The term "hateful" has often been inappropriately used by various groups in order to silence the free speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of association of others.
Which group is often targeted most by this new code word? Those who adhere to faith in Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bible.
This code word is behind most of the legislation being pushed by the radical homosexual agenda.
It is used by Muslim groups like CAIR in order for them to claim "racial profiling" when all that is actually being done is deterence against the intentions of radical Islamic terrorists who would perpetrate enormous acts of evil against any and all Americans; including non-radical Muslims.
It is used against those who are pro-life and believe that the Supreme Court decision on abortion was brought about via a previously unknown "right to privacy" (that isn't in our Constitution) which has caused the sanctioned murder of innocent, pre-born babies in what is now known as the American Holocaust of the unborn.
I'm sure that there are many other examples that could be cited.
It has been my experience that when Biblical truth places the light of holiness and righteousness against the sins of men, the secular humanists and pagans don't like it. These days, even skeptics, agnostics, and atheists are getting into the act by calling Christians "hateful" for standing up for the truth in God's Word. I was recently accused of being a "Christofascist" by a skeptic.
That's quite strange, actually.
If skeptics don't believe in the God of the Bible or Jesus Christ, then why do they specifically rant against both?
The reason is because they are not alert to Satan's schemes and devices being used to keep them from knowing God, the Person of Jesus Christ, and the reconciliation that is possible through faith in Christ.
Take a subject like the occult. These days, it's quite popular. We see it in movies, on several T.V. shows, in video games and in books like the Harry Potter series. Some Christians view any or all of these as harmless.
So be it.
I'm probably not going to convince them otherwise. But I would advise avoidance of such deceptions altogether.
God's Word informs us that the temptations of these things can harm us; even when we don't realize it yet.
Act 8:9
¶
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Act 8:10
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Act 8:11
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
God's Word tells us that people can be deceived by sorcerers. They can be deceived so badly by them that they think one who is a sorcerer has such ability because they believe that "the man is the great power of God." In the Acts verses above, we see that the people there had been bewitched for quite a long time.
Notice what happened next when Philip began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
Act 8:12
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
The people were transformed, from years of deception into the truth regarding the kingdom of God and how one must believe in the name of Jesus Christ in order to be baptized and enter into the kingdom.
However, watch what happens to Simon:
Act 8:13
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
The verse tells us that "then Simon himself believed also." He was baptized and then traveled with Philip. However, notice it says that "he wondered." He was beholding the miracles and signs which were done (see examples in Acts 8:5-8). The next few verses give us an indication of his true fleshly desire and thoughts of wonderment.
Act 8:14 ¶ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Act 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Act 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17 Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Act 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Act 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Act 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and [in] the bond of iniquity.
Act 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
It appears that Simon had fallen back into his old ways. He wanted the power of healing for his own pride and glory; not to demonstrate the power, glory, healing and redemption power which belongs only to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Does this account remind you of anyone today who also does such things? Perhaps you can think of several. The one that immediately came to my mind is a tele-evangelist who shamelessly makes tons of money putting on "shows" of people being healed. I won't mention any names, but his initials are BH.
Keep in mind that when Jesus did healing in his day, he approached people individually. The apostles did the same. There were no arenas of healing with a man in a white suit claiming that each person who came up on the stage ends up healed.
It is a terrible shame that true Christian faith is often marred by such charlatans.
On with the post.
In Acts 8:25-40, we don't read that Simon continued on with Philip's missionary journeys.
Simon was an example of a false convert.
Whichever form deception takes (and, as the few examples above show us, there are many to watch out for and avoid), Jesus instructed us to "take heed that no man deceive you." He told us to avoid anti-Christ, religious deception.
Mat 24:3 ¶ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
We are warned about Satan's counterfeit Christianity.
2Cr 11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Cr 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Cr 11:15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
We are again told of the exclusivity of Jesus Christ compared to any or all other religions:
Jhn 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Jhn 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Jhn 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Jhn 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth
The only way to discern truth from error is through what is written in the Bible. That is why religious pluralists dislike the claims of Biblical Christianity which shares absolute truth. They would much rather believe that there are several "truths" (a.k.a. "relativism") out there to consider. However, the fact is that not all "truths" can be valid at the same time. Even a pluralist would have to admit that!
