Cont'd...... for gumba.....
When I said evil in this quote, I was unclear, I mean evil in our eyes. Meaning, the chapters I quoted above etc. Were evil things in human eyes. Baby killing etc. Look pretty bad from down here.[/b]
What man among us, can know the mind of God, He speaks to the storm, wind and the waves and they obey Him; He directs the lighting to its mark, the scriptures asure us of these truths, out side of what He has chosen to make known about himself, we can know nothing unless He reveals it to us by His Spirit, and He does so.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:12-13, 16)
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.(1 Cor 2:14)
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Rom 8:11)
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Rom 8:9)
It is easy to make judgements on what God did four thousand years ago, not knowing the begining from the end of it all.
But since He is who he is, we are confident He did what was right.
See, this is my sticking point though. Slavery, rape, pillage, murder etc. Were his devices of choice those 4000 years ago. Even if the ends justifyed the means, isn't that a rather cold, dictatorial, take on a God who loves us?
Perhapse I am not one to question. But when considering this God I cannot help it. What did killing all those people, enslaving them, pillaging them, gain in the long run? How could it compensate? Is there any result of it today to indicate it's ultimate merit?
From mans perspective it is. But then again, man, Gods creation is flawed because of sin, and can it be said, mans perspective is NOT the truth that ends the discussion.
God says, man has sinned against Him, and HE will judge everyman according to his deeds.
The natural man rejects this idea, and thren compares himself to others, and declares I am not as bad as that guy over their, look at what he has done? Therefore I not mdeserving of death.
Unfortunately, for man, Gods standard is perfect obedience to His law, God doesn't use other men to measured them up to, He uses His onl;y begotten Son, so if you have such thoughts consider Jesus, who lived a sinless life, and then answer the question for yourself; Have you sinned against God? Are you deserving of His righteous judgement? What do all these other things have to do with this..??
By Faith in Jesus the only begotten Son of God, who shed His blood for the sins of His peolple, men can have all their sins forgiven, but one must acknowlege and repent.
The fact is that unless one repents, he will die the eternal death...all this according to Gods Known Will, provided in His Word.
All good things will come to an end, od has made His will knowen to ALL mankind, he hates sin, and the day is coming when he will Judge the World in righteousness, you can call it evil, if you please, but nothing can be further than the truth.
He has been offering a pardon for nearly two thousand years now, those who reject the pardon, have nowhere else to turn to for forgiveness of sin.
But this will not prevent nor delay it, one moment.
Are you ready that this day does not catch unawares??
This is another discusion all together. It would be an interesting one, and indeed I am curious as to the nature and mechanisim of salvation. But right now I am exploring the nature of the christian God. I want to know what he is about.
Thank you very much, for your response, and your patience.
What else is could be more imnportant than this??
One can spend his whole life searching out answers to questions which lead now where, ignoring the matter will not resolve it, the answers are found in His Written Word.
You wnat to know these things, get right with Him, and then ask Him, He will answer, all your questions.
In the meantime all you can do is ask for other peoples opinions, and we all have one, but of what value are they if they are mere speculation based on the wisdom of this world.
The Apostle Paul, says;
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Cor 1:17-25)
and again;
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (1 Cor 3:19-20)
So who are you going to believe??
Blessings,
Petro
