It is said God’s ways are not like ours. Being an eternal God who sees the beginning from the end every choice made by us, every word uttered, He has an eternity to look at them. Unlike when we write stories our characters only do what we write ✍️ while being made in God’s image we can choose love or selfishness, good or evil, right or wrong.
We can define things as we see fit but we do so always with limited information. Not so God, His judgments are always with all the facts required.
It isn’t wise to be at odds with God! Just a thought.
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@kellyjay saidAs long as God limits himself to speaking through his human followers, there will never be consensus on who is at odds with God, and who is not.
It is said God’s ways are not like ours. Being an eternal God who sees the beginning from the end every choice made by us, every word uttered, He has an eternity to look at them. Unlike when we write stories our characters only do what we write ✍️ while being made in God’s image we can choose love or selfishness, good or evil, right or wrong.
We can define things as we se ...[text shortened]... nts are always with all the facts required.
It isn’t wise to be at odds with God! Just a thought.
(In most cases, "God's" wishes are aligned with the followers' wishes, by a curious coincidence, no doubt.)
As such, I'm not inclined to worry about it.
@bigdogg saidI'd say the made-up gods' wishes align with their followers, and in some cases, that is even found among those who call themselves Christian. What scriptures teach don't exactly lend themselves to human pride, so it's not accepted by many.
As long as God limits himself to speaking through his human followers, there will never be consensus on who is at odds with God, and who is not.
(In most cases, "God's" wishes are aligned with the followers' wishes, by a curious coincidence, no doubt.)
As such, I'm not inclined to worry about it.
@kellyjay saidWell, it's a given that everyone is "at odds with God" simply because God is completely righteous and no human is, except if and when God "imputes" his righteousness to them. Of course that requires repentance and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ if one expects to be declared righteous based on the merits of the work done on the cross by Jesus.
It isn’t wise to be at odds with God! Just a thought.
In the mean time, as a son of God, I'm constantly finding myself at odds with God in the practical experience of this life. Fortunately God has a plan for my life and never fails to wip me back into shape when I stray.
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@kellyjay saidThere are all sorts of teaching in the Bible.
I'd say the made-up gods' wishes align with their followers, and in some cases, that is even found among those who call themselves Christian. What scriptures teach don't exactly lend themselves to human pride, so it's not accepted by many.
Depending on your mood, you can find things that build you up, or break you down. Verses that rally the troops to war, and verses that calm and tranquilize for peace. Verses that extol the virtues of investing money, and verses that mock the greedy for so doing. Verses that condemn outright, and verses that forgive without exception.
The Bible does whatever its followers need it to do, at any given time. It's flexible like that.
@bigdogg saidReminds me of this:
There are all sorts of teaching in the Bible.
Depending on your mood, you can find things that build you up, or break you down. Verses that rally the troops to war, and verses that calm and tranquilize for peace. Verses that extol the virtues of investing money, and verses that mock the greedy for so doing. Verses that condemn outright, and verses that forgive without exce ...[text shortened]...
The Bible does whatever its followers need it to do, at any given time. It's flexible like that.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?"
-- Ecclesiastes 3:1-22, KJV
After some thought, I think it seems that Ecclesiastes would be a very good book for you, in that you might glean tidbits here that most Christians do not. This is perhaps one of the least 'theological' books of the Bible. It speaks of things common to the everyman's quest for knowledge.
@suzianne saidYeah, the theme is the same. The book could be worth a revisit. It's been awhile.
Reminds me of this:
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
...[text shortened]... 'theological' books of the Bible. It speaks of things common to the everyman's quest for knowledge.
@bigdogg saidYes, people take anything and can mold it into whatever they would like it to be, from science to religion. If you read the scriptures, one of the things about God is how often the people did that and were punished for it. Right off the bat, to come to God to belong to Him, one has to confess that they are guilty, and without a leg to stand on with one's righteousness, go to God for His grace and mercy because we don't deserve it. You will find many think they either are right with God because of the life they live, or they dismiss the whole thing as admitting they do not need God's forgiveness. It does not appeal to human pride; our pride is a roadblock.
There are all sorts of teaching in the Bible.
Depending on your mood, you can find things that build you up, or break you down. Verses that rally the troops to war, and verses that calm and tranquilize for peace. Verses that extol the virtues of investing money, and verses that mock the greedy for so doing. Verses that condemn outright, and verses that forgive without exce ...[text shortened]...
The Bible does whatever its followers need it to do, at any given time. It's flexible like that.
As long as God limits himself to speaking through his human followers, there will never be consensus on who is at odds with God, and who is not.
How about God "speak" to man through nature, the universe, the immense vastness, the minute unsearchable microcosm?
How about God speak to mankind through the things which He is created?
You cannot shut up the stars and galaxies because of the seperation of church and state.
BigDoog,
(In most cases, "God's" wishes are aligned with the followers' wishes, by a curious coincidence, no doubt.)
Should we be ashamed who want to be followers of God?
Did you ever hear Bod Dylon's song from his Christian era "Gotta Serve Somebody"?
Take a listen. I think it had something significant to say.
Bob Dylon was on the crest of the wave of the counter culture in the US in the 60s.
Some know that he turned to Christ. Then he losts lots of followers and put out an album of Christ centric songs called "Slow Train Coming".
Here's "Gotta Serve Somebody"
&ab_channel=BobDylanVEVO
@kellyjay saidI can accept that your understanding of the Bible's message does not appeal to your human pride.
Yes, people take anything and can mold it into whatever they would like it to be, from science to religion. If you read the scriptures, one of the things about God is how often the people did that and were punished for it. Right off the bat, to come to God to belong to Him, one has to confess that they are guilty, and without a leg to stand on with one's righteousness, go to ...[text shortened]... ing they do not need God's forgiveness. It does not appeal to human pride; our pride is a roadblock.
However, for every humble believer, there are two others who are using the faith to indulge their own ego.
@bigdogg saidWe are all inclined to do that, I wish I was immune but I am not. Which is why we need salvation.
I can accept that your understanding of the Bible's message does not appeal to your human pride.
However, for every humble believer, there are two others who are using the faith to indulge their own ego.