Letters: It’s what’s in your heart that counts

Apparently my recent letter in The Advocate has spawned an ongoing discussion about who is or isn’t an authentic Christian.

May I stir the pot a bit? The Bible doesn’t need or require my endorsement, so I’ll refrain from quoting Scripture as many have done. I think a major flaw in modern Christianity is the ability for an individual to simply “crown” themselves a Christian. For one to state, “I gave my heart to Jesus” or “I believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus” may be a good start to becoming a genuine Christian, but make no mistake, our actions tell the real story.

I go through a little mental exercise sometimes in which I try to picture people I’ve known who’ve passed away. As I wonder if they made it to Heaven, I consider the lives they led. I’ve known people who have “trusted Jesus as their Savior” who also literally hated people of other races or even people who simply had a different perspective than they. Did they make it to Heaven?

My detractors are ready to pounce, just waiting for me to stand in judgment of such a person.

Therefore, I’ll express my opinion in the following statement: “If I, John Singleton, harbor hatred towards anyone and make no effort to repent of such hatred, I have no expectation of seeing Heaven.” Fair enough?

John Singleton

equipment designer

Baton Rouge

Comments

1) Comment by ScotB - 13/07/2012

Irrelevant is a stretch, but I know many fine people who are atheist, agnostic, or adhere to a religion other than Christianity and they are all good people. It may surprise you, but I agree that God and religion are not necessary to be a good and moral person. I respect other people's views, even if we do not agree. If we all thought exactly the same, the world would be pretty boring, after all. Peace!

2) Comment by DMJ - 12/07/2012

Being a good person does not lead to salvation, but it does lead to a happier life.. Hmmm....thanks for proving every athiests' argument about morality. You see...even culture warrior christians like ScotB know that religion and god are irrelevant when it comes to being a good and moral person.

3) Comment by ScotB - 12/07/2012

DMJ, be a good person because you are a good person and God commands you to. Many Christians do, indeed, have many of the faults that you enumerate. Some have had abortions. Some are homosexual. God forgives them all. What's wrong with that? Striving to be better is always worthwhile, my only point was that it does not lead to salvation, but it does lead to a happier life.

4) Comment by chem - 12/07/2012

Mr. Singleton's comments show religion to be silly and phony. The fact that all of these various christian sects cannot agree on what a chrisitan is speaks volumes. Furthermore, the bible teaches hatred, bigotry, murder, misogyny, revenge, and genocide. Yet all of these "christians" dance around that fact. Religion, through the ages, is at the heart of all that is wrong with most humans. We are better of without it.

5) Comment by Whatnow - 12/07/2012

Read what it takes.... good deeds don't matter. (http://www.christianpost.com/news/what-does-it-mean-to-be-saved-72291/) (http://www.guidedbiblestudies.com/wordstudies/salvation.htm)

6) Comment by Whatnow - 12/07/2012

http://www.christianpost.com/news/what-does-it-mean-to-be-saved-72291/

7) Comment by RationalOne - 12/07/2012

John, if you harbor hatred and don't repent, indeed you'll never see heaven. If you follow the bible word for word, listen to all its teachings, and live your life exactly as described, you'll still never see heaven. Why? Because heaven doesn't exist. It's a myth. When you die, you die. You stop living. Your body starts decomposing. You cease to exist. The only places you "live" after death are in the memories of your family and friends.

8) Comment by DMJ - 12/07/2012

I'm no Christian, but I agree with Mr. Singleton here. I've been making that point for years- the only thing most christians do that non-christians don't is call themselves christians. (see ScotB's post if you don't believe me) That's all it takes. Everything else is forgiveable, which is why you have racist christians, selfish christians, christians lacking in empathy, etc. If you can't save yourself by acts, then why be a good person at all, right Scot? Many simply aren't.

9) Comment by Lannonmac - 12/07/2012

Well said Mr. Singleton. It would be refreshing to see more Christians living the teachings and values of Jesus Christ.

10) Comment by [e-mail] - 12/07/2012

Singleton digresses; his opinion is noted, but as for me his message is one of criticism and nothing more.

11) Comment by dday198 - 12/07/2012

let us beat each other over the head with the good book.

12) Comment by Bighug - 12/07/2012

Nowhere in the bible does it say one has to be good to go to heaven. Say hello to Adolph Hitler when you get there. He passed the test of accepting Christ as his savior. I will greet all the Jews he killed in hell.

13) Comment by ScotB - 11/07/2012

That mental exercise sounds like judging others to me, but I'll keep an open mind so as not to judge you. Just saying. "Crowning" yourself Christian is all that is required, as you describe it. You cannot save yourself by acts, because we all fall short. Salvation is a gift that cannot be earned. God Bless you.