ALL CHRISTIANS: How do you answer: "It doesn't matter which religion you 'pick'"

[jmcrae]

I believe God’s promises to all of us does not need to be conferred by man, priest or anyone else.

We do not have the consistent abilty to “ask God directly,” and it is very conceited to think that we do. Even in Old Testament times, only the King’s prophet had the ability to receive direct locutions from God; God did not give locutions to just anyone. People knew that Jeremiah was the prophet they were supposed to be listening to because of his rank in the King’s court; not because they were able to discern God’s voice from other voices. That’s why the King should have known to listen to Jeremiah, rather than to other voices who were falsely claiming to be prophets - because of where Jeremiah stood in God’s heirarchy of authority. The whole reason why God established the role of Prophet in the King’s court was because God was not expecting the King to be able to discern His voice from among all the others - the King was supposed to listen to his Prophet; and see how much trouble he got into, when he listened to people who thought (and perhaps even sincerely thought) that they, too, were receiving locutions from God.

Today, it is still the same as it was then - God does not “speak” to us independently of the Church, other than in very unusual circumstances. Most of the time, when I pray, I do not get a clear, verbal answer coming out of the sky or where ever. It is most often obscured by my own thoughts, my own ideas, and even other things that are going on around me - the blaring TV, the radio, the kids shouting at one another, etc.

If God promised it, it must be true. agree?

God promised us the Church, and that the Holy Spirit would protect it from the gates of Hell. He made no such promise to us as individuals. Just as the King and the people were supposed to listen to Jeremiah, we in our time are supposed to listen to the Church.

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi again, MarcoPolo

Hi again, truth…so if you were Paul in Acts 9, and Ananias came to baptize and lay hands on you, you would tell him, “Get away from me. I don’t need a man to give me what God has promised.” Of course not, because **God works through men **as His ministers.

Absolutely agree with you and I believe God works through all men, including you and I, not just apostles.

When the priests and bishops confer reconciliation, it is Christ through them. So it’s not “I take Jesus INSTEAD of a priest.”

I completely understand that

Or think of the Israelites when Moses spoke to them…they didn’t say, “Why do we need Moses, let’s get the message straight from God.” That is not the way to understand how God operates.

Have teachers (leaders) of God’s word helps. I agree. Again I believe God can use you and I as teachers of His word just as well as he can use Priests of parishes.

I do not know if you will agree with this or not but, my pastor on Sunday reminded us that we the people of the congregation (all 1,250 of us) can teach more people about Jesus than he can ever in his lifetime as a preacher on Sunday.

I am sorry you were poorly taught the Catholic faith.

Do not be sorry. Maybe I was a lazy learner. I can not put full blame on my “teachers”.

That makes this difficult for you from the get-go, no doubt.

Thank you for your concern

God bless

truth

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi Rocky,

Excellent questions

It’s been interesting reading your and other posts.

Thank you

In one of them you used an analogy of something like if you use the Lord’s name in vain you can just say a sincere prayer from the heart promising Him that you are sorry and will try with upmost resolve never to do that again, and therefore you know that you have been forgiven.

Look back to post #108 this thread I addressed using the Lord’s name in vain. I will use that scenario in answering your questions

My question, though, is it only the Lord you have hurt here?

It is if there was no chance of being overheard.which is not the case

Have you not hurt the whole Body of Christ is some way by using His name in anger? Have you not hurt the people who were around you at the time who heard you use His name in that way?

by me speaking or acting in an un Christ like way can set a bad example for the whole body of Jesus Christ, absolutely. especially if the people knew I was Christian.

Have you not caused scandal?

not sure what you mean, I guess anything is possible from my exclaiming the Lord’s name in vain

Do you go to each person who were around you to apologize?

should that happen, I pray that I have the immediate wisdom to proclaim even louder an apology, that I should not have said that.

If you do try to go to each person you think heard you, what if there was someone you missed?

Then that person left the area being hurt because they witnessed a bad representation of a Christian, my fowl mouth.

Having slipped with words out of a frustrated work experience and apogizing to God and to all I hurt immediately after, unfortunately some did not hear my apology, I do not believe I will be spending eternity in hell should I die that night.

Do you?

What if the person doesn’t believe you are sincere after your apology?

