I finally remembered to write down my questions!

[Zeru]

I just did some free-thinking when I had the leisure today and remembered to write down the results.

- Why does God forgive us on request?
- If we are in Satan's realm before we are saved, are humans inherently evil?
- Are humans naturally drawn to God?
- Are bad things that happen to good people ever the will of God, or only the will of man?
- If we accept Christ as our savior and ask God for forgiveness, but we are incorrect about more minor aspects--say, denominational differences--will one still be permitted to enter His Kingdom?
- Does God ever create things through us? Is this a way of communicating with Him? Have you personally ever experienced something like this?

 

[fm107]

Hi Zeru,

- Why does God forgive us on request?

It’s not so much a request but a plea. He forgives those who are convicted of their sin and want to turn away from it. He will not forgive those who do not mean it or intend to continue sinning.


- If we are in Satan's realm before we are saved, are humans inherently evil?

No, a new born baby is not evil because of the realm. A new born is pure and innocent.

We are in a realm of temptation but it is whether we choose to continue sinning that may make a person evil.

- Are humans naturally drawn to God?

Some are some are not. Most people are divinely not.

John 3:19-21
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

- Are bad things that happen to good people ever the will of God, or only the will of man?

God’s will is never to be bad to anyone. He can allow the devil to do certain things which will test our faith.

If a believer continues to sin, God could decide to punish the person in order for them to turn back to God. Please note, this is a loving thing to do!

Keep this scripture in mind too:

Matthew 5:45
He [God] causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.


- If we accept Christ as our savior and ask God for forgiveness, but we are incorrect about more minor aspects--say, denominational differences--will one still be permitted to enter His Kingdom?

No, denominational issues will not bar you from heaven in my opinion. All that is required is that you are genuinely repentant (wanting to turn from sin altogether) and put your trust in Jesus and what he has done for you.

John 3:16-18
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

I would advise that you try and stay as biblically correct as possible. Check doctrines and see if they are in accord with the bible.

- Does God ever create things through us? Is this a way of communicating with Him? Have you personally ever experienced something like this?

I’m not too sure what you mean but someone else may be able to answer this.

 

[ebia]

I just did some free-thinking when I had the leisure today and remembered to write down the results.

- Why does God forgive us on request?

Because he is forgiving? I think I must be missing something in the question.

- If we are in Satan's realm before we are saved, are humans inherently evil?
- Are humans naturally drawn to God?

We are created to be not just drawn to God, but the image of God in and for creation. But we have fallen away from that gift. Those two - the intention and the brokenness - need to be held in tension.

- Are bad things that happen to good people ever the will of God, or only the will of man?

God intends to end suffering, but because suffering is a consequence of our brokenness, and healing that brokenness is a long term project, ending suffering is a long term project.

- If we accept Christ as our savior and ask God for forgiveness, but we are incorrect about more minor aspects--say, denominational differences--will one still be permitted to enter His Kingdom?

There isn't an exam. There is a need to give up our agendas, follow Jesus, and allow his agenda to transform us in and for the transformation of all creation.

- Does God ever create things through us? Is this a way of communicating with Him? Have you personally ever experienced something like this?

I'm not quite sure what you are asking.

 

[bsd31]

I just did some free-thinking when I had the leisure today and remembered to write down the results.

- Why does God forgive us on request?

Because He honors His covenants as doing otherwise would bring shame to His Name.

- If we are in Satan's realm before we are saved, are humans inherently evil?

That is our nature, yes. That's why when you are saved you become a new creation. Because there is something terribly wrong and flawed with the existing/old one.

- Are humans naturally drawn to God?

God draws those who belong to Him to Himself. In other words all people have some level of curiosity about the supernatural, but only those that God calls are drawn to Him.

- Are bad things that happen to good people ever the will of God, or only the will of man?

Certainly. Classic example, Job. Look what God allowed to happen to him. Satan told God right to His face what He was going to do and to prove Satan wrong and glorify His Holy Name God allowed Satan to afflict Job with all manner of pain.

- If we accept Christ as our savior and ask God for forgiveness, but we are incorrect about more minor aspects--say, denominational differences--will one still be permitted to enter His Kingdom?

