Thanks, friend, for your gracious response.
I would like to assure you that the scriptures are my primary authority for faith and life. I have had a great and growing reverence for them for more than sixty years myself. I use multiple versions but whenever anything may be in doubt I go back to the original Greek and Hebrew, which I have studied though I am no expert. I do understand enough to usually get to the bottom of an issue. I am very skeptical of bible translators, which you will see if you read my "Bible Curmudgeon" series. I do know that most modern translations contain serious flaws. My goal is always to "rightly divide the word of truth."
"...paying for their own tickets to heaven..."
Friend, such is not possible. If any of us are to be saved, it is and will always be entirely by the grace and work of Christ.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
- Ephesians 2:8-10
I am familiar with Fox's Book of Martyrs, and I do realize that God has and does and will call some of us to make the ultimate sacrifice as his witnesses.
Thank you for softening towards me, and know that I will always listen to any scriptural guidance you may bring my way. Blessings!
Thank you brother for your kind response, I'm looking forward to reading all of your past post but time is the consideration that I can't overcome quickly.
I would like to say that when I first came to steemit yours were the first post that I gravitated to and you are the first that I followed. I aspire to be such a fine writer as you. We each must take up our cross and follow in the way that we are led, with the Kingdom of Heaven as our final destination , when the confusion of this old life is finished an the Kingdom of Heaven is revealed in all the glory of the Eternal Father it will Delight me to sit with you and talk Story , I suspect we have much more in common than we have in contradiction.. so as Willy sang so beautifully, they tell me of a land where no storm clouds rise .. and I sure look forward to meeting you there. If not here and then.
Never stop we may have different words, yet I know the meaning is for the same intention, to inspire any who will receive the message of Yeshua the living Christ.
And just thank you for being you!
I look forward to sitting and chatting with you, here or in the Glory... :D