God's love is NOT unconditional (believers, exodus, Christ, verse)
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There is a very poignant series of books called "Conversations with God" by Neale Donald Walsch that provide insight into this topic.
Now, many whose Christian faith is rooted in the Bible take issue with any series of books providing different insight into the ways of God than scripture, but we are currently experiencing a massive transition toward a deeper understanding of God and books of this nature are helpful (though no book is to be worshiped as the ultimate word to which all must adhere). As unlikely as it may seem, it is probable that a path in Christ will not be rooted in Scripture in the future.
All the concepts presented in this Conversations with God series are capable of being tested. One is challenged to test them against any other spiritual teaching and see which works better for one's highest good. In so doing, you quickly realize that God is there providing all we need at all times IF we rise above fear (of not having enough, of damnation, etc...)
As such, it becomes apparent that God truly is unconditional love and that there is absolutely no judgment or Hell. We are given a period to review this particular life once we pass on - assess our decisions and grow from them. We learn that the 10 commandments are not orders that must be obeyed but rather the natural desire of individuals who manifest their highest potential. One who exists in God realizes it is in her highest interest to not defy the 10 Commandments, and therefore has no desire to defy them.
No need for lashings or threats of eternal damnation.
When the Bible was written, humanity was a far more primitive race. They needed a more authoritative construct of God rooted in a dichotomous good versus evil. We have since evolved and awoken our understanding of science and probing literature and deepened our philosophy and evolved our spirituality so that we are now ready to understand God in a more accurate manner.
This new construct of God threatens many - especially those who remain convinced God's word is only accessible through a sacred text written millenia ago - but it is worth considering if you are interested in the idea of God's unconditional love and what may very well have been Christ's actual teachings.
Punishment, discipline, exclusion, destruction, being thrown into the lake of fire does not mean that God hates those people that experience this. It is for a higher purpose.
Quote:
God hated this world of sinners, yet he loved those same sinners. From a human emotional perspective, it is a contradiction. Ancient Semitic people understood exactly how these love/hate statements were intended according to their language traditions: "the language of absoluteness to express a preference."G. B. Caird, in The Language and Imagery of the Bible, notes the frequent use of hyperbole among Semitic peoples, and notes that "its frequent use arises out of a habitual cast of mind" which tends to view matters in extremes, or as we would say, "black and white."
Then quit answering my post if you cant stand the heat..
What heat? the heat is on you mate to justify God hates sinners and you still have not come anywhere close to proving it even with stretching and exaggarating scripture.
I was involved in something very similar to you a good 20 years ago , the Lord rescued me from it then used a huge bilge pump and drew every last drop out of me .
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