Two Perspectives

The other day, I wrote a post about What Do I Have To Do To Get To Heaven?  I had us look at two opposing perspectives on Christianity.

#1  How much do I need to do, 

      in order to make it to heaven?

      What do I have to give up, 

      in order to not spend eternity in hell?

#2  What more can I do, 

       in order to please Him?

       What else can I give up, 

       in order to serve Him better?

I finished the post by saying ...

My focus is not on how close I can get to hell, 

without getting burned.

My focus is on how close I can get to heaven, 

while still living life on this earth.

Today, I would like to take a closer look at some specific situations that those two perspectives might come into play.  Which side of each of these conversations would you be on?

Two Teenage Girls (or young adults)

talking about their boyfriends ...

I told my boyfriend we can do anything except,

"go all the way".

I told my boyfriend that I want to stay

pure for my future husband.

How far can we go and still be "pure"?

How pure does the Lord want us to be 

for our future husbands?  How pure would

our future husbands like us to be?

"Flee from sexual immorality. ... Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit? ...  Therefore honor God with your body."  1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Overwhelmed Mommies ...

I'm so FRUSTRATED.  I don't think there's anything

wrong with using a few bad words.

I want to  honor the Lord with my words, 

even when I'm frustrated?

But ... at least I didn't use the Lord's name in vain.

And ... I don't use the "F word".

I don't want my words to even show a hint 

of disrespect or dishonor.

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this ... to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  James 1:26-27

Young ladies getting dressed for a blind date ...

What can I wear so that he will really take notice?

I want to honor the Lord with my attire?

I've worked so hard to keep my body looking good,

I'm proud to show it off.

I want to  look nice, yet not distract this young man's 

attention away from getting to know me 

(by focusing on my body instead of the conversation)?

"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety ... appropriate for women who profess to worship God."  1 Timothy 2:9-10

Teens picking a movie to go to on Friday night.

We need to go see this one because 

EVERYONE says it's great.

Why is it rated PG13?

It only has bad words and a little violence,

there's no sex in it.

I want to keep my mind focused on things

that are pure and holy.

But it's just entertainment.

Would the Lord be laughing with us?

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."  Philippians 4:8

I hope that this post has encouraged you 

to see which perspective you usually use.  

I hope it has encouraged you to do the RIGHT thing ... 

even if your peers are pulling you in the opposite direction.

I hope this post has encouraged you to always want

God's very BEST for your life, rather than just trying to

do the minimal amount of "good works" to get by.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren ... do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  Romans 12:1-2

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ...  Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as theses:  anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."  Colossians 3:1-8