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This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 9:52:25 AM
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Little_1
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"This life is not the real deal!"
That's a saying I have heard about 3 times in separate occasions this past week! Once in a sermon by Dr Charles Stanley; another time a very similar statement in a book I was reading; plus various texts from the Bible which point to this life being nothing in comparison with a life lived in Heaven.
From what you have been taught / studied / etc, regarding 'Heaven', how would you rate this thread's statement?
Also, from what you know about Heaven, has this changed how you live life in the here and now and if so how?
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 12:56:18 PM
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mvic
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This life, here on earth, is not a rehearsal for something else. It is the only life we have as we know it, before we move on to another life.
So how do we live it?
By being joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Where have I heard this before?)
We do not really know what comes next in Heaven. But we should live each day as if it is the one in which we find out what it's like.
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Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 2:04:49 PM
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rcjames
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What is College Life, sanding in line at the Admission Office or what follows.
The "Real" life is what follows this one; either Heaven or hell.
Thanks
RC
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Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 2:38:44 PM
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drmark
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But RC, do we not have real choices to make in this life which directly impact our eternal home? Does not the college student stand in real lines to sign up for real courses to earn real degrees which only then result in a real job? What good is this life if it has no "real" meaning?
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Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 3:12:13 PM
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Little_1
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From what I can gather, we will all be treated 'equally' as far as salvation is concerned in Heaven and there is no differentiating between social standing, skin colour or background, etc; however, I don't believe we will all be treated as individuals as far as rewards in Heaven is concerned because the Bible teaches that we will be rewarded and honoured for our obedience as well as for the motive(s) behind our obedience whilst in this life.
Do you believe the aforementioned regarding 'obedience reaping rewards and honour in Heaven' impacts on the Christian church? Please explain.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 8/30/2008 3:18:41 PM >
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 3:18:23 PM
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mvic
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Depends what you mean by "impacts on the Christian church".
Modern churches, in my experience, don't preach/teach a lot about Heaven and hell these days. No wonder people have difficulties imagining/believing what it's like in Heaven or hell.
Perhaps we need a return to basics as far as Christian teaching is concerned.
Who is God? Why did He create us? How He redeemed us? And what would happen to us if we don't believe and follow His teachings.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 3:25:47 PM
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URForgiven
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Colossians 3:2-4
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Christ is our life. Not was, not will be, but is our life.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The life we live, as Christians is the real deal. We are the only ones who are living a real life, because we are the only ones who have life, and that life is Jesus Christ.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Little_1
From what I can gather, we will all be treated 'equally' as far as salvation is concerned in Heaven and there is no differentiating between social standing, colour or background, etc; however, I don't believe we will all be treated as individuals as far as rewards in Heaven is concerned because the Bible teaches that we will be rewarded and honoured for our obedience as well as for the motive(s) behind our obedience whilst in this life.
Do you believe the aforementioned regarding 'obedience reaping rewards and honour in Heaven' impacts on the Christian church? Please explain.
Our reward is Jesus Christ. And our obedience is our belief in Him which is manifested by our allowing Him to do in and through us...His work.
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 3:26:45 PM
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rcjames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: drmark
But RC, do we not have real choices to make in this life which directly impact our eternal home? Does not the college student stand in real lines to sign up for real courses to earn real degrees which only then result in a real job? What good is this life if it has no "real" meaning?
Yes, of courese we have the opportunity to make real choices in this life that effect our eternal life; that is what I think this life is all about.
God says;
(Deu 30:19) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
And this is our choice to choose life (Christ) or death (deny Christ),andt if we compare the 70 or so years in this life (no matter how wonderful or fulfiling it may be) to eternal life with God; then I must say that the eternal life with God is the "Real" life.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 3:38:43 PM
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Liveloved
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quote:
"This life is not the real deal!"
That's a saying I have heard about 3 times in separate occasions this past week! Once in a sermon by Dr Charles Stanley; another time a very similar statement in a book I was reading; plus various texts from the Bible which point to this life being nothing in comparison with a life lived in Heaven.
From what you have been taught / studied / etc, regarding 'Heaven', how would you rate this thread's statement?
