 1 with 5 points, a member since February 01, 2014) posted the following:
If you believe in life after death chistians, why are you so scared?
THE BATTLE AXE: Harden Not Your Hearts? (09/08/2014)—(4.) The hardening of ones heart occurs through the expression of self-will. The process of life for mankind is one of gradual change that is irreversible and permanent. Like the mechanical operations of aging and poor diet that always result in death for the living, the operations of sin always entail the loss of ones divine content received as inheritance at birth, the distortion of ones spiritual awareness, the weakening of ones ability to maintain spiritual focus, and the absolute loss of spiritual power. Admonitions and warnings to direct ones consciousness and will toward Christ are also an invitation to be in a relationship with divinity founded upon love, righteousness, sacred knowledge, trust and truth. While salvation may be bestowed in an instant, the believer must complete a journey having many challenges, lessons and opportunities for growth. The sooner one begins, the sooner they will accomplish the many levels of understanding correct for the highest service. Thus, urgency is expressed—today, now, this very hour—harden not your hearts against GOD. Harden your hearts in accord with GOD. See again Proverbs 29: 1, Daniel 5: 18-21, 1st Samuel 6: 6, 2nd Kings 17: 13-15, Nehemiah 9: 13-19 and 28-30, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4: 1-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Afraid of Eternal Life? (10/30/2013); Why Bother to Read? (10/31/2013); Death Has Been Transformed (05/09/2013); Loving the Enemy? (05/10/2013); A Need to Fear? (12/02/2012); On Seeing Jesus Serve the Poor (12/03/2012); The Fear of GOD (10/30/2012); Saved in Childbearing? (10/31/2012); Why Courage? (10/14/2012); Christian Modesty (10/15/2012)
“Young Penguin”, here are a few points that may help you avoid error and spiritual confusion about Christian belief:
(1.) All Christians experience salvation as a process of permanent change in their spirit content as well as a transformation to prepare them for judgment and eternal life. Following baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak), believers must meet the same challenges of life experience in the earth that have been established for all mankind. Believers then are equipped with a fresh endowment of the sacred substance breathed into Adam at Creation, and that exists as the makeup of GOD. Included are faith, forgiveness, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
(2.) Not being stupid, Christians understand that death is followed by the awful aspects of judgment (e.g., damnation, perdition, punishment). Judgment is happening now as an ongoing process, and is an expression of eternal divinity. In addition to the phases of correction and sanctification (we say, cleansing, healing), there is also investigation, and hearing (we say, appearing before the throne).
(3.) GOD is awesome. Only the dead are incapable of realizing this truth in their awareness. Christians know that they eventually will be in the direct presence of GOD. It is not so much that we are afraid to meet our Maker (the Creator has not been Death), it is that we now are uncertain just what we will be able to say and do in that moment. Mankind is to no longer be mortal or capable of sin. We generally expect that the finite tools whereby we establish and maintain a level of control in human interactions (e.g., anger, emotion, intellect, logic, pride, reason, science), will be useless. Because we have accepted the invitation by the grace of GOD through Jesus Christ, we have certainty that we will be welcome.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Believers are commanded to “fear” coming short of the immutable and unchanging promises of GOD. The spirit and body of those who died will be raised for judgment; however, following death, there will be no “do-overs”, or second chances. The opportunities are for the living, and for those willing to commit themselves now on the basis of the sacred truth they have received.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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