My God, He calls them like they are. Love doesn’t hide reality just because it’s unpleasant. Without Christ we are fools.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
James 1:5-8
The living word of God contains knowledge for those seeking. “🎶🎤 Facts don’t care about your feelings” and humans modern definition of love doesn't effect God or the realities of how he perfectly loves us with no favoritism. “For God does not show favoritism.”
Romans 2:11
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ESV
“It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.”
Proverbs 17:12
“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”
Proverbs 17:27-28
“Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.”
Proverbs 18:2
“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.”
Proverbs 18:13
“Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.”
Proverbs 23:9
Gratitude, your encouraging words are balm to my soul. God is so good to give us peace and understanding through His word. The more we understand His truths the less they can use our love and zeal for God against us. “Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165 KJV
Instead think of it as a blessed opportunity
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”
Matthew 5:11-12 NLT
For we know and can take encouragement in these truths of God:
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:11 NKJV
“Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
Jeremiah 23:29 ESV
Isaiah 54: 17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
I have spent too long meekly pleasing people. I will fight for my God that He will look down and be pleased. Your words honor the effort, thank you
“In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’””
Luke 17:10 NLT
“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.”
1 Timothy 1:15 NLT
“Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.”
Romans 12:14 NLT
“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”
Romans 12:12 NLT
Least they trample them and attach you. Shall the recipient prove themselves to be a pig or potential?
Proverbs 25: 12b “an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.”
Classic warming verse. Important to consider when deciding to engage or not: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
Matthew 7:6 KJV
Should we not in love, first attempt reconciliation testing the waters, since God would see all repent. He has more joy in the lost one sheep returning than the 99 that stayed in the flock. May we bring joy to God in assisting the returning of all willing sheep.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 ESV
God grant us the ability to love like him and field a trampling and rending willingly for His sake. As Christ did for us.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”
Matthew 5:11-12 NLT
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
2 Timothy 3:12 ESV
It's arrogant and rude to call anyone a fool because they believe something other than you do. It's also a gross misunderstanding of how beliefs work. Beliefs are not the product of desire alone.. Circumstance and experience influence beliefs... Those things you don't have total control over... So our beliefs, are hardly a product of wil alone.. Therefore you're judging someone based on things they have no control over. This is another one of my many problems with the fundamentalist Christian religion and its central deity... He doesn't even know how belief works... And on top of that, judges people with eternal ramifications based on their beliefs.
“It's arrogant and rude to call anyone a fool because they believe something other than you do”
Are people not fools to take the vaccine? Because they are deceived by lies?
Are people not fools when they buy into the belief that are more sexes than man or woman?
Not all beliefs are equal or logical.
Some things are true and some things are not.
Some believe reality is ambiguous, but a rock is a rock.
God is real or He is not.
I have personally had God intervene in my life many times and I would be a fool to dismiss and not give credit to Him when He answered my call.
It is out of respect for God that Christians dislike others dishonoring God by saying it’s not true He is real.
For us is not offensive to state the fact God is real and others are unwise to not see it, in the same way one might state the fact the government is corrupt and others are unwise to not see that.
It’s not necessarily meant to be an attack.
And I only have goodwill towards you and those who don’t know God personally yet. We were all ignorant before we reconciled our relationship with God. It is not my intent to be arrogant in my beliefs, though I am confident and assured in them from a logical side as well. While we have different perspectives I hope you can sense my politeness towards you in how I have tried to construct my reply. I wish all of God’s blessings toward you.
My skepticism and logic do not allow for me to believe in things that don't make sense to me. Further compounding the issue of belief and how it works is a deity/religion out there that wants to judge me for all of eternity due to what conclusion I draw in my very limited existence here - which just further influences me to not believe any of it as truth.
If you may permit, I pray that you would encounter God yourself that you would know throughly what you would be accepting or rejecting.
God says He has gives appropriate evidence in the natural world and will answer the call of anyone, because God first reaches out to us. God doesn’t want anyone to be separated from Him.
In terms of Heaven and hell. Hell is very similar to now, a world mostly run by those who reject God. Heaven is a place God has set aside for those who both want to do good (walk in God’s morals) and be around God. Hell is the place to send those who wish to do their own thing and don’t desire God, its also where God casts judgement for the wrong behavior people willfully made throughout their own life with their own choices.
