"A ticket to ride"

[JustMe]

Is the goal of authentic Christian faith to simply fulfill the basic criteria for entry into the Kingdom, as a future 'ticket to ride,' or is it to live presently, in the spirit of the Kingdom, as if we are already fully there?

 

[Bob]

Thank you for the question.

For me, “the journey is its own reward.” It took a while for me to get here, but now seek to I love God and my neighbor not just obediently but cheerfully. Through Jesus, I have come to know all that God intends to love my neighbor. When He comes for me in the end, I trust His judgment completely.

It would appear, however, that for many professed Christians, fulfilling the basics to obtain the final reward is sufficient. My response is that they are missing much of the joy of life in the process.

Blessings.

 

[lforrest]

Is the goal of authentic Christian faith to simply fulfill the basic criteria for entry into the Kingdom, as a future 'ticket to ride,' or is it to live presently, in the spirit of the Kingdom, as if we are already fully there?

I'm coming to doubt that there is such a thing as a basic ticket to ride.

Everyone must live by the Spirit, and failing to do so will find someone inevitably lead astray. if they have the Spirit but never repent and put on Christ that is a huge failure. I wouldn't want to find out that Jesus never knew me in the end

 

[marks]

I'm coming to doubt that there is such a thing as a basic ticket to ride.

I feel the same way. If we are truly His, truly reborn, then we won't just go on with the rest of our lives as though nothing happened. Salvation in it's simplest description is that we've passed from death into life. If there isn't any difference between our former death and our present life, then how can we say we have life?

Much love!

 

[JustMe]

Thank you for the question.

For me, “the journey is its own reward.” It took a while for me to get here, but now seek to I love God and my neighbor not just obediently but cheerfully. Through Jesus, I have come to know all that God intends to love my neighbor. When He comes for me in the end, I trust His judgment completely.

It would appear, however, that for many professed Christians, fulfilling the basics to obtain the final reward is sufficient. My response is that they are missing much of the joy of life in the process.

Blessings.

Well said Bob. I could not agree more. There is real joy in giving and sharing your heart to someone, or others, especially to those who reciprocate in kind. Sounds like the living Body of Christ is found. They have the Spirit of the Kingdom within them!

 

[JustMe]

I'm coming to doubt that there is such a thing as a basic ticket to ride.

Everyone must live by the Spirit, and failing to do so will find someone inevitably lead astray. if they have the Spirit but never repent and put on Christ that is a huge failure. I wouldn't want to find out that Jesus never knew me in the end

My skin just got goosepimples/bumps all over, after reading your last words. Knowing that Christ knows us today and into tomorrow. I've still got them writing this last line.....oh what a feeling

 

[JustMe]

I feel the same way. If we are truly His, truly reborn, then we won't just go on with the rest of our lives as though nothing happened. Salvation in it's simplest description is that we've passed from death into life. If there isn't any difference between our former death and our present life, then how can we say we have life?

Much love!

Well I feel a lot different since that special day in April 1974. And it's the faith and boldness for God that is getting stronger all the time. I can just sense the joy that will be in the Kingdom, in the spirit of life. And yes, we must have it and work it, everyday, in Christ, as the precious gift of God, an unblemished gem that shines within me, and outwards into the world today.

marks, how's the health and your dear wife?

 

[marks]

Well I feel a lot different since that special day in April 1974. And it's the faith and boldness for God that is getting stronger all the time. I can just sense the joy that will be in the Kingdom, in the spirit of life. And yes, we must have it and work it, everyday, in Christ, as the precious gift of God, an unblemished gem that shines within me, and outwards into the world today.

marks, how's the health and your dear wife?

God is working in us every day!

I love your wording, an unblemished gem shining within and without! I pray it be so always for each of us!

How's the health? It seems each year brings a fresh diagnosis. Jesus is the Great Healer, and it's true, whether we live or we die, we live and die to the Lord. I treasure your prayers for strength and health that I can continue to care for my wife. She is well, but can never get more than a few hours of sleep at night. Thank you for asking!

