Posted by:
pollythinks
(
)
Date: February 10, 2013 10:26PM
As I understand “settled” debt, Christian doctrine teaches that Jesus’ resurrection proved that one lives beyond physical death. However, where you “end up” depends on the life you led.
All are born innocent. Very very soon, however, we “sin” (meaning, commit an act which does undeserved harm to someone (including to one’s self). Or, in other words, commit an act which causes “unwarranted/unjust” pain. This causes a debt with justice.
Everyone sins. Period. But, under grace, everyone--believers, or not--receives the benefits of God’s wisdom, guidance, love, and forgiveness (even if we don’t believe this, or know this, or care, or feel this love, etc. (i.e., the sun still shines on everyone, and rain falls on everyone, and sinners do not—instantly—suffer death (spiritual or physical).
If we give more than we get in life (in the good and bad we bring into being), our “debt” has been settled--something that wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for God’s grace--for there is no way of getting one’s self out of the prison/predicament sinning otherwise would cause.
Jesus (per Christian doctrine) proved that men can live beyond the grave, including sinners. (Remember the sinner on the cross next to Jesus who acknowledged his penalty was “just”, and Jesus told him they would “this day” be together in heaven (regardless of this man having been a sinner).
My opinion: Even if there is no God, life is a school of learning. We learn what causes pain and happiness through life’s experiences, and our reaction to it. I hate pain-—even if it (supposedly) is for my own good (makes me “stronger”). But, it certainly does seem to teach me things (as in don’t touch fire; or run in front of moving cars; or hit someone-—and get hit back; or be unkind-—and feeling the results of being treated unkindly; or believe everything you're told by “God’s” ministers--the latter being something many of us have discovered the hard way.
Whether or not you believe in God, life’s experiences can teach us moral rules (that is, that injustices cause pain, and what brings “true”—lasting--happiness). Some people have difficulty accepting this, or fight it--but, nevertheless, IMO, the practice of true moral principles as a life style protects us from a lot of needless pain that most of us would rather not suffer.