@ghost-of-a-duke saidWould you force your sweets upon those that didn't want one? He is not going to make anyone come to Him, He is not going to force anyone out of the sin that they love, and so on. He isn't going to force someone who hates another yield so that they are compelled by God to be in both God's presence or those they hate. Love and forgiveness has to be from the heart, it has to be real. You don't get that by saying a few words 20 years ago and living in sin as if nothing happen, neither do you get it by being filled with contempt or one's one self importance.
Forgiveness is a beautiful thing, no disagreement there.
If I had a bag of sweets and said I was going to give one to everyone unconditionally, but in reality, was only prepared to give a sweet to people who came to me and asked for one, then my sweet giving could not be said to be unconditional. (As it was conditional upon people having to ask for one). Now, the l ...[text shortened]... a sweet and is promptly given one.
Is this fair? Would an omniscient God act in the same manner?
You are looking at this as if the little old lady was owed God's grace and the Nazi was not. Neither of them was owed God's grace, and God's grace and mercy is great enough all of us can receive it if we go to God. Not just the ones we deem worthy.
@suzianne saidWorks are very important they accomplish a lot of things; however, they are not what connects us to God, that is God's love not our efforts.
This is one of the most common and horrible cop-outs of those who call themselves "Christian".
@kellyjay saidWhat if the man with the sweets is threatening to burn those children who don't accept the sweets on their bare arms with cigarettes?
Would you force your sweets upon those that didn't want one? He is not going to make anyone come to Him, He is not going to force anyone out of the sin that they love, and so on.
@fmf saidIf someone is drowning in water and they refuse the help of the life guard, the blame of their drowning will not be on the life guard, their choices and water will kill them. Stay in your sin, it will kill you.
What if the man with the sweets is threatening to burn those children who don't accept the sweets on their bare arms with cigarettes?
@kellyjay saidWould you force your sweets upon those that didn't want one? He is not going to make anyone come to Him, He is not going to force anyone out of the sin that they love, and so on.
If someone is drowning in water and they refuse the help of the life guard, the blame of their drowning will not be on the life guard, their choices and water will kill them. Stay in your sin, it will kill you.
What if the man with the sweets is threatening to drown those children who don't accept the sweets?
@fmf saidWhat if's, reality is what you should be concern with.
Would you force your sweets upon those that didn't want one? He is not going to make anyone come to Him, He is not going to force anyone out of the sin that they love, and so on.
What if the man with the sweets is threatening to drown those children who don't accept the sweets?
1 edit
@kellyjay saidThere is no water and there is no lifeguard and I am not going to drown, so I am not going to blame anybody for any such thing. Old age is going to kill me. I will be gone.
If someone is drowning in water and they refuse the help of the life guard, the blame of their drowning will not be on the life guard, their choices and water will kill them. Stay in your sin, it will kill you.
@kellyjay saidThe little old lady 'is' owed God's grace if divine forgiveness in unconditional and if Christ died for all of our sins.
Would you force your sweets upon those that didn't want one? He is not going to make anyone come to Him, He is not going to force anyone out of the sin that they love, and so on. He isn't going to force someone who hates another yield so that they are compelled by God to be in both God's presence or those they hate. Love and forgiveness has to be from the heart, it has to be ...[text shortened]... nd mercy is great enough all of us can receive it if we go to God. Not just the ones we deem worthy.
@kellyjay saidThat is exactly what most drowning people do! Fight the life guard.
If someone is drowning in water and they refuse the help of the life guard, the blame of their drowning will not be on the life guard, their choices and water will kill them. Stay in your sin, it will kill you.
A good life guard accepts this and helps the drownee anyway - even against his will.
Is God any worse - or more callous - than this lifeguard?
@caljust saidIt is difficult to grasp the evil in the world when good is called evil, and evil is called good.
That is exactly what most drowning people do! Fight the life guard.
A good life guard accepts this and helps the drownee anyway - even against his will.
Is God any worse - or more callous - than this lifeguard?
@ghost-of-a-duke saidNo, she has the right to become a child of God, He is not going to force that on her against her will.
The little old lady 'is' owed God's grace if divine forgiveness in unconditional and if Christ died for all of our sins.
@kellyjay saidBut what if her will has been compromised by things out of her control? Say, for example, she had grown up in an abusive religious cult and as a consequence had no belief in God?
No, she has the right to become a child of God, He is not going to force that on her against her will.
@ghost-of-a-duke saidGod will judge us by the light we have. This is why the gospel is so important!
But what if her will has been compromised by things out of her control? Say, for example, she had grown up in an abusive religious cult and as a consequence had no belief in God?