For the most part, anyone who is a free thinker will naturally have some major reserves before just blindly putting faith into religion, let alone this God of the bible with the largest following in the world today, known as Christianity being instituted through 'the church' spiritually and in the structured gatherings. This God of the bible, who supposedly represents love and kindness as you would hear in most churches, is still the same God of the old & new Testament who sometimes seems more filled with wrath or setting the record straight - that He is the alpha that does as He pleases for His own glory - then truly being merciful to the humans he created with forethought, who time and time again can't live up to His expectations. Does his anger really only last for a moment but his love (if you abide) last forever?
This same Jesus of the New Testament, who was prophesied about in the old testament as the savior 'Christ' to come; the who was to bear our sins, to 'atone' for the sins of mankind.
Jesus wasn't just the peace loving guy sticking up for the women caught in adultery or the guy who unlike John the Baptist was accused of partaking with 'gluttons and drunkards,' rather he didn't neglect speaking about God's wrath, weeping and gnashing of teeth, sexual immorality as a sin leading to death - he brought severe warnings of hell very quickly and made it about the next life. 'Produce fruit or being thrown in the oven,' Jesus said to people following the practice in positions of authority.
One second in the old testament you read "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love," the next second your back in an earlier book where God tells his chosen people to kill the neighboring villages including all women and children - leaving no one behind -while sometimes giving the okay to take their possessions for the spoil as the town they conquered has just been ravished. Was God playing a territory video computer game with point and click territory battles with the leaders and their armies to act in such ways?
Yea basically (the sovereign explanation of a God in control of a world where Satan gets rights), except the teachings stood for ages and the neighboring enemies had some sort of element to it's justification. People still get condemned, it means they only react wrong every single time and they don't share or give and they may talk to idols more than a suffering kid in need - or only have sex with no feelings for anything, too primitive. Plus control over life and death is always the main thing, I'm sure if he's as detailed as He is from a quantitative standpoint - 'lean not on your own understanding, but trust in the Lord with all your heart for my ways are higher than your ways.'
Nevertheless it's a difficult thing to grasp, that our loving creator would plunder the remaining women and children (when Jews were the only nation accepted under Abraham's decedents) when it is authorized by the God of the bible to occur, instead of taking in orphanage. Are you sure this book is 100% legitimate? I guess we were that primitive and influenced by the different eye and the discipline of the Jews and their religious cleanliness was needed for future specifics.
Thankfully Hebrews says Moses law of the time (Old Testament) has became 'obsolete' though it has very many good directional things, even of love stated in them. But still they reference the outdated material, isn't that a citing error?!
Why go to church off speculation of the beginning? Why give up things I'm suppose to give up (like porn or gossiping) over the writings of an old book that doesn't feel true when I'm still pretty sure I"m about there with everyone else? Why not just do what feels right the best you can (or be a dick sometimes because it feels good too), be supportive to the community of people in your life and friendly to new people that enter your life, and not commit to this ludicrous concept of a controlling vengeful God who says 'my way or the highway' and 'you are all little sheep, I'm the shepherd - follow me or your lost and going to hell.' ???
You can get upset I say things so bluntly, but that's exactly how the bible reads to a non-spiritual interpreter and no matter how you want to sugar coat things, it's an aspect the bible relays to its readers loud and clear regarding both the severity and kindness God offers to all peoples. Because He won't love you unless you learn His love and eventually it requires knowing he will dictate in the form of kingship, in a particular way describe and understood through the totality of the decesions made throughout the bible.
The cookie cutter system Christianity 'Jesus loves you' 'because he died on the cross'
that doesn't always appease the questions of the validity of it all, but rather just blindly believe isn't always satisfying. But for people who only see things real based on support of the real world, there is a very realness of God's stories and still giving grace and acceptance in the fact we all fall short other than Jesus. We have to want to love his protection and he can still be 'cool' by forgiving us since he can do things perfectly and put himself over us in that way. Though it doesn't really translate like that, as messing up isn't really an embraceful subject matter and 'without the law I would not have known it
Nothing about religion seems real to many people (especially if you have to work) but really you have to be content at first with just being alive and knowing there is future ahead - don't just be indulgent in the quick practice of doing every minute of every day and hour for your own self - you need that sacrifice element for others embrace to think that the karma God will give your soul credit for being worth existing with Him in some form of comradery.
God never really talks about letting loose and having fun in the bible, yet for many the most true way to live is to have fun and take meaning and existence lightly. Maybe people do care about fate more than you in a tricky way? You may have a hard time thinking the bible is truth over other religions and think all religions in general are just man's way to cope with the unsettling thoughts of life after our inevitable deaths.
