Posted on 08/26/2009 9:26:20 AM PDT by NYer
I cannot judge as I will also be judged. I can only pray for Gods Mercy....
HighlyOpinionated,
This protestant, Bible believer has been for some time speculating on what the Roman Catholic chiefs will do upon Teddy’s demise. That time is now at hand. Yes, it is true that we mortals do not do the judging. The Bible teaches that Jesus will judge those who are redeamed to life everlasting. In order to accomplish this, Teddy would have had to confess and repent. Not one or the other but both. Unless there is some post mortum video or written documment of Teddy renouncing his very public sins he has no chance unless of course the Bible is not accurate.
Please convince me that you are not trying to pre-empt the situation in anticipation of some Roman Catholic high official proclaming Teddy as a flawed but rightous individual. If and when this happens, it will be a travesty for the Roman Catholic Church, which should know better.
My father told me, not long after we had to put him in a nursing home, that he was ready to go.
He said that he’d lived a good life, but he was tired and ready to be with my mom in heaven.
Three days later they were together.
I still miss them both.
LOL!
“Well...bye....”
Far be it for me to judge either, but I would imagine a real conversion would involve a public renouncement of his support for abortion. He was a vocal and public supporter of abortion for decades.
Bah! Doesn't work that way. Anyone who thinks you can wallow in sin continuously for your entire life, then offer a heart felt confession in their last days or day is sadly mistaken.
Why some "Christians, Catholics or otherwise, think this just goes to show that they have never put much effort into their faith at all, not even reading the gospel once if at all.
Tossing a few bucks into a collection plate once in a while, listening to a few sermons at funerals or the rare time they did attend mass at Christmas will not reserve you a spot in heaven.
Is the Lord says, "It is not those who say to me 'Lord, Lord', who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven." (Mt.7:21).
In other words, it's not those who talk the talk, it is those who walk the walk who get into heaven, and the path is very narrow.
Some wannabe "Christians" think that the original sin, and all sins were forgiven once and forevermore, so no matter what they do, they are going to heaven. There is no need for confession, no need far baptism, no need for communion.
"Even though they ate from the rock that was Christ and even though they drank from the rock that was Christ, their corpses littered the desert because they failed to please God." (1 Cor.10:8).
"He who keeps the commandment is keeper of himself, but he who despises the word shall die." (Pr.19:16).
First, you are saved from what was certain death.
"The reason why those who are in Christ Jesus are not condemned, is that the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death." (Rom.8:1-2).
We have gone from one law to another. The new law is the Gospel of Jesus and the New Testament. It is a law that measures spiritual action rather than ritual action. And it pours out forgiveness through repentance and conversion.
Atonement, then, is a baptism, not just of water, but of contrition and reform as well. (Mt.3:11). The law of Christ requires obedience to righteousness. We must behave in Christ the way the Spirit commands, not as our unspiritual nature dictates. (Rom.8:4).
Jesus said, "Anyone who hears my words and puts them into practice will never die." (Jn.8:51). And again, "If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." (Mat.19:17).
Getting into Heaven is a lifelong commitment to doing your best to putting the word into practice.
And since he had the benefit of a priest at his death bed, this as Catholics, is what we should hope, as well as praying for his soul. I do not find this easy, however being Catholic hardly ever is easy.
Guess you never heard of the good thief.
This judgment thing has more to do with forgiveness and atonement for the things someone has done to you personally, like steal your car, rape your daughter, murder your son.
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; because the judgements you give are the judgements you will get, and the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given." (Mt.7:1-2).
I’m saying that I do believe in a place of purgation AFTER death and that WE on Earth have NO RIGHT to TELL GOD what to do.
The reason I am no longer an Assembly of God member is because the last time I was in that church, I was up at the altar with a group of people laying hands upon a person who needed prayer and praying to God, when suddenly, I heard our prayers as God hears them . . . we were TELLING GOD WHAT TO DO, not Asking Him Meekly and with sincerity of heart.
That revelation lead me back to the Bible for six months, then for six months I attended an all black church (friend invited me) while continuing to read various Bible translations and writings of the Early Church from cover to cover, and then after that I moved and started attending the Catholic Church based on what I’d read in the Bible and the writings of the Early Church Fathers. The rest is His Story.
We are told to work our out own salvation with fear and trembling. We are also told not to judge the person, just the fruit. Kennedy had some rotten fruit that we saw, but his family saw good fruit intermingled. So we leave the judgment up to God, since He didn’t ask for our opinions and even if we give them, He is still the Final Judge,
“WHY do so many people take this out of context?”
#####
Because it is a major prop and aid to one of the fundamental maladies affecting human society in the current age:
Soft, cowardly non-judgmentalism.
Well, that is true, Sal. But one thing I can say: for anyone to support the policies he did as a public figure, including support for abortion, which is mass murder of the most innocent among us, and then to consider himself a pious and faithful man is at best a hypocrite. You know where Dante placed those folks and it was deep in Hell. Now, do you consider that a venial or a mortal sin, given he has been a cause for sin for millions of people?
Your post #29 is the best I’ve read about this man’s death. It is actually very instructive. I’d urge others to read the ENTIRE post.
Walk toward Gulbuth, Senator...uh, the light. I meant walk toward the light.
Can't always get what you want...
There are other circumstances in play in the case of the good thief. It was a very unusual circumstance that he was extremely fortunate to be in.
Christ was able to offer forgiveness for all his sins, offer eternal life and the good thief was able to live the rest of his life (go and sin no more).. all at once. His confession was sincere.
Hide it under a bushel.. no!!... oh wait...
Sorry Senator, not buying it. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your faith is not to be hidden away, but to be shared with all that you meet. Not more I can say without seeming to be disrespectful.
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