Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Maybe.
Are you saying that you believe that if you chose to tell a person with a gun to your head that you renounce God, then you will have forfeited "everlasting life" as far as God is concerned? Honestly, that doesn't make sense to me. Words are often void of meaning, especially words elicited under extreme duress.
May I ask, what caused the loss of relationships?
As some people thought Jesus was ' mad ' - John 10 v 20 - people did Not like my interest in Scripture.
One was furious to say the least about my Not believing in evolution.
One said No Bible writer is alive today to say what he wrote was what he wrote.
Others thought I should continue to do unscirptural things regardless of what the Bible really teaches.
If you knew for sure the person was going to pull the trigger if you would Not renounce God you would compromise ?
Wouldn't that show you believed the person had more power over you than your integrity toward God ?
As some people thought Jesus was ' mad ' - John 10 v 20 - people did Not like my interest in Scripture.
One was furious to say the least about my Not believing in evolution.
One said No Bible writer is alive today to say what he wrote was what he wrote.
Others thought I should continue to do unscirptural things regardless of what the Bible really teaches.
So, you're saying they didn't want a relationship with you anymore just because you thought or acted differently than you used to, and without your imposing on them to think or act the same as you? It sounds like maybe you were all young?
Quote:
If you knew for sure the person was going to pull the trigger if you would Not renounce God you would compromise ?
Maybe
Quote:
Wouldn't that show you believed the person had more power over you than your integrity toward God ?
Maybe. On the other hand, look at the story of Jesus being tempted in the desert. He was told to put himself into a dangerous situation (jump off a building) because God would protect him and it would prove he was the "son of God". Jesus' response was, essentially, I don't need to prove anything to you, and I'm not putting God to the test. To me, the situation you're describing is pretty similar.
I'm still wondering ... Do you believe that God would revoke your "everlasting life" for something you said with a gun to your head?
Thanks for your replies Nate, Ans, Jerwade and Lego. I'd rep you all if I could.
Follow up question: Do you consciously spend time "renewing your mind", "denying the old way of thinking"? More specifically, what I'm asking is... knowing that there is so much within us negatively influencing our thoughts and behaviors that is below our conscious awareness, do you feel it is necessary to try to find a way to bring those things to your conscious awareness in order to release them?
"Whoever seeks to save his life [soul] will lose it; whoever loses it will preserve it." Lk 9 &17, Mt 10 & 16, Mk 8, Jn 12.
What do you believe it means to lose your life/soul in order to preserve it, and what has your experience of that been?
Made me think of a similar scripture:
"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. - John 12:35
I think it's about loving the life this world has to offer. Those who love this world system and the "life" it offers are going to lose it. Those who hate the life/things of this world -- amassing wealth, fame, fleeting pleasures have found new life in the things of God through Christ and they will never lose that life that God gives. So in the same way -- he who seeks to "save his life" (preserve his worldly way of life) will lose it. But whoever loses that for the sake of knowing Christ will preserve his life.
"Whoever seeks to save his life [soul] will lose it; whoever loses it will preserve it." Lk 9 &17, Mt 10 & 16, Mk 8, Jn 12.
What do you believe it means to lose your life/soul in order to preserve it, and what has your experience of that been?
Good topic..
I interpret it as, needing to sacrifice our physical & material self-interests, to salvage our spiritual health..
My personal/philosophic dilemma, why did God give us such strong self-interests.. if it's ultimately a hindrance for our spiritual life & health. It seems like a sadistic test, but.. I'm doing my best.
Good topic..
I interpret it as, needing to sacrifice our physical & material self-interests, to salvage our spiritual health..
My personal/philosophic dilemma, why did God give us such strong self-interests.. if it's ultimately a hindrance for our spiritual life & health. It seems like a sadistic test, but.. I'm doing my best.
Now there's some honesty. I hear ya and I really appreciate you being willing to voice what you feel.
If God is love, and if sacrificing our self-interests is something we need to do in order to be loving and to gain real spiritual life and health, then I guess it's not sadistic after all. But as long as it feels like it is (and I think I probably feel the same way deep down as often as not) I'm going to be resentful of it, and I don't think that in that case, in those instances, I'm really going to be doing my best to comply, eh?
So, what's the answer to that, do you think BR? How do we move beyond feeling it's sadistic so that we can embrace it as a loving and worthwhile thing?
And another question ... do you think that sacrificing our self-interests is always the loving thing to do, or only in some cases?
Well, yeah, but I don't want to admit it 'cause then I might hafta practice it WAY more than I do.
Now, don't be selfish Nate ... share the nitty gritty of what practicing it looks like ... what does it involve? Are there certain steps you take, certain keys that help you to unearth those things and release them?
Now, don't be selfish Nate ... share the nitty gritty of what practicing it looks like ... what does it involve? Are there certain steps you take, certain keys that help you to unearth those things and release them?
One of the things we need to realize is that we are not called to be masochistic about sacrifice, but that materiel things should not interfere with our expression of love. I can look at my waistline and tell if a homeless person needs that hamburger more than I do, but if I'm ruining my health to give to the poor, I won't be doing much giving before long.
The thing I have been taught to practice in responses to others is to ask if it is necessary or appropriate and if it is kind. It's the last part that is a problem for me......I'm more likely to respond in kind than with kindness.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I hear ya and I really appreciate you being willing to voice what you feel.
... share the nitty gritty of what practicing it looks like ... what does it involve? Are there certain steps you take, certain keys that help you to unearth those things and release them?
