A question I have been asked quite often in the past 6 months is “do you believe in God, or Jesus”. From my profile the answer is no. That answer has not changed to this point, but I am starting to wonder.
How does God work? Does something profound happen to me to make me a believer? Does God punish me for not believing? As a non-believer I have no answers to these questions. Can anyone help? Is it something I must discover on my own path?
If God wanted to punish me, then why would he not punish just me? He would have plenty of ammunition to smite me if he saw fit. Why would he begin to take away those that matter to me? Those that have done him no wrong? Why would he make them pay the price? For my blasphemy? It does not make sense. Is it supposed to make sense to a mortal mind?
In the last month, I have lost my nephew and grandmother. I am scared that I may loose my best friend as well. My grandmother was 94 when she passed so it did not come as a great surprise. But my nephew was only 16, and he was a good soul. He touched so many lives of those around him. There were over 300 people that turned up to his service, and that does not include his colleges from school. It does not seem fair.
Am I being punished? If so, why am I worth so much?
Must I loose my best friend too? What do I have to do to make him relent?
Do I call myself a Christian? Do I read the bible? Do I pray to him every day? At what point do I start to believe? Is it “self brainwashing” – tell myself for so long that I start to believe it? Or does God present himself to me in some way to “make” me believe as he did to Moses? How do I know?
Do not quote me as an expert on the bible as I have not completed reading it, but I have to say, I’m not entirely impressed with what I have read so far.
I’m not sure if I could call myself a catholic as I believe that every man AND woman are equal. This is not the picture the bible paints (I don’t care what you say)
All my life I have believed in the scientific. In what I can see, touch and understand. It is not easy for someone to change their beliefs. It’s like asking a devout catholic to believe in the theory of evolution.
Self discovery leads to more questions.
Posted by Golgothen on 2007-11-18 03:18:06 | Rating: | Views: 424
No God does not hate you - He loves you more than you will ever know. You sound like you are at a crossroads in your life and I really feel for your pain. The thing is it is just as simple as asking God to come into your life. Reading the Bible works for some people but I confess it didn't speak to me the way it ought. I went to an Alpha class and that changed everything for me. I still suffer all the ups and downs of life, bereavement, hurt from friends and even family, but the wonderful thing is God is always there to pick me up. You know He has a wonderful way of putting people in our paths when we need them. There must be someone you know who is a Christian and who could guide you in the right direction. It may be just a prayer or a book to read, but really all we really need is to believe God exists and to invite Him in. I think you are already there as you are seeking. I will pray for you now and I really hope the pain begins to ease and you find what you are looking for. The best advice I ever got was from a hugely intelligent Christian who said 'Just believe'. Do that and you will have a friend forever. One who never lets you down. It isn't an easy road but it's a better one. Blessings, Elaine
You already believe if you are living in fear of his relentless revenge. Your equating God with pain and loss which I can wholly understand. I have not a lot of time for the bible but I do remember having to quote a passage, God is Love. I can only tell you that throughout the pain and suffering, something sends us strength and sometimes people or words to keep us going.
You have come to probably the most significant time in your life. That is when you realize that their is more to life than worldly pleasures. I believe that the Holy Spirit is bringing you into a revelation of the man Christ Jesus. His job is to show you who Jesus is and how much he loves you. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that if you believe on Him you will not perish but have everlasting life. He who believes in Jesus is not judged; This is found in the Bible along with many other verses that proclaim the goodness of God. I encourage to start reading in the book of John. Get a Bible that is easy to read, like the new American standard. I have been a follower of Jesus for many years now, I did not qualify, but when I prayed a simple prayer, "Jesus come into my heart, he forgave me of my sinful ways, he made Himself real to me, He gave me a new life. God uses Tragedy in our lives to give us a wake up call. We live in a fallen world and pain is all around. God does not hate you, he hates sin that is why Jesus came and died, to wash away our sins that we could come to the Father. We are made righteous through his death and now have fellowship with God. Fellowship with God is AMAZING!
If you seek God, he will be found, it's a guarantee.
Just be still, and know that He is God. He made you, with all your doubts, your fears, and feelings. Take heart what the others have said, for they, as well as I have been where you are now. If I could stand next to you, I would, holding your hand, sitting with you. I'd love to be able to spout scripture, and point to verses in the Bible, that would help you on your journey...but I'm only human, and my talents lie elsewhere. I do know that God loves you, if He didn't...none of us would be worrying about this, we wouldn't care one way or the other, but God gave each of us this indescribable desire to know for sure. The hardest part of this is letting go...and letting God. I feel like one of those 'holy-roller' types, but it works. Be still, let the feelings flow, and open ourself up mentally, emotionally to this. Get yourself into a quiet place, and relax, take a deep breath. Talk. Ask. Listen. God will communicate, and you will be changed. If you find you can't do it on your own, then explore churches, and ask for guidance. As Beloved said, Fellowship with God is AMAZING! He truly is my best friend.
You are approaching a wonderful time in your life. God wants you to believe in him and to accept him as your own personal God. When you do this and I believe you will, a giant load will be removed from you. Just talk to God and he will answer inside your heart. You will feel him answer you. Seek out others that believe in God and communicate with them. Things will just naturally become clear to you if you just accept what comes in to your heart.
| Views: 424
