Cleansed As A People For Fine Works
"Who may ascend into the mountain of Jehovah, and who may rise up in his holy place?" King David of ancient Israel raised that question regarding worship that is acceptable to Jehovah. He then provided the answer: "Anyone innocent in his hands and clean in heart, who has not carried My soul to sheer worthlessness, nor taken an oath deceitfully." (Psalm 24:3, 4) To be acceptable to Jehovah, who is the very embodiment of holiness, one must be clean and holy. Earlier, Jehovah reminded the congregation of Israel: "You must sanctify yourselves and you must prove yourselves holy, because I am holy." -Leviticus 11:44, 45: 19:2.
Centuries later, the apostle Paul wrote to fellow Christians in the decandent city of Corinth: " Since we have these promises, beloved ones, let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God's fear." (2Corinthians 7:1) This once again makes the point that to have a relationship with God and to receive his promised blessings, one must be clean and free from physical and spiritual defilement and corruption. Likewise, in writing about worship that is acceptable to God, the disciple James stated: " The form of worship that is clean and undelfiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world." -James 1:27.
Since being clean, holy and undefiled are such important factors in true worship, anyone desiring to gain God's approval should be seriously concerned with measuring up in this area. Because People today have widely differing standards and concepts regarding cleanness, however, we need to understand and abide by what Jehovah considers clean and acceptable. We need to find out what God requires of his worshippers in this regard and what he has done to help them to become and remain clean and accceptable to him. - Psalm 119:9; Daniel 12:10.
1.28.2006
1.21.2006
We Are Responsible
Trying to pin the entire blame for our misconduct on our genes simply does not work. Rather than helping us to solve or overcome our problems notes Psychology Today, doing so "may be teaching us a helpesness that is at the root of many of our problems. Instead of reducing the incidence of these problems, this seems to have fueled their growth."
It is true that we must contend with major adverse forces, including our own sinful tendencies and Satan's efforts to distract us in one way or another. But we are surely not helpless. True Christgians have powerful allies-Jehovah, Jesus Christ, God's holy spirit, his Word the Bible, and the Christian congregation.- 1Timothy 6:11,12; 1John 2:1.
Before the nation of Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses reminded the people of their responsibility before God, saying: "I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the malediction; and you must choose life in order that you may keep alive, you and your offspring, by loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice and by sticking to him." (Deuteronomy 30:19, Likewise today, each responsible individual is obliged to make a personal decision about serving God and meeting his requirements . The choice is yours. - Galatians 6:7,8.
Trying to pin the entire blame for our misconduct on our genes simply does not work. Rather than helping us to solve or overcome our problems notes Psychology Today, doing so "may be teaching us a helpesness that is at the root of many of our problems. Instead of reducing the incidence of these problems, this seems to have fueled their growth."
It is true that we must contend with major adverse forces, including our own sinful tendencies and Satan's efforts to distract us in one way or another. But we are surely not helpless. True Christgians have powerful allies-Jehovah, Jesus Christ, God's holy spirit, his Word the Bible, and the Christian congregation.- 1Timothy 6:11,12; 1John 2:1.
Before the nation of Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses reminded the people of their responsibility before God, saying: "I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the malediction; and you must choose life in order that you may keep alive, you and your offspring, by loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice and by sticking to him." (Deuteronomy 30:19, Likewise today, each responsible individual is obliged to make a personal decision about serving God and meeting his requirements . The choice is yours. - Galatians 6:7,8.
12.31.2005
An Encouraging Experience
"When I was a young boy in boarding school, I got involved in homosexual practices, although I never thought of myself as being homosexual. My parents were divorced and I craved the parental affection that I never received. After finishing school, I did compulsory military service. There was a group of homosexuals in the barracks next to mine. I became envious of their life-style, so I started associating with them. After associating with them for a year, I began to think of myself as a homosexual. 'This is the way I am,' I reasoned, 'and I can do nothing about it.'
"I started learning the lingo and going to gay clubs, where drugs and alcohol were freely available. Although outwardly it all seemed very exciting and appealing,it was actually sickening. Deep down I sensed that this kind of relationship was unnatural and had no future.
