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A thought-provoking article Chaz, one that addresses something I have struggled with over the years. I was born and raised as a Seventh-Day-Adventist and was always taught that keeping the commandments was paramount to living "the Christian Life". I remembered, "if you love me, keep My commandments!". I would feel a great concern that all those others who lived an otherwise Godly Life, were destined for exclusion because they went to church on Sunday instead of Saturday.

Through the years, I have come to a different understanding. This is due to several different things one of which was amazingly, my military experience as a translator, and also a careful rereading of the New Testament in relation to the Old Testament to be sure I was understanding what it actually said and not what I wanted it to say, of particular interest was the passage, "if you love Me, keep My commandments!" One must realize that the New Testament is also known as The New Covenant, different from The Old (Abrahamic Covenant) which formed the basis for the "Law". So, I think one should carefully read the words of Jesus to understand the difference. The New Testament commandments are given by Jesus himself, and, are not from Mosaic Law!

"Love the Lord God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself, no matter which political party he is a member of, is given as the most important. Read Galatians 3:23-25 as a further explanation!

Let me close by stating that I personally believe there will be surprises in Heaven, I think we may find members of all denominations there as well as even other "religions"! I base this on my understanding that one's relationship with God is of paramount importance rather than how well one has "obeyed" Mosaic Law! May all the greatest Blessings of God be yours, my friend, being able to make people think is a marvelous gift, and you use it well!