Unfortunately, I can’t convince anyone of my sincerity. Only God can.

What if they think that people who say they believe in Jesus are just hypocrites who take His name in vain?

After apologizing to God and the person that I caused them to feel the way they do, I would encourage the person that christians go through the same struggles as non christians but when christians fall off the narrow road “balance beam of life” to be more like Jesus Christ and fail to do so (sin), it is those times we have faith in Jesus in that He will pick us back up (forgive after we repent) so we may continue on the road to be more like Him.

God only knows if that experience may lead to sharing the “good news” with the person

How do you make up for the sin you have committed against the whole Body of Christ?

How do you receive forgiveness from the Body of Christ?

I can never in a million years make up for the hurt I caused people in my lifetime both inside and outside the church by my action and words.

If it was not for Jesus and the precious blood He shed on the cross, I believe I without a shadow of doubt be spending eternity in hell.

However, I am so thankful to Jesus for His love, which I do not take for granted, that his grace is so so so so amazing that He would save a wretch like me.

Thank you Jesus

God bless you

truth

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi Philthy,

Thanks for the PM.

Your welcome

you are trying to propose that there is something inherently wrong or confusing with confessing to a priest. .

I am stating, it is my belief that confessing to a priest is not nescessary to be forgiven. If I am wrong I will be spending eternity in hell.

I will go to my grave believing what I do.
I AM NOT saying Roman Catholics are wrong for believing that about their faith.

I AM NOT saying that Roman Catholicism is wrong.

I am in NO place to judge. I only ask questions to help me understand why RC’s believe what they do.

I am sorry if my questions come across as if I am saying you are anything but correct in what you believe in.

Well, it sounds like that was the only time you were actually talking to God! But that doesnt mean God didnt hear you. And it doesnt mean that he didnt forgive you. You were a confused, poorly taught child doing what you thought you should do -

I knew God heard all. It would have been nice if my heart was in the right place, towards God and not the priest.

He is Merciful,

Yes He is

and though he has bound himself to forgive through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, he has not limited Himself to ONLY forgive through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.We do to. Going to confession is one level of accountability.

Again you go to confession, I go directly to God to confess

As to who is right or who is wrong, God knows I can not and will not be the judge of that.

Interesting - you recognize the “need” to confess, and that an “accountability partner” most effectively accomplishes this. But you believe that it is better to have a “friend” as your accountablility partner as opposed to a priest. I wonder which avenue is best supported by Scripture and the early witnesses of the faith.
“supported by Scripture” and ones interpretation of scripture.

At the very next moment, you are in eternity,

 

[whatisthetruth]

[Philthy,

whatisthetruth
Question, Do you believe that in the workplace or anywhere, if that were to happen, I can pray to God and say, Dear God I lost my cool and I took your name in vain, I am sorry I repent I ask your forgiveness in Jesus name.

And God will forgive me right there?

He certainly might forgive you - if you were truly repentant,

Of course, I do not believe there is forgiveness without repenting.
So will God forgive me fight there?

but simply saying that you are sorry isnt enough and there are no magic words that guarantee forgiveness.

Agree

do you also believe I would have to still be accountable and confess that same sin to a priest, who would give me penance for a sin that God already forgiven me?

Yes - the normal way to approach God for forgiveness *in the case of a mortal sin *(venial sin doesnt require confession to a priest) is through confession to one of His appointed ministers who have recieved the authority as promised by Christ.

"Then he breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit (ie MY POWER TO FORGIVE) ;the sins of those **you (!) **forgive (by the power of My holy Spirit given you) are forgiven them”. God has bound Himself to forgive you through this Sacrament with his ministers presiding, and He is not a liar, so you can “know” that you are forgiven in this way.

However, this does not mean that God will not forgive you if you make a sincere confession directly to Him - but, apart from personal revelation, you won’t “know” that your sins have been forgiven.

I believe I will know,

Just like you believe God is not a liar in your statement above “to forgive you through this Sacrament with his ministers presiding, and He is not a liar, so you can “know” that you are forgiven in this way”.

Which I respect your belief

However, I can make an argument that I belief the following and God does not lie…

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

I believe eternal life (Salvation) is a gift from God in which I can declare just as strong as you believe and declare when Jesus said “Receive the Holy Spirit …” to the apostles.

