God is GOOD all the time

[regadoo]

GOD IS GOOD!---- All the time!

AND ALL THE TIME?---- God is good!

Just needed to remind myself how very true this is

 

[CrystalDragon]

GOD IS GOOD!---- All the time!

AND ALL THE TIME?---- God is good!

Just needed to remind myself how very true this is

How do you respond to the Old Testament and hell then? Unless you're saying we should redefine "good" as it's commonly mentioned.

 

[regadoo]

How do you respond to the Old Testament and hell then? Unless you're saying we should redefine "good" as it's commonly mentioned.

Let me put it this way:
The Old Testament is mainly about the Israelite's, and most of the time their relationship with God, the Father, correct? There is a reason why God also goes by the name "God the Father," because the Israelite's (both in the past, Old Testament, and present-day), Christians, and every single person in the entire world are His children. Every good parent disciplines their child, otherwise the child will become spoiled/won't be prepared for life and it's difficulties. God is disciplining his children throughout the Old Testament. Just like a normal parent/child relationship, the parent/God has to punish their children if they commit a wrongdoing, which the Israelite's did quite a lot of throughout the Bible. Does that make sense?

That's one way to explain it, but most the time, and I'm sure most other Christians would agree, our relationship with God is based almost entirely on faith, and that definitely includes us believing, as God's children, that He has what's best for us in mind, even if we can't see it at the moment or just plain don't understand. It's all about faith, my friend.

 

[regadoo]

How do you respond to the Old Testament and hell then? Unless you're saying we should redefine "good" as it's commonly mentioned.

Hell:
I can't pretend, as I am a mere human as we all are, to understand all that God does, is, and stands for, but here is me trying-

God, by Him being God and everything, could have easily forced us humans to love Him... it would SO much easier that way, wouldn't you agree? BUT, because God loves us so much, He is willing to let US to have the free will to decide whether we want to love Him or not. Just like in real life, you can't FORCE someone to love you, it doesn't work that way. Or, another example, a dear friend/family member of yours perhaps does something that you don't approve of, or it hurts them and they're just not willing to acknowledge it (within reason, of course). You have a choice: badger them and make them do what you want; which will end up hurting them more, as well as you... OR, you can respect their right to make a decision of their own free will, and you can be encouraging to them/offer support and gently lead them in a better direction, and hope that they will see sense. The second option is exactly what God does with us, you just have to open your eyes and see sense

You can only guide them, not push them.
You can only gently lead them, not force them.

And one last thing:
God chose to let us make our own decision whether to love Him or not... we have an option whether to go be with Him (Heaven), or to NOT be with Him (hell). Just because God is "letting" us go to hell, it doesn't mean by any means whatsoever that God doesn't care about those who go to hell... WRONG. Of COURSE He cares! He mourns those of His children that are lost! It hurts Him to no end! Go check out the parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32, it's a perfect example.


Okay, I'm done now! I hope that cleared up things at least a little bit, my friend! Believing that Jesus is the Messiah, that He died for us and for our sins, is the ONLY way to Heaven and to our Father, who loves us to no end!

God bless you and keep you

 

[CrystalDragon]

Hell:
I can't pretend, as I am a mere human as we all are, to understand all that God does, is, and stands for, but here is me trying-

God, by Him being God and everything, could have easily forced us humans to love Him... it would SO much easier that way, wouldn't you agree? BUT, because God loves us so much, He is willing to let US to have the free will to decide whether we want to love Him or not. Just like in real life, you can't FORCE someone to love you, it doesn't work that way. Or, another example, a dear friend/family member of yours perhaps does something that you don't approve of, or it hurts them and they're just not willing to acknowledge it (within reason, of course). You have a choice: badger them and make them do what you want; which will end up hurting them more, as well as you... OR, you can respect their right to make a decision of their own free will, and you can be encouraging to them/offer support and gently lead them in a better direction, and hope that they will see sense. The second option is exactly what God does with us, you just have to open your eyes and see sense

You can only guide them, not push them.
You can only gently lead them, not force them.

And one last thing:
God chose to let us make our own decision whether to love Him or not... we have an option whether to go be with Him (Heaven), or to NOT be with Him (hell). Just because God is "letting" us go to hell, it doesn't mean by any means whatsoever that God doesn't care about those who go to hell... WRONG. Of COURSE He cares! He mourns those of His children that are lost! It hurts Him to no end! Go check out the parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32, it's a perfect example.


Okay, I'm done now! I hope that cleared up things at least a little bit, my friend! Believing that Jesus is the Messiah, that He died for us and for our sins, is the ONLY way to Heaven and to our Father, who loves us to no end!

God bless you and keep you

I don't have a problem with God respecting our right to make a decision. I do have a problem with the thought of people being tortured for eternity for making a wrong decision, even if said "wrong decision" is just not believing.

 

[regadoo]

This may not satisfy you, but we are human, and God is God, we CANNOT possibly understand everything. I am sorry, but I'm also not sorry, that I can't fully answer. Faith and faith.

However, on a different note, it is good that you are asking questions. What's not good is when you start to question God. Keep exploring our faith, search the Bible for answers, talk to God for answers.

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm