For background, he is a conservative that used to go to church. He left because he had questions that nobody seemed to have a good answer for.
Such as "why would God allow death/bad things?" The common answer usually is that its part of Gods will or its Satans fault. Neither answers the question and opens up more. This is why many people are turning to new age things and cults. God isnt working out for the common person anymore, for the sole reason that the common Christian and even preacher cant answer a single question even believers might have.
Why is this so? I personally think that religion got in the way of faith so long ago that faith has little meaning now. Telling people im a former Baptist raises questions like "so you're a Mormon now?" Because Christians have become a joke. Even to other Christians. If we want to WIN, we have to unite under faith.
Also, another question he asked was, "why do Christians bicker so much over trivial things?"
The answer, unfortunately, stems from religion. Which is such a mainstream part of culture now that it has lost meaning and relevance.
How do we, as Christians, not as truthers, become able to answer these difficult questions that turn away unbelievers and believers alike?
My coworker thinks that all religion is made up bs (which is true to a great extent) yet also hates existing for the sake of existing. Its a conundrum i cant help him with. Maybe someone here could?
His ways and understanding is above ours. A bad situation or experience I believe is to refine our faith. We absolutely have to be sanctified to one day be able to stand in His presence. Why did Jesus seek out the sick, the poor, the dumb and frankly the worst society had to offer. Because that is where the magic is. What better way to glorify our creator than Him and His Holy Spirit showing the world that He is who he says He is. That He is the one who gives life freely. He is the one that can take a mess and turn it into a message. He deserves nothing but complete glory for what He has done, what He is doing and what He's gonna do. He does it for all of us if we only humble ourselves and give him the respect he deserves and accept what He offers. He cannot allow anything or anyone to come before Him, loyalty to the one who has given you everything (the good things and yes even the bad). My bad stuff over time has drawn me closer to him. Sadly people through vanity think they don't deserve hardship. But these trials will either purify, sanctify and refine you into what He has purposed for you or you will be given over to the ruler of this world. What do you want? Do you want him or this world? Choose this day who you will serve. I know He knows best as it concerns me. I accept it, sometimes begrudgingly, but I know for a fact it's for my benefit. He gave me everything by giving me his son's blood to cover my filth. The least I can do is acknowledge that and be obedient to him and learn how I can serve him. I owe him everything and that's what my faith means. It means everything, I trust his plan for me is much bigger than I can imagine and I'm not meant to understand it completely. That's why it's called faith.
His ways are not above our under standing. Numerous times God says in the Bible before teaching something that "I would not have you ignorant"...
We remain ignorant when we are ignorant.
And if you are not a Workman that needed not to be ashamed by studying and rightly dividing the word of truth, don't expect to shed the shame of that ignorance.
Things we are not to be ignorant of, we are jot to be ignorant of the devils devices.
GOD SAID "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge". Stop using the lazy excuses. GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW HIM and his will which is His Word and by the way, how you come to k ow God.
Over 900 promises in the Bible, how many do you know? That's all you'll ever have available to believe. STUDY