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Basically, there are 7 Satanic deceptions that unsaved people face in vulnerability when they don't know God's written Word, the Bible, and God's Living Word, the Person, Jesus Christ.
1. False Doctrine
Jhn 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
Jhn 8:32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
What does it mean to "abide in Jesus' Word"? He is talking about the Old Testament as well as the words he was speaking that were sent through Him from God the Father during his ministry on earth. Jesus' words have been recorded by the writers of the New Testament. Their writings were done through being "carried along by the power of the Holy Spirit" to compose what God wanted revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
Jhn 8:28 Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.
Now, If you go and read the rest of Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees, you will see that he said some astonishing things to them. He claimed, "you are of your father, the devil."
Jhn 8:43 "Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
Jhn 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Jhn 8:45 "But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
Jhn 8:46 "Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?
Jhn 8:47 "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
I ask you. What would today's non-Christians most likely say about this kind of speech?
Would they scream, "Hateful??!!"
Of course they would!
They already are screaming such things!!
The Bible is on the verge of being labeled "hate speech" in this pagan, secular world.
Jesus called them out as being deceived by Satan, the father of lies. Christians know that the unsaved are extremely vulnerable to the same lies, today.
Jhn 8:47 "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
Look in the mirror. Right now. And ask yourself, are you willing to be guided by the Bible?
It is the only way that you won't be vulnerable to unholy, unrighteous, pagan practices that have crept into Christianity.
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Mar 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
What are some of the current "traditions of men" going on in our culture today?
1. Emergent church movement.
2. Crossless gospel.
3. Reprobate theology.
4. Love, mercy and grace espoused without repentance.
This is just to name a few!!
The new buzz word and code word..."Hateful"... has become the new humanist-manifesto type of command.
And, what is the ultimate goal of it's usage?
To silence Christians and the Word of God.
It is almost like "Thou shalt not be hateful" is promoted as being above the truth of God's Word as the ultimate knowledge and wisdom. On the surface, such a "new" command might not be a bad idea. We should not be hateful towards each other. However, certain people want to apply such a new command to include their sinful behaviors.
This is ludicrous!
God Himself has stated in His Holy Word that He hates sin. Why? Because sin leads to death.
This is precisely the reason that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sins on the cross in order to redeem us all unto reconciliation with God.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Do you see it now? Can you spot the difference?
The Bible says, "woe to them who call evil good; and those who would call good, evil."
Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
The improper use of the term "hateful" applied against Biblical morality, ethics, truth and wisdom causes such a belief and term to "trump" God's Word!!
*******to be continued*******
I once read an article concerning a political debate. The person who frames the terminology usually wins such contests. Look at what the term, "Compassionate Conservative," did for the President.
ReplyDeleteThe radical element is trying to "frame the debate." If they can get the general population to take on their terminology, they have an advantage.
Instead of a defensive posture, the Christian community would be better served by their own choice of terminology.
That's my two cents for today. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Blessings,
Anna
Yeah, it could be that or much more likely it is simply that logical and reasonable people fear the influence, and consequences, of religious fanatics. Religion has always stood on the wrong side of history -- in regards to feminism, slavery, minority rights, racism, etc., etc. The 17th century Enlightenment has done far more in advancing human morality than the Bible ever could. The Bible certainly didn't help in the struggle against slavery, in fact, in many ways it supported its continued practice. Similarly, the Bible, along with the Koran, have been pivotal in suppressing basic civil rights for women and other minority groups. Thankfully, our world is no longer ruled by blind faith but rather science, logic, and reason. This explains the precipitous decline in the influence of Christianity in the Western World and the corollary decrease in violence, racism, poverty, and illiteracy.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, not all government leaders are falling for the "hateful" deception.
ReplyDeleteCourt strikes down state's 'hate crimes'
'No matter how salutary a bill, it still must be constitutional'
There are DOZENS of articles listed below this one which tells the story of how the homosexual agenda propaganda machine has used the "hateful" and "hate crimes" terms to steer legislation and the courts towards squelching freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of association for Christian believers.