"In a small town, I came across a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses while the meeting was on. I went in and listened to the talk, which dealt with the future Paradise conditions. Afterward I met some of the Witnesses and was invited to an assembly. I went, and that was a revelation to me-seeing happy families worshipping together. I started to study the Bible with the Witnesses.
"Although it was a struggle for me, I started to apply what I was learning from the Bible. I was able to break free from all my unclean practices. After studying for 14 months, I dedicated my life to Jehovah and was baptized. For the first time in my life, I had real friends. I have been able to help others learn the truth from the Bible, and now I serve as a ministerial servant in the Christian congregation. Jehovah has truly blesssed me.
Next time: We Are Responsible
"When I was a young boy in boarding school, I got involved in homosexual practices, although I never thought of myself as being homosexual. My parents were divorced and I craved the parental affection that I never received. After finishing school, I did compulsory military service. There was a group of homosexuals in the barracks next to mine. I became envious of their life-style, so I started associating with them. After associating with them for a year, I began to think of myself as a homosexual. 'This is the way I am,' I reasoned, 'and I can do nothing about it.'
"I started learning the lingo and going to gay clubs, where drugs and alcohol were freely available. Although outwardly it all seemed very exciting and appealing,it was actually sickening. Deep down I sensed that this kind of relationship was unnatural and had no future.
"In a small town, I came across a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses while the meeting was on. I went in and listened to the talk, which dealt with the future Paradise conditions. Afterward I met some of the Witnesses and was invited to an assembly. I went, and that was a revelation to me-seeing happy families worshipping together. I started to study the Bible with the Witnesses.
"Although it was a struggle for me, I started to apply what I was learning from the Bible. I was able to break free from all my unclean practices. After studying for 14 months, I dedicated my life to Jehovah and was baptized. For the first time in my life, I had real friends. I have been able to help others learn the truth from the Bible, and now I serve as a ministerial servant in the Christian congregation. Jehovah has truly blesssed me.
Next time: We Are Responsible
12.10.2005
The Root Of Mankind's Trouble
As we have already seen, mankind's problems started when the first human pair sinned. The result? While generations of Adam's offspring are not responsible for Adam's sin, they nonetheless are all born with sin, imperfection, and death as their inherited lot in life. The Bible explains: " That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." - Romans 5:12.
Man's imperfection puts him at a decided disadvantage. But that does not absolve him of all moral responsibility. The Bible shows that those who put faith in Jehovah's provision for life and conform their lives to God's standards will have his approval. Out of his loving-kindness, Jehovah made a merciful provision to redeem mankind, to buy back, as it were, what Adam had lost. That provision is the ransom sacrifice of his perfect Son, Jesus Christ, who said: " God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." - John 3:16; 1Corinthians 15:21, 22.
The apostle Paul expressed his deep appreciation for this provision. He exclaimed: " Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24, 25) Paul new that if he succumbed to sin out of weakness, he could ask God's forgiveness on the basis of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
As in the first century, today many who formerly led very bad lives or whose situation seemed hopeless have come to an accurate knowledge of Bible truth, made the necessary changes, and come in line for God's blessing. The changes they had to make were not easy, and many still have to contend with harmful tendencies. But with God's help, they are able to maintain integrity and find joy in serving him. (Philippians 4:13) Consider, just one example of someone who made drastic changes in order to please God.
Next time: An Encouraging Experience
As we have already seen, mankind's problems started when the first human pair sinned. The result? While generations of Adam's offspring are not responsible for Adam's sin, they nonetheless are all born with sin, imperfection, and death as their inherited lot in life. The Bible explains: " That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." - Romans 5:12.
Man's imperfection puts him at a decided disadvantage. But that does not absolve him of all moral responsibility. The Bible shows that those who put faith in Jehovah's provision for life and conform their lives to God's standards will have his approval. Out of his loving-kindness, Jehovah made a merciful provision to redeem mankind, to buy back, as it were, what Adam had lost. That provision is the ransom sacrifice of his perfect Son, Jesus Christ, who said: " God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." - John 3:16; 1Corinthians 15:21, 22.
