Need some help understanding god

[BrisbanePatt]

Hey guys I have a few questions about general life and how to stay on the right path.

I am 27 years old and don't go to church but I have done heaps of research and feel Christianity is the closest to being the right religion for me but I am a very skeptical person and just have so many questions about God and would love some feedback.

First off although I have never really gone to church or followed any certain religion i have always believed in something greater than us my problem is that there is so much trickery in this world and corruption starting from the top everything is just a lie the amount of starving children to innocent People dying in war zones and unable to escape rich wage war and poor people die it's so distracting and sad.! there's so many religions claiming to be true let's say Christianity is the one true religion does God not realise how hard it is to believe 100% in him and not be skeptical of the bible after I have been tricked and lied to so many times in my life is it not true that to get into heaven we have to give ourselves to Jesus like how do I even go about that is being a Christian mean I have to go to church And just believe without being skeptical at all ? I try to do the right thing by people and just generally be a good person I will help out anyone I can so let's say I keep going the way I am does that mean I will not get into heaven ? I feel so sad for humanity people are a product of there environment and I just don't see how God will not let a lot of these people into heaven like mentally ill patients for example how are they supposed to get into heaven surely a lot of them don't have the mental capacity to give themselves to Jesus ? What about Muslims ? If they are brought up from a young age being taught the Koran and living in Muslim communities how is it fair they have such a disadvantage by being brainwashed with the kuran ? Is there a certain cutoff age? Surely a 4 year old can't be sent to hell because their parents were Buddhists ? What happens to babies that have died ? Do they get a chance to make it into heaven ?

 

[BrRichSFO]

Hey guys I have a few questions about general life and how to stay on the right path.

I am 27 years old and don't go to church but I have done heaps of research and feel Christianity is the closest to being the right religion for me but I am a very skeptical person and just have so many questions about God and would love some feedback.

First off although I have never really gone to church or followed any certain religion i have always believed in something greater than us my problem is that there is so much trickery in this world and corruption starting from the top everything is just a lie the amount of starving children to innocent People dying in war zones and unable to escape rich wage war and poor people die it's so distracting and sad.! there's so many religions claiming to be true let's say Christianity is the one true religion does God not realise how hard it is to believe 100% in him and not be skeptical of the bible after I have been tricked and lied to so many times in my life is it not true that to get into heaven we have to give ourselves to Jesus like how do I even go about that is being a Christian mean I have to go to church And just believe without being skeptical at all ? I try to do the right thing by people and just generally be a good person I will help out anyone I can so let's say I keep going the way I am does that mean I will not get into heaven ? I feel so sad for humanity people are a product of there environment and I just don't see how God will not let a lot of these people into heaven like mentally ill patients for example how are they supposed to get into heaven surely a lot of them don't have the mental capacity to give themselves to Jesus ? What about Muslims ? If they are brought up from a young age being taught the Koran and living in Muslim communities how is it fair they have such a disadvantage by being brainwashed with the kuran ? Is there a certain cutoff age? Surely a 4 year old can't be sent to hell because their parents were Buddhists ? What happens to babies that have died ? Do they get a chance to make it into heaven ?

 

[talitha]

Patt, it has to come down to this: it's between you and God. Kind of like when there is a horribly dysfunctional family, it can get better if the mom and dad can focus on their relationship to begin with - that's where it begins, then other things can begin to be sorted out and some things can be recognized as -well, that is just not my problem. I went through a time in my life when I denied Him - I got into all kinds of philosophies and even the I Ching - bless my heart, I was way out there, to a point where I felt I "couldn't" believe. I prayed what seemed a crazy thing at the time; I prayed for "simple belief". And at some point I realized I believed again - can't even say what happened. This song came to my mind while I read your thread, so I'm just going to post it here. The lady singing it is a full-time prayer minister (not many of those in the world) - just saying that to give you perspective.....

