and it's a tad early for me to be pondering end of life questions. However if there is a way to double my life expectancy, I'd be a fool to say no.
Actually, no it's not. If it was too early for you to consider end-of-life questions, you would have no need to decide if you needed and accepted Jesus. If you're old enough to hear, it's time to start hearing about Jesus. Jesus even quoted Deuteronomy 6:
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Children as young as two start to mimic the people closest to them. They're already learning. Should they be learning how to pray, how to worship, how to tithe, how to love one another? Or should we just wait until they're 38 years old and hope they can make all the right changes?
@durruck
true, I get your point. Here Christianity is growing by the day and everything is as fine as can be. Granted I can see faith is pretty strong on this forum.
I'm thrilled to hear that it's growing rapidly where you are. And yes, this forum is a safe-haven, a Jesus-loving place. And so far, the internet is unregulated. But here in the US, there have been multiple attempts at legislation that starts regulating the net, as a whole. Like you, I generally see governmental regulation as a bad thing. Communities (such as this) that regulate themselves seem to be better off than government-sponsored counterparts.
I live in a multicultural place, most of us are *moderate*, confident in our salvation, do what we can, but I don't think many of my peers are willing to devote their entire life into the Gospel just yet. Sure there are some, but not most of us. However things seem to be going pretty well here, definitely not the persecution and dystopia you suggest. Is it that different where you are?
I would say the climate is much the same here, among believers. Generally speaking, the churches are kinda full of people that usually show up, maybe give a little in the offering, sometimes will help with a special project. Very few (based on percents) truly dedicate their lives to God.
And I'd like to add this: dedicating your life to God does not mean that you have to turn over 100% of your income, quit your job, and become a missionary or pastor. Only
some are called to that level of commitment. But the majority can live our lives for God, doing local missions, helping to mow grass at the church every week, teaching a class once in a while, or helping with some other various projects that are in our field of specialty. But I can do as much good for the Gospel by staying in my current profession, finding people to reach out to that I would otherwise be unable to reach. Because of what I do, I go into people's home on the worst moments of their lives, and get to talk to them, get the details that they don't even share with their families, and get to give them whatever feedback I deem appropriate. There have been several times that my recommendations have included "talk to a priest or pastor - I can recommend one if you don't have one" ... to people that normally wouldn't consider church an option. If I leave my job, I lose that route.
But in the church, one of my most visible tasks is to help prepare the sanctuary for worship and clean up afterward. Nobody sees me do it, but they sure notice if I don't do it. *grin* It's not difficult, uses very little time, but it's a job that needs to be done. There are dozens of little jobs like this that need done every week.
I also happen to lead a youth group, teach a class, and plan church events, but those are things that I grew into as I saw a need. I didn't just take them up without serious consideration and prayer about my work schedule, school schedule, family time, etc.
As for the non-believing population, there are a few voices that are driving Christianity back underground. If you read on the life of Madalyn Murray O'Hair, you'll see she was a big part of removing public prayer, and the catalyst for removing the 10 Commandments and other Christian-based works from most public buildings.
The Supreme Court (the highest court in the US) has ruled against Christianity on several topics, even twisting the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment (it says that the government will not establish a national religion). However, the courts have used it to rule against Christian-specific agendas. Unfortunately, now that there have been cases settled using it, the unwritten applications become part of established case law in the US, and it takes the Supreme Court overturning their previous decisions to nullify it... so all the lower courts are forced to apply the rules the same way.
Now, if you are that dedicated to the Faith, wouldn't you like 200 more years to evangelize down here? It's not that I want immortality, but another few dozen years would be nice if I ever make it in life.
Nope, I wouldn't. Like the Apostle Paul, I believe that to live is Christ, to die is gain. (Read
Philippians 1:15-26 for a better understanding). He wasn't suicidal, but he understood that there was no reason to try to do anything to prolong his life. He will preach as long as he's here, then move on to be with Christ. Why mess with a good thing?
