The question: Do you have to be a Christian to go to Heaven or do you just have the believe that:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
I asked the question because I have been struggling with the word “Christian” for quite a while. It all came to a head this week when my manager told me that a Hip Hop station was considering playing my new song "Thank You. " At first I thought he said some other song. I thought for a moment, that's interesting. I think a lot of the Hip Hop artists probably were raised in the church. If you can get them to think about God with a catchy rhythm, some non- judgemental lyrics it might change some thinking out there, just maybe. But unfortunately what I have seen and what other people think of Christians; judgemental, mean and unforgiving. Made me wonder what they would think of my song. I sing and write all genres of music and was very hesitant to release "Thank You" to gospel radio because some of them can have a "holy than thou spirit ". What am I going to say if they ask me how can you sing about God and still do other music genres. That is what made me question the word "Christian." Am I saved if I do other music, but still believe? I toiled with this for quite a few months until I had a long conversation with God and received his blessing. But I still had questions about what the Bible said about being a "Christian", I am still studying, that is why I poised the question above to a co-worker, his comments are below. I came to the conclusion that I don't care what people say about my music it's my music it's how I feel. You either play it or you don't. I will continue to write songs of thanks, peace, praise, joy or whatever he lays on my heart. More than likely I'm probably going to say something or do something that will offend some Christian's or people in general, that's okay God has prepared me for that. I am still a BELIEVER I know that God loves me and I love him. He loves us all. How about you, what do you believe?
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
I asked the question because I have been struggling with the word “Christian” for quite a while. It all came to a head this week when my manager told me that a Hip Hop station was considering playing my new song "Thank You. " At first I thought he said some other song. I thought for a moment, that's interesting. I think a lot of the Hip Hop artists probably were raised in the church. If you can get them to think about God with a catchy rhythm, some non- judgemental lyrics it might change some thinking out there, just maybe. But unfortunately what I have seen and what other people think of Christians; judgemental, mean and unforgiving. Made me wonder what they would think of my song. I sing and write all genres of music and was very hesitant to release "Thank You" to gospel radio because some of them can have a "holy than thou spirit ". What am I going to say if they ask me how can you sing about God and still do other music genres. That is what made me question the word "Christian." Am I saved if I do other music, but still believe? I toiled with this for quite a few months until I had a long conversation with God and received his blessing. But I still had questions about what the Bible said about being a "Christian", I am still studying, that is why I poised the question above to a co-worker, his comments are below. I came to the conclusion that I don't care what people say about my music it's my music it's how I feel. You either play it or you don't. I will continue to write songs of thanks, peace, praise, joy or whatever he lays on my heart. More than likely I'm probably going to say something or do something that will offend some Christian's or people in general, that's okay God has prepared me for that. I am still a BELIEVER I know that God loves me and I love him. He loves us all. How about you, what do you believe?
My name is Youlanda Burnett that's opinion and it matters to me.
2 comments:
Angel Rios Part 1
The real question is….what came first…The chicken or the Egg?
Let's see….The chicken lays the egg…..but wait!!!!! Where did the chicken came from…the Egg?....
I really will like to stay away from getting into the discussion of creation vs evolution vs pure cosmic accident!!! So let's not get into it.
What I will like to get to is that… there seems to be a confusion among people on what it is required to go to heaven.
I recently hear on the radio that all you need is a ticket. Yes…a ticket to go to Heaven. This ticket is available for purchase…and there is an abundance of tickets up for purchase. In fact….there are tickets to last….well…..for everyone.
I am actually glad that TicketMaster has not been used as the medium for acquiring this ticket. I'll be darned if I have to pay that extra $10 surcharge and some other $2.50 to process and what not.
This ticket…in fact…has no cash value…as it has already been paid for. Someone already paid for every single one of these tickets and is ready for you (meaning everyone) to grab it.
Jesus paid for that ticket. Not with money, but with his blood. And no ticketmaster was required. He just went to the Cross to get it.
And just like that guy at work that offers you an extra ticket he has for the cubs game last minute…he is willing to give it to you. All you have to do is receive it. Go ahead….take it. Take the ticket. It is free. It even comes with a lifetime warranty. Take the ticket.