The apostle Paul expressed his deep appreciation for this provision. He exclaimed: " Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24, 25) Paul new that if he succumbed to sin out of weakness, he could ask God's forgiveness on the basis of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
As in the first century, today many who formerly led very bad lives or whose situation seemed hopeless have come to an accurate knowledge of Bible truth, made the necessary changes, and come in line for God's blessing. The changes they had to make were not easy, and many still have to contend with harmful tendencies. But with God's help, they are able to maintain integrity and find joy in serving him. (Philippians 4:13) Consider, just one example of someone who made drastic changes in order to please God.
Next time: An Encouraging Experience
11.26.2005
The Evidence Against Biology
For a long time, scientists have been tackling the monumental task of finding genetic cures for human pathology and behavior. After ten years of work by six teams of researchers, the gene linked to Huntington's disease was isolated, although the researchers have no idea how the gene causes the disease. However, reporting on this research, Scientific American quoted Harvard biologist Evan Balaban, who said that it would be "almost infinitely harder to discover genes for behavioral disorders."
In fact, research attempting to link specific genes to human behavior has been unsucessful. For instance, in Psychology Today, a report on efforts to find genetic causes for depression states: "Epidemiologic data on the major mental illnesses make it clear that they can't be reduced to purely genetic causes.." The report gives an example: "Americans born before 1905 had a 1 percent rate of depression by age 75. Among Americans born a half century later, 6 percent become depressed by age 24! " It thus concludes that only external or social factors can bring about such dramatic changes in such a short time.
What do these and numerous other sutdies tell us? While genes may play a role in shaping our personalities, there clearly are other influences. A major factor is our environment, which has undergone radical changes in modern times. Concerning what today's youth are exposed to in popular entertainment, the book Boys Will Be Boys observes that it is unlikely that children will develop sound moral principles when they "grow up watching tens of thousands of hours of TV shows and films in which people are assaulted, shot, stabbed, disemboweled, chopped up, skinned, or dismembered, when children grow up listening to music which glorifies rape, suicide, drugs, alcohol and bigotry."
Clearly, Satan, "the ruler of this world," has shaped an environment that caters to man's baser desires. And who can deny the powerful influence that such an environment exerts on all of us? - John 12:31; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:9, 12.
Next time: The Root Of Mankind's Trouble
For a long time, scientists have been tackling the monumental task of finding genetic cures for human pathology and behavior. After ten years of work by six teams of researchers, the gene linked to Huntington's disease was isolated, although the researchers have no idea how the gene causes the disease. However, reporting on this research, Scientific American quoted Harvard biologist Evan Balaban, who said that it would be "almost infinitely harder to discover genes for behavioral disorders."
In fact, research attempting to link specific genes to human behavior has been unsucessful. For instance, in Psychology Today, a report on efforts to find genetic causes for depression states: "Epidemiologic data on the major mental illnesses make it clear that they can't be reduced to purely genetic causes.." The report gives an example: "Americans born before 1905 had a 1 percent rate of depression by age 75. Among Americans born a half century later, 6 percent become depressed by age 24! " It thus concludes that only external or social factors can bring about such dramatic changes in such a short time.
What do these and numerous other sutdies tell us? While genes may play a role in shaping our personalities, there clearly are other influences. A major factor is our environment, which has undergone radical changes in modern times. Concerning what today's youth are exposed to in popular entertainment, the book Boys Will Be Boys observes that it is unlikely that children will develop sound moral principles when they "grow up watching tens of thousands of hours of TV shows and films in which people are assaulted, shot, stabbed, disemboweled, chopped up, skinned, or dismembered, when children grow up listening to music which glorifies rape, suicide, drugs, alcohol and bigotry."
Clearly, Satan, "the ruler of this world," has shaped an environment that caters to man's baser desires. And who can deny the powerful influence that such an environment exerts on all of us? - John 12:31; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:9, 12.
