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What exactly does it mean to have a relationship with God?
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What exactly does it mean to have a relationship with God?
No, but they are not irrelevant. I've thought about what my assessment would be if I hadn't grown up as a Christian. What would I consider evidence for a powerful, loving God. Regular verifiable miracles would be one. But even people representing God who seemed to represent a quality of life not otherwise visible might be evidence. At the moment, however, I'm afraid that my agnostic friends are closer to that than the typical CF poster. To someone who doesn't know Christianity, or its history and different varieties, and who is probably judging mostly from news stories, Christianity looks like a way of claiming supernatural authority for cultural tradition.How does God's existence in any way depend on either of those?
You could study and meditate on the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 to get insight into that answer. And overall I think you'd do well to read the Bible, carefully, in order, to get the proper perspective. That is better than the inconsistent answers you're getting here. It sounds like you may be actually re-examining your choice to reject God; and you should at least want to make sure that you get fully informed by the Bible (even again, if you've already carefully read it all) to best understand what you are rejecting or (I pray) changing your mind about believing and living by.
Plenty of Christians claim God is a healing and miracle working God today, as testified by the Bible. That's partly why I would like to see a miracle or healing. Otherwise the scripture is incorrect and the God who supposedly wrote the Bible, is non-existant. If people are going to claim a God of miracles/healings then this should be substantiated by miracles and healings being seen. Do you see where I am comming from?No, but they are not irrelevant. I've thought about what my assessment would be if I hadn't grown up as a Christian. What would I consider evidence for a powerful, loving God. Regular verifiable miracles would be one. But even people representing God who seemed to represent a quality of life not otherwise visible might be evidence. At the moment, however, I'm afraid that my agnostic friends are closer to that than the typical CF poster. To someone who doesn't know Christianity, or its history and different varieties, and who is probably judging mostly from news stories, Christianity looks like a way of claiming supernatural authority for cultural tradition.
There is evidence but it is not in words.
Also real miracles can only be performed when they are perfectly necessary, even if you have divine power, it cannot be exploited in any way because if you try nothing will happen, it won't work.
1 Timothy 1:6
I'm not trying to convince you.
It's kind of a n attempt to engage with Christians andsee if I can get some answers.
No I never knew God, because he doesn't appear to exist.
Could you tell me what a personal relationship with God is like, from your perspective. The prodigal son could see, touch and hear his father, but how does this translate into your relationship with "God".
The Scripture says that salvation does not come through the will of man but through the sovereign will of God of God. This means that we do not choose God, but He chooses us. If He does not extend His mercy and grace by initiating the process, a person cannot be truly converted.This doesn't make sense. It's contradictory.
- To seek God, I would have to believe in his existance.
- So, what you're saying is believe in him and he will remove the unbelief in him.
- Isn't that sort of saying I should believe and then God will make me believe.
A person who decides to adopt a Christian profession by just an intellectual belief in the existence of God and the gospel will just have religion and not be truly converted. Even the demons believe that,and they will never have saving faith. Many church members will get a rude shock at the judgment when they realise that an intellectual belief and even years of faithful church service will be not be enough to save them from hell.You do see reason as proven by the Scriptures, some quoted in this thread (Romans 1 Psalm 19, etc). Therefore you are mocking God by denying the Truth before you and refusing to live in accordance with it. What you are displaying is willful ignorance. You could know, but choose not to know. Your problem is deeper than what you are saying and it's a shame that some here are directly or indirectly giving you sympathy when you are defying the knowledge of God that you already possess.
I subscribe to the version of Christianity which takes it as axiomatic that the Apostles of Christ were the wisest, most understanding Christians whom God inspired as they penned the New Testament- so we ought to adopt their mindset, submit to their judgments, and follow their faith.
Yes. I'm very skeptical about modern miracles. I understand why some would expect them. There are certainly Biblical statements that could lead to that expectation. But even in the NT it doesn't look like there were miracles on demand. Jesus rejected that approach in Mat 4:5.Plenty of Christians claim God is a healing and miracle working God today, as testified by the Bible. That's partly why I would like to see a miracle or healing. Otherwise the scripture is incorrect and the God who supposedly wrote the Bible, is non-existant. If people are going to claim a God of miracles/healings then this should be substantiated by miracles and healings being seen. Do you see where I am comming from?
A person who decides to adopt a Christian profession by just an intellectual belief in the existence of God and the gospel will just have religion and not be truly converted. Even the demons believe that,and they will never have saving faith. Many church members will get a rude shock at the judgment when they realise that an intellectual belief and even years of faithful church service will be not be enough to save them from hell.
God is sovereign. Jesus said that those whom the Father will give Him will come to Him. So if the Father does not choose a person, they will not come to Jesus, even if they come to church and be very religious and moral and adopt the outward appearance of being Christian.
I'm merely sharing the true gospel according to the Scripture. And my purpose was to let the OP know what his future will be if he totally walks away from Christ, and how he needs to diligently press into Christ to make his calling and election sure. I'm not very interested in any discussion outside of that.Sir, I'd appreciate if you stop putting words in my mouth. I never said that just an intellectual belief and profession of Christianity will save anyone. I said we need to submit to the judgments of God's Word, adopt its mindset, and follow the faith of the Apostles. That is what the Apostles preached (Romans 12:1-2 etc). That is more than just an intellectual belief. And you know who are going to be most shocked on Judgment Day- those who called Jesus Lord but continued to work lawlessness (Matthew 7:21-27, Luke 13:23-27, 2 Timothy 2:19, etc).
And what kind of a gospel are you preaching by saying that a person can only come to Jesus if they are chosen? God has chosen all who repent and receive the reign of His Christ, the ultimate Chosen One. He is drawing all men and those who follow through in cooperating with His drawing will come to faith in Christ (Titus 2:11-14, etc). The Bible knows nothing of unconditional election to salvation; and if such were true nothing would even be at stake right now regarding anyone's salvation, so there'd not even be a point for you to bother with this matter.
I'm merely sharing the true gospel according to the Scripture. And my purpose was to let the OP know what his future will be if he totally walks away from Christ, and how he needs to diligently press into Christ to make his calling and election sure. I'm not very interested in any discussion outside of that.
If my sharing of the honest gospel, showing the absolute sovereignty of God in who He chooses to save and not chooses, is touching nerves, then I am not apologising for it. If by being brutally honest I can save some souls from hell, then I will not make any compromises about it.
Perhaps, if you have feelings of opposition to the gospel I am sharing on this thread, you may need to get with Christ and find out why.
Hi there,
I've recently fallen away from a Christian belief. Partly due to other Christians and partly because I have re-examined my beliefs. I had been a Christian for 30ish years, and have now decided that there isn't enough evidence, as far as I can see, that a God exists.
Regards
Steve C.
This is what I mean, the difference in beliefs among Christians.