God has promised that in Heaven there will be no more pain or tears—similarly those that cause pain and tears will not be there. But everyone causes pain and tears? that’s why this is a work in progress. God gave us the free will to make choices, but without God’s perspective we haven’t made good ones.
Thus God hatched a plan to save humanity, because free will and evil cannot be ignored. God has already offered everyone a free ticket out of Hell. One that is not earned by works, but simply acknowledging God. God then educates us in good morals.
A question everyone has is, why is the world full of evil when there is a good God? Why doesn’t He intervene?
A very important question.
Because “belief” in God is really two parts:
Is God real?
But also
Is He worth serving?
In polytheistic societies people are willing to believe in the Christian God along with the others, but God is to be honored only, He is the only true God—and then they aren’t interested.
But back to the question of evil. It is tied up in free will.
God doesn’t hide the consequences of decisions. This is a very important theological point.
Imagine if you didn’t get burned when you put your hand in a fire, but it’s still hot. Or if you injested poison but were fine. If the world was free of cause and effect that actually wouldn’t be a logical world and you wouldn’t be able to make true sense of anything. God lets humans reap from evil or wrong actions. He lets people who eat too much get fat. He lets people who have premarital sex get pregnant. He lets people who have a desire to covet lands and lives commit war.
God has never left the earth without examples or hope in alternative way of living though. In people that choose His ways, over their own morals and choices.
I place the blame for evil in the world on humans, it is humans that made the choices not God. Why do people not intervene on behalf of the innocent? Why does the world and its morals rot and people join in rather than turn away?
God gave us the earth to rule, but ruling it without His wisdom, love, and justice has made it a bad place.
Do I think God is worth serving? I do.
I believe He is the true guidance about how to live and source of strength against powers of evil. I respect God.
God saves those that ask. And God is just waiting.
I believe character of God and what we are to be like looks like this:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself”
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways”
Long reply, but I tried to be thorough in providing sense and understanding. Though there’s definitely more that could be said. If you had more questions I’d be happy to give the time to explain more. If not and if you’ve read this far I appreciate you entertaining the ideas and taking time for conversation. If you feel like you haven’t experienced God’s good will or character in your life toward you, I pray that God would bless you shortly in such a manner where you have needs or wants in you or your family’s life.
Therefore you're judging someone based on things they have no control over.
Are you saying we have no control over our beliefs? If we don’t, who does? Are you not therefore judging me on the beliefs I can’t control?
I find it dangerously laughable you accuse God of not understanding how beliefs work. Careful fren. God’s been really into lightening lately. (See also George floyd memorial and recent democrat party)
You question the Op’s content and then perpetuate the dynamic presented therein. You’ve highlighted an ingrained modern take on God that is due to die a hearty public execution.
Just because you don’t approve of Biblical morals doesn’t mean we will change our directives or consider them unloving due to your ignorant mischaracterizations of our beliefs. You’re welcome to believe whatever you want, though God called that foolish. If you would like to be less ignorant and read the Bible we welcome you to do so. Though without turning to God for understanding His realities will still appear ridiculously illogical to you. The culmination of mans knowledge is foolishness compared to the quantum understanding of God, the maker of the universe. You don’t have to like it, for it to be true.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:37-38 ESV
“But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Revelation 21:27 ESV
Life is a series of judgement calls. To deny all ability to make any judgements one must become a passive standardless moral free marshmallow. God is not into that, we have to be able to distinguish between what is of God and what is not. The key is who’s standards your judging on. ‘Lest we be judged’
Let us judge in the way we wish to be judged, in the same way we are all continually judged. By Gods standards, by His plumb line. That we may hold each other accountable to the great standards of our divine Father and Master. Matthew7 This is an acceptable thing to do as God says
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”
Galatians 6:1 NLT
“But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
2 Timothy 2:19 NLT
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,”
2 Timothy 2:24-25 NIV
“Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.”
2 Timothy 2:26 NLT
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
“And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.”
Amos 7:8 NKJV
“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NLT
“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” Luke 17:3 KJV
“Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.” 2 John 1:11
“For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” Galatians 6:5 NLT
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NKJV
“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11
Regarding beliefs... Lotto of birth influences what we believe in. What would have happened if you were born pre Jesus? What about if you were born in Iran 20 years ago? Geography obviously plays a role, what your family believes plays a role, how long you live plays a role... You have to admit, that if belief is the reward, there's some that encounter far more obstacles to attain that belief than others. It's this unequally attainable object.