Secondly, with respect to penance for a sin already forgiven - please review the consequences of King David’s murder and adultery episode. God forgive him, but there was a consequence nonetheless (ie, his son died). Forgiveness and penance are related but not mutually exclusive.

I agree our sin can have consequences.

However, in addition to those consequences, I believe our sin means eternal punishment in hell unless we confess and repent and believe God’s promise that we are saved by the blood of Jesus.

God bless.

truth

 

[Rocky]

I agree our sin can have consequences.

However, in addition to those consequences, I believe our sin means eternal punishment in hell unless we confess and repent and believe God’s promise that we are saved by the blood of Jesus.

God bless.

truth

Hi again,

What makes you think that Catholics do not believe in God’s promise that we are saved by the Blood of Jesus? I am really trying to figure this out! I know that Jesus saves me. I know His Blood saves me. I am purposely using the present tense. And I am humbled that He has provided His very Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to nourish me. It is concrete proof of His love for me and for all who believe in Him. It is His Gift of Himself!!

How does the Blood of Jesus save (present tense) you?

 

[Philthy]

The bible says that our sins past, present and future have been forgiven…

Hi whatisthetruth -

Christ has paid the price for those sins, but we do not have access to that forgiveness apart from confessing them and asking for forgiveness - in real time. Your quote spoke of Christs perfect sacrifice for all time, but that does not speak to the application of that eternal sacrifice.
Here’s something a little simpler to handle: Scripture…Matt 6, right after teaching his disciples how to pray, Christ says: “Unless you forgive others their trespasses, neither WILL your father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Forgiving others is something that we will need to do for our entire lives - people will not stop sinning against us. Once again, it is he who “perseveres to the end” (in this case in forgiving others) who will be saved.

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi jmcrae,

Did you by chance view the Paul Washer video?

We do not have the consistent abilty to “ask God directly,” and it is very conceited to think that we do.

I believe we do and that is a big difference in our beliefs.

Adam and Eve had no one else but God to go to.

So why can’t we

jmcrae, you just cited another reason I left the Roman Catholic church.

I was told and thereby led to believe that God does not talk to me directly. I needed to ask a priest or a nun on what God’s word is saying.

It was not until I left the Roman Catholic church that I felt Him, heard Him talking directly to me.

It was then that I realized what all those born again christians meant when they suggested I needed to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It was then that something like the following hit home…straight to my heart…

Father’s Love Letter

How conceited is making a “Father’s Love Letter” personal?

I believe every word of every verse of the bible in the above letter and anywhere else in the bible anyone can make a personal application to.

I know that you do not believe this

Correct?

Even in Old Testament times, only the King’s prophet had the ability to receive direct locutions from God; God did not give locutions to just anyone. People knew that Jeremiah was the prophet they were supposed to be listening to because of his rank in the King’s court; not because they were able to discern God’s voice from other voices. That’s why the King should have known to listen to Jeremiah, rather than to other voices who were falsely claiming to be prophets - because of where Jeremiah stood in God’s heirarchy of authority. The whole reason why God established the role of Prophet in the King’s court was because God was not expecting the King to be able to discern His voice from among all the others - the King was supposed to listen to his Prophet; and see how much trouble he got into, when he listened to people who thought (and perhaps even sincerely thought) that they, too, were receiving locutions from God.

I believe you can learn from talking to other people just like you illustrated.

Do not get me wrong. I believe in the power of the church and hearing the voice of God, I believe in small bible study groups which is a good way to have fellowship with people of my church and we can read and study the bible together and make new friends above everything else. I also believe that God wants to speak in a might way to us individually amd not through anyone else

I can relate the difficulty in hearing clearly from God especially when as you say,

obscured by my own thoughts, my own ideas, and even other things that are going on around me - the blaring TV, the radio, the kids shouting at one another, etc.

Satan wants to rob , kill and destroy.

He will do anything in his power to prevent you from hearing what God wants to say to you.

I believe you are stronger than Satan

God promised us the Church, and that the Holy Spirit would protect it from the gates of Hell. He made no such promise to us as individuals.

jmcrae, I believe the same Holy Spirit which protects the church, protects us as individuals and guides each and every one of us. The holy spirit lives in each one of our hearts

I believe we are the church… not the Roman catholic church but the universal church Jesus built upon this “Rock” which I do not believe was Peter, eventhough rock means Peter.

we in our time are supposed to listen to the Church.