Also, from what you know about Heaven, has this changed how you live life in the here and now and if so how?
A little faith will get your soul to heaven. A lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul. A saying someone else created but I think it is truth.
This life CAN BE the real deal but it depends on us, our willingness to surrender, yield to His life in the here and now. John 14:21,23 makes it clear that "he who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him. . .if anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him."
Doesn't sound like it can get better than that and that's the here and now. Do you hear joyful shouts and sounds of salvation??? Hallelujah!
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 3:45:24 PM
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drmark
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I totally agree, Livedloved! Jesus came that we might have life more abundant right here and right now. Frankly, I see way too many Christians who want to be so heavenly minded that they're of no earthly good. There's got to be a balance, folks!
P.S. - thanks for the clarification, RC. I was very sure you did not mean what I was misinterpreting!
_____________________________
Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 3:46:52 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
......Our reward is Jesus Christ. And our obedience is our belief in Him which is manifested by our allowing Him to do in and through us...His work.
Peace
I see what you are saying URForgiven. I was meaning the different types of 'crowns', etc (see below) which the Word of God speaks about:
1 Cor 9:25 - the crown of victory or the incorruptible crown
1 Thess 2:18-20 - the crown of rejoicing
2 Tim 4:8; 1 John 1:9 - the crown of righteousness
James 1:12 - the crown of life
1 Peter 5:4 - the crown of glory
Imagine being given these crowns and then being able to cast them at the feet of Jesus (what a privilege). Rev 4:10-11
The Bible also speaks about positions of authority in God's eternal kingdom (Rev 22:5)
Also, hearing Christ's "well done"(Matt 25:23).
These are the rewards I was speaking about and they apparently depend on our obedience to Christ in this life.
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 4:00:09 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
......This life CAN BE the real deal but it depends on us, our willingness to surrender, yield to His life in the here and now. John 14:21,23 makes it clear that "he who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him. . .if anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him."
I see what you are meaning Liveloved. The above text is a beautiful text and yes - it helps us to realise that we can know Jesus in our hearts here and now. However, this doesn't take from the fact that this life here on earth is not our final destination and that as God's Word teaches, "We are merely passing through this world as sojourners."
Jesus came that we could have life and have it in all it's fullness" which means that we can have a full and purposeful life here on earth if we live in obedience to His Word but this life is still but a preparation life for our final resting place in Heaven and I believe that is what Dr Charles Stanley was implying in the statement in the OP. Whilst this life can and may be good and full - it will be nothing in comparison with seeing Jesus in Heaven where there is no more sin, dying, pain, sickness, sadness, etc.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 8/30/2008 4:41:30 PM >
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 4:04:39 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: drmark
I totally agree, Livedloved! Jesus came that we might have life more abundant right here and right now. Frankly, I see way too many Christians who want to be so heavenly minded that they're of no earthly good. There's got to be a balance, folks!
I do believe it is important to be Heavenly minded and that is the subject of the OP; however, being heavenly minded should lead to us being of use and not the other way around (i.e. no earthly use) - there has got to be balance as you say. We can't overstate Heaven and neither should we understate it, e.g.
quote:
ORIGINAL mvic
Modern churches, in my experience, don't preach/teach a lot about Heaven and hell these days. No wonder people have difficulties imagining/believing what it's like in Heaven or hell.
What is concerning is that there is very little being preached about Heaven these days and that's concerning because it is one of the Bible's important doctrines.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 8/30/2008 4:17:50 PM >
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/30/2008 4:35:00 PM
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Liveloved
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quote:
URForgiven
The life we live, as Christians is the real deal. We are the only ones who are living a real life, because we are the only ones who have life, and that life is Jesus Christ.
Amen, bro!
quote:
ORIGINAL: Little_1
From what I can gather, we will all be treated 'equally' as far as salvation is concerned in Heaven and there is no differentiating between social standing, colour or background, etc; however, I don't believe we will all be treated as individuals as far as rewards in Heaven is concerned because the Bible teaches that we will be rewarded and honoured for our obedience as well as for the motive(s) behind our obedience whilst in this life.
