Matthew 25:31-33 (NASB)
“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. “All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
Matthew 25:34-40 (NASB)
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25:41-46 (NASB)
“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Difference between Saul and David
Their sins
Saul did not kill all that God asked him to:
Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, east of Egypt. He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else. Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs — everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality. (1 Samuel 15:7-9 NLT)
David commited adultery and murder:
Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite." Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, "I'm pregnant." (2 Samuel 11:2-5 NLT)
Some of the king's men were killed, including Uriah the Hittite. (2 Samuel 11:24 NLT)
Their reaction when confronted by the prophets:
Saul was interested in looking good before the people.
Then Saul pleaded again, "I know I have sinned. But please, at least honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel by coming back with me so that I may worship the LORD your God." (1 Samuel 15:30 NLT)
David publicly confessed his sins:
Then David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." (2 Samuel 12:13 NLT)
God's response:
God rejected Saul but built a house for David.
Saul did not kill all that God asked him to:
Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, east of Egypt. He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else. Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs — everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality. (1 Samuel 15:7-9 NLT)
David commited adultery and murder:
Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite." Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, "I'm pregnant." (2 Samuel 11:2-5 NLT)
Some of the king's men were killed, including Uriah the Hittite. (2 Samuel 11:24 NLT)
Their reaction when confronted by the prophets:
Saul was interested in looking good before the people.
Then Saul pleaded again, "I know I have sinned. But please, at least honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel by coming back with me so that I may worship the LORD your God." (1 Samuel 15:30 NLT)
David publicly confessed his sins:
Then David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." (2 Samuel 12:13 NLT)
God's response:
God rejected Saul but built a house for David.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Buddhist Endpoint - Nirvana / Nibbana
I found this website that write about nirvana:
QUOTE
The death of a Buddha, the great Parinirvana, is neither destruction nor death, else would it be birth and continuation. If it were destruction, it would be an effect-producing deed, which it is not. Neither is it a vanishing nor an abandonment, neither is it attainment, nor is it of no attainment; neither is it of one significance nor of no significance, for there is no Nirvana for the Buddhas.
The Tathagata's Nirvana is where it is recognised that there is nothing but what is seen of the mind itself; is where, recognising the nature of the self-mind, one no longer cherishes the dualisms of discrimination; is where there is no more thirst nor grasping; is where there is no more attachment to external things. Nirvana is where the thinking-mind with all its discriminations, attachments, aversions and egoism is forever put away; is where logical measures, as they are seen to be inert, are no longer seized upon; is where even the notion of truth is treated with indifference because of its causing bewilderment; is where, getting rid of the four propositions, there is insight into the abode of Reality. Nirvana is where the twofold passions have subsided and the twofold hindrances are cleared away and the twofold egolessness is patiently accepted; is where, by the attainment of the "turning-about" in the deepest seat of consciousness, self-realisation of Noble Wisdom is fully entered into,--that is the Nirvana of the Tathagatas.
Nirvana is where the Bodhisattva stages are passed one after another; is where the sustaining power of the Buddhas upholds the Bodhisattvas in the bliss of the Samadhis; is where compassion for others transcends all thoughts of self; is where the Tathagata stage is finally realised.
Nirvana is the realm of Dharmata-Buddha; it is where the manifestation of Noble Wisdom that is Buddhahood expresses itself in Perfect Love for all; it is where the manifestation of Perfect Love that is Tathagatahood expresses itself in Noble Wisdom for the enlightenment of all;--there, indeed, is Nirvana!
There are two classes of those who may not enter the Nirvana of the Tathagatas: there are those who have abandoned the Bodhisattva ideals, saying, they are not in conformity with the sutras, the codes of morality, nor with emancipation. Then there are the true Bodhisattvas who, on account of their original vows made for the sake of all beings, saying, "So long as they do not attain Nirvana, I will not attain it myself," voluntarily keep themselves out of Nirvana. But no beings are left outside by the will of the Tathagatas; some day each and every one will be influenced by the wisdom and love of the Tathagatas of Transformation to lay up a stock of merit and ascend the stages. But, if they only realised it, they are already in the Tathagata's Nirvana for, in Noble Wisdom, all things are in Nirvana from the beginning.
UNQUOTE
QUOTE
The death of a Buddha, the great Parinirvana, is neither destruction nor death, else would it be birth and continuation. If it were destruction, it would be an effect-producing deed, which it is not. Neither is it a vanishing nor an abandonment, neither is it attainment, nor is it of no attainment; neither is it of one significance nor of no significance, for there is no Nirvana for the Buddhas.