Hi Anna,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that very insightful information. You are exactly right! David Kupelian's "The Marketing of Evil -How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom" book covers the fact that two homosexual activists, Kirk and Madsen, did exactly that through their book, "After the Ball." They taught other homosexual activists such techniques and have brilliantly duped much of the public into their lies and deceit.
Chapter one in Kupelian's book is included in this former post called, It's About Manipulation.
More and more people are discovering this book as a valuable tool to counter the homosexual agenda today.
Another book that I recommend is "The Homosexual Agenda" by Alan Sears and Craig Osten.
A portion of the book can be found in this PDF Coalition Amicus brief (You may want to scroll down to page 10).
David,
ReplyDeleteIf you desire to place logic, reason, science, and your fallible mind above the Creator of the universe, then go right ahead.
Trouble is, what you don't perceive is that logical reasoning is not an absolute law which governs the universe. Logic is not a set of rules which govern behavior.
With all of your blathering about how the Enlightenment improved man; you are dead wrong about it improving the morality of man. It has done just the opposite.
Man left to his own devices, usually ends up without a conscience and denies (as you do here) a Bible-based morality. History proves that unrestrained man has a natural penchant for criminality and inhumanity. And, the atheistic global socialism experiements of the 20th century failed to provide freedom, liberty, and prosperity. Millions and millions more people have died at the hands of cruel, evil, godless dictators than any religious group.
All of the qualities that you think man invented were given by God. You wish to worship the created, rather than the Creator.
What you incorrectly perceive as "enlightenment" is really nothing new. It is just one more chapter in the centuries-old war between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man. The powerful pagan forces that opposed Elijah (1 Kings 18), that fought our Lord (Matthew 16) and that battled Paul (Acts 17) are among us still; forces that seek to throw off the moral cords of God (Psalm 2) and declare themselves liberated - only to find themselves slaves to their own passions and ideas (2 Peter 2:19).
The apostle Paul wrote that Christians were to overthrow [atheists, false religions, cults, apostasy] arguments and every high thing [human pride, false doctrine, lust, covetousness, vanity and arrogance, false dreams/visions/miracles, bitterness, and lack of faith] that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).
No one else in history has changed the world like Jesus Christ did. Jesus' virgin birth as God Incarnate, his ministry on earth, sacrificial death for man's sins and ultimate resurrection is the ONLY provision given by God the Father for the salvation of mankind.
The historical evidence of Christ's death, resurrection and ascension into heaven is a fact. Simon Greenleaf, once a skeptic like yourself, set out to disprove this claim. Based on logical, lawful reasoning, found himself proving, beyond a shadow of a doubt that the gospel is a fact of history. He ended up believing in Christ after all of his research.
It's not about "religion" David, it's about relationship. The gospel is a proclamation about Jesus. God's Word tells how the one true God of the universe has "dealt in Jesus Christ with sin, death, guilt, and shame, and now summons men and women everywhere to abandon the idols which hold them captive to these things and to discover a new life, and a new way of life in him."
The Bible further instructs us to preach the whole Word of God (2 Timothy 4:2), which includes being the salt of the earth and asserting a moral influence.
Every believer knows that some day the kingdoms of this world will "become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15).
So, what's your destiny, David?
Christine,
ReplyDeletePlease!! You actually used Simon Greenleaf. I couldn't help but giggle at that. Of course, Greenleaf came to his conclusion. He based his "evidence" at a time before Darwinian Evolution, the discovery of DNA, and countless other discoveries. Had he been given all the information he would have undoubtedly come to different conclusions. It must be hard to have to use the opinions of men who died in the 19th century to support your ideology. Why don't you join us in the 21st century?
Nice way to ignore my last question, eh David?
ReplyDeleteThe point is that Greenleaf reached his conclusions based on correct law procedures and the evidence available without the benefit of DNA and/or any "other" discoveries - which, btw, might have provided even stronger evidence. Therefore, how can you claim that any additional evidence would have changed his conclusion? You can't...can you...
