Masturbation

pinkputter said:

Because, "what you do now echoes in eternity"

We know we have an eternal reward for everything we do, and in the same way we are responsible to Jesus on judgement day for what we've done. But, like many atheists, I don't see Him "shaming" us in Heaven for all the negative, but rather, if we have accepted Him as our Savior, he will reward the GOOD... If you r too busy doing bad youre going in the wrong direction. It's not exactly rocket science. He's extremely fair.

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That's an awfully... idiosyncratic reading of the bible

pinkputter said:

Because, "what you do now echoes in eternity"

We know we have an eternal reward for everything we do, and in the same way we are responsible to Jesus on judgement day for what we've done. But, like many atheists, I don't see Him "shaming" us in Heaven for all the negative, but rather, if we have accepted Him as our Savior, he will reward the GOOD... If you r too busy doing bad youre going in the wrong direction. It's not exactly rocket science. He's extremely fair.

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So there will be continued inequality in Heaven? Some people will get more rewards than others, so it will be a case of the haves and the have-nots.

Skaloop said:

So there will be continued inequality in Heaven? Some people will get more rewards than others, so it will be a case of the haves and the have-nots.

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No, it's called Justice

pinkputter said:

No, it's called Justice

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Fine, but a just inequality is still an inequality.

Anyway, to help me better understand your position, when you say people get rewards in heaven, what are those rewards? How are they distributed, and by whom? How are they earned during this life? Do people who were really good get more or different rewards than those who were just sort of good?

Yes, I think so. I also think this is what the Bible shows us. here are a few verses:

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Luk 6:23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

And last but not least (this is my favorite verse in the Bible...it's up there anyway)

Galatians6

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

Be Generous and Do Good


6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.


This is why I do not see how an atheist can have the mindset that Christians are lazy or that they don't want change in our world. We are compelled, more than anyone. First, we are human just like the rest of you. We see suffering and want to prevent that if at all possible. But we also have an added incentive, because here as I have highlighted in these verses, "great is our reward in heaven" for "being generous and doing good" We do it 1. because it is needed in our world but 2. and more importantly, it is what Jesus would do.

When it says we reap what we sew, this answers your question very clearly with a resounding YES people who reap more will sew more. That is why everyday of your life is an opportunity to influence our world from a Godly perspective with meaning and Truth. Wow!

To answer your question about what those rewards are, I have to be clear that the Bible never really spells it out. We know that we cannot bring our earthly posessions into the next life. However, if absolute happiness, joy, peace, love, and God's presence is a reward to you, you will find it in the next life. Paul writes, "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later."

It is something to look forward to. Think about living in a world with no suffering, everyone is perfect in Jesus, and we live forever. That is just part of heaven. It's pretty indescribable when you realize that it's out of this world- literally.

pinkputter said:

It is something to look forward to. Think about living in a world with no suffering, everyone is perfect in Jesus, and we live forever. That is just part of heaven. It's pretty indescribable when you realize that it's out of this world- literally.

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Do different people get different rewards in Heaven based on their activites here on Earth?

Skaloop said:

Do different people get different rewards in Heaven based on their activites here on Earth?

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Going off my knowledge of the Bible, yes.

Like that one verse I shared says, you reap what you sew. If you agree that some will reap more than others, then you could say some would get a "different" reward in that context.

There is however, something I'm not sure about those who come to know Jesus later in life. Like if their "good deeds" done BEFORE they came to know Jesus count towards their reward. ??

I think there is a verse in the Bible about those knowing Jesus later is just as if youve known Him your whole life. But I am not sure.

You have to just do your best- that's all you can do. And come to know who Christ is. There's not much you can change but that

pinkputter said:

Going off my knowledge of the Bible, yes.

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Right, so not everyone is equal in heaven. Inequality exists. And with inequality comes certain things such as coveting and jealousy.

Like that one verse I shared says, you reap what you sew. If you agree that some will reap more than others, then you could say some would get a "different" reward in that context.

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More of what? God's favour? More time to hang with J-Dog? Wouldn't those with less be envious of those with more?

You have to just do your best- that's all you can do. And come to know who Christ is. There's not much you can change but that

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So if I do my best but don't "come to know who Christ is" then I'm punished, but someone who does his worst but "comes to know who Christ is" gets heavenly rewards. Just fewer rewards than someone like you, who tries your best and has "come to know who Christ is."

pinkputter said:

Going off my knowledge of the Bible, yes.

Like that one verse I shared says, you reap what you sew. If you agree that some will reap more than others, then you could say some would get a "different" reward in that context.

There is however, something I'm not sure about those who come to know Jesus later in life. Like if their "good deeds" done BEFORE they came to know Jesus count towards their reward. ??

I think there is a verse in the Bible about those knowing Jesus later is just as if youve known Him your whole life. But I am not sure.

