Hey folks,
Since the Singles Forum has (hopefully) temporarily turned into The Bible Forum Addendum anyway...
I was wondering. How are Christians going to get along in heaven, since one look at the Bible Forum and other various threads is a reminder that we often disagree to the point of calling names or questioning each other's salvation?
I've always heard it said that when we get to heaven, you'll see some people there you would have never expected to see, and you'll also realize a lot of people you thought would be there... aren't.
When I read about the "lion lying down with the lamb", I often wonder if that's directed at humans and not animals.
So, how will heaven be different?
* Will only people with the exact same beliefs (aside from believing in Jesus as their Savior, of course) make it to heaven?
* Will we all suddenly not care so anymore about what we're willing to fight tooth and nail over here?
* Will it be because we'll be without sin, and can finally let go of our differences in order to accept people?
I was thinking of an incidence I know of at a church in which the senior pastor promised the youth/assistant pastor a larger role in the church, and, several years down the road, the chance to take over leading the congregation.
These two men had the exact same theological beliefs. But the senior pastor was getting older and thinking about what kind of impact he would leave behind, and he became concerned that this young man was gaining too much popularity and "stealing" his sheep.
The younger pastor was suddenly no longer allowed to preach, and was even denied the opportunity to speak about his missionary trips in order to try to raise funding. He eventually left the church, and the senior pastor wasn't exactly sorry to see him go (and was actually trying to get him to leave.)
Please don't get caught up in just this particular example. My only reason for giving it is that these two men have the SAME beliefs in faith, but enough personal differences to kill the relationship and cause a split within in a congregation.
But in heaven, how will differences like this be solved? Will we not remember the arguments we had with people on earth?
Or, because pride will no longer have a stranglehold on any of us, will we just be able to see each other with the clear, sinless eyes God intended? Just something I've been thinking about for a while.
Thoughts and Scriptures are welcome.
And please, let's not argue in this thread, but rather, talk about the day when we'll all put our differences aside. Thanks in advance!
Since the Singles Forum has (hopefully) temporarily turned into The Bible Forum Addendum anyway...
I was wondering. How are Christians going to get along in heaven, since one look at the Bible Forum and other various threads is a reminder that we often disagree to the point of calling names or questioning each other's salvation?
I've always heard it said that when we get to heaven, you'll see some people there you would have never expected to see, and you'll also realize a lot of people you thought would be there... aren't.
When I read about the "lion lying down with the lamb", I often wonder if that's directed at humans and not animals.
So, how will heaven be different?
* Will only people with the exact same beliefs (aside from believing in Jesus as their Savior, of course) make it to heaven?
* Will we all suddenly not care so anymore about what we're willing to fight tooth and nail over here?
* Will it be because we'll be without sin, and can finally let go of our differences in order to accept people?
I was thinking of an incidence I know of at a church in which the senior pastor promised the youth/assistant pastor a larger role in the church, and, several years down the road, the chance to take over leading the congregation.
These two men had the exact same theological beliefs. But the senior pastor was getting older and thinking about what kind of impact he would leave behind, and he became concerned that this young man was gaining too much popularity and "stealing" his sheep.
The younger pastor was suddenly no longer allowed to preach, and was even denied the opportunity to speak about his missionary trips in order to try to raise funding. He eventually left the church, and the senior pastor wasn't exactly sorry to see him go (and was actually trying to get him to leave.)
Please don't get caught up in just this particular example. My only reason for giving it is that these two men have the SAME beliefs in faith, but enough personal differences to kill the relationship and cause a split within in a congregation.
But in heaven, how will differences like this be solved? Will we not remember the arguments we had with people on earth?
Or, because pride will no longer have a stranglehold on any of us, will we just be able to see each other with the clear, sinless eyes God intended? Just something I've been thinking about for a while.
Thoughts and Scriptures are welcome.
And please, let's not argue in this thread, but rather, talk about the day when we'll all put our differences aside. Thanks in advance!