Blessings
tal

 

[BrRichSFO]

Christianity is very simple, but also very, very deep. To start with we are saved by God's free gift of Grace, offered to all. As long as we do not intentionally reject this offer of Grace, God will continue to guide us to Him. This response of ours is Faith. A person with little mental capacity or mentally ill could respond with simple Faith according to their capability. The next step for someone would be Baptism, however even someone who is not Baptized can be saved, if they would have had the desire to be Baptized, had they known the necessity of Baptism. The Bible is God's written word, the Old Testament shows us the relationship of God to human beings and the promise of a Savior. The New Testament records many but not all of the relationship that God has with Man after after He sent his Son as the Savior. The Bible is part of God's revelation to us. Muslims, Buddhists, who seek God and live according to the law written on every human heart, not rejecting God's Grace, can be saved and go to Heaven. All can be saved by Christ, even if they do not know it.

I would suggest that you got a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and work through it. It is in 4 parts beginning with the Creed, from explaining God and Creation, the Trinity, Etc. Then Worship and the Sacraments, then our relationship to our fellow Man, the dignity of the human person, and finally our ability to communicate with God in prayer. Get a good Bible and use it to look up the hundreds of Scripture references included in the Catechism. Remember however that Christianity is not a religion of a book, but the seeking of a relationship with the person, Jesus Christ.

Stop by a local Catholic Church and ask to speak with someone about Christianity and becoming a Christian. There is a process known as RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This is the same process leading to Baptism that those seeking to become Christian in the first century followed.

 

[BrisbanePatt]

Thank you for the responses guys much appreciated I will look into getting a copy of that book.

 

[BrisbanePatt]

Isn't Catholic and Christians different religions ? You suggested a catholic book aren't their beliefs a bit different I have read something saying that Catholics believe that getting the into heaven depends on the life we live as well as trusting and believing in god where as Christians believe following God and believing in God is enough to get into heaven, have I got this right ?

 

[LaSorcia]

No, they are not different religions, despite what some might say. Christianity has three main branches: Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. There are smaller branches within each; the most are within Protestant. I think it basically comes down to what theology seems the most true to you and what kind of 'faith culture' you like (how they do church).

People can sometimes get really worked up about other parts of the body of Christ understanding things differently. But no one in this life time will get every point of theology correct. That said, not all claiming to be Christians actually are. Confusing, I know. Read the bible, ask God to help show you what it means, pray a LOT and seek God.

 

[BrisbanePatt]

Ok thank you very much for your response I really appreciate it

 

[talitha]

did you see my post?

 

[TheJust]

Hey guys I have a few questions about general life and how to stay on the right path.

I am 27 years old and don't go to church but I have done heaps of research and feel Christianity is the closest to being the right religion for me but I am a very skeptical person and just have so many questions about God and would love some feedback.

First off although I have never really gone to church or followed any certain religion i have always believed in something greater than us my problem is that there is so much trickery in this world and corruption starting from the top everything is just a lie the amount of starving children to innocent People dying in war zones and unable to escape rich wage war and poor people die it's so distracting and sad.! there's so many religions claiming to be true let's say Christianity is the one true religion does God not realise how hard it is to believe 100% in him and not be skeptical of the bible after I have been tricked and lied to so many times in my life is it not true that to get into heaven we have to give ourselves to Jesus like how do I even go about that is being a Christian mean I have to go to church And just believe without being skeptical at all ? I try to do the right thing by people and just generally be a good person I will help out anyone I can so let's say I keep going the way I am does that mean I will not get into heaven ? I feel so sad for humanity people are a product of there environment and I just don't see how God will not let a lot of these people into heaven like mentally ill patients for example how are they supposed to get into heaven surely a lot of them don't have the mental capacity to give themselves to Jesus ? What about Muslims ? If they are brought up from a young age being taught the Koran and living in Muslim communities how is it fair they have such a disadvantage by being brainwashed with the kuran ? Is there a certain cutoff age? Surely a 4 year old can't be sent to hell because their parents were Buddhists ? What happens to babies that have died ? Do they get a chance to make it into heaven ?

The truth remains the truth regardless of what you believe.

