I believe you are the coach, now show me the money!!!

I know this has been blogged about time after time, but it just makes me wonder. Whenever I start up a conversation with someone (whether here or in the "real world") I like to think about what I am going to say. I want to see both points of view before I even initiate a discussion. One thing I took away from my required high school debate class was to always be prepared for what the other person might be thinking. If someone asks me a question I am not sure on, I will tell them, " I don't know, I'll get back to you." I see no weakness in admitting ignorance, as long as you try to figure out what the answer is. Which in a round-a-bout way brings me to my point.

I believe in black and white. I believe in right and wrong. I don't think there is a grey area or any middle ground. Am I hard headed or arrogant? I don't know. I always reflect on; does God have a grey area? Is He not sure of a definite right or wrong? If He tells us one thing does it mean we can take it another way? Is abortion o.k. sometimes? Is it o.k. to lie sometimes? As long as it doesn't hurt someone, right? Is it o.k. to live in a grey area with God? Can we tell Him we believe in Him, but live a life where our neighbors wouldn't even know we are christians? Will He tell us "welcome home," as we are peeing on the shrubs outside the Pearly Gates? Why do we take God for granted? Why do we think that He does not require anything else from us? If I went up to the coach of the Chicago Bears and said, "Coach Smith, I believe you are the coach of the Chicago Bears," would he tell me welcome aboard, here is you 2.3 million dollars? NO!!! He would ask me what I have done to prepare myself for his team. Then he would make me show him I have prepared myself. Does God require less of us? Do we not have to prove to Him that we are worthy of His remarkable gift?

God gave us free will for a reason. It is our choice if we want to try to get to Heaven or not. None of us are perfect, but there is definite difference between whether we try to be or not. Does God want us lukewarm? NO!!! He wants us to have zest in our hearts. He wants us to WANT to love Him, not HAVE to love Him. A lot of people think faith will get us to Heaven. The question I ask them is what do you think faith means? Is it the faith of believing Jesus is the Son of God? I don't think so. I think it is the faith of knowing that if we do what God requires of us, then we will see Heaven in all its Glory. If we have this faith, we will be saved. We will be on that narrow path. The reason I come to this conclusion is because God tells us we must do other works to be saved. He tells us we must be baptized. Why would He tell us this if He did not mean it? Is He trying to confuse us? Does He want us to have these never ending discussions? If you believe in God. If you love God. Why would you believe any different? Don't you want to live a life according to His Word? Doesn't it show Him your love and respect? If so, then why debate it? Do you feel guilty? Do you want to feel safe? None of us truly know if we are going to Heaven or not. So, why not do all we can to make our chance a little bit better? If you think I am wrong, so be it. If you live your life according to God's will you will be a happier, healthier person. So, why not give it a shot? I think we owe atleast that to Him.