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Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
And before you right that off as the typical Christian answer that means I don't know what I am talking about, think about it for a moment. Put yourself in the shoes of God, in so much as it is possible. I am judging a bit by your age here, but you'll understand some day most likely what it's like to have a child and sort of unconditional love that comes therein. Perhaps a less fulfilling but still strong comparison is when you create something - be it a work, invention, poem, story, or something like that. I don't want to see like I'm comparing a child to a poem, but there is that love from the creator for the created.Proverbs contains some really beautiful language, and it illustrates much of the same point in one chapter.(Wisdom speaking here as her.)Proverbs 8:30-31
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
He rejoices when his creation do the right thing, for God himself is righteous and that is his delight.The understanding is that God created us, very importantly, with free will. Unfortunately, some decided that they wanted to partake in the glory of God and pretend to be God, and that resulted in a traumatic period that ultimately left us on this old Earth. That's partly another discussion for another day, but it's something to think about. A lot of good Christian people don't understand that the Bible is not this empty relationship with amorphous authority. God's heart is in the work that was dictated to man. Despite the problems with our own language, the reason is there if you seek it out and if you will listen.The very reason you signed up for this site suggests that you're maybe looking. I can't make you believe and I frankly won't have all the answers, but I'll do my best to point you in the right direction and give the best answer I am able to give.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
And before you right that off as the typical Christian answer that means I don't know what I am talking about, think about it for a moment. Put yourself in the shoes of God, in so much as it is possible. I am judging a bit by your age here, but you'll understand some day most likely what it's like to have a child and sort of unconditional love that comes therein. Perhaps a less fulfilling but still strong comparison is when you create something - be it a work, invention, poem, story, or something like that. I don't want to see like I'm comparing a child to a poem, but there is that love from the creator for the created.Proverbs contains some really beautiful language, and it illustrates much of the same point in one chapter.(Wisdom speaking here as her.)Proverbs 8:30-31
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
He rejoices when his creation do the right thing, for God himself is righteous and that is his delight.The understanding is that God created us, very importantly, with free will. Unfortunately, some decided that they wanted to partake in the glory of God and pretend to be God, and that resulted in a traumatic period that ultimately left us on this old Earth. That's partly another discussion for another day, but it's something to think about. A lot of good Christian people don't understand that the Bible is not this empty relationship with amorphous authority. God's heart is in the work that was dictated to man. Despite the problems with our own language, the reason is there if you seek it out and if you will listen.The very reason you signed up for this site suggests that you're maybe looking. I can't make you believe and I frankly won't have all the answers, but I'll do my best to point you in the right direction and give the best answer I am able to give.
So what your implying is that god made us to worship him because he was bored.But since he gave us free will to chose for ourselves why does he condemn us to hell for making the choice not to bow down to him? That isnt much of a choice if you ask me. Its like holding a gun to someones head and saying, "You have a choice: love me or dont. But know that if you chose not to love me ill send you to hell." You shouldnt call it free will if you have to pay with your life for something your given a choice in. If he wanted us to worship him then why the "free will"? I know Christianity says that God wants us to love him because we want to and not because we have to but if the alternative is an eternity in fire and brimstone what choice is that? God shouldnt give us a choice then punish us when its not what he wanted us to do all along.
So what your implying is that god made us to worship him because he was bored.
Not at all. I thought I elaborated on that already, but you're not there yet so I can't expect you to understand. So be it. Just remember those words, they'll come back to you someday.
But since he gave us free will to chose for ourselves why does he condemn us to hell for making the choice not to bow down to him? That isnt much of a choice if you ask me. Its like holding a gun to someones head and saying, "You have a choice: love me or dont. But know that if you chose not to love me ill send you to hell."
See it as you see fit, and make the choice you want. If that's what you think it is, move on.
You shouldnt call it free will if you have to pay with your life for something your given a choice in. If he wanted us to worship him then why the "free will"? I know Christianity says that God wants us to love him because we want to and not because we have to but if the alternative is an eternity in fire and brimstone what choice is that? God shouldnt give us a choice then punish us when its not what he wanted us to do all along.
