Why should we strive to get to Heaven?

[Neogaia777]

I'd rather just be completely neutral to be honest. Those things you say we should be thankful for are temporary and end quite quickly compared to eternity. If you didn't exist nothing would matter either way, the fact He creates people and then makes them feel obligated to serve Him because of something He chose to do of His own accord is pretty close to dictatorship in my opinion.

Sometimes it's hard to see God as the good guy, especially when the whole thing about "free will" is an illusion and we get absolutely no choice in anything in this life or after it.

As long as you are content just being reset all of the time, and repeating these same existences over and over again, and that being forever, then be my guest, but if you chose to at least try to follow in God's ways, then there is something far, far better for you that He has in store for you if you should at least just choose to try to do that always.

Your choice(s) is/are unknown to you right now, therefore you still have a choice.

God Bless.

 

[biblelesson]

Lately I've got this way of thinking that I don't want to follow rules and be someone's servant. When I pray to God I don't feel anything like I used to, the things I enjoy on earth make me happier than turning to God does.

I'm just wondering, why should we even care about going to Heaven? It seems like you have to fight every natural urge and desire you have just on the off-chance you might get to Heaven, despite the fact that we can't help our human nature and we didn't ask to exist I'm the first place. Isn't it better to go to Hell knowing you lived for yourself and didn't deny yourself happiness, than stressing out all the time on Earth just to then go to Heaven and continue being someone's servant for eternity? I feel like if I go to Hell at least I lived for myself and didn't let myself be bullied/strongarmed into following rules that I don't even really want to.


I used to be terrified of Hell and constantly try to please God, and I never felt as happy as I do when I just please myself and don't worry about it.

I think you just needed to say something and you are playing with us and sitting back laughing at anyone who respond.

Well what if I’m wrong and you really mean you are not terrified of hell! Maybe you have the wrong idea about that place. First you won’t be able to remove yourself from that location, just like we can’t remove ourselves from earth. Gravity keeps us here. We can’t just fly away into heaven to escape earth, and surely you won’t be able to fly away from hell; you will have been changed into a spiritual body that cannot die, so you will feel the pain/burning of fire forever, and ever, and ever, and ever, until eternity, where the fire is never quenched, and there are worms that cannot die, Mark 9:44 KJV.

Just in case you are not playing, there have been a misunderstanding regarding fighting every natural desire to please God and being a servants. This is not the gospel. Don’t know who your teacher is, but the gospel is the power that releases us from our fleshly nature, and gives us peace and the grace to rest in Christ through the Holy Spirit. God does not require us to struggle because it is Him that gives us the power to persevere: God has not given you the spirit of fear, but has [GIVEN YOU] Power, and of Love, and of a Sound Mind, 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

Only fear causes this kind of frustrating effort and misunderstanding about God, believe me I know! But when you have experienced the sweet, blessed infilling of the Holy Spirit, your mind and heart is raised [by God] to such beauty and majesty in God’s Spirit, till you only want to serve Him - [Through the Spirit He Gives You what you need to persevere]

Pray and ask God for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Agra man]

I'd rather just be completely neutral to be honest. Those things you say we should be thankful for are temporary and end quite quickly compared to eternity. If you didn't exist nothing would matter either way, the fact He creates people and then makes them feel obligated to serve Him because of something He chose to do of His own accord is pretty close to dictatorship in my opinion.

Sometimes it's hard to see God as the good guy, especially when the whole thing about "free will" is an illusion and we get absolutely no choice in anything in this life or after it.

You know before I was saved I would sometimes think God was pretty self conceited and I used to have thoughts similar to yours. The thing is it was never about being a servant or fighting against your flesh or whether you chose for anything to happen or not it was always about his love and the relationship he seeks with us.

From what you have said it seems you never really gave yourself to him. Anyone can tru to be a Christian you can do all the right things you can go to church you can serve the people you xan know the bible better than your own self that still doesn't make you a Christian.

That disconnection you feel when you pray to him that is the problem it is a matter of the heart that is what makes one a Christian. I personally had to brought to my very lowest to the point where I actually felt numb and dead inside my life seemed pointless and everything I had that brought me pleasure before just seemed like trash it always was fun and great to me at first but eventually everything gets old and you go searching for something else to fill that void but the same thing happens there is just something missing.

I was in tears and begged him to come into my heart just to have a purpose to exist just to have actual meaning to my life that I didn't just exist and was born into this world alone and just [lanted here hoping I can have a good and meaningful life.

Everything you lack in life where others have failed you that is what he is for. If people don't accept you or care about love you or even want anything to do with you he does, if your feeling down and depressed and life is being a complete jerk that is why he is there if you just need someone to talk to someone to understand what your going through and feeling that is why he is there.

He doesn't want you to come to him because you either choose him or hell he doesn't ask you to serve him for his own gain things work opposite with him. Do you know who all this is really about? us. Yes it is about him all of creation is about him but yet everything he has ever done everything he has ever asked us to do was always for our good.

Do have any idea how unreasonably generous he is with he has promised us just for coming to him? The treasures and honor crown and position of authority we are placed in? He literally makes you reign with Christ not under him with him and you don't have to try to earn it you don't have to be good enough or anything like that he created you to be fearfully and wonderfully made in his own imagine it was an act of love not a matter of whether you had a choice or not.

 

[Agra man]

I think you just needed to say something and you are playing with us and sitting back laughing at anyone who respond.

Well what if I’m wrong and you really mean you are not terrified of hell! Maybe you have the wrong idea about that place. First you won’t be able to remove yourself from that location, just like we can’t remove ourselves from earth. Gravity keeps us here. We can’t just fly away into heaven to escape earth, and surely you won’t be able to fly away from hell; you will have been changed into a spiritual body that cannot die, so you will feel the pain/burning of fire forever, and ever, and ever, and ever, until eternity, where the fire is never quenched, and there are worms that cannot die, Mark 9:44 KJV.

Just in case you are not playing, there have been a misunderstanding regarding fighting every natural desire to please God and being a servants. This is not the gospel. Don’t know who your teacher is, but the gospel is the power that releases us from our fleshly nature, and gives us peace and the grace to rest in Christ through the Holy Spirit. God does not require us to struggle because it is Him that gives us the power to persevere: God has not given you the spirit of fear, but has [GIVEN YOU] Power, and of Love, and of a Sound Mind, 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

Only fear causes this kind of frustrating effort and misunderstanding about God, believe me I know! But when you have experienced the sweet, blessed infilling of the Holy Spirit, your mind and heart is raised [by God] to such beauty and majesty in God’s Spirit, till you only want to serve Him - [Through the Spirit He Gives You what you need to persevere]

Pray and ask God for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

What makes you think he is just messing around? I am just asking because without any real reason to assume so it may have been best to not mention that because if he is legit then a comment like that isn't going to help convince him of anything

What you said though about the beauty and majesty of the spirit I loved that there really is a kind of serene wonder to him

 

[biblelesson]

What makes you think he is just messing around? I am just asking because without any real reason to assume so it may have been best to not mention that because if he is legit then a comment like that isn't going to help convince him of anything

What you said though about the beauty and majesty of the spirit I loved that there really is a kind of serene wonder to him

That’s the first thing I though about because I can’t conceive anyone wanting to burn in hell forever!

However, I did say just in case I’m wrong!

 

[Agra man]

That’s the first thing I though about because I can’t conceive anyone wanting to burn in hell forever!

However, I did say just in case I’m wrong!

I see. Well I think it is because he is not aware of how bad hell is. people talk about hell they read about it and hear about it but I have actually been there if Jesus wasn't with me when I was there I wouldn't have lasted two minutes it isn't just insanely hot but it is like it is super humid to my shirt was glued to my skin from sweat the thirst makes you go insane it's like you put a chup full of salt in youur mouth I won't explain what I saw there there are things that can never be unseen and you don't want to talk about it trust me it is that bad. I don't know how legit all the stories are of people going to hell explaining all the horrific things they saw there and just go about as normal.

I didn't really have a desire to save the lost I was focused on my growth with him but you see what I did and you come back different you understand the actual value of a soul why he is so desperate to save the lost

 

[Brihaha]

I am sorry to hear this. Maybe you were never truly blessed with faith in the first place. I can only compare my own faith in regard to your OP. I have no question about being blessed with faith, as I feel the opposite of how you feel.

While I understand your exasperation because I feel it occasionally, I never have doubts about if Heaven is worth striving for. You seem like temptation has entered and you are ready to throw in the towel. We all feel tempted occasionally. Each decision is your choice to make. For those with faith, half our decisions have been given to God because we acknowledge as wretched humans we do not make the best decisions if left to our own devices. This is liberating because we can be overwhelmed by the problems of this world. We can only hope to try to heed God's word, knowing full well we will fall short once in a while and commit a sin.

I reckon I should mention I am a recovering alcoholic who's been sober since 1995. God blessed me with sobriety and faith. He helps me live one day at a time and gives me tools to stay sober. Since I didn't even finish reading the bible until the pandemic began, I feel like that "Footprints" prayer was created for people like me.

I feel the Holy Spirit simply by thinking of God. I cannot envision a scenario where I could even question whether my faith is worth the investment of doing God's will. This is why I posit yours might possibly have not been true faith in God. The good feeling you had previously when praying could have been dopamine, endorphins or serotonin instead of the Holy Spirit. I read my bible and feel the Holy Spirit every time. You never mentioned reading the bible. Perhaps that will help open your heart to the Holy Spirit again. I sincerely hope you choose the path God offers. Peace

 

[Agra man]

I am sorry to hear this. Maybe you were never truly blessed with faith in the first place. I can only compare my own faith in regard to your OP. I have no question about being blessed with faith, as I feel the opposite of how you feel.

While I understand your exasperation because I feel it occasionally, I never have doubts about if Heaven is worth striving for. You seem like temptation has entered and you are ready to throw in the towel. We all feel tempted occasionally. Each decision is your choice to make. For those with faith, half our decisions have been given to God because we acknowledge as wretched humans we do not make the best decisions if left to our own devices. This is liberating because we can be overwhelmed by the problems of this world. We can only hope to try to heed God's word, knowing full well we will fall short once in a while and commit a sin.

I reckon I should mention I am a recovering alcoholic who's been sober since 1995. God blessed me with sobriety and faith. He helps me live one day at a time and gives me tools to stay sober. Since I didn't even finish reading the bible until the pandemic began, I feel like that "Footprints" prayer was created for people like me.

I feel the Holy Spirit simply by thinking of God. I cannot envision a scenario where I could even question whether my faith is worth the investment of doing God's will. This is why I posit yours might possibly have not been true faith in God. The good feeling you had previously when praying could have been dopamine, endorphins or serotonin instead of the Holy Spirit. I read my bible and feel the Holy Spirit every time. You never mentioned reading the bible. Perhaps that will help open your heart to the Holy Spirit again. I sincerely hope you choose the path God offers. Peace

God bless you honestly. What you have written here my heart and soul just just sings over you.

 

[Brihaha]

God bless you honestly. What you have written here my heart and soul just just sings over you.

May God bless you as well. I now feel an urge to testify to His grace occasionally. God has blessed me so much and others should experience this if given the chance. It's AdTW's choice to accept Jesus and live eternity in heaven or to have temporary satisfaction here on earth for a spell. We can only offer our honest, relative advice and experience.

 

[Agra man]

May God bless you as well. I now feel an urge to testify to His grace occasionally. God has blessed me so much and others should experience this if given the chance. It's AdTW's choice to accept Jesus and live eternity in heaven or to have temporary satisfaction here on earth for a spell. We can only offer our honest, relative advice and experience.

Boasting of his goodness was Davids daily bread look at the joy it brought him. But yeah I am not sure when he will come online again but I hope he can at least begin to understand. Aside from eternal destination he has no idea what he is missing.

God is not what I expected that is for sure.

 

[Strong in Him]

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[Strong in Him]

Even though He made the sacrifice He made, I sort of think that I didn't ask Him to do that personally,

None of us did - none of us would be capable of asking such a thing.
And we'd have no right to advise God anyway.

therefore I don't feel it is my duty/responsibility/whatever people may call it to serve Him

Some of us call it a privilege to serve - and we do it from love, not obligation.

as I didn't get a choice about whether I exist or not, and it seems unfair frankly.

None of us get a choice in whether or not we are born and therefore exist. What's unfair?

Chances are if I somehow knew before my life began that serving God or going to Hell were my only options, I'd likely just opt to have never existed in the first place.

They aren't your only options.

God doesn't stand over us with a big stick saying, "serve me or you'll go to hell". I'm sorry if anyone has given you that impression, but it's false.
God says, "I made you in my own image. I love you and want you to be my child, and this will happen if you believe in and accept Jesus who gave his life so that you could know me. If you are in Christ you will have every spiritual blessing that there is - hope, peace, security, assurance etc etc, Ephesians 1:3. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, Romans 8:1 and perfect love drives out all fear, 1 John 4:18."
That's what God wants for us - it is his free gift, Romans 6:23. If anyone is told, or knows, about this free gift and wants to accept it - they have eternal life and become a child of God. If people are told about this unconditional love and free gift of God but choose to reject it, and continue to reject it for the rest of their lives; if they say "I don't want to live with God", then when they die, that is exactly what happens. They don't get to live with God.
Serving God, keeping rules, going to church or anything else that you can think of does not impress God nor earn his love. No one can earn his love - he, in his mercy, chooses to show it to us.

I'd likely just opt to have never existed in the first place.

You'd rather miss out on life because you are under the mistaken impression that it means 60 odd years of service/slavery to God?
Jesus said, "the thief comes to kill and destroy; I have come that they should have life, life in all its fulness." John 10:10.

God forced me to exist and now He expects me to be His servant or burn in Hell when I die,

No, he doesn't.
You either have the wrong idea about God or you are a victim of bad theology.
Or you're depressed.

it's almost like a dictatorship to me.

If that was what God did and what he was like, maybe - but it's not.

 

[ZephBonkerer]

Lately I've got this way of thinking that I don't want to follow rules and be someone's servant. When I pray to God I don't feel anything like I used to, the things I enjoy on earth make me happier than turning to God does.

I'm just wondering, why should we even care about going to Heaven? It seems like you have to fight every natural urge and desire you have just on the off-chance you might get to Heaven, despite the fact that we can't help our human nature and we didn't ask to exist I'm the first place. Isn't it better to go to Hell knowing you lived for yourself and didn't deny yourself happiness, than stressing out all the time on Earth just to then go to Heaven and continue being someone's servant for eternity? I feel like if I go to Hell at least I lived for myself and didn't let myself be bullied/strongarmed into following rules that I don't even really want to.


I used to be terrified of Hell and constantly try to please God, and I never felt as happy as I do when I just please myself and don't worry about it.

I can tell you already you have the wrong idea about salvation. You don't strive to get to Heaven. There is no "Good Person" point system for getting in.

I came to Jesus in 2000 at a time of desperation. I tried to pursue righteousness on my own terms, and was failing miserably at it. I was becoming someone I didn't like. That is what sin does. I turned to Jesus for a better way. It was by far the best decision I have ever made.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Lately I've got this way of thinking that I don't want to follow rules and be someone's servant. When I pray to God I don't feel anything like I used to, the things I enjoy on earth make me happier than turning to God does.

I'm just wondering, why should we even care about going to Heaven? It seems like you have to fight every natural urge and desire you have just on the off-chance you might get to Heaven, despite the fact that we can't help our human nature and we didn't ask to exist I'm the first place. Isn't it better to go to Hell knowing you lived for yourself and didn't deny yourself happiness, than stressing out all the time on Earth just to then go to Heaven and continue being someone's servant for eternity? I feel like if I go to Hell at least I lived for myself and didn't let myself be bullied/strongarmed into following rules that I don't even really want to.


I used to be terrified of Hell and constantly try to please God, and I never felt as happy as I do when I just please myself and don't worry about it.

You don't strive to get into heaven. If you are saved and born again, you are already in heaven. Heaven is a spiritual state, not a geographical place. Those who are born again have an inner desire to please God and an aversion to sin. There is a struggle between the desires of self and the Spirit of God. There is a price to pay to be spiritual. You cannot please God and yourself.

You should be terrified of hell. For you, it will be worse. You've had an opportunity to receive Christ. It's better never to have known than to turn away in this life. You won't ever please God. Christianity is not a set of rules. If you think that way, it's no wonder that you are having a hard time. Those who are born again have a relationship with God through Christ. Jesus is my Lord, my Saviour but also my Friend. Whatever He asks me to do, He does out of great love. And He gives me the ability to do it. Jesus in me pleases God. All I need do is trust Him and obey Him. He leads me in all things, even small things.