I believe God wants me to listen to Him. God had the final authority, not my church.

Final thought,

If you are out in the wilderness alone and no church for hundred miles and you happen to see a bible on the ground, what would you do?

God bless

truth

 

[Philthy]

This is what I do not understand why Catholics believe what they do.

Catholics believe what they do because it is Scriptural, historical and because the Church which Jesus founded and gave to them to preserve his teachings proclaims it.

whatisthetruth:

When God describes sin, he does not mention venial and mortal.

Well I would say that God does, in fact mention those sins through the teaching authority of his Church, but I dont think you will find that very convincing. How about if tie one hand behind my back and prove it from Scripture alone out of respect for your position? God speaks of deadly and non-deadly sin in 1John 5 “all wrongdoing is sin, but not all sin is deadly” Done. Why dont you explain how that is not separating sin into 2 categories - deadly sin (mortal) and non-deadly sin (venial).
Also, when Christ spoke to the rich young man he says…“If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments” There are other things which are “wrongdoing” and, according to St John are therefore “sin”, but Christ doesnt say “avoid all wrongdoing” he instead says “Keep the commandments” The Church teaches that the 10 commandments form the basis for all of the mortal sins…it all fits together.
Its all in there my friend, but you wouldnt necessarily see it if the Church werent there to point it out…

 

[jmcrae]

Hi jmcrae,

Did you by chance view the Paul Washer video?

We do not have the consistent abilty to “ask God directly,” and it is very conceited to think that we do.

I believe we do and that is a big difference in our beliefs.

Adam and Eve had no one else but God to go to.

So why can’t we

Because their sin (which we call Original Sin) cut off the direct communication between us and God.

We can still do this sometimes - it is not completely cut off. But it is not the usual state of things. Most of the time, we are only hearing our own thoughts; not God.

 

[Philthy]

I believe, even though my human mind can not comprehend it, the punishment for murdering someone is the same as if I told a lie.

Honestly, why would you believe such a silly thing?
God had various “penalties” for the various sins in the OT - some incurred death, others lesser penalties. Why would He impose different penalties if He was equally offended by the sins? Similarly various offerings were required as atonement in proportion to the sin. You are way off base here - both biblically and spiritually. Actually I dont think you are spiritually off base because you say “even though my human mind can not comprehend it”. I dont believe that it is your mind that is having difficulty with this error - it is your CONSCIENCE which is convicting you of its falsehood. Our conscience is the place where God “speaks to our heart”, and this is the source of your inability to grasp it. Its becuase it is not true and your conscience is bearing witness to it!
The knowledge of the law that killing someone is worse than lying was written into your heart by God - all people, as created in the image and likeness of God, have this natural law within them. You have been taught this notion of the equality of murder and lying - God did reveal this to you and it is not supported by Scripture. If I were you I would spend some serious, serious time in prayer and reflection over how it is that you came to believe this and what other “truths” you will need to jettison as well.

 

[Delraek]

Final thought,

If you are out in the wilderness alone and no church for hundred miles and you happen to see a bible on the ground, what would you do?

God bless

truth

Are you aware that it was the Catholic Church who decided which 27 books would be the New Testament? Everytime you put your trust in the infallibility of the NT, you are actually acknowledging the infallibility of the Catholic Church’s authority.

 

[whatisthetruth]

However, in addition to those consequences, I believe our sin means eternal punishment in hell unless we confess and repent and believe God’s promise that we are saved by the blood of Jesus.

What makes you think that Catholics do not believe in God’s promise that we are saved by the Blood of Jesus? I am really trying to figure this out! I know that Jesus saves me. I know His Blood saves me. I am purposely using the present tense. And I am humbled that He has provided His very Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to nourish me. It is concrete proof of His love for me and for all who believe in Him. It is His Gift of Himself!!

Hi Rocky. I am so glad you asked.

It is not that I think that Catholics do not believe in God’s promise that they are saved by the blood of Jesus, I know you believe it is Jesus’ blood which saves you.

However the question is how sure are you that “if you were to die right now, you would go to Heaven?”