If God were truly just, wouldn't we all be running the same race with the same rules?
Clearly, belief isn't a product of will alone. It's a product of many things and those other things we have no control over.
Once you understand that beliefs are NOT the product of will alone, your sweater of faith will begin to unravel. You'll find many of your beliefs are shaped by the actions of others and that what you want to believe many times has to be swapped out with what you can believe. This simple fact illustrates the unjust nature of rewarding anyone based on a particular belief.
“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:6-9 NLT
“For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:11 NLT
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
I Peter 5:8-11 NKJV
“The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”
Proverbs 15:31-33 ESV
I'm not calling anyone a fool for their beliefs like your religious document does.
And LOL at threatening me with a lightening strike for being a skeptic... While he stands or sits silently as children are trafficked and raped to death daily. Describes him to a T.
But don't question him! He'll fry your ass! LOL some priorities... Not reading the rest of your bullshit, your initial thoughts don't warrant it.
What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.” Isaiah 5:20-21 NLT
“Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.”
Proverbs 24:12
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 ESV
“A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.”
Proverbs 18:9 NLT
Calling someone names, in essence, ridicule because someone sees the world differently than you do, isn't any culture I'd want to embrace - much less, make excuses for. But by all means, keep trying to polish that turd.
That's a bald-faced lie from a shameless liar or you wouldn't be here clinging to us and our website like the intellectual and spiritual parasitic dingleberry you are.
Judge not is a pretty clear order in the bible... Specifically Matthew 7.
So, there's no misunderstanding there. Belief/faith/religion it doesn't matter. I'm not capable of believing any words on paper are evidence of anything when it comes to our origins. I don't know those people and neither did you. You don't know their motives.. You claim you do, but you don't... I mean, do you trust how the bible even came to be? By some group of men voting on what would make up the books of your cherished cosmic truth document?
My God, He calls them like they are. Love doesn’t hide reality just because it’s unpleasant. Without Christ we are fools.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” James 1:5-8
The living word of God contains knowledge for those seeking. “🎶🎤 Facts don’t care about your feelings” and humans modern definition of love doesn't effect God or the realities of how he perfectly loves us with no favoritism. “For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:11
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ESV
“It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.” Proverbs 17:12
“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” Proverbs 17:27-28
“Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.” Proverbs 18:2
“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” Proverbs 18:13
“Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.” Proverbs 23:9
Gratitude, your encouraging words are balm to my soul. God is so good to give us peace and understanding through His word. The more we understand His truths the less they can use our love and zeal for God against us. “Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165 KJV
Instead think of it as a blessed opportunity
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” Matthew 5:11-12 NLT
For we know and can take encouragement in these truths of God:
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 NKJV
“Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29 ESV
Isaiah 54: 17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
@ u/Dee68 we have some pretty good people here.
+1 to u/LoobintheToobin
I have spent too long meekly pleasing people. I will fight for my God that He will look down and be pleased. Your words honor the effort, thank you
“In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”” Luke 17:10 NLT
“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.” 1 Timothy 1:15 NLT
“Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.” Romans 12:14 NLT
“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Romans 12:12 NLT
Don't cast your pearls before swine.
Least they trample them and attach you. Shall the recipient prove themselves to be a pig or potential?
Proverbs 25: 12b “an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.”
Classic warming verse. Important to consider when deciding to engage or not: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6 KJV
Should we not in love, first attempt reconciliation testing the waters, since God would see all repent. He has more joy in the lost one sheep returning than the 99 that stayed in the flock. May we bring joy to God in assisting the returning of all willing sheep. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 ESV
God grant us the ability to love like him and field a trampling and rending willingly for His sake. As Christ did for us.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” Matthew 5:11-12 NLT
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” 2 Timothy 3:12 ESV
PFAL?
? I’m not familiar with that acronym. Did I typo?
It's arrogant and rude to call anyone a fool because they believe something other than you do. It's also a gross misunderstanding of how beliefs work. Beliefs are not the product of desire alone.. Circumstance and experience influence beliefs... Those things you don't have total control over... So our beliefs, are hardly a product of wil alone.. Therefore you're judging someone based on things they have no control over. This is another one of my many problems with the fundamentalist Christian religion and its central deity... He doesn't even know how belief works... And on top of that, judges people with eternal ramifications based on their beliefs.