Next time: The Root Of Mankind's Trouble
11.19.2005
How It All Started
Most people are familiar with, or at least have heard of, the account about the fall of the first human pair, Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden. Were they made with some intrinsic defect in the genes right from the start, a sort of design flaw that predisposed them to sin and disobedience? Their Creator, Jehovah God, whose works are all perfect, proclaimed that his crowning earthly creation was "very good." ( Genesis 1:31; Deuteronomy 32:4) As further evidence of his satisfaction with his work, he gave the first couple his blessing and instructed them to be fruitful, to fill the earth with human creatures, and to take charge of his earthly creation-hardly the actions of someone uncertain of his handiwork. - Genesis 1:28.
Regarding the creation of the first human pair, the Bible tells us: " God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God's image he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27) This does not mean that humans were made to resemble God in physical appearance, for "God is a Spirit." (John 4:24) Rather, it means that human creatures were endowed with godly qualities and a sense of morality, a conscience. (Romans 2:14, 15) They were also free moral agents, capable of weighing a matter and deciding on the action to take. However, our first parents were not left without guidelines. Rather, they were warned of the consequences of wrongdoing. (Genesis 2:17) So the evidence indicates that when Adam was faced with a moral decision, he chose to do what to him seemed expedient or advantageous at the time. He followed his wife in her wrong doing instead of considering his relationship with his Creator or the long-term affects of his action. He also tried later to shift the blame to Jehovah, saying that the wife he had provided misled him. - Genesis 3:6, 12; 1Timothy 2:14.
God's response to the sin of Adam and Eve is revealing. He did not try to correct some 'design flaw' in their genes. Rather, he carried out what he told them would be the consequences of their actions, which led to their eventual death. (Genesis 3:17-19) This early history sheds much light on the nature of human behavior."
Most people are familiar with, or at least have heard of, the account about the fall of the first human pair, Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden. Were they made with some intrinsic defect in the genes right from the start, a sort of design flaw that predisposed them to sin and disobedience? Their Creator, Jehovah God, whose works are all perfect, proclaimed that his crowning earthly creation was "very good." ( Genesis 1:31; Deuteronomy 32:4) As further evidence of his satisfaction with his work, he gave the first couple his blessing and instructed them to be fruitful, to fill the earth with human creatures, and to take charge of his earthly creation-hardly the actions of someone uncertain of his handiwork. - Genesis 1:28.
Regarding the creation of the first human pair, the Bible tells us: " God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God's image he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27) This does not mean that humans were made to resemble God in physical appearance, for "God is a Spirit." (John 4:24) Rather, it means that human creatures were endowed with godly qualities and a sense of morality, a conscience. (Romans 2:14, 15) They were also free moral agents, capable of weighing a matter and deciding on the action to take. However, our first parents were not left without guidelines. Rather, they were warned of the consequences of wrongdoing. (Genesis 2:17) So the evidence indicates that when Adam was faced with a moral decision, he chose to do what to him seemed expedient or advantageous at the time. He followed his wife in her wrong doing instead of considering his relationship with his Creator or the long-term affects of his action. He also tried later to shift the blame to Jehovah, saying that the wife he had provided misled him. - Genesis 3:6, 12; 1Timothy 2:14.
God's response to the sin of Adam and Eve is revealing. He did not try to correct some 'design flaw' in their genes. Rather, he carried out what he told them would be the consequences of their actions, which led to their eventual death. (Genesis 3:17-19) This early history sheds much light on the nature of human behavior."
11.12.2005
Who Is To Blame You Or Your Genes?
Scientists are hard at work to try to find genetic causes for alcoholism, homosexuality, promiscuity, violence, other aberrant behavior and even for death itself. Would it not be a relief to find that we are not responsible for our actions but are merely victims of biology? It is human nature to blame someone or something else for our errors.
If the genes are to blame, scientists hold out the possibility of changing them, eliminating undesirable traits through genetic engineering. The recent success in mapping the entire human genome has given such aspirations new impetus.
This scenario, however, is based on the premise that our genetic endowment is indeed, the villain responsible for all our sins and errors. Have the scientific detectives found enough evidence to make a case against our genes? Obviously, the answer will profoundly affect how we see ourselves and our future. Before examining the evidence, though, a look at mankind's origins will prove enlightening.