How often have people of the past (Pharisee's) and of today (fakes) used religion as a selfish means to get ahead in society by knowing how to manipulate the brainwashed masses that have always been a part of society that listen to what others say only, instead of knowing truth within themselves? Why is it worse to claim the name, gain a position of authority and funding yet not know the rules people pleasing? It seems better today, but I"m sure fakes do exist like the Pharisee's of old but probably we've increased after the Pentecost.
I like the fact that the real world doesn't hold your hand through things, neither does God always. The harshness of this world gives tells about our God, in that God knows how to give tough love to even allow evils to happen. He lets us fall so we learn to get up. More scenarios for eternity with past memory too.
It is true God will come through for you in difficult times, as this verse proves itself time and time again in this difficult world 'Draw near to God and he will draw near to you' which people who experience tragedies know firsthand that something more from above comes through for them when they are about at the breaking point. Still doesn't mean he won't make you go through ridiculous trials of patience and endurance, test your faith in all sorts of ways, makes you suffer and love ones die early.
Most the time people who don't really believe in their current state of mind in the truths of Jesus and his teachings, don't even realize the role Jesus played in their life until later on when everything just adds up and they become grateful for the paths God took them through when they come to this realization. That's usually when a Holy Spirit baptism takes place and true willful repentance occurs and you defend God naturally.
Jesus doesn't just get pushed around by the people who know how to speak the lingo of their times. He could care less that they can reference this or that or know how to say things which elevates their status in how they are perceived by others. He doesn't take crap from anyone and calls out hypocrisy in the many flawed ways that humans are brainwashed into thinking are true.
With all the systems of control in this world we are all forced to submit to, it's kind of refreshing and truthful to understand there is a God who takes no crap from anyone calling the shots, who's got your back if you do a few things that aren't unreasonable to do and asks for trust and faith through the answers we are yet not capable of fully understanding by His own decision given existence doesn't have to end.
God is a slave driver of following the codes and not allowing mankind to transgress or else we get slow warnings until it's intervention time. Read the old testament books like Ezekiel or Jeremiah and not only does it seem God is more about being upset about humankinds shortcomings or disobedience to his rules.
God lets no one off the hook, even God's chosen vessels don't escape being forced to carry out his agenda in the exact ways God demands and chooses from them. Ezekiel the prophet gets punished for the sins of the people, being bed ridden for months on end. Then God says through Ezekiel that anyone who doesn't speak out a warning as a 'watchman' who knows the truth of God, ends up being responsible for the sins of the people who don't hear the warning because of their silence, meaning peoples own souls are being jeopardized by not speaking up.
Jeremiah is told after being timid and feeling too young to do what God put in him to do "Do not be dismayed by them, or I will dismay you in front of them." Basically God is saying to Jeremiah the prophet, be bold and courageous or I'll make you look horrible and embarrass you in front of the people for not trusting me.
In the new testament there are passages that go along with these same lines that no one is off the hook from the requirements of God the boss. "My righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back my soul takes no pleasure in him." So basically God is saying in this verse, shrink back (even though you were righteous and in good grace before) and I'll no longer take any pleasure in you.
That seems pretty hardcore, but can't say it doesn't seem that far off from expectations some bosses have for their employee's in the real world these days either. Sometimes it's just not fair for everyone either and then were suppose to have extra humility and grace? No way I don't get jack squat from people some say! Though they just use their mentality for a gripe wish as were all just in our own minds and time.
Peter of the new testament says all scripture (including Old Testament) is God breathed, spoken through people by God's direction on various matters. Is God more of an enforcer to set the record straight, than a comforter and God of peace? You can't be upset at people for having resentment for these honest questions that come up on these matters.
We are all sinners, so if you resent aspects of the bible you need to realize we can't be perfect which was the plan, so stop getting all worked up and start thinking 'in the spirit' (humble state with a higher presence you submit yourself to) with God on your questions. Nobody is ever in the clear and Christians are by far the ones with the biggest risks of going to hell if Jesus came back right now. Well I may retract that statement, here lightly proofreading 3 years later - whoever murders people (kills their rights spiritually or literally by manipulation, or those worse in selfish lust at the expense of people expectations that can't always be avoided whether 'Christian' or not).
We are told in the bible that Lukewarm Christian believers will be 'chewed up and spit out' with Jesus saying 'I never knew you.' We also are told anyone who doesn't believe is condemned. We know from passages that every single person can be 'blotted out of the book of life,' and even God's chosen prophets are forced by God to Trust him or else be thrown down with the rest of the disobedient and many are false prophets.
Instead of rolling your eyes and saying "I'm not a sheep, I don't buy into this whole concept of God and the bible with Jesus being the Shepherd and I'm the helpless little sheep," maybe start thinking "If I'm being honest, I don't know crap about the total understanding of the universe in the grand scheme of things, so that makes me a sheep. Actually in comparison to God who created everything, I should keep the proper temperate with everything - humility is required in this scenario to stay open not letting mishaps keep us from trust (or wrongful embrace to the humility) we still have good souls and the creator knows we're still worth it so thank you for this life God of the universe who probably had a son and probably created lots of rules to make it fair for everyone in different ways. More than anything God starts off by showing his strict side, so that we first come to learn the law.
