Seeking God??

[Lords Man]

There is much talk on this forum about seeking God and not finding Him. We need to always be Biblical in addressing such questions. People who are not born-again, as new creatures in Christ, hate God and are His avowed enemies and enemies of His law. They do not understand the things of God so they do not seek God, as He truly is (John 3:3, Romans 1:30, 8:7, and 3:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17). They may seek some sort of 'god' but it is only one that they have invented for themselves.

 

[1watchman]

Yes, and God says: "ye shall seek Me and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13), and for us in this age that eternal truth is found in the Gospels (which many do not read or just challenge and ignore).

 

[PloverWing]

There is much talk on this forum about seeking God and not finding Him. We need to always be Biblical in addressing such questions. People who are not born-again, as new creatures in Christ, hate God and are His avowed enemies and enemies of His law. They do not understand the things of God so they do not seek God, as He truly is (John 3:3, Romans 1:30, 8:7, and 3:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17). They may seek some sort of 'god' but it is only one that they have invented for themselves.

The trouble with this is that atheists and agnostics don't necessarily hate God. People have all sorts of reasons for disagreeing with Christianity, and it's true that some are angry or selfish or whatever. But I've talked with a number of atheists and agnostics who think Christian ethics are great, and they try to live their lives in the compassionate way that Jesus taught; they don't hate God at all, they just don't think God exists.

 

[ToBeLoved]

We are called by Jesus, first and foremost to preach the gospel. That will not change.

I think too many people do not point new believers to walking with God in relationship. A lot of people are like you must do this, you must do that, you should feel this.

People need to pint them to Jesus and the Holy Spirit.. To prayer, and worship and the Bible.t

If we do not preach the Good News to them that Christ died for their sins to reconcile them back to God, we are not doing what Jesus told us to do. It's that simple. So we must be steadfast, patient, long suffering and loving. All the fruit of the spirit.

 

[Lords Man]

Yes, and God says: "ye shall seek Me and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13), and for us in this age that eternal truth is found in the Gospels (which many do not read or just challenge and ignore).

But who is told to seek? The unbelieving nations or the people whom God had already revealed himself to? It was Israel that Jeremiah was addressing. If this verse is applicable to all people then Romans 3:11 is a false statement.

 

[1watchman]

Not at all! In our natural state, no one will choose to come to God, but when "quickened" by the Spirit, one will begin to see the way. If one then ignores Him, then that one will bear the consequences. Israel was spoken to, and most of them rebelled. When God speaks to you, you should come and "seek" Him for your life. It sounds like you are seeking a quarrel with God, and in that one will lose.

 

[Lords Man]

The trouble with this is that atheists and agnostics don't necessarily hate God. People have all sorts of reasons for disagreeing with Christianity, and it's true that some are angry or selfish or whatever. But I've talked with a number of atheists and agnostics who think Christian ethics are great, and they try to live their lives in the compassionate way that Jesus taught; they don't hate God at all, they just don't think God exists.

God says they do hate him (Romans 1:30)

 

[Lords Man]

Not at all! In our natural state, no one will choose to come to God, but when "quickened" by the Spirit, one will begin to see the way. If one then ignores Him, then that one will bear the consequences. Israel was spoken to, and most of them rebelled. When God speaks to you, you should come and "seek" Him for your life. It sounds like you are seeking a quarrel with God, and in that one will lose.

If one is quickened (made alive to God) by the Spirit he or she is born again and will not ignore God. Salvation is by sovereign grace not human choice / decision etc.

 

[1watchman]

Not so! The use of the word: "quickened" means to be awakened, aroused, made aware of God. It is NOT the new birth ---that only comes from receiving the Lord Jesus into one's heart with devotion to Him. Then the Holy Spirit indwells that one and "seals" him as a "child of God" forever. They then have a desire to live this new life, but even a true "born again" believer has always the flesh, which loves to please and indulge self, and so can be carnal in their activities when they forget their "high calling of God in Christ Jesus", as the Apostle Paul said of the carnal saints at Corinth, etc. You are right that salvation is by the mercy and grace of God.

 

[Lords Man]

Not so! The use of the word: "quickened" means to be awakened, aroused, made aware of God. It is NOT the new birth ---that only comes from receiving the Lord Jesus into one's heart with devotion to Him. Then the Holy Spirit indwells that one and "seals" him as a "child of God" forever. They then have a desire to live this new life, but even a true "born again" believer has always the flesh, which loves to please and indulge self, and so can be carnal in their activities when they forget their "high calling of God in Christ Jesus", as the Apostle Paul said of the carnal saints at Corinth, etc. You are right that salvation is by the mercy and grace of God.

Actually the word quicken, as it is used in Scripture, means to reanimate, make alive. Here's more information. http://www.blbclassic.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2227&t=KJV
We are quickened from a sinful state to a state of new life in Christ Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:5, Colossians 2:13, 1 Peter 3:18. These are the only New Testament references and they all point to the new birth not merely a mind change. As far as this silly 'carnal Christian' thing is concerned it is just an excuse to be sinful. Read the passage in 1 Corinthians 3. What, on their part, is mentioned as causing Paul to refer to them as 'carnal'? As far 1 Corinthians 5 is concerned Paul does not refer to this man as 'carnal' but as one to be delivered unto Satan that the Spirit MIGHT be saved. Obviously Paul had doubts as to the man's true condition.

 

[TheJust]

There is much talk on this forum about seeking God and not finding Him. We need to always be Biblical in addressing such questions. People who are not born-again, as new creatures in Christ, hate God and are His avowed enemies and enemies of His law. They do not understand the things of God so they do not seek God, as He truly is (John 3:3, Romans 1:30, 8:7, and 3:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17). They may seek some sort of 'god' but it is only one that they have invented for themselves.

There are many words and few truths.

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 1 John 1:6

 

[Trichakra]

God says they do hate him (Romans 1:30)

But why?

 

[ToBeLoved]

If one is quickened (made alive to God) by the Spirit he or she is born again and will not ignore God. Salvation is by sovereign grace not human choice / decision etc.

Salvation is by faith. That is the first step. No one without faith will be born again

 

[ToBeLoved]

There is much talk on this forum about seeking God and not finding Him. We need to always be Biblical in addressing such questions. People who are not born-again, as new creatures in Christ, hate God and are His avowed enemies and enemies of His law. They do not understand the things of God so they do not seek God, as He truly is (John 3:3, Romans 1:30, 8:7, and 3:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17). They may seek some sort of 'god' but it is only one that they have invented for themselves.

This is wrong.

No one that is not born again is a new creature in Christ. That is part of being born again.

Was that a typo

 

[ToBeLoved]

But why?

Because God is righteous and in the Bible we see the righteousness of God.

Perfect righteousness is the direct opposite of sin. So people who want to sin do not want to see what is righteous.