You have to just do your best- that's all you can do. And come to know who Christ is. There's not much you can change but that

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Interesting. Would there also be inequalities between those who dont believe in Jesus depending on what they did in life?

What about those who start believing in Jesus after they die?

Pinky:

We know we have an eternal reward for everything we do

Pardon? Do you have a single splinter of observable evidence that we have an 'eternal' anything?

Skaloop said:

More of what? God's favour? More time to hang with J-Dog? Wouldn't those with less be envious of those with more?



So if I do my best but don't "come to know who Christ is" then I'm punished, but someone who does his worst but "comes to know who Christ is" gets heavenly rewards. Just fewer rewards than someone like you, who tries your best and has "come to know who Christ is."

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Paul speaks of the "third heaven".... I am not Mormon but the Mormons have a lot more theology on this, if you are interested. It's interesting to LOOK at, though I'm not sure if I agree with it myself. As it is not found in the Bible and can be considered "false gospel"

Yes. That is how Jesus designed us. We are at our best when we are in a relationship with Him. If you listen to people's testimonies from after the became Christian, they will explain how selfish they were before they came to know God, and how much God has changed their hearts.
I don't think of it as a competition.. the Bible also reminds us not to compare one another. It is a test of a good religion about working together as a group to accomplish things. This is what Christianity is about.
Yes, we are motivated be rewards, but we can never know fully (until that day comes) what our reward, let alone our neighbor's reward will be, so we should just focus on doing our best and we will get there.

Antarctika said:

Interesting. Would there also be inequalities between those who dont believe in Jesus depending on what they did in life?

What about those who start believing in Jesus after they die?

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This is what one of my friends said about this topic, and I agree with him:

Yeah I definitely believe in levels of heaven and hell. Paul says he knew someone that was shown the " third heaven " somewhere in the bible. And I can't see a very kind , devout Hindu being along side of Hitler being completely tormented on the same level, but that is just my gut feeling there, not really biblical. But yes I do agree there are degrees for sure.

Jesus says, "No one comes to the Father except through me"
I take him at his word. I do think Grace will be shown to some, and God will be Just about it, but everything in the bible points to belief in Jesus being kind of what would you call it.. a requisite, to get into Heaven.

Now, you asked about some one believing AFTER they die...this is where what we call purgatory comes in. I believe in it, and I think with God's Grace a person could be saved from purgatory, but I wouldn't count on it. I wouldn't risk my soul to depend on that situation to save me. That's just me. But then again, I already know Jesus so I'm not and hopefully none of you will be in that situation either.. Could be worse I guess..

yasic said:

Sin is going against the will of God. So it depends on which God.

Is masturbating sinning against the literal God of the JKV bible? Yes, but so is working on a Saturday or having a house worth more than $5,000. For any other God, depends on what his will is.

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What do you mean working on the Sabbath or having a 5,000$ house?

Do you know the difference between OT and NT law? Oh boy is that another topic.......sigh.

It is a sin to touch because of the reasons stated.

pinkputter said:

Going off my knowledge of the Bible, yes.

Like that one verse I shared says, you reap what you sew. If you agree that some will reap more than others, then you could say some would get a "different" reward in that context.

There is however, something I'm not sure about those who come to know Jesus later in life. Like if their "good deeds" done BEFORE they came to know Jesus count towards their reward. ??

I think there is a verse in the Bible about those knowing Jesus later is just as if youve known Him your whole life. But I am not sure.

You have to just do your best- that's all you can do. And come to know who Christ is. There's not much you can change but that

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Are you aware that no major christian denomination maintains this position?

The Nihilist said:

Are you aware that no major christian denomination maintains this position?

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I don't know what youre referring to.... but many of my friends/fellow believers believe this as there r verses in the Bible that back this up

pinkputter said:

I don't know what youre referring to.... but many of my friends/fellow believers believe this as there r verses in the Bible that back this up

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Traditional christianity has interpreted the reward in heaven as communion with God, which is always complete and perfect. You're not a follower of the prosperity gospel, are you?

The Nihilist said:

Traditional christianity has interpreted the reward in heaven as communion with God, which is always complete and perfect. You're not a follower of the prosperity gospel, are you?

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There is no difference in what I said about "reaping what you sew" and what the Bible says about this. I don't believe in the "prosperity gospel" as I don't know what that is. I just follow THE Gospel...God's Word.

What is the confusion here?

pinkputter said:

There is no difference in what I said about "reaping what you sew" and what the Bible says about this. I don't believe in the "prosperity gospel" as I don't know what that is. I just follow THE Gospel...God's Word.

What is the confusion here?

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Traditional christianity has never understood the scripture to indicate that there are inequalities in heaven. Reaping what you sow in Galatians doesn't indicate this either: it indicates more or less that if you don't follow christianity, you're going to hell.

The main thing about the prosperity gospel is that it is silly. It's good that you don't follow it.

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