The myth of Darwin's macro-evolution - an extrapolation of the evidence that has no basis in fact anyway - has no bearing on this issue. FYI, micro-evolution is not denied by ID or Creation adherents and fits right in with their theories and/or hypotheses. But let's not drift away from the topic.
I chose Greenleaf, not because he lived in the 19th century, but because he was a skeptic just like you. It wasn't his "opinion" that led him towards belief. It was the examination of the evidence that proved beyond any reasonable doubt that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is as much a fact of history as any other historical fact that has been investigated and established.
So, I ask you again.
What's your destiny, David?
You're curious about my "destiny" are you? Well, Christine, my destiny is exactly the same as yours. We are both biological animals created by evolutionary processes that are well-explained, and proven, using science and logic. This evolutionary history explains not only our moral and social development but also explains the advent of religion. Religion as a cultural institution, was created by natural evolutionary processes to address our fear of death. Without this fear of death, we would likely not have survived as a species -- it gives us a distinct evolutionary advantage. It has also motivated us to build communities, start agriculture, and eventually create civilization. I understand that your fear of death is so consuming you will suspend logic and reason to believe in mythological beings such as "God". But no matter how much you try, you will someday die just like the rest of us. And when we die, that is it. We no longer exist. Our time on this planet has expired to make room for other evolutionary life to flourish. Some of us, namely atheists, have a more advanced moral development and do not live our lives in fear of death.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure in response you will try to tell me how wrong I am and how these mythological characters from a 3,000 year old book will try to punish me (a book, btw, written by slave-owning polygamists). I hate to disappoint you, however, as I have as much fear of "God" as I do the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, or the Tooth Fairy.
We are now quickly approaching a time in human history where religion has accepted defeat against truth and science. It is a war that religion has been loosing for 300 years now. You and your children represent the last Christian generation that will enjoy majority status. Only about 10-30% of American children are choosing Christianity as adults. A new study (search Religion News Service for details) of Americans age 18-29 demonstrated that 91% view Christianity as "anti-gay" and another 85% view it as hypocritical. Christians are doing an EXCELLENT job of ensuring their future irrelevancy. And this atheist couldn't be happier about it.
Happy Thanksgiving!! ;)
"The point is that Greenleaf reached his conclusions based on correct law procedures and the evidence available without the benefit of DNA and/or any "other" discoveries - which, btw, might have provided even stronger evidence. Therefore, how can you claim that any additional evidence would have changed his conclusion? You can't...can you..."
ReplyDeleteThis is true. As he died over a hundred years ago. How convenient for you. ;)
Also, that assertion about Greenleaf is a flat-out lie. He may have based his conclusions are correct law procedures based on the evidence available. Given what we know now, it would certainly NOT be correct law procedures to conclude the same today. Try using a 1833 law source today and see how far it gets you. Also, since Greenleaf had no access to the mythological characters written about in the Bible, nor those who claimed to have "seen" them, we can take his conclusions with a grain of salt. Try submitting "witness testimony" in a court, when the "witness" died 2000 years ago. ;)
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteYou have placed your faith in Darwinism and appear to have a certainty regarding your final destiny.
Evolution cannot address the reality of our eternal souls. The Bible, Jesus Christ, and Christian faith informs us of the fact that there is life after death. Depending upon whom one places their faith (in your case, Darwin) in this life determines the ultimate destiny of the soul in eternity.
You are probably familiar with the humanist Bertrand Russell. In his book Why I Am Not a Christian, Russell writes:
Man is the product of causes which had no prevision of the end they were achieving,...his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs are but the outcome of accidental connocations of atoms,...no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling can preserve an individual life beyond the grave, and...all the labor of the ages, all the devotion, all of the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system. The whole temple of man's achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins. All these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certian that no philosophy that rejects them can hope to stand. Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair can the soul's habitation henceforth be safely built.
Now...that's a rant on hopelessness and utter despair if I've ever read one!