The Tathagata's Nirvana is where it is recognised that there is nothing but what is seen of the mind itself; is where, recognising the nature of the self-mind, one no longer cherishes the dualisms of discrimination; is where there is no more thirst nor grasping; is where there is no more attachment to external things. Nirvana is where the thinking-mind with all its discriminations, attachments, aversions and egoism is forever put away; is where logical measures, as they are seen to be inert, are no longer seized upon; is where even the notion of truth is treated with indifference because of its causing bewilderment; is where, getting rid of the four propositions, there is insight into the abode of Reality. Nirvana is where the twofold passions have subsided and the twofold hindrances are cleared away and the twofold egolessness is patiently accepted; is where, by the attainment of the "turning-about" in the deepest seat of consciousness, self-realisation of Noble Wisdom is fully entered into,--that is the Nirvana of the Tathagatas.
Nirvana is where the Bodhisattva stages are passed one after another; is where the sustaining power of the Buddhas upholds the Bodhisattvas in the bliss of the Samadhis; is where compassion for others transcends all thoughts of self; is where the Tathagata stage is finally realised.
Nirvana is the realm of Dharmata-Buddha; it is where the manifestation of Noble Wisdom that is Buddhahood expresses itself in Perfect Love for all; it is where the manifestation of Perfect Love that is Tathagatahood expresses itself in Noble Wisdom for the enlightenment of all;--there, indeed, is Nirvana!
There are two classes of those who may not enter the Nirvana of the Tathagatas: there are those who have abandoned the Bodhisattva ideals, saying, they are not in conformity with the sutras, the codes of morality, nor with emancipation. Then there are the true Bodhisattvas who, on account of their original vows made for the sake of all beings, saying, "So long as they do not attain Nirvana, I will not attain it myself," voluntarily keep themselves out of Nirvana. But no beings are left outside by the will of the Tathagatas; some day each and every one will be influenced by the wisdom and love of the Tathagatas of Transformation to lay up a stock of merit and ascend the stages. But, if they only realised it, they are already in the Tathagata's Nirvana for, in Noble Wisdom, all things are in Nirvana from the beginning.
UNQUOTE
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Agnostic's Guide to True Religion
There may seem to be many religions and gods, but your fellow agnostic, Confucius, said that we should always begin at the classification of things (格物).
If you look carefully at all the religious systems of the world, you can actually divide them into two classes:
1. Creator religion: eternal creator (god or gods) who created the universe but not part of it;
2. System religion: an eternal system of rules exists from which the current universe is built upon.
So it is a chicken and egg problem - is there is some intelligent personality (a god or some gods) who create the system, or the system is always there, and the god or gods and the universe arise out of the system.
Common sense tells me that things are always made by some intelligent personality. I am sure many heard of the watch implies a watchmaker analogy. Critics of this analogy like to point that the watchmaker would likewise need another maker, and so on ad infinitum. Well, mathematics tell me that the largest number n, will always have a larger number, n + 1. But we define "infinity" to resolve the issue. Likewise, if a maker always have another maker, then it will stop at the infinite maker, which is God.
If we agree that there is some intelligent personality creating the universe, then our next job is to identify this intelligent personality. Among all the religions that claim to have some intelligent personality that create the universe, which is the most probable?
First, let us eliminate false creators. An example is Pan Ku (盤古, 盘古), the creator in Chinese mythology. He was formed from an egg which was formed from a formless chaos. In another word, he was created within a pre-existing system. Thus it is not a true creator religion, but a system religion. Likewise are the creation accounts of many polytheist religions, which seem to accept a system from which our world, gods and people, exists.
Common sense tells me that things are always made by some intelligent personality. I am sure many heard of the watch implies a watchmaker analogy. Critics of this analogy like to point that the watchmaker would likewise need another maker, and so on ad infinitum. Well, mathematics tell me that the largest number n, will always have a larger number, n + 1. But we define "infinity" to resolve the issue. Likewise, if a maker always have another maker, then it will stop at the infinite maker, which is God.
If we agree that there is some intelligent personality creating the universe, then our next job is to identify this intelligent personality. Among all the religions that claim to have some intelligent personality that create the universe, which is the most probable?
First, let us eliminate false creators. An example is Pan Ku (盤古, 盘古), the creator in Chinese mythology. He was formed from an egg which was formed from a formless chaos. In another word, he was created within a pre-existing system. Thus it is not a true creator religion, but a system religion. Likewise are the creation accounts of many polytheist religions, which seem to accept a system from which our world, gods and people, exists.
