The will of God

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Dont forget the written word. The will of YHWH in many matters is found right there.

Yes it is.

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I was waiting for this. Would you say even most matters? If it's not addressed in scripture, I think we do well in most cases to resist the temptation of saying GOD HATH SAID...


IMHO

I agree. "God hath said" is dangerous when it's not written in the bible. Saying, "I feel like God is leading me" is usually closer to the truth than saying "God hath said" unless its written in the bible

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by jfrog

I agree. The will of God is not some mystical direction that we must be super spiritual to be able to know and hear about. The will of God is simple. It is in being good and responsible and just and forgiving toward one another. The will of God is not about whether we should buy that house across town or not. Though if we ask God he may give us some extra knowledge about which decision will lead us to greater happiness. But, the will of God is not about what is best for us or even what makes us happy. The will of God is mostly about what we do for others and the other parts are covered by common sense. I'm not saying we shouldn't be happy. We should. I'm not saying we shouldn't ask for God's guidance in the big decisions of our life. We should. I'm just saying that these things aren't what the will of God is about.

Originally Posted by jfrog

As far as loving God... what does it mean to love God? What things does a person that loves God do differently than a person who does not?

A person who loves God loves themselves and loves others.

A person who loves God will study His word and pray, and do their best to obey the Bible, too, but if they don't love themselves or others, who are made in the image of God, how can they love the very God?

1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by jfrog

I agree. "God hath said" is dangerous when it's not written in the bible. Saying, "I feel like God is leading me" is usually closer to the truth than saying "God hath said" unless its written in the bible

I read recently that it is much more likely that "taking God's name in vain" is saying "God said" when He didn't. That statement sure make a person stop and think, but it also makes a lot of sense.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by missourimary

A person who loves God loves themselves and loves others.

A person who loves God will study His word and pray, and do their best to obey the Bible, too, but if they don't love themselves or others, who are made in the image of God, how can they love the very God?

1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

The bible offers many conceptions of God. Sometimes as a Father. Sometimes as a Friend. Sometimes as a King. Does it matter which conception of God we use when we pray?

For example, someone that views God more as his King will approach him much less in prayer and only over weighty matters as opposed to someone who views God as friend who will approach god all the time and over most anything.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Something I've always wondered.... is it possible to mess up God's will for your life, beyond repair? Say for instance that it was God's will for you to marry a particular person, but you married someone else? Does God's will adjust to the situation, or are you permanently out of God's will for the rest of your life?

Well, if you've gone ahead and married the wrong person, I guess you could divorce her/him and find the one you were originally supposed to marry. Then if that one is married to someone else, he/she should divorce and marry you.

There was something like that called the "rib doctrine" around for a while. You had to find the person that God had intended to be your rib.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Sam

Well, if you've gone ahead and married the wrong person, I guess you could divorce her/him and find the one you were originally supposed to marry. Then if that one is married to someone else, he/she should divorce and marry you.

There was something like that called the "rib doctrine" around for a while. You had to find the person that God had intended to be your rib.

lol thats funny. But all laughs aside, I think stuff like that stems from having the wrong conception of what the will of God is.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by missourimary

A person who loves God loves themselves and loves others.

A person who loves God will study His word and pray, and do their best to obey the Bible, too, but if they don't love themselves or others, who are made in the image of God, how can they love the very God?

1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

I would answer my question differently. I would have said loving God is about living the life he has given us and remembering him while we do it. And of course it is also about loving others and ourselves. And keeping his commandments also.

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by jfrog

The bible offers many conceptions of God. Sometimes as a Father. Sometimes as a Friend. Sometimes as a King. Does it matter which conception of God we use when we pray?

For example, someone that views God more as his King will approach him much less in prayer and only over weighty matters as opposed to someone who views God as friend who will approach god all the time and over most anything.

I think many people approach Him different ways at different times, depending on the situation and their needs. But if someone chose one way to view God most of the time, Savior, Friend, Father, King, I doubt that would matter to God half as much as that they did approach Him, and with a right heart/spirit.

Originally Posted by jfrog

I would answer my question differently. I would have said loving God is about living the life he has given us and remembering him while we do it. And of course it is also about loving others and ourselves. And keeping his commandments also.

They say not to worry about talking to yourself as long as you don't answer yourself... But that's a good answer, jfrog.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by jfrog

lol thats funny. But all laughs aside, I think stuff like that stems from having the wrong conception of what the will of God is.

I agree. I personally believe the 'will of God' in our lives is more fluid, not rigid. I don't really believe God has a plan mapped out for us, and if we get off track we've ruined it.

[missourimary]

I agree, AQP.