Contrast such a belief with what the great philosopher Immanuel Kant wrote:
...life without an afterlife, like the marathon runner with no finish line, would be an absurd and meaningless joke. It would be, as Shakespeare so eloquently put it, "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."
Kant reasoned from the point of ethics. Everyone, he says, realizes fright and wrong exist. Without ethics, life becomes meaningless and chaotic. Ethics, however, he reasoned, depend ultimately on justice. Why should we do right rather than wrong if there is no such thing as justice? If justice does exist, then there must be a life beyond death, because it's quite obvious that in this world evil people often prosper and the good suffer.
Kant didn't stop with an afterlife. This afterlfe, where justice is dispensed, must be ruled over by a great Judge. This Judge, unlike human judges, must be absolutely perfect in His knowledge. Therefore, He must be omniscient - knowing all facts, circumstances, and motives - if He is to judge justly. Once He has judged, He must also be omnipotent. He must have the power to enforce His ruling. That, of course, sounds very much like the Christian God, doesn't it? Kant said that without all this, life is meaningless. (fn1)
Did you know that you can know for sure that when you die, you will go to heaven? Here is what the Bible says:
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13).
The brilliant scientist, Michael Faraday, the discoverer of magnetism, was asked on his deathbed, "Sir Michael, what speculations do you have about life after death?"
He replied in astonishment, "Speculation! Why, I have no speculations! I'm resting on certainties! 'I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.'" Only in Christianity is there such certainty, and this certainty is based on the veracity of God's Word. (fn2)
I have been studying the Bible for 21 years. Each and every year of study has solidfied my certainty that Jesus Christ is whom he claims to be. The Messiah, Son of the living God, Savior, King of kings, and Lord of Lords.
Biblical Christian faith is a reasonable faith, based on an historical person named Jesus Christ whose death, burial and resurrection is a proven fact of history. God's Word points to the coming of the Messiah in the Old Testament, and the New Testament reveals Him. Most of the over 300 prophecies written about the coming Messiah in the OT were fulfilled by Jesus Christ. The rest will be fulfulled at his second coming. The odds of one Man fulfilling such a large amount of prophecies is astronomical and unique only to the Bible.
Jesus performed many miracles (the miracle of the resurrection to life being the point and destiny of his mission) during his three year ministry on earth. Over 500 people saw the risen Lord over the course of 45 (I think) days.
I think that 500 witnesses to someone's resurrection from the dead would stand up in court testimony no matter how many years ago it happened.
The life of Jesus Christ proves that God exists. Christ also had surprising character witnesses (including secular detractors who could not negate the reality of his existence) who wrote about his life after the resurrection.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. He overcame the problem of evil, sin, pain, and death; pointing to life eternal with God in heaven for those who believe in him. He is the only way to be reconciled back to God the Father.
The question is who needs a savior? The answer is everyone. Why? Because we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. If you are spiritually lost, you need the Savior.
No matter what happens in this world, even when all is dark, it's wonderful to know that my faith is built on historical facts and that those who went before me found the faith to hold up to death itself.
As Christian believers, it is precisely because the Bible is true and because we love and belong to God, that we should all examine our lives and our goals and the way we live. Our foremost goal is to glorify and honor God.
How do Christians do that? D. James Kennedy sums it up when he wrote:
1. Living a life worthy of His high calling, by obedience to His commandments, including the command to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love those people God has placed in our lives.
2. Keeping close to the Lord by daily Bible reading and prayer.
3. Striving for holiness, without which no person can honor the Lord.
4. Bearing witness to others and striving to bring them into the kingdom of God.
5. Making disciples, teaching and encouraging and helping our fellow believers.
6. Keeping our spiritual eyes open to see the good deeds He has prepared for us to do, so that in reliance on the Holy Spirit, we may do them to His glory. (fn3)
Such a life as this will be glorifying to God, and so we will then be able to enjoy Him forever in heaven when our lives on this Earth are over. All of this we know through the words of the Bible, which is verified from many different angles. We can know the truth and the truth will set us free.
"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31b-32
Footnotes 1,2,3:
Skeptics Answered by D. James Kennedy, 1997 Multnomah Publishers, Inc.