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Lampo
Guest
1 Cor. 9:27 - “No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”
"If you died right now, are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven? (St. Paul wasn't)
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Publisher
Guest
I find Paul’s other statement more to my liking…“For I am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have commited to him against that day.” Don’t have the slightest clue “where I am going” when I die…but I am in Good Hands, so I don’t worry about it…how I live now, what I do now, who I help now is what is important…the “happily ever after” will take care of itself…by the One who gave me life in the first place…“The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the Name of the Lord.”
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Abraxsis
Guest
The better question is does it really matter? I had always thought the objective is to get into purgatory.
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Lampo
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Are those two passages contradictory then?
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Sir_Knight
Guest
Having read the title, I was going to comment that not even St. Paul, a man obviously filled with the Holy Spirit, was not certain of his own salvation but I see that the opening post already covered that.
To answer the question … 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
To answer the question … 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
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Publisher
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No.
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Lampo
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I agree.
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richardwy
Guest
At night during Compline, I commend myself to God. I live in and with no fear or dread of today or the hearafter. Neither am I smug nor unconcerned.
I’m with Saint Paul all the way.
I guess you have to experience it to understand.
I’m with Saint Paul all the way.
I guess you have to experience it to understand.
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Pani_Rose
Guest
We are all sinners and all fall short of the glory of God, but if we run the race as stated above and hope in the Ressurection, then we will be with Christ in heaven.
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1 Corinthians
Chapter 15** 1 1 2 Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. 2 Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; 4 that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures;…8 Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. 9 For I am the least 4 of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective…12 5 But if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then empty (too) is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. 15 Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, 17 and if Christ has not been raised, 6 your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. 20 7 8 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 9 For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, … when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 11 The last enemy to be destroyed is death, 27 12 for “he subjected everything under his feet.” …28 When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will (also) be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. 29 13 14 Otherwise, what will people accomplish by having themselves baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they having themselves baptized for them? … 34 Become sober as you ought and stop sinning. For some have no knowledge of God; I say this to your shame. 35 16 17 But someone may say, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come back?” 36 18 You fool! What you sow is not brought to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be but a bare kernel of wheat, perhaps, or of some other kind; 38 but God gives it a body as he chooses, and to each of the seeds its own body… 42 20 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown corruptible; it is raised incorruptible. 43 It is sown dishonorable; it is raised glorious. It is sown weak; it is raised powerful. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one. …
cont
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1 Corinthians
Chapter 15** 1 1 2 Now I am reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. 2 Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; 4 that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures;…8 Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. 9 For I am the least 4 of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective…12 5 But if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then empty (too) is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. 15 Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, 17 and if Christ has not been raised, 6 your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. 20 7 8 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 9 For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, … when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 11 The last enemy to be destroyed is death, 27 12 for “he subjected everything under his feet.” …28 When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will (also) be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. 29 13 14 Otherwise, what will people accomplish by having themselves baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they having themselves baptized for them? … 34 Become sober as you ought and stop sinning. For some have no knowledge of God; I say this to your shame. 35 16 17 But someone may say, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come back?” 36 18 You fool! What you sow is not brought to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be but a bare kernel of wheat, perhaps, or of some other kind; 38 but God gives it a body as he chooses, and to each of the seeds its own body… 42 20 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown corruptible; it is raised incorruptible. 43 It is sown dishonorable; it is raised glorious. It is sown weak; it is raised powerful. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one. …
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Pani_Rose
Guest
51 25 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. 54 26 And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, 27 and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
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Pani_Rose
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The Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom (Read Each Year at Pascha)
http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/images/resurrection_htm.jpg
And the people shout in responce to the priest - ‘hades is angered’ and then they shout ‘Christ is Risen’
The Paschal homily of St John Chrysostomos (Archbishop of Constantinople)
http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/images/resurrection_htm.jpg
And the people shout in responce to the priest - ‘hades is angered’ and then they shout ‘Christ is Risen’
The Paschal homily of St John Chrysostomos (Archbishop of Constantinople)
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This sermon is read at the Paschal Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Resurrection. It was written circa 400 AD http://home.it.net.au/%7Ejgrapsas/Ikons/Chrysos.gifIf any be a devout lover of God,
let him partake with gladness from this fair and radiant feast.
If any be a faithful servant,
let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.
If any have wearied himself with fasting,
let him now enjoy his reward.
If any have laboured from the first hour,
let him receive today his rightful due.
If any have come after the third,
let him celebrate the feast with thankfulness.
If any have come after the sixth,
let him not be in doubt, for he will suffer no loss.
If any have delayed until the ninth,
let him not hesitate but draw near.
If any have arrived only at the eleventh,
let him not be afraid because he comes so late.
