A cruel god?

Originally posted by The Chess Express
What do you believe then? How does God handle sin?

Sin has consequences in itself. God simply warns that it leads to death and destruction.

Originally posted by joelek
Well, then I assume you don't believe He blesses people either.

Scripture teaches he blesses, and Scripture teaches he punishes. Take it or leave it, but don't do a bit of each.

Sure He blesses people, but where does it say He punishes?

Originally posted by checkbaiter
Sure He blesses people, but where does it say He punishes?

Isaiah 66:16 For with fire and with his sword the Lord will eecute judgment upon all men, and many will be those slain by the Lord

I have more if you want to hear them too

Originally posted by specs57
Isaiah 66:16 For with fire and with his sword the Lord will eecute judgment upon all men, and many will be those slain by the Lord

I have more if you want to hear them too

Ok...but I thought you were speaking of today. This is end times is it not?

Originally posted by checkbaiter
Sure He blesses people, but where does it say He punishes?

Galatians 6:7-8:

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Originally posted by joelek
Galatians 6:7-8:

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

I'm not sure that this is the proper verse for the point you are
making. I do believe that God blesses and curses, but the universe
is setup so that we simply get what we plant, this is true in the
fields where our crops grow, and in our lives in how we order them.
Kelly

I considered your point actually when I was thinking about posting that passage. But I believe the phrase "God cannot be mocked" is there for a very specific reason. It is there because it is God who ultimately brings about the reapings of our sowings, not just karma or some equivalent.

How about,

"For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment." I Cor 11:29-31.

(Fallen asleep = died)

And actually, the Bible speaks of hell much more than it does heaven. Even Jesus spoke more about judgment and hell (Gehennah) than he ever did heaven.

Originally posted by joelek
I considered your point actually when I was thinking about posting that passage. But I believe the phrase "God cannot be mocked" is there for a very specific reason. It is there because it is God who ultimately brings about the reapings of our sowings, not just karma or some equivalent.

Okay, I see your point.
Kelly

Originally posted by checkbaiter
Ok...but I thought you were speaking of today. This is end times is it not?

How about this

Exodus 32:34-35 
Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you. And when I come to call the people to account, I will certainly hold them responsible for their sins.”
Then the Lord sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made. (NLT)

Originally posted by KellyJay
Where did you hear God say that?
When someone says take my hand or you will drowned, does offering
the help mean your evil because they must accept it as offered or die?
Kelly

Well, it is kinda implied by the whole worship me or go to hell mentality....

Originally posted by checkbaiter
Maybe He gave us brains and we choose to ignore Him? Perhaps He has given enough already that would compel someone to believe He created it in the first place. Like the wonders all around you.

But we can explain (even if only in loose terms sometimes) so much of the universe that we live in. In terms of being the ultimate explantion God is coming awfly close to death....

Originally posted by specs57
Open your eyes and see the many miracles he still works today they are proof enough in his existence

And jimmyb270 said that God gave us evidence he didn't exist; I simply haven't seen any examples of this evidence

And unlike God there is no evidence to support your Flying Spaghetti Monster

Besides there are dogs named Muffy.

Most of these miracles can be explained in terms of simple physical and chemical processes. Life included.

I see no evidence for God - other than a book. And unlike alot of you guys I don't believe everything I read.

Originally posted by KellyJay
You call storms, floods, and other natural disasters evil?
Kelly

Evil really requires concious will. Storms cannot be evil or good. It just is. Kinda like the kitchen sink.

Originally posted by checkbaiter
Sin has consequences in itself. God simply warns that it leads to death and destruction.

The definition of sin is an act that goes against the will of God. Sin is not some separate entity that has nothing to do with God. Sin and God are very much connected.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

John 5:14 Afterwards, Jesus findeth him in the temple and said unto him: Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

It’s clear that the consequences of sin are determined by God. “Reap what you sow” is God’s law.