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My understanding (which certainly may be wrong) is that only god determines who goes to heaven. You said you know your brother is going to heaven. Hence my comment.
And what is very confusing is that you seem to be agreeing with my statement when you say I am correct. I guess I just don't understand how you "know".
I just don't understand why do you choose that particular post to comment on. That's all.
I am curious though if you would help me understand how you "know" your brother will go to heaven.
Because I have always been told, "God judge the intention, not the deed." My brother is a good man, a good brother, a good son, a good friend, a good Marine. He has rescued hostages, and put his life on the line everyday for what he believed in. He was considered as a hero by many people (MANY The hostages he rescued for example.) Hence, I believe my brother will go to Heaven.
hope that satisfied your curiosity. However, you are right only God knows my brother's final destination. If he (God) indeed is a merciful, loving God of just, he knows what to do with my brother. I am not worried.
Because I have always been told, "God judges the intention, not the deed." My brother is a good man, a good brother, a good son, a good friend, a good Marine. He has rescued hostages, and put his life on the line everyday for what he believed in. He was considered as a hero by many people (MANY The hostages he rescued for example.) Hence, I believe my brother will go to Heaven.
Proverb 4:23
Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs forth the issues of life.
I hear you. I don't blame the parents though. Nobody want to see their children fighting in the combat zone. I just don't understand the mentality of people who bash military men and women. Only they know what their true intentions are. Agenda pushing lunatics who try to benefit themselves perhaps? Just a thought. If they don't want their children to serve, I understand. No problem with that. But don't bash other people's sons and daughters who serve. Kindness still matters.
I have been told all my life that God is just, he judges the intention rather than the deeds.
As a veteran of 20 years, I remember asking both the new guys and older ones the reason as to why they joined and or stayed in the military. They said:
1. Money for school
2. Employment
3. Training
4. Pressure from their parents/relatives to do what they did
5. Get away from home
6. Patriotism
The really odd thing about it, depending on the ethnicity, economics and education was the main determination as to what service that they went into. The ones who went into combat positions voluntarily tended to go into the Marines and their main reason was because someone that they knew went in before them, had aggressive behaviors and patriotism.
The overall reason to join the Navy was for travel.
The Air Force being perhaps the hardest one to get into due to test scores, drew people for the technical training.
The Army and depending on what they did was primarily for the money (bonuses) and additional education.
Since many of the "warhawks" never joined because mainly of fear of dying for their country avoided Vietnam like the plague, but had no probelms sending someone else's kids to Iraq. The sad thing about it is that those politicians kids that do go (on their own accord) tend to be treated differently then others depending on the status of their parents and rarely serve more than one full enlistment. Is it because of lack of patriotism?
The 10 commandments say "You must not murder", not "You must not kill", otherwise the Bible could not reasonably have demanded the death penalty for various transgressions.
It is a difference if one becomes a mercenary to kill for money, or even because the pleasure to fight.
On the other hand, let's think of an African soldier, who defend his (Christian) tribe against Muslim savages like Boko Haram who slaughter Christians or non-Muslims, I think it is not generally un-Christian to take part in war and to kill in war is not neccessarily a transgression of God's law.
The 10 commandments say "You must not murder", not "You must not kill", otherwise the Bible could not reasonably have demanded the death penalty for various transgressions.
It is a difference if one becomes a mercenary to kill for money, or even because the pleasure to fight.
On the other hand, let's think of an African soldier, who defend his (Christian) tribe against Muslim savages like Boko Haram who slaughter Christians or non-Muslims, I think it is not generally un-Christian to take part in war and to kill in war is not neccessarily a transgression of God's law.
War is of the devil, not of God. The proof of that is in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and in his declaration that "he who sees me sees the Father."
Either we believe Jesus, or we don't.
The 10 commandments are now down to 2: "love thy God with all thine heart" and "love thy neighbor as thyself." Even if thy neighbor is an "enemy" that Christ came and died for.
War is of the devil, not of God. The proof of that is in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and in his declaration that "he who sees me sees the Father."
Either we believe Jesus, or we don't.
The 10 commandments are now down to 2: "love thy God with all thine heart" and "love thy neighbor as thyself." Even if thy neighbor is an "enemy" that Christ came and died for.
That doesn't mean that killing, adultery, hatred, lust, pride, whoremongering or any other sinful acts are what God does. Without Jesus Christ, we would have no hope.
Or do you believe man doesn't need Jesus Christ?
Peace.
brian
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That's all. 
