Greetings. I just joined and this is my first post. Admins please move if this is in the wrong spot.
Anyways, let me start by saying that I'd consider myself a Christian in that I believe Christ was here, was the son of God, died for my sins, and rose from the dead. I believe in those things after many hours, weeks, months of research from many sources outside of the bible.
However, the bible says a lot I simply don't believe in as it cannot be confirmed by any other sources. I know many believe whatever the bible says regardless of any other nonsupporting sources, I'm just not one of them.
I don't raise the above points to start a debate (been there, done that), but to maybe shed some light on why I have the following question.....
Why have faith? I have faith in God b/c I've seen Him at work in my life in more situations than I can count. Every time something supposedly bad happens I see how God put His hand in it and everything turned out OK. My life is very blessed, and I believe it's b/c of Him.
However, many people don't have my experience. Many people with a much deeper belief than me have horrible life circumstances. Anywhere from not making ends meet for the bills to having heads cut off, and everywhere in between, Christians are having a rough go of life.
From what I see having faith and being a believer really doesn't equal life being OK and having a decent life. That said, why have faith in God? More importantly, faith that He will do what exactly? It's easy for me to have faith when my loved ones are healthy, my wife and I are getting along, and all my bills are paid. I live in a nice home, in a nice town, etc. How could I possibly tell someone to have faith when their life is in shambles, or more to an extreme they're going to be put to death for their belief.
I've wondered this for years and finally thought I'd try to get some input. Thanks!
Anyways, let me start by saying that I'd consider myself a Christian in that I believe Christ was here, was the son of God, died for my sins, and rose from the dead. I believe in those things after many hours, weeks, months of research from many sources outside of the bible.
However, the bible says a lot I simply don't believe in as it cannot be confirmed by any other sources. I know many believe whatever the bible says regardless of any other nonsupporting sources, I'm just not one of them.
I don't raise the above points to start a debate (been there, done that), but to maybe shed some light on why I have the following question.....
Why have faith? I have faith in God b/c I've seen Him at work in my life in more situations than I can count. Every time something supposedly bad happens I see how God put His hand in it and everything turned out OK. My life is very blessed, and I believe it's b/c of Him.
However, many people don't have my experience. Many people with a much deeper belief than me have horrible life circumstances. Anywhere from not making ends meet for the bills to having heads cut off, and everywhere in between, Christians are having a rough go of life.
From what I see having faith and being a believer really doesn't equal life being OK and having a decent life. That said, why have faith in God? More importantly, faith that He will do what exactly? It's easy for me to have faith when my loved ones are healthy, my wife and I are getting along, and all my bills are paid. I live in a nice home, in a nice town, etc. How could I possibly tell someone to have faith when their life is in shambles, or more to an extreme they're going to be put to death for their belief.
I've wondered this for years and finally thought I'd try to get some input. Thanks!