Therein lies the point, the mess-up has already taken place, this is your second chance, take it or leave it - one third of his children rebelled and were cast down - this Earth is the chance to make up for that. It's free will because you can either choose to follow God or you can indulge in the pleasures of the world. You're going to get some enjoyment either way, one just ends sooner and the other lasts forever.God can't continue on with his well-behaved children with the troublemakers that will deceive with hate. For, if he makes everyone bow down to him, then that's certainly not the free will of a loving God is it? If you equate love to bowing down, then I can't help you, I'll just pray that one day you will see it and understand it.
Not at all. I thought I elaborated on that already, but you're not there yet so I can't expect you to understand. So be it. Just remember those words, they'll come back to you someday.
But since he gave us free will to chose for ourselves why does he condemn us to hell for making the choice not to bow down to him? That isnt much of a choice if you ask me. Its like holding a gun to someones head and saying, "You have a choice: love me or dont. But know that if you chose not to love me ill send you to hell."
See it as you see fit, and make the choice you want. If that's what you think it is, move on.
You shouldnt call it free will if you have to pay with your life for something your given a choice in. If he wanted us to worship him then why the "free will"? I know Christianity says that God wants us to love him because we want to and not because we have to but if the alternative is an eternity in fire and brimstone what choice is that? God shouldnt give us a choice then punish us when its not what he wanted us to do all along.
Therein lies the point, the mess-up has already taken place, this is your second chance, take it or leave it - one third of his children rebelled and were cast down - this Earth is the chance to make up for that. It's free will because you can either choose to follow God or you can indulge in the pleasures of the world. You're going to get some enjoyment either way, one just ends sooner and the other lasts forever.God can't continue on with his well-behaved children with the troublemakers that will deceive with hate. For, if he makes everyone bow down to him, then that's certainly not the free will of a loving God is it? If you equate love to bowing down, then I can't help you, I'll just pray that one day you will see it and understand it.
Swampfox is right we have free will to chose whether we will love and follow God forced love is not true love and above all Gods wants our love and in payment for our love he allowed his only begotten son to die for all our sins so that even when we sin and mess up we ask forgivness and it is forgiven us for God so loved the world and his chidren.
Question: "What is the plan of salvation / way of salvation?"Answer: Are you hungry? Not physically hungry, but do you have a hunger for something more in life? Is there something deep inside you that never seems to be satisfied? If so, Jesus is the way! Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).Are you confused? Can you never seem to find a path or purpose in life? Does it seem like someone has turned out the lights and you cannot find the switch? If so, Jesus is the way! Jesus proclaimed, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).Do you ever feel like you are locked out of life? Have you tried so many doors, only to find that what is behind them is empty and meaningless? Are you looking for an entrance into a fulfilling life? If so, Jesus is the way! Jesus declared, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture" (John 10:9).Do other people always let you down? Have your relationships been shallow and empty? Does it seem like everyone is trying to take advantage of you? If so, Jesus is the way! Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me" (John 10:11, 14).Do you wonder what happens after this life? Are you tired of living your life for things that only rot or rust? Do you sometimes doubt whether life has any meaning? Do you want to live after you die? If so, Jesus is the way! Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26).What is the way? What is the truth? What is the life? Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).The hunger that you feel is a spiritual hunger, and can only be filled by Jesus. Jesus is the only one who can lift the darkness. Jesus is the gate to a satisfying life. Jesus is the friend and shepherd that you have been looking for. Jesus is the life - in this world and the next. Jesus is the way of salvation!The reason you feel hungry, the reason you seem to be lost in darkness, the reason you can't find meaning in life, is that you are separated from God. The Bible tells us that we have all sinned, and are therefore separated from God (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23). The void you feel in your heart is God missing from your life. We were created to have a relationship with God. Because of our sin, we are separated from that relationship. Even worse, our sin will cause us to be separated from God for all of eternity, this life and the next (Romans 6:23; John 3:36).How can this problem be solved? Jesus is the way! Jesus took our sin upon Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus died in our place (Romans 5:8), taking the punishment that we deserve. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, proving His victory over sin and death (Romans 6:4-5). Why did He do it? Jesus answered that question Himself, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Jesus died so that we could live. If we place our faith in Jesus, trusting His death as the payment for our sins - all of our sins are forgiven and washed away. We will then have our spiritual hunger satisfied. The lights will be turned on. We will have access to a fulfilling life. We will know our true best friend and good shepherd. We will know that we will have life after we die - a resurrected life in heaven for eternity with Jesus!"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
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