No thanks... I enjoy logic.
“It's arrogant and rude to call anyone a fool because they believe something other than you do”
Are people not fools to take the vaccine? Because they are deceived by lies?
Are people not fools when they buy into the belief that are more sexes than man or woman?
Not all beliefs are equal or logical.
Some things are true and some things are not.
Some believe reality is ambiguous, but a rock is a rock.
God is real or He is not.
I have personally had God intervene in my life many times and I would be a fool to dismiss and not give credit to Him when He answered my call.
It is out of respect for God that Christians dislike others dishonoring God by saying it’s not true He is real.
For us is not offensive to state the fact God is real and others are unwise to not see it, in the same way one might state the fact the government is corrupt and others are unwise to not see that.
It’s not necessarily meant to be an attack.
And I only have goodwill towards you and those who don’t know God personally yet. We were all ignorant before we reconciled our relationship with God. It is not my intent to be arrogant in my beliefs, though I am confident and assured in them from a logical side as well. While we have different perspectives I hope you can sense my politeness towards you in how I have tried to construct my reply. I wish all of God’s blessings toward you.
Appreciate the comment.
My skepticism and logic do not allow for me to believe in things that don't make sense to me. Further compounding the issue of belief and how it works is a deity/religion out there that wants to judge me for all of eternity due to what conclusion I draw in my very limited existence here - which just further influences me to not believe any of it as truth.
So, hopefully, you see the problem here.
I can understand that.
If you may permit, I pray that you would encounter God yourself that you would know throughly what you would be accepting or rejecting.
God says He has gives appropriate evidence in the natural world and will answer the call of anyone, because God first reaches out to us. God doesn’t want anyone to be separated from Him.
In terms of Heaven and hell. Hell is very similar to now, a world mostly run by those who reject God. Heaven is a place God has set aside for those who both want to do good (walk in God’s morals) and be around God. Hell is the place to send those who wish to do their own thing and don’t desire God, its also where God casts judgement for the wrong behavior people willfully made throughout their own life with their own choices.
God has promised that in Heaven there will be no more pain or tears—similarly those that cause pain and tears will not be there. But everyone causes pain and tears? that’s why this is a work in progress. God gave us the free will to make choices, but without God’s perspective we haven’t made good ones.
Thus God hatched a plan to save humanity, because free will and evil cannot be ignored. God has already offered everyone a free ticket out of Hell. One that is not earned by works, but simply acknowledging God. God then educates us in good morals.
A question everyone has is, why is the world full of evil when there is a good God? Why doesn’t He intervene?
A very important question.
Because “belief” in God is really two parts:
But also
In polytheistic societies people are willing to believe in the Christian God along with the others, but God is to be honored only, He is the only true God—and then they aren’t interested.
But back to the question of evil. It is tied up in free will.
God doesn’t hide the consequences of decisions. This is a very important theological point.
Imagine if you didn’t get burned when you put your hand in a fire, but it’s still hot. Or if you injested poison but were fine. If the world was free of cause and effect that actually wouldn’t be a logical world and you wouldn’t be able to make true sense of anything. God lets humans reap from evil or wrong actions. He lets people who eat too much get fat. He lets people who have premarital sex get pregnant. He lets people who have a desire to covet lands and lives commit war.
God has never left the earth without examples or hope in alternative way of living though. In people that choose His ways, over their own morals and choices.
I place the blame for evil in the world on humans, it is humans that made the choices not God. Why do people not intervene on behalf of the innocent? Why does the world and its morals rot and people join in rather than turn away?
God gave us the earth to rule, but ruling it without His wisdom, love, and justice has made it a bad place.
Do I think God is worth serving? I do.
I believe He is the true guidance about how to live and source of strength against powers of evil. I respect God.
God saves those that ask. And God is just waiting.
I believe character of God and what we are to be like looks like this:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself”
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways”
Long reply, but I tried to be thorough in providing sense and understanding. Though there’s definitely more that could be said. If you had more questions I’d be happy to give the time to explain more. If not and if you’ve read this far I appreciate you entertaining the ideas and taking time for conversation. If you feel like you haven’t experienced God’s good will or character in your life toward you, I pray that God would bless you shortly in such a manner where you have needs or wants in you or your family’s life.