 

[BrRichSFO]

Isn't Catholic and Christians different religions ? You suggested a catholic book aren't their beliefs a bit different I have read something saying that Catholics believe that getting the into heaven depends on the life we live as well as trusting and believing in god where as Christians believe following God and believing in God is enough to get into heaven, have I got this right ?

No, Catholics are the Original Christians.
You are expected to live your life and act according the the teachings of Jesus, as you are capable of understanding them. It's kind of like walking up to an Amazon warehouse and finding a little door that says "Believe in Jesus - enter here". After you open the door and go in you discover 15 football fields of things inside. "Believing in Jesus" means different things, if you are a 4year old child it means one thing, if you are an intelligent adult it can mean more than a simple 4yr old meaning. The Scriptures say that "he who believes and is Baptized will be saved", believes what? Christ says later Baptize them and Teach them ALL that I have commanded you to the Apostles. We must seek to understand exactly (based on our ability) what it was that the Apostles taught to the new Christian converts.

 

[stevenfrancis]

Hey guys I have a few questions about general life and how to stay on the right path.

I am 27 years old and don't go to church but I have done heaps of research and feel Christianity is the closest to being the right religion for me but I am a very skeptical person and just have so many questions about God and would love some feedback.

First off although I have never really gone to church or followed any certain religion i have always believed in something greater than us my problem is that there is so much trickery in this world and corruption starting from the top everything is just a lie the amount of starving children to innocent People dying in war zones and unable to escape rich wage war and poor people die it's so distracting and sad.! there's so many religions claiming to be true let's say Christianity is the one true religion does God not realise how hard it is to believe 100% in him and not be skeptical of the bible after I have been tricked and lied to so many times in my life is it not true that to get into heaven we have to give ourselves to Jesus like how do I even go about that is being a Christian mean I have to go to church And just believe without being skeptical at all ? I try to do the right thing by people and just generally be a good person I will help out anyone I can so let's say I keep going the way I am does that mean I will not get into heaven ? I feel so sad for humanity people are a product of there environment and I just don't see how God will not let a lot of these people into heaven like mentally ill patients for example how are they supposed to get into heaven surely a lot of them don't have the mental capacity to give themselves to Jesus ? What about Muslims ? If they are brought up from a young age being taught the Koran and living in Muslim communities how is it fair they have such a disadvantage by being brainwashed with the kuran ? Is there a certain cutoff age? Surely a 4 year old can't be sent to hell because their parents were Buddhists ? What happens to babies that have died ? Do they get a chance to make it into heaven ?

Hi:
God bless you in your journey to Jesus Christ, and praise be to the grace of His Holy Spirit that has inspired you to begin hearing the call of your Lord. The only major advice that I can give regarding these many questions packed into a single post, is this.

First, know that Jesus Christ was the incarnation of God almighty upon Earth. This was for two reasons. To show us how God is in human form. What it would look like to live in perfection, as will all of us who are followers of Christ in the New Kingdom and New Earth established at the end of time, at His second coming. The other thing, (and this is the most important), to take upon Himself, all the sins of mankind. Past, present and future. Die. Rise again. Remain with us for another 40 days in His heavenly form, and then ascend to the Father to advocate for us until the judgement.

Jesus made several things clear during the incarnation. One of them is that He is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life. There is no approach to eternal life with God, except through Him. So before exploring all the nagging questions that keep you from diving in to the Lord head first, I might recommend beginning with some quiet meditation each day for a while on John 1:1-18. It is perhaps the most pregnant few verses in all of scripture regarding the divinity of Jesus Christ. Then, perhaps meditate on either the Nicene, or Apostles Creeds, which are condensed expressions of what Christians believe. Just think about each line in the creeds, and each verse in this passage from St. John's gospel for some time in a quiet place for some period of time. You'll know when the tumblers fall into place. Once you believe and have faith that Jesus is in fact, exactly who He said it was, then proceed to read the Gospels, and I would recommend, of course, as I am an orthodox Catholic Christian, that you look into the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), at any Roman or Eastern Catholic parish, or the equivalent of that in any Eastern Orthodox parish. Preferably beginning with an appointment with a priest, in order to begin the discernment process with formative guidance. During the initiation process, you will be encouraged to ask all the above questions, and will be interviewed several times along your journey to see where you're at with your walk to Christ. This is the route I took essentially, though before all that I had a kind of mystical experience with God by being led to an audio book that I thought was just a commentary on the book of Revelations, when I was at a truck stop on a long journey, and it ended up being a teaching on the Holy Eucharist, (which I knew nothing about really), and the Catholic Mass, and how all of these things are at the root of the book of Revelations, (along with a good deal of eschatology). But whether Spirit pulls you in the direction of orthodoxy, or whether He brings you first to some other denomination or path, the important thing is to keep your eyes focused on Jesus as your goal. The light of the world. He will show you the way, because He IS the way.

