Believing Vs Claiming to Believe

[ronedee]

My answer is the same. No. And what I would say to God, is that I'm adhering to His 7th commandment. Thou Shall Not Kill. Not to mention: Love Thy Neighbor...and Love Each Other As I Have Loved You."

I find this confusing, given that there are other stories in the bible where god orders people to kill, and their obedience to that order is lauded as dedication to god. Abraham springs to mind (remember, before he was told to stop, he was still told to kill, and he did so.) How do you reconcile these two things?

But, God doesn't talk to me in the ways men typically think He would.

So how do these divine communiques reach you? It's really hard to get a straight answer from most christians, beyond that it's not a literal voice that they hear. It'd be really useful, going ahead, to have an understanding of how this guidance manifests.

Well, Abraham didn't actually kill.... but the metaphor was set. "God gave His only Son that we may be saved." Abraham (by his faith) and his descendants were now "worthy" of God's sacrifice for us!

I'm a Gospel person. Jesus' word is my command. God isn't asking me for anything I can't do! Morally or otherwise.

As far as my communications with God? I ask Him. Does He always answer? Yes, but not in the usual ways.

I'll share one, fine example. My mom was rushed to a local hospital several years ago. I won't go into much detail except that my family was told that she would die. We were not prepared for her death at 62 years old. And she was rushed in for a broken leg! So it was a shock that her heart was damaged, and she lie dying.

I and my wife went into the hospital chapel which happened to be right next to the ICU. We held hands and prayed that "God's will be done". I told God that I was trusting Him, whether He wanted my mom or not. I knew there was a good reason."

We stepped out of the chapel as the ICU doctor came literally running up to us! He said that it was a "miracle"! Her heart was fine and she was responding to treatment. We just smiled! My mom made a full recovery.

I left that chapel with TOTAL TRUST IN GOD! He rewarded my trust with my mom's life. And if she died. I'd feel the same today.

You see. Its not about life or death. It's about Love, Trust and our relationship with God. Who is the ruler of all!

I love my mom, and God no matter what. Death, like anything else isn't a deal breaker for me. Because God & Love transcends all.

Until we can see beyond [our] ideas of what God should be for us? We block His love and gifts to us.

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Why is this scenario unrealistic? Can you be specific? God issues some outlandish orders all throughout the bible.

Are you sure about God's character here? God orders some pretty heavy hits (entire nations) following the presentation of the decalogue, and he uses man to carry out the murders.

For several reasons: One is that men wrote those accounts. The same men that thought God was yelling when it thundered! Secondly, Jesus trumps everything. Also, the horror movie plot is...well... fiction. Even by OT standards!

Then you're good to go

Thanks!

'IF' being the key word in that sentence.

Well.... "IF" was for your benefit. I usually get flack for the "assumption" that all are on-board for Jesus' word.
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Or better yet, "What am I thinking as I walk by a homeless person freezing on a sidewalk?" Why does a god have to be involved at all? According to most theists, I am in cahoots with the 'devil' if I fail to offer the person help, and if I help the homeless person then 'god' get's the credit. I'll tell you [what I think] when I see a cold homeless person. I think "That person looks cold, how can I help them?" Why must there be any god involved?

Well... my first thought is "what would Jesus do". If I were choosing lunch I may consider my own opinion!