Are you saying we have no control over our beliefs? If we don’t, who does? Are you not therefore judging me on the beliefs I can’t control?
I find it dangerously laughable you accuse God of not understanding how beliefs work. Careful fren. God’s been really into lightening lately. (See also George floyd memorial and recent democrat party)
You question the Op’s content and then perpetuate the dynamic presented therein. You’ve highlighted an ingrained modern take on God that is due to die a hearty public execution.
Just because you don’t approve of Biblical morals doesn’t mean we will change our directives or consider them unloving due to your ignorant mischaracterizations of our beliefs. You’re welcome to believe whatever you want, though God called that foolish. If you would like to be less ignorant and read the Bible we welcome you to do so. Though without turning to God for understanding His realities will still appear ridiculously illogical to you. The culmination of mans knowledge is foolishness compared to the quantum understanding of God, the maker of the universe. You don’t have to like it, for it to be true.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:37-38 ESV
“But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27 ESV
Life is a series of judgement calls. To deny all ability to make any judgements one must become a passive standardless moral free marshmallow. God is not into that, we have to be able to distinguish between what is of God and what is not. The key is who’s standards your judging on. ‘Lest we be judged’ Let us judge in the way we wish to be judged, in the same way we are all continually judged. By Gods standards, by His plumb line. That we may hold each other accountable to the great standards of our divine Father and Master. Matthew7 This is an acceptable thing to do as God says
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Galatians 6:1 NLT
“But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” 2 Timothy 2:19 NLT
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,” 2 Timothy 2:24-25 NIV
“Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” 2 Timothy 2:26 NLT
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
“And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore.” Amos 7:8 NKJV
“But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NLT
“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” Luke 17:3 KJV
“Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.” 2 John 1:11
“For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” Galatians 6:5 NLT
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NKJV
“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11
Regarding beliefs... Lotto of birth influences what we believe in. What would have happened if you were born pre Jesus? What about if you were born in Iran 20 years ago? Geography obviously plays a role, what your family believes plays a role, how long you live plays a role... You have to admit, that if belief is the reward, there's some that encounter far more obstacles to attain that belief than others. It's this unequally attainable object.
If God were truly just, wouldn't we all be running the same race with the same rules?
Clearly, belief isn't a product of will alone. It's a product of many things and those other things we have no control over.
Once you understand that beliefs are NOT the product of will alone, your sweater of faith will begin to unravel. You'll find many of your beliefs are shaped by the actions of others and that what you want to believe many times has to be swapped out with what you can believe. This simple fact illustrates the unjust nature of rewarding anyone based on a particular belief.
“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:6-9 NLT
“For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:11 NLT
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 5:8-11 NKJV
“The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 15:31-33 ESV
I'm not calling anyone a fool for their beliefs like your religious document does.
And LOL at threatening me with a lightening strike for being a skeptic... While he stands or sits silently as children are trafficked and raped to death daily. Describes him to a T.
But don't question him! He'll fry your ass! LOL some priorities... Not reading the rest of your bullshit, your initial thoughts don't warrant it.
Considering a heartfelt warning a threat, eh?
What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.” Isaiah 5:20-21 NLT
“Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.” Proverbs 24:12
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 ESV
“A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.” Proverbs 18:9 NLT
Calling someone names, in essence, ridicule because someone sees the world differently than you do, isn't any culture I'd want to embrace - much less, make excuses for. But by all means, keep trying to polish that turd.
That's a bald-faced lie from a shameless liar or you wouldn't be here clinging to us and our website like the intellectual and spiritual parasitic dingleberry you are.
Like I said. Your proble. Is with God, not us. It's arrogant to deny truth when God speaks it. Not to mention foolish.
Judge not is a pretty clear order in the bible... Specifically Matthew 7.
So, there's no misunderstanding there. Belief/faith/religion it doesn't matter. I'm not capable of believing any words on paper are evidence of anything when it comes to our origins. I don't know those people and neither did you. You don't know their motives.. You claim you do, but you don't... I mean, do you trust how the bible even came to be? By some group of men voting on what would make up the books of your cherished cosmic truth document?
LOL ok.