John 1:1 At the beginning of time the Word already was; and God had the Word abiding with him, and the Word was God. 2 He abode, at the beginning of time, with God. 3 It was through him that all things came into being, and without him came nothing that has come to be. 4 In him there was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in darkness, a darkness which was not able to master it. 6 A man appeared, sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, so that through him all men might learn to believe. 8 He was not the Light; he was sent to bear witness to the light. 9 There is one who enlightens every soul born into the world; he was the true Light. 10 He, through whom the world was made, was in the world, and the world treated him as a stranger.11 He came to what was his own, and they who were his own gave him no welcome.12 But all those who did welcome him, he empowered to become the children of God, all those who believe in his name;13 their birth came, not from human stock, not from nature’s will or man’s, but from God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and came to dwell among us; and we had sight of his glory, glory such as belongs to the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. 15 We have John’s witness to him; "I told you", cried John, "there was one coming after me who takes rank before me; he was when I was not."16 We have all received something out of his abundance, grace answering to grace.17 Through Moses the law was given to us; through Jesus Christ grace came to us, and truth. 18 No man has ever seen God; but now his only-begotten Son, who abides in the bosom of the Father, has himself become our interpreter.

Apostle's Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Drop me a line anytime, for dialog, questions etc.. Coffees always brewing - stevethecatholic@gmail.com

 

[Job8]

Hey guys I have a few questions about general life and how to stay on the right path.

It is clear from your post that you really want to get on the right path, but at the same time you are allowing yourself to be overwhelmed with matters that are outside your own immediate concerns. Since you want to avoid been tricked, duped, deceived, or misled, your first priority is to know what God has revealed in His written Word about salvation through Christ.

I would recommend that you purchase an "old" King James Bible (not the NKJV) and immerse yourself in the Gospel of John. That will address most of your questions. Once you know without the shadow of a doubt that you have been born again, God will show you what you need to do and to learn. Going to church, being baptized, or doing good works will not save you, but will be evidence that you are genuinely saved (which means Christ within you).

As to all the other issues, just leave them with God.

 

[Albion]

Isn't Catholic and Christians different religions ? You suggested a catholic book aren't their beliefs a bit different I have read something saying that Catholics believe that getting the into heaven depends on the life we live as well as trusting and believing in god where as Christians believe following God and believing in God is enough to get into heaven, have I got this right ?

If you rely upon that book, you certainly are going to get the answers as given by one particular denomination, that's right. You have an example at the beginning of post #11.

As for your following question, no, there is hardly any Christian church that says "believe in God, and you're saved." The most distinguishing characteristic of Christianity is the belief that Christ is the Savior and no one else. That said, many Christians believe that God must make some provision for the mentally ill or etc., although we have no way of knowing what he has in mind there.

 

[paul1149]

I just don't see how God will not let a lot of these people into heaven like mentally ill patients for example how are they supposed to get into heaven surely a lot of them don't have the mental capacity to give themselves to Jesus ? What about Muslims ? If they are brought up from a young age being taught the Koran and living in Muslim communities how is it fair they have such a disadvantage by being brainwashed with the kuran ? Is there a certain cutoff age? Surely a 4 year old can't be sent to hell because their parents were Buddhists ? What happens to babies that have died ? Do they get a chance to make it into heaven ?

