Autodidact
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What does Jesus say about who will dwell with him in heaven, and who will suffer eternal punishment?
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Jesus also makes it clear that He will judge the nations one day, and seperate the sheep from the goats. those who have worked righteousness will go on to eternal life, and the wicked to punishment. my husband reports though that this is a judgement for believers from among the nations, however, and not for all people, as those who stand before Jesus recognize Him, and are called His sheep (those who belonged to Him).
there are also verses, so interpreted by many early Christians, which can imply that the punishment in the world to come is not forever (Matthew 5:23-26).
Audo ~
yes, i would say that is right. discipleship and good works as an outcome or the fruits of one's faith and life in Jesus.
this is key, as we believe that Jesus is alive, able to save, and that when one believes on Him and decides to trust and follow Him, that He changes one's heart, self, and life. discipleship is not just about doing kind or good things, but about prayer, avoiding sin, listening to God, doing His will, living for Him, telling others about Jesus, and living in Him and for Him. kind and compassionate works are key, though. if we really love our neighbors, we will put that love into action.
Matthew 5 is often read as being symbolic of life, and the afterlife. the "judge" is Jesus, the "prison" is hell, and one will not get out of that prison until the last penny is pain, implying that one will not get out of hell until one has served one's time there in regards to the evil one did.
because if one believes in Jesus (not just intellectually but personally and practically as a disciple) than everything Jesus said to His disicples in the Gospels also applies to them. Jesus gives His followers certain commands and examples to follow as pretain to marriage, purity, sin, prayer, love, money, trusting and loving God, service, discipline, forgiveness, etc. Biblically the Father tells us to "listen to [My Son]", and Jesus tells us to put His words into practice (Matthew 17:5, John 14:23-24, Matthew 12:49-50).
bearing fruit and living as a disciple are not just about being kind to the poor, that is one (or two) of many aspects.
Where do you get your (2) from? I'm talking about what Jesus says on the subject. From the verses you've cited, in terms of "how to get to heaven," it looks like John 11 and Matthew 25 are the only verses that speak to that subject. And John 11 says believe in Jesus, and Matthew 25 says to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, take care of the sick, and visit those in prison. Where are you getting "follow all my commandments" from?
That's why he posted the verses concerning the fruits and the vines. Jesus, throughout the gospels, makes it clear that he desires some sort of works. And that those works are necessary for salvation in concordance with believing.
Well, John 15 says:
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruitfruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.
So it's not talking directly about getting to heaven, but about Jesus' love. (which is weird, because I thought Jesus' love was not conditional, but you learn something new every day.) Anyway, it says to follow Jesus' command and He will love you, and His command is: Love one another. [not clear on who "one another" is, unfortunately.] So, although it's not about heaven, if you do read it that way for some reason, it seems mainly to say to love one another; that seems the main point of that section, do you agree?
Specifically, the feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, visit those in prison. Or, to be less literal, to show kindness to needy people. That's what I get He wants in terms of actions.I would agree. The parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 23 makes it clear, so I believe, that Jesus wants actions.
Specifically, the feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, visit those in prison. Or, to be less literal, to show kindness to needy people. That's what I get He wants in terms of actions.