THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/Paradise

 

Who will live in Paradise?  

Many religions teach that only good people  will live in Paradise. But there is much confusion as to what "good" means.  Some think it is enought simply to participate in religious ceremonies and ritualistic prayers. 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

The Bible teaches that "the righteous" will live in Paradise.  But who is righteous in God's eyes?  Not the person who engages in rituals of his religion while ignoring God's will.  The Bible says: "Does Jehovah have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah?  Look! To obey is better than a sacrifice." (1 Samuel 15:22) Simply put, "The righteous" who will live forever in Paradise are the ones who obey God's commands as outlined in the Bible. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Obedience to God's commandments involves more than partipation in religous  ceremonies. By your everyday conduct, you may either please or displealse God. You can learn to pleaseGod by carefully examining the Bible. And he is not hard to please.  The Bible says that "his commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3) God is eager to reward your obedience by granting you entrance into Paradise. 

The righteous will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." - PSALM 37:29. 

Next time: Raising Considerate Children in a Me-First World

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