As Abraham implied, the Judge of the whole earth will do what is right. He who gave us our moral facility, as a reflection of His character since we are made in His image, is certainly not beneath us in moral sensibility. And He who gave His own Son to redeem us at such a high Price is not beneath us in compassion for the hurting and understanding for those in darkness.

The Bible reveals that God created this world "good", and man "very good". The sin and sorrow you see now is not of Him, it was introduced by an enemy, and the door was opened by the first man, Adam. Once you understand that, it begins to fall into place. You will stop projecting this world's error onto God. You will begin to see that the Bible is His special revelation. Finally, you will begin to learn of His character, that He is absolutely trustworthy.

Once you see that, and realize your own inability to save yourself, you will be free to give yourself to God fully. There is no other God but the Lord, or Savior but Jesus. The more you learn of these things, the freer you become.

 

[Soyeong]

Hey guys I have a few questions about general life and how to stay on the right path.

I am 27 years old and don't go to church but I have done heaps of research and feel Christianity is the closest to being the right religion for me but I am a very skeptical person and just have so many questions about God and would love some feedback.

First off although I have never really gone to church or followed any certain religion i have always believed in something greater than us my problem is that there is so much trickery in this world and corruption starting from the top everything is just a lie the amount of starving children to innocent People dying in war zones and unable to escape rich wage war and poor people die it's so distracting and sad.! there's so many religions claiming to be true let's say Christianity is the one true religion does God not realise how hard it is to believe 100% in him and not be skeptical of the bible after I have been tricked and lied to so many times in my life is it not true that to get into heaven we have to give ourselves to Jesus like how do I even go about that is being a Christian mean I have to go to church And just believe without being skeptical at all ? I try to do the right thing by people and just generally be a good person I will help out anyone I can so let's say I keep going the way I am does that mean I will not get into heaven ? I feel so sad for humanity people are a product of there environment and I just don't see how God will not let a lot of these people into heaven like mentally ill patients for example how are they supposed to get into heaven surely a lot of them don't have the mental capacity to give themselves to Jesus ? What about Muslims ? If they are brought up from a young age being taught the Koran and living in Muslim communities how is it fair they have such a disadvantage by being brainwashed with the kuran ? Is there a certain cutoff age? Surely a 4 year old can't be sent to hell because their parents were Buddhists ? What happens to babies that have died ? Do they get a chance to make it into heaven ?

Things like spiritual gifts are given for the purpose of benefiting others, so Christianity is meant to be practiced in a community of believers. There is no perfect denomination out there, they all have things that they get right and things that they get wrong. Christians still sin, so if you look to other Christians for how you should behave, then you will be disappointed. Happily, our model for behavior is not other Christians, but Christ, who lived a sinless life. Christianity is not about trying to do the right thing and generally being a good person, but rather it is about a relationship with God and trusting Him to lead us into doing what is right. Christianity is not primarily about what we have to do to get into heaven, but about how God wants us to live our lives today.

 

[A greater Hope]

God is love,God is a Spirit,God is also your Heavenly Father and Creator.God has a only Begotten Son Jesus whom he sent to this world out of love to take your my our place on a bloody cross of death so that you me we may live if we believe in him God even his son who he sent in the world to die Jesus who is now seated on the right hand of the Father on high as your advocate,
Shalom.

 

[Alla27]

I feel so sad for humanity people are a product of there environment and I just don't see how God will not let a lot of these people into heaven like mentally ill patients for example how are they supposed to get into heaven surely a lot of them don't have the mental capacity to give themselves to Jesus ?

Those who don't have capacity to come to Christ are saved by Christ.

What about Muslims ? If they are brought up from a young age being taught the Koran and living in Muslim communities how is it fair they have such a disadvantage by being brainwashed with the kuran ?

Those who didn't have an opportunity in this life to come to Christ will have this opportunity in spirit world.

Is there a certain cutoff age? Surely a 4 year old can't be sent to hell because their parents were Buddhists ? What happens to babies that have died ? Do they get a chance to make it into heaven ?

All babies are saved by Christ. There is no sin in little children.

 

[farout]

Hey guys I have a few questions about general life and how to stay on the right path.