This same Jesus of the New Testament, who was prophesied about in the old testament as the savior 'Christ' to come; the who was to bear our sins, to 'atone' for the sins of mankind.
Jesus wasn't just the peace loving guy sticking up for the women caught in adultery or the guy who unlike John the Baptist was accused of partaking with 'gluttons and drunkards,' rather he didn't neglect speaking about God's wrath, weeping and gnashing of teeth, sexual immorality as a sin leading to death - he brought severe warnings of hell very quickly and made it about the next life. 'Produce fruit or being thrown in the oven,' Jesus said to people following the practice in positions of authority.
One second in the old testament you read "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love," the next second your back in an earlier book where God tells his chosen people to kill the neighboring villages including all women and children - leaving no one behind -while sometimes giving the okay to take their possessions for the spoil as the town they conquered has just been ravished. Was God playing a territory video computer game with point and click territory battles with the leaders and their armies to act in such ways?
Yea basically (the sovereign explanation of a God in control of a world where Satan gets rights), except the teachings stood for ages and the neighboring enemies had some sort of element to it's justification. People still get condemned, it means they only react wrong every single time and they don't share or give and they may talk to idols more than a suffering kid in need - or only have sex with no feelings for anything, too primitive. Plus control over life and death is always the main thing, I'm sure if he's as detailed as He is from a quantitative standpoint - 'lean not on your own understanding, but trust in the Lord with all your heart for my ways are higher than your ways.'
Nevertheless it's a difficult thing to grasp, that our loving creator would plunder the remaining women and children (when Jews were the only nation accepted under Abraham's decedents) when it is authorized by the God of the bible to occur, instead of taking in orphanage. Are you sure this book is 100% legitimate? I guess we were that primitive and influenced by the different eye and the discipline of the Jews and their religious cleanliness was needed for future specifics.
Thankfully Hebrews says Moses law of the time (Old Testament) has became 'obsolete' though it has very many good directional things, even of love stated in them. But still they reference the outdated material, isn't that a citing error?!
Why go to church off speculation of the beginning? Why give up things I'm suppose to give up (like porn or gossiping) over the writings of an old book that doesn't feel true when I'm still pretty sure I"m about there with everyone else? Why not just do what feels right the best you can (or be a dick sometimes because it feels good too), be supportive to the community of people in your life and friendly to new people that enter your life, and not commit to this ludicrous concept of a controlling vengeful God who says 'my way or the highway' and 'you are all little sheep, I'm the shepherd - follow me or your lost and going to hell.' ???
You can get upset I say things so bluntly, but that's exactly how the bible reads to a non-spiritual interpreter and no matter how you want to sugar coat things, it's an aspect the bible relays to its readers loud and clear regarding both the severity and kindness God offers to all peoples. Because He won't love you unless you learn His love and eventually it requires knowing he will dictate in the form of kingship, in a particular way describe and understood through the totality of the decesions made throughout the bible.
The cookie cutter system Christianity 'Jesus loves you' 'because he died on the cross'
that doesn't always appease the questions of the validity of it all, but rather just blindly believe isn't always satisfying. But for people who only see things real based on support of the real world, there is a very realness of God's stories and still giving grace and acceptance in the fact we all fall short other than Jesus. We have to want to love his protection and he can still be 'cool' by forgiving us since he can do things perfectly and put himself over us in that way. Though it doesn't really translate like that, as messing up isn't really an embraceful subject matter and 'without the law I would not have known it
Nothing about religion seems real to many people (especially if you have to work) but really you have to be content at first with just being alive and knowing there is future ahead - don't just be indulgent in the quick practice of doing every minute of every day and hour for your own self - you need that sacrifice element for others embrace to think that the karma God will give your soul credit for being worth existing with Him in some form of comradery.
God never really talks about letting loose and having fun in the bible, yet for many the most true way to live is to have fun and take meaning and existence lightly. Maybe people do care about fate more than you in a tricky way? You may have a hard time thinking the bible is truth over other religions and think all religions in general are just man's way to cope with the unsettling thoughts of life after our inevitable deaths.
How often have people of the past (Pharisee's) and of today (fakes) used religion as a selfish means to get ahead in society by knowing how to manipulate the brainwashed masses that have always been a part of society that listen to what others say only, instead of knowing truth within themselves? Why is it worse to claim the name, gain a position of authority and funding yet not know the rules people pleasing? It seems better today, but I"m sure fakes do exist like the Pharisee's of old but probably we've increased after the Pentecost.
