Yup!....however...let me clarify a little bit more...
Part of my core of beliefs is I cannot judge someone else in this or most other matters. With the limited intellect we humans have I would be foolish to think I could match my wisdom with that of the Almighty. Since my earlier struggles with accepting all of the doctrine of my religion, questioning, wondering, etc...I have landed on a foundation I feel is right for me. I have been tested and I'd like to think I did the right thing in most, if not all, of the cases. I did not expect any rewards for "doing the right thing"...it just made me feel good about myself. However..I have been rewarded. I've noticed that the things that happen to me (I am calling them tests) appear to get a little tougher. I happen to believe if I am faced with a moral decision and INTENTIONALLY opt to do what I KNOW is wrong...the chances of receiving my ultimate reward is very small. In my faith, IF....IF....IF a person HONESTLY is contrite for an action or inaction all MAY be forgiven. The other "hook" in my belief system is if I am doing the right things becasue I think I may get a reward I am no better than Pavelavs dog. The last thing is when I receive a blessing/reward/etc
I try to share it with others.
My bottomline is I believe God judges each of us on OUR own merrits, however, each of us MUST have some sort of belief system and remain true to it. I'd get more into the belief part but this may already be getting quite boring. I don't feel comfortable "shoving" what's right for me into the face of other people....like I said..I could easily be wrong...I honestly don't know, but I feel very good about my approach to life (it only took me 20(+) years to find it.)
As for you being pleasantly surprised...why not? My faith, religion, etc has taught me one way...then there are the beliefs of the Muslims, Budhists, American Indians, atheists (it's still a belief...in a sense)... my interpretation of GOD is He is all knowing and all forgiving. I don't know you...only you do. I tend to think if you are honestly true to yourself and your belief system...anything is possible... does this make any sense?
Thanks for the BEST WHISHES...same back to you...I hope you, and ALL our fellow posters have a GREAT 98'
T.R. |