The only true creator religions that I know of are the monotheistic religions. The most likely candidates for creator God are the God of Abraham and the God of Sikhism. Thus the Agnostic can start by studying all the monotheistic religions. This should narrow down the scope.
Rules for my Children who play Computer Games
You are not allowed to use real money to buy virtual goods in computer games.
Let us look at the Biblical basis for this rule:
Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:29-34 ESV)
Esau is the stupid fool who use his eternal heavenly wealth to buy perishable earthly food. It is the most expensive dish in the world. Neither should we use our real earthly money to buy virtual computer goods.
However, you can use virtual money to buy real goods.
It is none other than the Lord Jesus Himself who gave the Biblical basis for such instruction:
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9 NIV)
We can use worldly wealth to change for eternal wealth. We can help the poor with our wealth, winning them to Christ. Earthly money has no eternal value. It is better to use it to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matthew 6:20 KJV)." Likewise if your skill in the computer game is so good that you gain a lot of virtual wealth, and the game allow you to use it to buy real earthly objects, please do so. In fact, it would be very wise to do it.
Let us look at the Biblical basis for this rule:
Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:29-34 ESV)
Esau is the stupid fool who use his eternal heavenly wealth to buy perishable earthly food. It is the most expensive dish in the world. Neither should we use our real earthly money to buy virtual computer goods.
However, you can use virtual money to buy real goods.
It is none other than the Lord Jesus Himself who gave the Biblical basis for such instruction:
I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9 NIV)
We can use worldly wealth to change for eternal wealth. We can help the poor with our wealth, winning them to Christ. Earthly money has no eternal value. It is better to use it to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matthew 6:20 KJV)." Likewise if your skill in the computer game is so good that you gain a lot of virtual wealth, and the game allow you to use it to buy real earthly objects, please do so. In fact, it would be very wise to do it.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Agnosticism
Agnostics believe that God has given insufficient evidence for His existence. But God disagree. "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20, NASB)."
In the olden days, men thought that the world was just a small place and the sky was a high ceiling. They thought that if they build a tower tall enough, they could reach God's heaven (Genesis 11:1-4). It would be understandable if their opinion of God was low. But Noah and his sons were still alive. They could ask them.
Today, we know how big and complex our universe is. It is still beyond our comprehension. We even learn engineering (biomimetics) from "mother nature". However, we attribute the existence of this great universe to chance based on the laws of physics. We assigned the eternal attributes of the Creator to His creation.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psalm 19:1-3 KJV)"
In the olden days, men thought that the world was just a small place and the sky was a high ceiling. They thought that if they build a tower tall enough, they could reach God's heaven (Genesis 11:1-4). It would be understandable if their opinion of God was low. But Noah and his sons were still alive. They could ask them.
Today, we know how big and complex our universe is. It is still beyond our comprehension. We even learn engineering (biomimetics) from "mother nature". However, we attribute the existence of this great universe to chance based on the laws of physics. We assigned the eternal attributes of the Creator to His creation.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psalm 19:1-3 KJV)"
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Roman Emperor, Agnostic
"Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones. I am not afraid." Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Roman Emperor (161 to 180), last of the Five Good Emperors, Stoic Philosopher, Persecutor of Christians.
This is a good bet, live a good life and hope for the best. The problem is what is "good"?
Every employee knows of this thing call "KPI (Key Performance Indicator)". The Employer defines the KPI (i.e. what is good for the company) and the employee works towards it. Now, if Marcus Aurelius is an employee, he would probably say something like this, "I do not know what my company's objective is. I do not even know which company I am working for. I just do my best in my job. If the company is just, I would be rewarded. If the company is unjust, maybe I should quit. If I am actually not an employee, too bad, I worked for free, but at least, I found something to occupy my time."
A lot of religion does not give clear KPI. It is always a vague "live a good life" thingy, but never clearly stating how good is good enough. The Christian God gives a very clear KPI.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16 ESV)
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18 ESV)
So it is very clear, and these verses are just two of the many verses stating the same fact. Salvation is not what you do, but what you believe.
By putting the KPI as what he did, "live a good life", Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Five Good Roman Emperors, the great Stoic philosopher and author of the book "Meditations", made a great mistake. This mistake led him to persecute Christians and he is now condemned in Hades, waiting for the Final Judgement at the Great White Throne (Revelations 20:11-15). His ultimate sin is to refuse to believe his Creator.
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