Next time: How It All Started
Scientists are hard at work to try to find genetic causes for alcoholism, homosexuality, promiscuity, violence, other aberrant behavior and even for death itself. Would it not be a relief to find that we are not responsible for our actions but are merely victims of biology? It is human nature to blame someone or something else for our errors.
If the genes are to blame, scientists hold out the possibility of changing them, eliminating undesirable traits through genetic engineering. The recent success in mapping the entire human genome has given such aspirations new impetus.
This scenario, however, is based on the premise that our genetic endowment is indeed, the villain responsible for all our sins and errors. Have the scientific detectives found enough evidence to make a case against our genes? Obviously, the answer will profoundly affect how we see ourselves and our future. Before examining the evidence, though, a look at mankind's origins will prove enlightening.
Next time: How It All Started
10.22.2005
Myth 5: Death Means The Permanent End Of Our Existence
We cease to exist when we die, but this does not mean that everything is necessarily finished. The faithful man Job knew that he would go to the grave, Sheol, when he died. But listen to his prayer to God: " O that in Sheol you would conceal me, that you would keep me secret until your anger turns back, that you would set a time limit for me and remember me! If an able-bodied man dies can he live again?...You will call, and I myself shall answer you." - Job 14:13-15.
Job believed that if he was faithful until death, he would be remembered by God and in time be resurrected. This was the belief of all of God's servants in ancient times. Jesus himself confirmed this hope and showed that God would use him to raise the dead. Christ's own words give us this assurance: " The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear [Jesus']voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment." - John 5:28, 29.
Very shortly God will remove all wickedness and establish a new world under heavenly rulership. (Psalm 37:10, 11; Daniel 2:44; Revelation 16:14, 16) the result will be a paradise over the whole earth, inhabited by people who server God. In the Bible we read: " I heard a loud voice from the throne say: 'Look! the tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more,neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.' " - Revelation 21:3, 4.
Free From Fear
Knowledge of the resurrection hope coupled with knowledge of the one who is the source of that provision can comfort you. Jesus promised: " You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) That includes emancipating us from the fear of death. Jehovah is the only one who can actually change the process of aging and death and grant us eternal life. Can you believe in God's promises? Yes, you can because God's Word always comes true. (Isaiah 55:11) We urge you to learn more about God's purposes for mankind. Jehovah's Witnesses will be delighted to help you.
We cease to exist when we die, but this does not mean that everything is necessarily finished. The faithful man Job knew that he would go to the grave, Sheol, when he died. But listen to his prayer to God: " O that in Sheol you would conceal me, that you would keep me secret until your anger turns back, that you would set a time limit for me and remember me! If an able-bodied man dies can he live again?...You will call, and I myself shall answer you." - Job 14:13-15.
Job believed that if he was faithful until death, he would be remembered by God and in time be resurrected. This was the belief of all of God's servants in ancient times. Jesus himself confirmed this hope and showed that God would use him to raise the dead. Christ's own words give us this assurance: " The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear [Jesus']voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment." - John 5:28, 29.
Very shortly God will remove all wickedness and establish a new world under heavenly rulership. (Psalm 37:10, 11; Daniel 2:44; Revelation 16:14, 16) the result will be a paradise over the whole earth, inhabited by people who server God. In the Bible we read: " I heard a loud voice from the throne say: 'Look! the tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more,neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.' " - Revelation 21:3, 4.
Free From Fear
Knowledge of the resurrection hope coupled with knowledge of the one who is the source of that provision can comfort you. Jesus promised: " You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) That includes emancipating us from the fear of death. Jehovah is the only one who can actually change the process of aging and death and grant us eternal life. Can you believe in God's promises? Yes, you can because God's Word always comes true. (Isaiah 55:11) We urge you to learn more about God's purposes for mankind. Jehovah's Witnesses will be delighted to help you.
10.15.2005
Myth 4: Some People Are Just Tormented After Death
Many religions teach that the wicked will go to a fiery hell and be tormented forever. Is this teaching logical and Scriptural? The human life span is limited to 70 or 80 years. Even if someone was guilty of extreme wickedness all his life, would everlasting torment be just a punishment? No. It would be grossly unjust to torment a man forever for the sins that he committed in a short lifetime.
