Your Turn: "Mistakes Backsliders Make"

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Esther

Not sure what your problem is here.

I'm not sure that I HAVE a problem!

Originally Posted by Esther

I will say I feel very sorry for you if you don't have a relationship with God. I say that sincerely.

I do have a relationship with God. Actually I have to say that anyone who believes that he exists has SOME kind of relationship with him.

Originally Posted by Esther

God is love.

Then why are those who are supposedly closest to him so filled with hate?

Originally Posted by Esther

God is a Spirit.

Begin with the simple things.

Actually, I believe that I have...see my signature.

Originally Posted by Esther

Read His Word for yourself.

The only Word that I beleive in is Jesus. I view the bible as simply recorded accounts of man's viewpoint of their interactions with God.

Originally Posted by Esther

And be careful you haven't begun to believe a lie.

God knows my heart. He knows what I am sincere. If he can't (or won't ) protect me then he is either weak or heartless, and not worthy of being worshipped.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Michlow

I'm not sure that I HAVE a problem!



I do have a relationship with God. Actually I have to say that anyone who believes that he exists has SOME kind of relationship with him.



Then why are those who are supposedly closest to him so filled with hate?



Actually, I believe that I have...see my signature.



The only Word that I beleive in is Jesus. I view the bible as simply recorded accounts of man's viewpoint of their interactions with God.



God knows my heart. He knows what I am sincere. If he can't (or won't ) protect me then he is either weak or heartless, and not worthy of being worshipped.

Mich I would love to speak with you sometime on this. I have to leave where I am now.

I understand your desire to not be deceived and I applaud you for that. Just don't let your pendulum swing from one extreme to the other.

[meBNme]

Originally Posted by Michlow

I'm not sure that I HAVE a problem!

Do you think that it is possible that you might have a problem?
I know I have problems

I do have a relationship with God. Actually I have to say that anyone who believes that he exists has SOME kind of relationship with him.

And thats the place to start, and desire to develope that relationship is important.

Then why are those who are supposedly closest to him so filled with hate?

Key word.... "supposedly"
Also, some who are trying to be close to him, are still yet imperfect humans, and as humans we often do stupid things. That has nothing to do with Gods perfection though. God is good, even if his followers are not always.

Actually, I believe that I have...see my signature.

Thats good, just trust God, but don't stop there, learn more from him, about him, get to know him more.

The only Word that I beleive in is Jesus. I view the bible as simply recorded accounts of man's viewpoint of their interactions with God.

So go with what you trust, follow what Jesus says, nothing wrong there, in fact, thats great!

God knows my heart. He knows what I am sincere. If he can't (or won't ) protect me then he is either weak or heartless, and not worthy of being worshipped.

I don't think you believe he is weak or heartless, I think you may be battleing thoughts like that, but haven't yet been convinced. How about listing the reasons why you think he is not weak, and heartless. (in private not neccesarily on a public forum)
It is very important not to believe a lie, so while distrusting tradiditions, be carefull not to trust all the negative thoughts that come too.

So seek God, and his truths, ask him to reveal the truth to you, and to make you what he wants you to be. Forget everythign else for now, just go after God with all you are. Thats OK right?

[Esther]

One thing I think needs to be address not following the standards of the church doesn't mean someone is backslid.

But when someone quits coming to church, reading their Bible and praying does.

Originally Posted by Esther

One thing I think needs to be address not following the standards of the church doesn't mean someone is backslid.

But when someone quits coming to church, reading their Bible and praying does.

Esther,

It is my opinion that one does not backslide in a moment... it is a progressive event. One is actually backslidden when they have slid back so far that they are now closer to the world than they are to God.

I do not wholeheartedly agree with your first statement as written because there are some standards of the church that are Biblical and would indeed indicate that someone has reached the point of being closer to the world than they are to the Lord Jesus. I am sure you agree with me because I think you meant when someone is not following all the "subjective standards of men". Correct me if I am wrong!

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by meBNme

Key word.... "supposedly"
Also, some who are trying to be close to him, are still yet imperfect humans, and as humans we often do stupid things. That has nothing to do with Gods perfection though. God is good, even if his followers are not always.

You said alot, but this was the part I wanted to focus on.

You said "God is good, even if his followers are not..."

Question: Who says God is good?

Answer: His followers.

God has never spoken to me from heaven to assure me of his goodness. Nope, the only places I have heard this said were from his followers, and from the Bible (a book of writings, written by his followers).

So can you see the irony of what you are telling me? Believe that God is good, because his followers say so, even though their behavior shows otherwise.

Of course, I must say that in my experience, his followers are much more likely to say that God is judgemental, harsh, exacting, arbitrary and capricious then they are to say that he is good.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Michlow

You said alot, but this was the part I wanted to focus on.

You said "God is good, even if his followers are not..."

Question: Who says God is good?

Answer: His followers.

God has never spoken to me from heaven to assure me of his goodness. Nope, the only places I have heard this said were from his followers, and from the Bible (a book of writings, written by his followers).

So can you see the irony of what you are telling me? Believe that God is good, because his followers say so, even though their behavior shows otherwise.

Of course, I must say that in my experience, his followers are much more likely to say that God is judgemental, harsh, exacting, arbitrary and capricious then they are to say that he is good.

Of course His followers says He is good. Why because they KNOW Him! IF YOU knew HIM and stop focusing on people you would also say He is good, ALL the time!

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Michlow

You said alot, but this was the part I wanted to focus on.

You said "God is good, even if his followers are not..."

Question: Who says God is good?

Answer: His followers.

God has never spoken to me from heaven to assure me of his goodness. Nope, the only places I have heard this said were from his followers, and from the Bible (a book of writings, written by his followers).

So can you see the irony of what you are telling me? Believe that God is good, because his followers say so, even though their behavior shows otherwise.

You might be interested in this discussion. Whether His followers say God is good or not, what does the Bible say? Yes, of course, it says He is good. But what about God's actions? Do they speak louder than words?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Timmy

You might be interested in this discussion. Whether His followers say God is good or not, what does the Bible say? Yes, of course, it says He is good. But what about God's actions? Do they speak louder than words?

And the CROSS speaks the loudest.

[LaVonne]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

And the CROSS speaks the loudest.

Ohhh...Yes!

How can we forget the Cross!!!