Do you believe the aforementioned regarding 'obedience reaping rewards and honour in Heaven' impacts on the Christian church? Please explain.
Our reward is Jesus Christ. And our obedience is our belief in Him which is manifested by our allowing Him to do in and through us...His work.
A second AMEN!
If our hope is fixed on Him, there is no balance. It's ALL Him.
Heavenly mindedness IS reality, living just like Jesus. And He was of the ultimate earthly good. This is one place we don't want balance. At least I don't. I want ALL of Jesus' life in me and ALL of me gone. (I know you do too, Little_1.  )
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/31/2008 10:23:41 AM
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URForgiven
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I love this quote from 'The Saving Life of Christ'...
"To be in Christ...that is redemption; but for Christ to be in you...that is sanctification! To be in Christ...that makes you fit for Heaven; but for Christ to be in you...that makes you fit for earth! To be in Christ...that changes your destination; but for Christ to be in you...that changes your destiny! The one makes Heaven your home...the other makes this world His workshop."
-Maj. Ian Thomas
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/31/2008 11:00:17 AM
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sparkleingsnow
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I was excided to see this thread Little_1, because that is how I often think about this world. It's not real. Of course it is real, and the choices we make here has eternal effects. But what I mean by not real is, that all the things that seem so importen in our lifes hear on earth, that take up our time, our thoughts don't matter at all in the over all scheme of things. Only the choices we make for the Lord, the things we do for Him with a pure heart will count.
Our time here on earth is only an instant when conpared with eternity. Our lifes are only a speck when conpared to the big picture. When we step into eternity, where we lived, what toys we had, ect, won't matter at all.
I liked the way RC put it.
When we pass on into eternity, that is what's real!
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/31/2008 11:10:56 AM
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sparkleingsnow
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I forgot the answer the second question. So how shoud we live while we're still here on this earth, both as the church and as individuals? Just as He told us to.
We should love the Lord with all that we are, and keep our focus on Him. And we should love other as ourselfs.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/31/2008 8:11:16 PM
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Liveloved
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quote:
I love this quote from 'The Saving Life of Christ'...
"To be in Christ...that is redemption; but for Christ to be in you...that is sanctification! To be in Christ...that makes you fit for Heaven; but for Christ to be in you...that makes you fit for earth! To be in Christ...that changes your destination; but for Christ to be in you...that changes your destiny! The one makes Heaven your home...the other makes this world His workshop."
-Maj. Ian Thomas
Ohhh, that makes me so much want to read that book. My husband read it many years ago in a leadership group at church and I wanted to read it then. . . and never did. Now I want to again. Yes, this is exactly it. Not am I in Christ but is He making His abode in me. . .
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 8/31/2008 9:29:10 PM
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SonInMe1
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Your eternal life with God starts at salvation.
There really isn't any seperation between this life and the other, other than death. Its still you.
This life is no more important than the next.....other than this is the place where your eternal destination is determined, your position, in that life and what you possess in that life.
This life is also limited...compared to the eternal life with God, this life is a minute speck of time.
This life is the time we can influence others as well, toward God and to do the work of God.
So....if anything, this life may indeed have more importance to the individual than the next.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 9/1/2008 1:37:24 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
I love this quote from 'The Saving Life of Christ'...
"To be in Christ...that is redemption; but for Christ to be in you...that is sanctification! To be in Christ...that makes you fit for Heaven; but for Christ to be in you...that makes you fit for earth! To be in Christ...that changes your destination; but for Christ to be in you...that changes your destiny! The one makes Heaven your home...the other makes this world His workshop."
-Maj. Ian Thomas
Peace
First time I've heard it was on site and I think it's bril too!
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RE: This life is not the real deal! - 9/1/2008 7:29:56 PM
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sparkleingsnow
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It gives us peace and assurance. We don't have to worry about what is to come. We know we'll be in a better place.
_____________________________
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name.
Psalm 103:1
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How often have I heard a sermon regarding Heaven (or Hell for that matter). In the past 20+ years, I think I have probably heard a sermon or teaching about Heaven about twice (if that even)! 
