My Question

Okay here is a scenario involving the fictional characters of bob and joe

Bob is a devout Christian. goes to church every Sunday, prays, and loves Jesus. But Bob is a bad person. He does nothing that doesnt benefit himself, and lies and cheats to get his way. but bob also genuinely believes in and loves God. He is a truly religious person

On the other hand, Bob's neighbor Joe is a great guy. He does community service, is always honest, and never cheats or steals. But Joe is also a declared Athiest. He has actively spoken out against the church and said publicly that he does not believe in God

My question is: Would God let either of these men into heaven?

Well I ain't no God but if I was God.... there is no way in hell Bob gets into heaven. No matter how many times you memorize the bible or attend Church everyday. If you don't have love in your heart or compasion you don't belong in the kingdom of heaven (if sucha place exists).

As for Joe not believing in God makes no difference. If he has kind heart and is consider a "good man" by his fellow man. Then Let him in. I'm sure honest merits and a kind heart will get a person into heaven. An Atheist only asks for proof. And I'm sure that if Joe sees Bob heading down to hell it will be proof enough for him.

AND..that's exactly what Jesus taught along with the good things that Buddha taught...It's your actions, your heart, all the things that are considered the fruits of the spirit...Bob can go to church all he wants and it's just and outer action with no inner redeeming qualities...Too bad there are many like that today...Bob is what I would consider a FAKE Christian...and give Christian's a bad name...I'm sure Bobs neighbor already knows that..

Originally posted by RedAlertv2
Okay here is a scenario involving the fictional characters of bob and joe

Bob is a devout Christian. goes to church every Sunday, prays, and loves Jesus. But Bob is a bad person. He does nothing that doesnt benefit himself, and lies and cheats to get his way. but bob also genuinely believes in and loves God. He is a truly religious person

On the other hand, Bob's neighbor Joe is a great guy. He does community service, is always honest, and never cheats or steals. But Joe is also a declared Athiest. He has actively spoken out against the church and said publicly that he does not believe in God

My question is: Would God let either of these men into heaven?

Both would be in purgetory.

The answer to the first question: I would have to contradict. When you go to church you are "taught" more or less. So to love God/Jesus, you must do good avoid evil. This man would not truley be living his love to God if he was constantly doing wrong. And maybe Bob would have a problem.

The second answer: He wouldn't be so good if God wasn't working his grace within him. But what to me would seem rather ironic is if the athiest were to lose everything, who would he blame? So i'm thinkging down the road the dude/dudet is finally going to realize something important, and return to "A" religion.

But you have to remember that alot of these answers will be based on our own beliefs and princples, so your answer will never come close to that of the real one.

Seems to me that if the second one was a good person though, wouldnt god maybe be sympathetic and help him out a little?

Ofcourse God will take more kindly to Joe than Bob.

Joe's biggest failing is not recognizing God, but Bob's
failing is in recognizing God, but willfully disobeying
Him.

I believe that God doesn't just want people to join the
"club" just for the hell of it, but because it is said to
make better people of them. And Joe seems to have
reached that goal without becoming a Christian.

Ofcourse, being a Christian would have given a good
Bob a leg up on Joe, but that wouldn't be the case here.

Granted being a Christian may have some spiritual and
emotional advantages over atheism, but I don't think
that God puts those over the actual deeds and thought
of a human being when judging them.

Besides Jesus makes it quite clear when he says "Know them by their fruits", and "That tree that does not produce will be burnt down", They wiil be cut off, pulled up, cast aside and burnt, They are known as tares that grown in with the wheat. Jesus taught much on how to recognize a TRUE followe of his words...Good advise I'd say..

Know them by their fruits

NO..fruit of the LOON.

It all depends.... if Bob repents on his death bed, he goes straight to heaven... if Joe carries on denying god, he perishes in the pit of fire.... according to the bible anyway....

But lets not forget the most important detail. Neither of us are God.

According to the Bible, the only way to Heaven is through Jesus, meaning you have to accept him as your lord and savior. But if you do not follow his ideals, then you do not get into Heaven. People will sin no matter what. But if you ask for forgiveness, as Kirk said, you will go to Heaven. But that's according to the Bible. I'm a Universalist/Agnostic.

Well, guess what. I'm creating my own heaven, and there are no ignorant christians allowed. There will be tons of sex(but no babies, because we allow abortion AND contraception) great food and comic books.

Make sure to put up plenty of peace signs and decorate with flowers. Then import lots and lots of drugs. The hippies will love you.

Long-haired, filthy, smelly, drug-abusing bastards.

Originally posted by RedAlertv2
Okay here is a scenario involving the fictional characters of bob and joe

Bob is a devout Christian. goes to church every Sunday, prays, and loves Jesus. But Bob is a bad person. He does nothing that doesnt benefit himself, and lies and cheats to get his way. but bob also genuinely believes in and loves God. He is a truly religious person

On the other hand, Bob's neighbor Joe is a great guy. He does community service, is always honest, and never cheats or steals. But Joe is also a declared Athiest. He has actively spoken out against the church and said publicly that he does not believe in God

My question is: Would God let either of these men into heaven?

Judging by your story.It is up to those man on there dieing bed.If bob forgives his evil ways and prays for forgivness to god then ya I think he would go to heaven.JM 😎

Bob is a Christian; he goes to heaven. Joe is not a Christian; he does not go to heaven.

Ignore Jackie; she is an open speaker for her (our) religion, but she is a moron and knows very little. Also, she cannot make a coherent point in an argument to save her life. In fact, she can't FOLLOW an argument to save her life.

Originally posted by FeceMan
Make sure to put up plenty of peace signs and decorate with flowers. Then import lots and lots of drugs. The hippies will love you.

Long-haired, filthy, smelly, drug-abusing bastards.

Well, that came out of nowhere. 😕

The Key word is "Religious". I personally believe that sitting in a church doesnt make one a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes one a car. Its all about Relationship, not Religion. But the thing that makes this story difficult is part of the bigger picture. The fact is, in this story neither of these men are dead. So, they'll remain on earth. In the bible there is a verse "God wishes that NONE shall perish" this includes everyone from your devout christian, to your practicing satanist. life is not over until its over. The course of life is a long and complex odyssee, one that God uses to make our character grow. I personally think that neither of these men will die without every moment being another moment to find truith (Whatever it may be)...So, these men could go wherever they choose. But the test isnt over, until you're dead.

"It's not dead till you make it."

Originally posted by RedAlertv2
Okay here is a scenario involving the fictional characters of bob and joe

Bob is a devout Christian. goes to church every Sunday, prays, and loves Jesus. But Bob is a bad person. He does nothing that doesnt benefit himself, and lies and cheats to get his way. but bob also genuinely believes in and loves God. He is a truly religious person

On the other hand, Bob's neighbor Joe is a great guy. He does community service, is always honest, and never cheats or steals. But Joe is also a declared Athiest. He has actively spoken out against the church and said publicly that he does not believe in God

My question is: Would God let either of these men into heaven?

But according to God's mercy, He saves us.

This mercy is THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord... by following God's will, which He purposed in Christ since the world began.

🙂