I like the fact that the real world doesn't hold your hand through things, neither does God always. The harshness of this world gives tells about our God, in that God knows how to give tough love to even allow evils to happen. He lets us fall so we learn to get up. More scenarios for eternity with past memory too.
It is true God will come through for you in difficult times, as this verse proves itself time and time again in this difficult world 'Draw near to God and he will draw near to you' which people who experience tragedies know firsthand that something more from above comes through for them when they are about at the breaking point. Still doesn't mean he won't make you go through ridiculous trials of patience and endurance, test your faith in all sorts of ways, makes you suffer and love ones die early.
Most the time people who don't really believe in their current state of mind in the truths of Jesus and his teachings, don't even realize the role Jesus played in their life until later on when everything just adds up and they become grateful for the paths God took them through when they come to this realization. That's usually when a Holy Spirit baptism takes place and true willful repentance occurs and you defend God naturally.
Jesus doesn't just get pushed around by the people who know how to speak the lingo of their times. He could care less that they can reference this or that or know how to say things which elevates their status in how they are perceived by others. He doesn't take crap from anyone and calls out hypocrisy in the many flawed ways that humans are brainwashed into thinking are true.
With all the systems of control in this world we are all forced to submit to, it's kind of refreshing and truthful to understand there is a God who takes no crap from anyone calling the shots, who's got your back if you do a few things that aren't unreasonable to do and asks for trust and faith through the answers we are yet not capable of fully understanding by His own decision given existence doesn't have to end.
God is a slave driver of following the codes and not allowing mankind to transgress or else we get slow warnings until it's intervention time. Read the old testament books like Ezekiel or Jeremiah and not only does it seem God is more about being upset about humankinds shortcomings or disobedience to his rules.
God lets no one off the hook, even God's chosen vessels don't escape being forced to carry out his agenda in the exact ways God demands and chooses from them. Ezekiel the prophet gets punished for the sins of the people, being bed ridden for months on end. Then God says through Ezekiel that anyone who doesn't speak out a warning as a 'watchman' who knows the truth of God, ends up being responsible for the sins of the people who don't hear the warning because of their silence, meaning peoples own souls are being jeopardized by not speaking up.
Jeremiah is told after being timid and feeling too young to do what God put in him to do "Do not be dismayed by them, or I will dismay you in front of them." Basically God is saying to Jeremiah the prophet, be bold and courageous or I'll make you look horrible and embarrass you in front of the people for not trusting me.
In the new testament there are passages that go along with these same lines that no one is off the hook from the requirements of God the boss. "My righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back my soul takes no pleasure in him." So basically God is saying in this verse, shrink back (even though you were righteous and in good grace before) and I'll no longer take any pleasure in you.
That seems pretty hardcore, but can't say it doesn't seem that far off from expectations some bosses have for their employee's in the real world these days either. Sometimes it's just not fair for everyone either and then were suppose to have extra humility and grace? No way I don't get jack squat from people some say! Though they just use their mentality for a gripe wish as were all just in our own minds and time.
Peter of the new testament says all scripture (including Old Testament) is God breathed, spoken through people by God's direction on various matters. Is God more of an enforcer to set the record straight, than a comforter and God of peace? You can't be upset at people for having resentment for these honest questions that come up on these matters.
We are all sinners, so if you resent aspects of the bible you need to realize we can't be perfect which was the plan, so stop getting all worked up and start thinking 'in the spirit' (humble state with a higher presence you submit yourself to) with God on your questions. Nobody is ever in the clear and Christians are by far the ones with the biggest risks of going to hell if Jesus came back right now. Well I may retract that statement, here lightly proofreading 3 years later - whoever murders people (kills their rights spiritually or literally by manipulation, or those worse in selfish lust at the expense of people expectations that can't always be avoided whether 'Christian' or not).
We are told in the bible that Lukewarm Christian believers will be 'chewed up and spit out' with Jesus saying 'I never knew you.' We also are told anyone who doesn't believe is condemned. We know from passages that every single person can be 'blotted out of the book of life,' and even God's chosen prophets are forced by God to Trust him or else be thrown down with the rest of the disobedient and many are false prophets.
Instead of rolling your eyes and saying "I'm not a sheep, I don't buy into this whole concept of God and the bible with Jesus being the Shepherd and I'm the helpless little sheep," maybe start thinking "If I'm being honest, I don't know crap about the total understanding of the universe in the grand scheme of things, so that makes me a sheep. Actually in comparison to God who created everything, I should keep the proper temperate with everything - humility is required in this scenario to stay open not letting mishaps keep us from trust (or wrongful embrace to the humility) we still have good souls and the creator knows we're still worth it so thank you for this life God of the universe who probably had a son and probably created lots of rules to make it fair for everyone in different ways. More than anything God starts off by showing his strict side, so that we first come to learn the law.