Now that you have the ticket…you have to get ready for the trip. You have to get ready for the place that is stamped on the ticket. Pack your bags and get all of your stuff together.
It is really that simple.
I have recently realized that some people (including the person I was before) want to buy that ticket to heaven, but for some odd reason, we either have never been informed that the ticket has been paid for, or refuse to get it for free. Some of us are too prideful to get stuff for free. The bigger the free item, the less likely we are of accepting it. But if it is a piece of gum….well, hell…let me have one. Why is this? Because we fell that the bigger the free present given by someone else….the bigger the return favor and more strings are attached to it. Who want that?
This ticket to heaven is so easy to acquire….but soooooo hard! It is as simple as to say…I accept it… and as hard as having to trust that there will be absolutely no strings attached.
But…there is a catch!!! If I accept this free gift from Jesus….what is he going to want from me in return? What am I going to have to do for the rest of my life here on earth? What is he going to ask me to do?
I personally don't have a concrete answer to this, but I go to God on it to see what it is that he is needing me to do here on earth. That is the least I can do. And the cool thing is that I get to…I GET TO. I get to be at his service. I get to do his will. And with that…many other things come that can only make you more certain that he really loves you and that you are really that special that he wants you to do things for him here on earth.
Oh, no…I got sidetracked! Back to the egg and chicken.
Now that I have accepted Jesus' gift….does that make me a Christian. Yes? But how did I became a Christian. Was it by following the bible? No! Was it by fasting? No! Was it by praying either alone or in public for other's to see me and approve of my religious culture? No! Was it by memorizing the ten commandments and following them to the T? No! Was it by following the rules and the laws of either society or God as dictated by the Bible or our community Preacher? Not really!
Angel Rios Part 2
How then….how do I become a Christian. Correct me if I am wrong on this….but my understanding is that…if you believe in God and receive the gift that he has given you of sending his son out to buy our ticket to heaven, and receive the gift (which is summarized as the greatest gift of love EVER!!!)….then, you are a son of God, brother of Jesus, Jesus Christ. And believing in Jesus Christ and accepting his gift (love)…makes you a Christian.
One does not have to do anything to become a Christian. One has to take no action. When a ticket to see the Chicago Cubs is offered to you….you don't have to do anything. In fact, you did nothing to get the offer. The offer came to you. No action required. The only action that you will have to do is of extending your arm to take the ticket. Unless you are too lazy and ask the person to put the ticket in your pocket. This is still not requiring for you to do anything in advanced to be able to take the ticket.
If the definition of being a Christian is…A person who has to Follow the ten commandments in order to be able to buy a ticket to go to heaven…then, I don't want to be a Christian. That is way, way, WAY too hard.
But starting by accepting Jesus offer first and knowing what he is all about, learning from him and surrendering to his promises, then I will GET TO obey him, worship him and adore him. And I will not do this just because I have to, but because I know him. To do all the things we are told to do by the bible, just because we have to in order to be in good terms with God and gain his acceptance, would be to have to tell Jesus that he died in Vain. That he did not have to die in the cross for our salvation. It will be like saying to Jesus…after he died and rose again…."Hey Jesus, I saw what you did for me, and I see that you have paid for my ticket to salvation….but no thanks! I got this! I have the book with the rules and regulations here with me and I know exactly what to do to gain my salvation. Don’t' worry, I GOT THIS MAN!!!!!"
Who in their right mind will like to put their own salvation in their own hands. I choose the Free Ticket! Already purchased! With Full Warranty! Warranty for life…..eternal live….good life! And how do I prepare myself to go to heaven when that time comes? Well, good thing I have the Bible…the guide with a bunch of great ideas of how to get myself ready. Get my soul all packed with Love and goodies, ready to go on this trip.
So….what comes first…me having to do all the things that a Christian must do in order to be right with Jesus and gain salvation, or believe and accept Jesus first and then follow his guidance because I GET TO and I want to be prepared to that amazing trip? The egg first or the Chicken?
God Bless you all!
PS: Don't bother to go to Ticket Master to see if there are any tickets to heaven there….the ticket is right in front of you….just receive it!
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