I've read the Bible a couple of times and I've never come across anything that says one word about denominations. They are man-made concepts. We enter the kingdom because we love God, not because our denomination is correct or our phylacteries are the right design.

- Does God ever create things through us? Is this a way of communicating with Him? Have you personally ever experienced something like this?

Music, books, movies, games, songs, scientific discoveries. We could list all day long things that man has made but God created. And yes He can and does use all of them to communicate with us. Ever listened to a song, whether Christian or not that convicted you of something? Same with reading a book, or watching a tv show.

 

[drich0150]

- Why does God forgive us on request?

He forgives those who want a relationship Because He loves us.

- If we are in Satan's realm before we are saved, are humans inherently evil?

Humanity is inherently Sinful
Sin is anything outside of the expressed will of God.
Evil is malicious intent to commit sin.
Not all sin is Evil, but all evil is sin, and all sin leads to death.

- Are humans naturally drawn to God?

God says He made us to seek Him. Perhaps this is why there are so many different religions.

- Are bad things that happen to good people ever the will of God, or only the will of man?

Bad things are a consequence of Sin.

- If we accept Christ as our savior and ask God for forgiveness, but we are incorrect about more minor aspects--say, denominational differences--will one still be permitted to enter His Kingdom?

There isn't one signal denomination who has it 100% right, so yes. If God can forgive someone for willfully being outside of his expressed will then how much more will He forgive someone trying to show Love to Him the best way that person knows how too?

- Does God ever create things through us? Is this a way of communicating with Him? Have you personally ever experienced something like this?

I look at what I write to you guys as something God creates through me. I am The Last person educated, qualified, or even deserving enough to help those who i have helped. Most of the time I don't know what to say or how to say it. I have very little scripture memorized and there are times i have a really hard time putting my thoughts down into words. When I'm really at a loss i pray for wisdom and ask God to direct my hands, and I start typing, and sometimes when i finish I'll have learned something new.

Now that is not to say all that i do is to the glory of God, I have made a mess more than a few times and for sure, that is all me. Also know that we are all different and will experience different Spiritual gifts, so don't be discouraged if your gifts take longer to develop or if they shows up differently than someone else's gift.

 

[Pure760]

I just did some free-thinking when I had the leisure today and remembered to write down the results.

- Why does God forgive us on request?
- If we are in Satan's realm before we are saved, are humans inherently evil?
- Are humans naturally drawn to God?
- Are bad things that happen to good people ever the will of God, or only the will of man?
- If we accept Christ as our savior and ask God for forgiveness, but we are incorrect about more minor aspects--say, denominational differences--will one still be permitted to enter His Kingdom?
- Does God ever create things through us? Is this a way of communicating with Him? Have you personally ever experienced something like this?

-God doesnt judge so theres no need to forgive, you are already forgiven.
-Evil would'nt exist if there was only God.
-We naturally are expressions of God so, yes.
-Bit of both
-EVERYONE will enter the kingdom eventually, even hitler its the divine plan. The difference is how much time you spend in purgatory.
-Yes, yes and.. yes.

 

[Joveia]

I just did some free-thinking when I had the leisure today and remembered to write down the results.

- Why does God forgive us on request?

There are two kinds of forgiveness: conditional and unconditional.

Conditional forgiveness always requires the person who did wrong to feel bad about what they've done and change their ways. So someone who forgives 'on condition' requires the other person to stop e.g. hurting them before they'll forgive.

Unconditional forgiveness doesn't require the person who is hurting you to change their ways before you forgive. They can keep hurting you without being sorry and you will still forgive them.

Actually, God's forgiveness is unconditional as the cross showed. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). No one had to do anything to earn God's forgiveness through the cross. God provided it without payment (Rev 21:6). So to get forgiven by God, no one has to change their behaviour. But if you ARE forgiven by God, then your behaviour will change because God is in you (you do good because you're saved rather than for salvation).

So why do you need to ask God before He forgives? Anyone who wants to be with God forever will be with God forever, and anyone who doesn't won't be. So when God doesn't forgive it's only because someone is - according to Christianity - choosing to spend eternity without God rather than with God. So God can't forgive them any more than I can start a friendship with someone who actively dislikes me.