It's so good to have a sense of what our victory will be like! I think that has to do with the joy we have now in the victories in our lives we have already seen, and realizing more the upwelling of true joy that will engulf us when we see Jesus.

Just wondering . . . was that you on the StudyBibleForum years ago?

Much love!

 

[David in NJ]

Is the goal of authentic Christian faith to simply fulfill the basic criteria for entry into the Kingdom, as a future 'ticket to ride,' or is it to live presently, in the spirit of the Kingdom, as if we are already fully there?

BOTH

 

[JustMe]

God is working in us every day!

I love your wording, an unblemished gem shining within and without! I pray it be so always for each of us!

How's the health? It seems each year brings a fresh diagnosis. Jesus is the Great Healer, and it's true, whether we live or we die, we live and die to the Lord. I treasure your prayers for strength and health that I can continue to care for my wife. She is well, but can never get more than a few hours of sleep at night. Thank you for asking!

It's so good to have a sense of what our victory will be like! I think that has to do with the joy we have now in the victories in our lives we have already seen, and realizing more the upwelling of true joy that will engulf us when we see Jesus.

Just wondering . . . was that you on the StudyBibleForum years ago?

Much love!

I don't think I was on that Forum. I've been on a few where the emphasis was on the Bible only.

 

[quietthinker]

Is the goal of authentic Christian faith to simply fulfill the basic criteria for entry into the Kingdom, as a future 'ticket to ride,' or is it to live presently, in the spirit of the Kingdom, as if we are already fully there?

The ongoing goal is to trust the promises made which are, he has forgiven all our sins; that he holds no record of our wrongs....and this hope inspires us to share this good news with others we meet.

 

[JustMe]

The ongoing goal is to trust the promises made which are, he has forgiven all our sins; that he holds no record of our wrongs....and this hope inspires us to share this good news with others we meet.

(Rom 14:17) " For the kingdom of God is not about what we eat and drink, but about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. "
We live in and acknowledge we experience this peace of the Spirit of God that builds our confidence to do as you say. Letting others know with this new confidence, this message of true hope and life that others can also possess. We are this true light of life in this world today.

 

[One 2 question]

The ongoing goal is to trust the promises made which are, he has forgiven all our sins; that he holds no record of our wrongs....and this hope inspires us to share this good news with others we meet.

I was just thinking about that thought over the past couple of days. Especially when Paul said love does not keep a record of wrong. Yet does God do this in the future, separating the sheep from the goats who do wrong.

 

[quietthinker]

I was just thinking about that thought over the past couple of days. Especially when Paul said love does not keep a record of wrong. Yet does God do this in the future, separating the sheep from the goats who do wrong.

Yes, not holding a record of wrongs is God's M.O.
The sheep and the goats thing, the wheat and the tares thing, the foolish virgins thing is one of self qualification as is the Revelation 6 thing where the planet is imploding and Jesus arrives on his rescue mission. The majority see a Lamb and they perceive him to be wrathful
(whoever has seen a lamb as wrathful?...a lamb is something you want to cuddle) and yet their perception is so distorted they feel threatened and would rather suicide than face The Lamb. (that's self qualification)

 

[Wrangler]

Is the goal of authentic Christian faith to simply fulfill the basic criteria for entry into the Kingdom, as a future 'ticket to ride,' or is it to live presently, in the spirit of the Kingdom, as if we are already fully there?

Great question. When I grew up in Catholicism I asked similar questions about purpose. No one could give a satisfactory answer. Decades later I read the Bible with a passion. And I came away with this understanding.

First, WHO we are. We are children of God, on the same level of Christ in receiving God's inheritance. Now, the same as Earthly inheritance, we don't fully acquire it until someone dies. In this case, us. So, we are in the will. Rest assured of our eternal destination.

Second, WHERE we are. I strongly recommend the book by the greatest writer of all-time, the Russian Christian Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You. It's as short and simple as it is powerful. Secure in our eternal destination, we live now with the Spirit of God in us. It is not "as if" but truly the case that the kingdom is not "there" but "here" in the human heart. In yours and mine. Amen.

Third, WHAT we do. Our purpose. I was so grateful that I found this in the VOICE translation. It hit me like a ton of bricks, an out of body experience.
2 Corinthians 5:18 (VOICE)
All of this is a gift from our Creator God, who has pursued us and brought us into a restored and healthy relationship with Him through the Anointed. And He has given us the same mission, the ministry of reconciliation, to bring others back to Him.

I hope this helps.

 

[JustMe]

Great question. When I grew up in Catholicism I asked similar questions about purpose. No one could give a satisfactory answer. Decades later I read the Bible with a passion. And I came away with this understanding.

First, WHO we are. We are children of God, on the same level of Christ in receiving God's inheritance. Now, the same as Earthly inheritance, we don't fully acquire it until someone dies. In this case, us. So, we are in the will. Rest assured of our eternal destination.

Second, WHERE we are. I strongly recommend the book by the greatest writer of all-time, the Russian Christian Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You. It's as short and simple as it is powerful. Secure in our eternal destination, we live now with the Spirit of God in us. It is not "as if" but truly the case that the kingdom is not "there" but "here" in the human heart. In yours and mine. Amen.

Third, WHAT we do. Our purpose. I was so grateful that I found this in the VOICE translation. It hit me like a ton of bricks, an out of body experience.
2 Corinthians 5:18 (VOICE)
All of this is a gift from our Creator God, who has pursued us and brought us into a restored and healthy relationship with Him through the Anointed. And He has given us the same mission, the ministry of reconciliation, to bring others back to Him.

I hope this helps.

Well expressed and accurate. Christ on earth became the light of the world, and since his ascension, we as believers have taken up the mantle and are genuine lights in this dark world. Every day, in one way or another, we show the spirit of the Kingdom within us. By assisting others to recognize the true light through kindness, love, and compassion whenever possible, beneficial for the Kingdom and productive.

 

[RepentingChristian]

Is the goal of authentic Christian faith to simply fulfill the basic criteria for entry into the Kingdom, as a future 'ticket to ride,' or is it to live presently, in the spirit of the Kingdom, as if we are already fully there?

Jesus said our job is to believe. That's it. Although he also said that we're supposed to help those in need when we encounter them. But that's it.

 

[RepentingChristian]

if they have the Spirit but never repent...

My brother, I believe that the desire to repent invites the Holy Spirit into us and once that occurs repentance is inevitable. It seems that those who lack repentance also lack the Holy Spirit.

 

[David in NJ]

Great question. When I grew up in Catholicism I asked similar questions about purpose. No one could give a satisfactory answer. Decades later I read the Bible with a passion. And I came away with this understanding.

First, WHO we are. We are children of God, on the same level of Christ in receiving God's inheritance. Now, the same as Earthly inheritance, we don't fully acquire it until someone dies. In this case, us. So, we are in the will. Rest assured of our eternal destination.

Second, WHERE we are. I strongly recommend the book by the greatest writer of all-time, the Russian Christian Leo Tolstoy, The Kingdom of God is Within You. It's as short and simple as it is powerful. Secure in our eternal destination, we live now with the Spirit of God in us. It is not "as if" but truly the case that the kingdom is not "there" but "here" in the human heart. In yours and mine. Amen.

Third, WHAT we do. Our purpose. I was so grateful that I found this in the VOICE translation. It hit me like a ton of bricks, an out of body experience.
2 Corinthians 5:18 (VOICE)
All of this is a gift from our Creator God, who has pursued us and brought us into a restored and healthy relationship with Him through the Anointed. And He has given us the same mission, the ministry of reconciliation, to bring others back to Him.

I hope this helps.

First, WHO we are. We are children of God, on the same level of Christ in receiving God's inheritance.

Can you give some more detail as to how you arrived at this.