For the Master is generous and accepts the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour
in the same was as him who has laboured from the first.
He accepts the deed, and commends the intention.
Enter then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord.
First and last, receive alike your reward.
Rich and poor, dance together.
You who fasted and you who have not fasted, rejoice together.
The table is fully laden: let all enjoy it.
The calf is fatted: let none go away hungry.
Let none lament his poverty;
for the universal Kingdom is revealed.
Let none bewail his transgressions;
for the light of forgiveness has risen from the tomb.
Let none fear death;
for death of the Saviour has set us free.
He has destroyed death by undergoing death.
He has despoiled hell by descending into hell.
He vexed it even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he cried:
Hell was filled with bitterness when it met Thee face to face below;
filled with bitterness, for it was brought to nothing;
filled with bitterness, for it was mocked;
filled with bitterness, for it was overthrown;
filled with bitterness, for it was put in chains.
Hell received a body, and encountered God. It received earth, and confronted heaven.
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
**Christ is risen!** And you, o death, are annihilated!
**Christ is risen!** And the evil ones are cast down!
**Christ is risen!** And the angels rejoice!
**Christ is risen!** And life is liberated!
**Christ is risen!** And the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power, now and forever, and from all ages to all ages.
Amen!
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AngelsAmongUs
Guest
I had a priest tell me once our objective should be to shoot for Heaven. If we shoot for Heaven and we miss, hopefully we’ll land in purgatory. But if we shoot for purgatory and miss…well it won’t be pretty. So, we might better aim a little higher.
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water
Guest
Little note:
The closer one is to God, the more he sees himself a sinner.
The further one is from God, the more he thinks he is a living saint.
The sinner will beg for God’s mercy while the saint thinks he is already in Heaven.
God bless and goodnight.
The closer one is to God, the more he sees himself a sinner.
The further one is from God, the more he thinks he is a living saint.
The sinner will beg for God’s mercy while the saint thinks he is already in Heaven.
God bless and goodnight.
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b_justb
Guest
I guess I am just odd. I simply don’t worry about this kind of stuff at all. I don’t have my bible handy, it’s out in the car and I am at work. But inside I have a prayer card that is “The Sonnet to the Crucifixion” or something similar. I was just trying to Google search for the actual words to post them but can’t find it. Basically it says that I love you Lord and it has nothing to do with the promise of heaven or the threats of hell. And if each did not exist I would still love you the same. Of course it’s far more poetic than that, but that’s it in a nut shell.
“Work without thought if gain,” is a Taoist expression. In that short simple blurb I see Truth. Truth does not belong to any category, it stands alone as The Ultimate.
LUKE 10:40 But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” [sup]41[/sup] But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; [sup]42[/sup] one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Instead of working and worrying about if everything is in place or just right or where we will go when we die, why not just sit at His feet, listen to Him, and let Him take care of it?
“Work without thought if gain,” is a Taoist expression. In that short simple blurb I see Truth. Truth does not belong to any category, it stands alone as The Ultimate.
LUKE 10:40 But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” [sup]41[/sup] But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; [sup]42[/sup] one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Instead of working and worrying about if everything is in place or just right or where we will go when we die, why not just sit at His feet, listen to Him, and let Him take care of it?
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look3467
Guest
Absolutely, positively, and unequivocally sure!
peace>>>AJ
peace>>>AJ
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Ginger2
Guest
Yes, I am certain of my eternal destination.
God always keeps His promises.
God always keeps His promises.
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cruisin
Guest
God always keeps His promises.
Amen
Amen
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Mannyfit75
Guest
If I persevere in the end, like St. Polycarp in the first Century, I would be very certain that I will be. 
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look3467
Guest
Well, I have good news for you, Jesus already endured to the end for all of us, and we need not endure except for our own benefit, blessings or coursing’s.If I persevere in the end, like St. Polycarp in the first Century, I would be very certain that I will be.
Peace>>>AJ
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Ginger2
Guest
Why would anyone ask “if” and doubt God’s promises.
Put your trust in God and there will be no more “if’s”
If a terrorist put a knife to your throat, do you really think you would have the strength and courage to endure to the end?
It is by God’s strength that a human can endure even in the face of death.
I know for certain that I will one day see my Savior face to face in heaven.
Paul said, “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
He wasn’t doubting his eternal salvation.
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)
Put your trust in God and there will be no more “if’s”
If a terrorist put a knife to your throat, do you really think you would have the strength and courage to endure to the end?
It is by God’s strength that a human can endure even in the face of death.
I know for certain that I will one day see my Savior face to face in heaven.
Paul said, “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
He wasn’t doubting his eternal salvation.
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)
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