I was going to title this "My Neighbor's Big But." But However, I was afraid that might offend some people before they even read it.
I broke one of my personal rules the other day and challenged my neighbor regarding something they said about religion. My neighbor is a "good Catholic,” by their own estimation. I don't recall exactly how we got on the topic, but it seems that the neighbor asked me about the difference between various Lutheran synods. I gave the answer I think most LCMS folks would probably give which opened up a flow of information from my neighbor regarding Catholic differences as well as what the neighbor felt was truly essential, right and wrong, etc.
Then my neighbor said “that phrase” - the one which at times causes me to break my personal rule about not getting into too much religious talk with the neighbor.
"Well, I don't think it matters what you believe. When I get to heaven, God isn't going to ask me what style of worship I liked, or whether I accepted every doctrine the Church teaches, or whether I feel the sacraments must be conducted inside the church and not in a gymnasium (a whole other story)..."
You already know where this is going. Don't you?
"I believe God is going to ask me, 'Were you a good person, did you respect other people, did you take your children to church, did you help those in need, were you a good Christian, did you follow the Commandments, were you a good neighbor...?"
"You'd better hope I don't get to heaven ahead of you!" I quickly interjected.
That didn't slow my neighbor down one bit. You've probably heard this line of thought before, even from Lutherans. "Just Jesus" is no longer enough in many circles. Interestingly, my neighbor never asked, "Well, what do you think God will ask you?" A bit disturbing. Maybe the neighbor does not think that I am… So I broke my own personal rule and blurted, "Do you know what I believe God will say when we reach heaven?"
"I believe God is going to say, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’ He is going to welcome us because we have been blessed and forgiven for Jesus’ sake, through Jesus’ sacrifice, through His death and resurrection.”
"O.K., well yeah, I understand what you're saying about Jesus and forgiveness, and all that is fine and good..."
Drum roll, please.
"BUT..."
God's blessings to all as we prepare to celebrate the Reformation message of God's grace and mercy, His immeasurable love and forgiveness toward us through His Son, Jesus, and His marvelous free gift of salvation to us - no ifs, ands or buts about it!