Seeking to Give You some sound Answers

I am happy to participate, in seeking to answer some questions that you have related to your faith and seeking an understand of a couple of matters which you are curious, or perhaps, even concerned. Having been a minister of the Gospel for many years, I feel that I am in a position to help shed some light on your questions, based on God's Word. Thank you for affording me this opportunity.

Question # 1: If you were to die tonight, do you know you would go to Heaven and back up your answer with a reason why they should or shouldn't let you pass the Pearly Gates into Heaven.(?)

ANSWER: Yes I believe one can know, that Heaven will be one's eternal Home in eternity, and I believe the Scriptures tell us we can and should know such. In this instance KNOW (or Knowledge) is not contrary to BELIEVING, but is actually the product of one's true Faith and Trust of Christ and the Gospel. For evidence of this statement. I direct your attention to the Book of I JOHN which repeatedly uses the word KNOW in conjunction of our Faith.(See such passages as I John 2:3-5, that says WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM (vs.3) and can KNOW THAT WE ARE IN HIM ,(vs.5). Another verse in that book dealing with Knowing is 3:2,...BUT WE KNOW THAT WHEN HE IS REVEALED WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS. But the strongest passage along this line, after many more KNOW passages, is found in Chapter 5:12-13,
HE WHO HAS THE SON HAS LIFE;HE WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE SON OF GOD DOES NOT HAVE LIFE. THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN TO YOU WHO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD,  THAT YOU MAY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YOU MAY CONTINUE TO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD. Now on what basis can we be so sure,(that is assuming wee have met the Biblical conditions)--It is found not in us and our works or righteousness,(which is as filthy rags,) As the next verse 5:14 it is solely based on THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE HAVE IN HIM. (see also Hebrews 5:7-9 based on HIS OBEDIENCE/Hebrews 9:23-28 based on His redemptive work, and ongoing work on our behalf (7:22-25)/ and based on the Faithfulness and veracity of God's Word & Promise, as seen in Titus 1:2-3). Thus is is possible, even vital that we be possessed of what the Scriptures calls A TRUE HEART IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH....(Hebrews 10:22).

Question# 2: If we Christians are supposed to be tolerant of every religion and belief and lifestyle, why are the same people who demand this intolerant of us if they encourage tolerance?

Answer: Might I begin by suggesting the possibility that the question itself is based on a false premise. Are Christians taught to tolerate false teaching/ and deviant lifestyles? Or, perhaps we should also ask is God, Himself so tolerant of such? Yes I subscribe to the doctrine of hating the sin, but loving the sinner! Yet in doing so, even God is not so tolerant of sin. (For proof see,under the mosaic law, many sins called for capital punishment,ie. Deut.18:19-20/Lev.20:10-13,27.) Christians under Grace, in Christ-likeness are to hate the deeds of some, which deeds Jesus also hates, and not tolerate spurious teachings/practices as seen in the words of the Letters to the seven churches of Asia, Rev. 2:2-3,13-16,19-23). As Christians we are not taught to tolerate sin, but to manifest & reprove it. According to Ephesus 5:11 we are to...HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE UNFRUITFUL WORKS OF DARKNESS, BUT RATHER EXPOSE THEM. (so much for Christian toleration as taught in the politically correct way, which only amounts to compromise, and denial of the truth) Instead we are TO TRY THE SPIRITS WHETHER THEY BE OF GOD (I John 4:1) and
to take a firm stand for the Truth (Jude 3-4,22-23). But we, in the process are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:16)/ Render not evil for evil, and seek to live peaceably with all men(Romans 12:14-20). As for why others may be so tolerant of Christians, even when we do show tolerance--I say a couple of things, Jesus, himself said to reasonably expect such treatment,(John 15:19/16:-3/17:14-17). Peter also addressed this matter in I Peter 4:1-4,12-14, Note the phrases there THEY THINK IT STRANGE (vs.4) giving reason for their uncharitable actions toward us and ,BELOVED DO NOT THINK IT STRANGE (vs.12),telling us it is a fact of life , we need to accept it.