CHISTIANS PLEASE EXPLAIN

[Carnavon]

I do not quite know what you mean by “harming”. It seems to me that if you have made a choice, and being warned of the consequences prior to the effects, you are not being “harmed”, but receive that which you have knowingly made a choice for.

You are walking home, when a man stops you in the street, brandishing a knife. He tells you to hand over your wallet, or he is going to stab you. If you refuse to surrender your wallet and give in to the unfair choice foisted upon you by this additional party, is the man justified in stabbing you to death?

You get in your car to drive, and end up crashing, rolling into a ditch. Is the rescue crew justified in leaving you there, after admonishing you that you knew this was a risk of driving, and yet knowingly did so anyway?

Or do we recognize, in the former case, that choices demanded of us outside of our control are not ones that we make freely? And do we recognize, in the latter case, that making that choice and reaching a bad end does not absolve others of the morality of helping?

I find it curious that you attribute every good act of charity and aid to your god, yet you aren't surprised when he never lifts a finger to do any himself.

Some good points. In the first instance with the chap with the knife – the “punishment” is not something you deserved because of any action on your behalf. If you chose to be confronted with this chap brandishing his knife – good luck to you!
The car – nope they should not leave you there. You have however not prevented them from assisting you. If you reject their offer and make it impossible for them to assist, you blame them? So everything is somebody else’s fault but your own? Jesus has offered you help – paying with his own life so you can live. The “paramedic” has in fact already died and offered you the escape/assitance in doing so, but you refuse. Yet you blame him?

You suggest “outside our control”. My friend, are you suggesting that it is impossible for you to accept Jesus as Saviour? Why? Please do not suggest logic. There is as much logic if not more (if you dare to evaluate matters objectively) in accepting Jesus as there is claimed to exist for rejecting Him. It is an “emotional” decision (rebellion) and not intellectual at all.

You are wrong. If you read the Bible, you will see that God sends the “good stuff” as well as calamity.

He did not “lift a finger” is obviously incorrect as He died for the sins of those that believe in Him – which He offers freely- without having to “earn” it. Place your trust in Jesus, let go of wanting to be in control, repent of your sins and live a holy life. It is not that easy and will open you up to ridicule etc.

Consider the message from qôheleth in Ecclesiates. This life is like a puff of smoke and “chasing after wind”. “All is vanity” yet we fret and continue as if this life has any real meaning in itself. Where is the late Mr Mandela? What does he have for all his labour in this world? A country full of crime, corruption, maladministration etc.?
Yet there is beauty, courage honour as well even in poor townships, forests, streams. But this will all pass away – as we all do.