Avalon Chronicles #163: "If I were to be asked..." Part Two

                                                      Faith, Prayer and Forgiveness

     The Bible covers every important aspect in life as to behavior. It serves us all well to learn and follow its teachings. Our Creator births us all for an Eternal Life. It is wise to grasp that how we live our lives will determine which direction we go after death. We live on and I believe in the ongoing existence upon my death of my final existence in Heaven. I have heard enough about Heaven and hell and I choose ascending to Heaven. The fires of hell are not appealing to me. 

FAITH: This is the most critical aspect of each of our lives. If we believe in Jesus the Christ, Who came to earth in human form, that He died on the Cross so that our sins may be forgiven, and that He rose from the grave, then, to be saved for eternity in Heaven, we must proclaim by verbal declaration that his crucifixion actually happened and therefore in a very simplistic manner, we will ascend to Heaven. 

A righteous (good, virtuous, upright, upstanding, upright, decent, ethical) life will be required us. It is not this righteous life that ensures our entry to Heaven, but it is by our faith. When we are faithful, then righteous behavior follows and we live with a clear conscience. That ensures a special ongoing peace in our lives. In all candor this is our daily challenge. When we do not uphold righteousness in our behavior, then we must HUMBLY ASK THE FATHER TO BESTOW MERCY UPON US. 

PRAYER: It is written that He answers prayers and we all need them answered constantly in our lives. But, there is a major criteria that must be satisfied. You must confess ALL your sins on an ongoing basis AND you must forgive all others. It is written in 1 John 3:22: "You know that your prayers are answered because you obey His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight." The Ten Commandments are very evident and historical, but we should remind ourselves often about the standards contained in them. It was in my forties before I caught on to this scripture and I have always been aware since then of the "things that are pleasing in His sight." That phrase keeps me on edge and I try mightily to satisfy that behavioral standard. 

FORGIVENESS:  A classic example of this was brought to my attention years ago, when I had a conversation with the man, who provided my lawn care. He commented on my disability as a double leg amputee walking with prostheses. I asked him if he had any health issues he desired my prayer. He said yes. Then I indicated that to receive answers to prayer for healing, he would have to forgive all others, who had offended him. I will never forget his response, "I am not sure I can do that." It is written in John 8: 1-11, "If you forgive others their trespasses, you will be forgiven, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, YOU WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN."

Our Creator births us all for an Eternal Life. Most of us do not realize after our earthly bodily life, that there are two directions for us as to travel. I prefer up to Heaven, not down to hell!