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
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
LOL ever heard of the Catholic Church?
LOL!!!!