The reason I ask is, If that question was asked of me, I would say a definite yes. I am saved. I know for sure I am going to heaven if I died right now.

Thank you God for loving me and thank you Jesus for your precious blood which cleansed my sinful soul and because I have believed in you by faith and repented and confessed my sins and accept you, Jesus, as Lord and Saviour of my life you SAVED me from the wrath of God and the fires of hell.

And the next time I sin, I need to confess and repent again, and again, and again, for the rest of my life.

I was surprised to find out that this assurity of heaven is not accepted. May I invite you to look at my posts in the “If you died right now, are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven” thread starting with post #831

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=188426&page=17

After quoting some scriptures and interpretations when I first came to this site,

the first response #832 to my post,

As a Catholic, I agree with 100% of the passages you quoted. Just not your personal, fallible interpretation

…" .

Another answer #848

“I didn’t know God made private revelations to” you

.

as you can see, there is a lot of resistance to my believing one can know for sure of their eternal destiny.

There were 877 posts in the thread and not one Roman Catholic answered a defininite yes to the question of the thread…

“If you died right now, are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven?”

post #5 was the closest answer to a yes that I found

no, I am not 100% certain of going to heaven and avoiding hell. I believe that NOBODY

can be although, having been to confession six hours ago, I believe that I have a better chance now than I did seven hours ago

How about you Rocky? Can you answer that question honestly with a definite yes, praise God if you can.

That is what I believe God’s gift of eternal life is all about.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life

in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

I regret to say we do not all agree as to the interpretation of Romans 6:23

I am curious, if you die with sin on your soul before you had a chance to get to confession, what do you believe will happen to you?

God bless,

truth

 

[Rocky]

Hi Whatisthe truth,

Why do you think it is important that I have the exact same belief as you do? I have complete assurance of Jesus’ love for me. I have complete assurance of the effectiveness of His sacrifice. I have complete assurance that what He did and continues to do for all those He loves is meant for our good, and that His only desire is to have all in heaven with Him.

But why do you believe that I am not saved if I say that *my assurance is in His love, and not in me?
*
Quite frankly, knowing my attachment to the things of this world and if I were to die right now, I think I would be grateful for any purification needed to be in his presence forever and ever. And actually many non-Catholics, including CS Lewis, held this belief also.

I praise my God that he does not just cover over my sins, but *forgives and perfects. *Isn’t that what is expected of us? We must be perfected as He is perfect?

 

[Cathy]

I think this idea, that “it doesn’t matter what religion you pick” is very naiive. As many posters here have noted, the major religions are contradictory. Also, there is idolatry which is not always recognized as “religion,” but it is a belief system which undermines faith in the One True God. If I seek anything (such as food, money, pleasure, approval of men, power, etc.) more diligently than I seek God, I am practicing idolatry. This puts me at risk of losing God (Who is Love) for lack of love of God,

Maybe because God is such a diligent Shepherd seeking the lost sheep, and the “Hound of Heaven,” it only seems to us that all roads lead to Heaven. It may be more true to say that all roads (at least while this earthly life lasts) are accessible to Heaven, and that God may, by His Mercy and Love, seek us in a faraway country, lost and broken, and set us on a right path toward our true home in the Catholic Church. I think, having been very lost myself, and having been rescued by Jesus from a deep, dark pit, that the Catholic Church is the best hospital for the seriously wounded. It has the finest stores of graces and the richest supplies of living, healing water and salve in the seven Sacraments.

 

[Philthy]

However the question is how sure are you that “if you were to die right now, you would go to Heaven?”

Another thread and we end up in the same place? Get over it! The concept of “certainty of faith” vs “absolute truth” is something you cannot yet grasp. They are different things. You may be certain that IF you died right now that you would go to Heaven, but the only actual certainty is that you didnt die. Some have been given private revelation with respect to their eternal destiny (Fatima kids) but most do not receive such gifts.
Ready for a reality check? How many people who believed in the doctrine of “assurance of salvation”, who “knew that if they died right now they would go to Heaven” have subsequently rejected Christianity and embraced the world? Many, few or none? Were they “sure” and did they “know” they would go to Heaven?

 

[MarcoPolo]

Absolutely agree with you and I believe God works through all men, including you and I, not just apostles.

Indeed. But remember the nature of their gifts of the Spirit vs. ours.