Only God can reveal what happens after people die, and he has done so in his written Word, the Bible. This is what the Bible says: "As the [beast] dies, so the [man] dies; and they all have but one spirit....all are going to one place. They have all come to be from the dust, and they are all returning to the dust." (Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20) There is no mention here of a fiery hell. Humans return to dust - to nonexistence -when they die.
In order to be tormented, a person has to be conscious. Are the dead conscious? Once again, the Bible gives the answer: "the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages,m because the remembrance of them has been forgotten." (Ecclesiastes 9:5) It is impossible for the dead , who are conscious of nothing at all," to experience agony anywhere.
Continued - Next time: Myth 5: Death means the permanent end of our existence.
Many religions teach that the wicked will go to a fiery hell and be tormented forever. Is this teaching logical and Scriptural? The human life span is limited to 70 or 80 years. Even if someone was guilty of extreme wickedness all his life, would everlasting torment be just a punishment? No. It would be grossly unjust to torment a man forever for the sins that he committed in a short lifetime.
Only God can reveal what happens after people die, and he has done so in his written Word, the Bible. This is what the Bible says: "As the [beast] dies, so the [man] dies; and they all have but one spirit....all are going to one place. They have all come to be from the dust, and they are all returning to the dust." (Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20) There is no mention here of a fiery hell. Humans return to dust - to nonexistence -when they die.
In order to be tormented, a person has to be conscious. Are the dead conscious? Once again, the Bible gives the answer: "the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages,m because the remembrance of them has been forgotten." (Ecclesiastes 9:5) It is impossible for the dead , who are conscious of nothing at all," to experience agony anywhere.
Continued - Next time: Myth 5: Death means the permanent end of our existence.
10.08.2005
Myth 3: God Takes Little Children To Become Angels
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, who studied terminally ill individuals, referred to another common perception among religious people. Describing a real incident, she stated that it is "unwise to tell a little child who lost her brother that God loved little boys so much that he took little Johnny to heaven." Such a statement cast God in a bad light and does not reflect his personality and behavior. Dr. Kubler-Ross continued: " When this little girl grew up to be a woman she never solved her anger at God, which resulted ina psychotic depression when she lost her own little son three decades later."
Why would God snatch a child to get another angel - as if God needed a child more than the child's parents did? If it were true that God takes children, would that not make him an unloving, selfish Creator? Contrary to such a perception, the Bible says: " Love is from God." (1John 4:7) Would a God of love cause a loss that even humans with any measure of decency would not tolerate?
So why do children die? Part of the Bible's answer is recorded at Eclesiastes 9:11: "Time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all." And Psalm 51:5 tells us that all of us are imperfect, sinful, from the time of our conception, and the eventuality for all men now is death from any number of causes. Sometimes death strikes before birth, resulting in a stillbirth. In other cases, children succumb to their dire circumstance's or have accidents and die. God is not responsible for such eventualities.
Continued -Next time: Myth 4: Some People Are Tormented After Death
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, who studied terminally ill individuals, referred to another common perception among religious people. Describing a real incident, she stated that it is "unwise to tell a little child who lost her brother that God loved little boys so much that he took little Johnny to heaven." Such a statement cast God in a bad light and does not reflect his personality and behavior. Dr. Kubler-Ross continued: " When this little girl grew up to be a woman she never solved her anger at God, which resulted ina psychotic depression when she lost her own little son three decades later."
Why would God snatch a child to get another angel - as if God needed a child more than the child's parents did? If it were true that God takes children, would that not make him an unloving, selfish Creator? Contrary to such a perception, the Bible says: " Love is from God." (1John 4:7) Would a God of love cause a loss that even humans with any measure of decency would not tolerate?
So why do children die? Part of the Bible's answer is recorded at Eclesiastes 9:11: "Time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all." And Psalm 51:5 tells us that all of us are imperfect, sinful, from the time of our conception, and the eventuality for all men now is death from any number of causes. Sometimes death strikes before birth, resulting in a stillbirth. In other cases, children succumb to their dire circumstance's or have accidents and die. God is not responsible for such eventualities.
Continued -Next time: Myth 4: Some People Are Tormented After Death
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