>>How do you know the interests of others?<<
you treat them as you would appreciate being treated. this does require some thought and reflection, but you'd appreciate it if others gave that thought and reflection when dealing with you, right?
>>Looks like you missed it. Worshipping God to save yourself is what Jesus taught. Was the condemned man on the cross seeking to save himself exclusively when he said, "Lord, remember me when you enter your kingdom"? I think so in light of the fact he had already rebuked the other condemned man on the cross, "his neighbor", for having rejected Jesus.<<
you are reaching conclusions with partial information. you know next to nothing about the man on the cross. he might have lived a life of caring and concern for others and, when faced with the prospect he could do no more, asked about himself.
that's completely consistent with not making personal salvation his main desire.
but it is more comforting to proof text a verse out of context of other scriptures to justify our own selfishness, isn't it?
>>And, I should direct you to read the Parable of the Prodigal Son since clearly, you haven't assimilated its meaning.<<
and what meaning is that? care only of salvation for oneself and don't care about other people? that's what you are saying? seriously?
>>Specifically, God does not care why you worship, for worship shows faith, and faith is all. It's the worship that gets the results, not minding the spiritual health of your neighbor.<<
how do you reconcile this with the following?
Matthew 7:21
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
1 John 3:10
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
Luke 10:25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[c]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[d]"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." |