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi again Rocky,

Why do you think it is important that I have the exact same belief as you do?

I am sorry if you are interpreting my questions to you as a way to get you to believe “the exact same belief” as I have. That is not my intent.

Please see my signature.

For that reason, my signature, I will not answer your question.

Let me ask your question another way so that I can answer.

Why is it important to you that I may not proclaim my salvation in the way you do?

If you were to ask me this question, I would answer,

I believe by me having faith in God and in His promises to me and in Jesus Christ I believe I can proclaim, by faith in Jesus’ name, should I die right now, I am 100% sure I will spend eternity in heaven because of the decision I made to accept the gift God offered to me in Romans 6:23.

**The sole ** purpose of me asking you the questions is not because I believe that you are not saved (I do not know if you are or are not saved, salvation is between you and God and not for me to judge) but if you believe you are saved then I was wondering why you or anyone else who believes they are saved does not make the same assuring statement in which I have confidence in making.

As I quoted in previous post, the closest response to assurance of going heaven in the thread

“If you died right now, are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven”

was

no, **I am not 100% certain of going to heaven **

 

[whatisthetruth]

Rocky, when you say
I have complete assurance of Jesus’ love for me.
I have complete assurance of the effectiveness of His sacrifice.
I have complete assurance that what He did and continues to do for all those He loves is meant for our good
His only desire is to have all in heaven with Him.

I believe every bit of what you just said as I believe in the same 100%

I praise my God that he does not just cover over my sins,

Agree 100%

but forgives and perfects.

I believe not only “forgives and perfects” may I add God remembers our sin no more as if we never comitted the sin in the first place, do you believe that?

Isn’t that what is expected of us?

Absolutely, agree with you here

We must be perfected as He is perfect?

Absolutely, agree with you. and the only way for us to be made perfect is by the precious blood of Jesus, do you believe that?

Quite frankly, knowing my attachment to the things of this world

Satan knows our weakness , I can relate.

to be in his presence :heaven: forever and ever.

This is a day I believe all Christians are hoping will become a reality one day, especially when the only other choice is pure hell

I think I would be grateful for any purification needed

Rocky, it is in that statement which says a lot.

I believe that might be an answer as to why catholics do not declare,

If I died right now, I am 100% sure I will go to Heaven

I believe it might be one of the reasons for the difference in the way we believe.

I believe by Jesus dying on that cross, every drop of His precious blood that He shed washes away the sins of all mankind and gave us that purification you speak of.

I believe all God asks is that we believe by faith.

Eternal life, I believe is a most generous gift from God.

I do not receive His gift lightly but with fearful respect of the true wrath of God, should I sin at any time in my walk of faith in Him.

Paul Washer explained this perfectly, has anyone seen it?

For me, having received His gift, comes tremendous responsibilities, one of which is being willing to carrying “my cross” to the “finish line”.

God bless

Truth

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi Philthy,

Another thread and we end up in the same place? Get over it! The concept of “certainty of faith” vs “absolute truth” is something you cannot yet grasp. They are different things. You may be certain that IF you died right now that you would go to Heaven, but the only actual certainty is that you didnt die. Some have been given private revelation with respect to their eternal destiny (Fatima kids) but most do not receive such gifts.
Ready for a reality check? How many people who believed in the doctrine of “assurance of salvation”, who “knew that if they died right now they would go to Heaven” have subsequently rejected Christianity and embraced the world? Many, few or none? Were they “sure” and did they “know” they would go to Heaven?

I respect all that you are saying and to answer you last question…I have no clue…I WILL NOT JUDGE someone elses salvation, I believe God only gave me assurance of my salvation.

and to your concern

You may be certain that IF you died right now that you would go to Heaven, but the only actual certainty is that you didnt die

I answered this before,

When I declare "If I die right now(not tomorrow, not next hour, not next week, or nexxt year, but if I die right now, this second) I will spend eternity in heaven.

I have no clue if I will be able to make the same statement tomorrow. you are right. I may fall out of faith and become an atheist and should I die believing no God, I am toast in hell. But right now I am in heaven should I die. God promised it to me. I know by my faith in Him

I am just wondering am I the only one who has the assurance should they die right now not tomorrow but now, they will be eternity in heaven?

thank you

truth