I am 27 years old and don't go to church but I have done heaps of research and feel Christianity is the closest to being the right religion for me but I am a very skeptical person and just have so many questions about God and would love some feedback.

First off although I have never really gone to church or followed any certain religion i have always believed in something greater than us my problem is that there is so much trickery in this world and corruption starting from the top everything is just a lie the amount of starving children to innocent People dying in war zones and unable to escape rich wage war and poor people die it's so distracting and sad.! there's so many religions claiming to be true let's say Christianity is the one true religion does God not realise how hard it is to believe 100% in him and not be skeptical of the bible after I have been tricked and lied to so many times in my life is it not true that to get into heaven we have to give ourselves to Jesus like how do I even go about that is being a Christian mean I have to go to church And just believe without being skeptical at all ? I try to do the right thing by people and just generally be a good person I will help out anyone I can so let's say I keep going the way I am does that mean I will not get into heaven ? I feel so sad for humanity people are a product of there environment and I just don't see how God will not let a lot of these people into heaven like mentally ill patients for example how are they supposed to get into heaven surely a lot of them don't have the mental capacity to give themselves to Jesus ? What about Muslims ? If they are brought up from a young age being taught the Koran and living in Muslim communities how is it fair they have such a disadvantage by being brainwashed with the kuran ? Is there a certain cutoff age? Surely a 4 year old can't be sent to hell because their parents were Buddhists ? What happens to babies that have died ? Do they get a chance to make it into heaven ?

You have to know for yourself, no one can convince you of anything. Buy a Bible, start with the New testament and read it . Buy a New International version of the Bible. Its easy to understand. By reading it your self you will find out for yourself. But pray something like "God if you are really real prove it to me. Then read the New testament. If you don't you will have missed out in the most important thing you will ever have the chance to learn. Frankly very few do this, so I dare you!

 

[graceandpeace]

Hey guys I have a few questions about general life and how to stay on the right path.

I am 27 years old and don't go to church but I have done heaps of research and feel Christianity is the closest to being the right religion for me but I am a very skeptical person and just have so many questions about God and would love some feedback.

It's okay to be skeptical, or to doubt. Persons of faith sometimes doubt, too.

First off although I have never really gone to church or followed any certain religion i have always believed in something greater than us my problem is that there is so much trickery in this world and corruption starting from the top everything is just a lie the amount of starving children to innocent People dying in war zones and unable to escape rich wage war and poor people die it's so distracting and sad.!

There is a lot of pain & suffering in the world, but there is also much beauty & good.

there's so many religions claiming to be true let's say Christianity is the one true religion does God not realise how hard it is to believe 100% in him and not be skeptical of the bible after I have been tricked and lied to so many times in my life

I think God is understanding, & again I think some doubt is okay.

is it not true that to get into heaven we have to give ourselves to Jesus like how do I even go about that is being a Christian mean I have to go to church And just believe without being skeptical at all ?

Being part of a church community is part of the Christian life, sure, but there is more to being a Christian than that. And once more, persons of faith can doubt, too, so that's okay. Some church denominations are more tolerant of seeking & skepticism than others.

I try to do the right thing by people and just generally be a good person I will help out anyone I can so let's say I keep going the way I am does that mean I will not get into heaven ?

That's not for any of us to judge.

I feel so sad for humanity people are a product of there environment and I just don't see how God will not let a lot of these people into heaven like mentally ill patients for example how are they supposed to get into heaven surely a lot of them don't have the mental capacity to give themselves to Jesus ? What about Muslims ? If they are brought up from a young age being taught the Koran and living in Muslim communities how is it fair they have such a disadvantage by being brainwashed with the kuran ? Is there a certain cutoff age? Surely a 4 year old can't be sent to hell because their parents were Buddhists ? What happens to babies that have died ? Do they get a chance to make it into heaven ?

Again, that's not for any of us to judge.

Many Christians would agree that God, being merciful & loving, can save whomever He chooses, regardless of what their religious choices were or their age & the like. Few would agree that the fate of every person is so black & white.