What is the right question…

In the parable of the Good Samaritan the lawyer asks 2 questions and Jesus asks 3…

My wondering is on the first question…

‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ – This question has been argued and discussed and mulled over and a number of different things through out that ages…

What must I do?  As Lutheran’s we believe there is nothing I can do.  I am however moved by the gift given to me to do acts of love and compassion.  It is because I am forgiven, and have been loved that I am able to love and forgive.

But what can you do to inherit eternal life?  What can you do to inherit anything?

NOTHING!!!  There is absolutely nothing you can do to inherit anything. There are a lot of things you can do to not get and inheritance, but nothing you can do will get you an inheritance.  You receiving an inheritance depends solely on the person giving the inheritance.  They make the decision, not you.

That is why we need to think about our questions.  My daughters ask me all the time can I go out side and play? Can I get a drink?  and my answer sometimes will be, “I don’t know, can you?”  The correct question is may I…

Just like the billboards I saw on my travels, they asked in some form or fashion, “Where will you spend eternity?”  Interesting thing to this is, are you ever 100% certain?  They do call it faith for  reason…

I believe where will you spend eternity is like can I… it is the wrong question.  Eternity is from now on, forever, should I be concerned with tomorrow.  The Bible tells God will provide for us, and that the birds of the air are taken care of… how about Manna?  Does tomorrow matter if all I do with today is mess it up?

I think a better question is, since you are alive today, why are you gonna live?

It does not matter if we believe, it matters if that belief has an effect on us, and creates that new creature that lives in the life of faith and love – giving more abundantly than we have been given, because we KNOW we will get much more back…