Hardcore Newbie (From other thread)
I didn't want to continue in nia's thread, but you got it it right by my estimation. No need to respond, bro. Just wanted you to know my view as it relates to you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hardcore Newbie
If it's only about love, count me in. But to go against my mind to fit a God into my life which I personally can not see, have no evidence of, and frankly I don't even believe exists, it does nothing for me. it doesn't match my love. (I know NiA, I know, God's love is different than man's love)
It is about Love, Hardcore. At least by my understanding. I'm going to quote some scripture here, cool? Read if you wish, if not no worries. This is my attempt to define God's love, lol. I??m reminded of the parable of the talents. The talents represent many things to many people, but for this post, the talents represent the love of God. (Think about it)
(Matthew 25:14-29)
14. "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property;
15. to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more.
17. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more.
18. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
19. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.'
21. His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.'
22. And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'
23. His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.'
24. He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow;
25. so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'
26. But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed?
27. Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
Christ speaks about increase in this parable, and multiplying ??through? others, what God has given to us. When we factor love into the picture, it becomes clearer the intent of his message concerning the kingdom. Consider also the parable of the sower. The seed in this parable represents the Love of God also, which was the crux of Christ??s entire testimony. He??s the sower of the seed, just as those whom the seed is planted, and cultivated in, become the sowers of the seed in others. (See also: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10)
(Luke 8:5-8)
5. "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it.
6. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it.
8. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." As he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Christ continues to explain this parable to his disciples. Keep the love of God in mind when reading, as this will help you understand Christ??s intent. It will help also in understanding his other parables concerning the kingdom. It might be suggested that this parable is the most important of all Christ??s allegories, as this one sets the stage for the others. (See: Mark 4:13)
(Luke 8:11-15)
11. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved.
13. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
14. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
15. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Again, Christ speaks of increase. When we factor in love, we come to a greater understanding. Christ is not speaking of worldly increase; he??s speaking of the love of God, which is all encompassing, pure, holy, and strong. The kind of love that changes a person from the inside out. He??s speaking of the essence of our creator. ??Agape? The very spirit that Christ himself walked in. Many of us overlook it. We neglect it, discard and regard it as weak. It is however, a seed of great power; perhaps the least sought after among all spiritual seeds. (Certainly the least embraced within the natural man)
Love lends to us comfort, and peace; it also grants to us great power over our natural selves. It allows us to grow past our destructive natures, and it helps us develop a newness of mind. The more we allow love to grow within, the more we become free from our carnal ways. To walk in love is to walk as Christ did, and doing so enables us to fulfill God??s will for mankind. It is grace, truth, and a light for all mankind to receive. Love is a tree of life, that if nurtured as a seed, will produce its fruit both in self and in those we encounter. We do this by sharing and extending this wellspring of life towards others. (Increase)
Stop and consider the time, effort, and patience it takes to grow a garden. Love is no different; if it is neglected, even the love a person does have will slowly be taken away. (Talents) When we neglect love, we become naturally calloused. Our hearts become dull and void of God??s grace. We end up following all that opposes God, being thrown about by spirits of anger, fear, bitterness, resentment, deceit, greed, pride, lust, envy, jealousy and every other spirit that is in opposition to love. God??s love however is freely available to all open to receive it. If nurtured, his love will grow within us, and will eventually enable us to live in the fullness of his grace.
Love is much more than a simple emotion; it is also more than action and words. It is the very essence of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not soft or weak, nor is it always gentle and kind. Love can convict us deeply of our wrongs; in it is God??s power and truth. True love is not proud, jealous, envious, haughty, or boastful, nor does it seek its own, but rather the good of others. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) It is the source of all virtue, just as lack of love is the source of all vice. True love is unconditional; it realizes that none are perfect. When embraced and followed, it leads the natural man away from spiritual corruption, as well as from the corruption of the world. It is truly life and light to those who find, understand, and keep its ways. Love is a ??divine? force, that when utilized, can remove the many chains that bind us in spirit. Spirits like anger, fear, bitterness, resentment, deceit, greed, pride, lust, envy, and jealousy can all be overcome through love. We feed on these toxic spirits instinctively, giving them great authority over our inner man. We act in accordance to these ??spirits??, whereby creating serious conflict within ourselves, and between others. These ??chains? or spirits harm us deeply. They damage our personal wellbeing, just as they breed discord within those we transgress against. These ways seem right to us, and are very natural, but they ultimately end in spiritual death. (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25)
Darkness has authority where love is absent; Christ however, has made for us a way to abide in the Love of God, wherewith we shall be removed from this darkness, and realize our own salvation in Him. Whether or not we need to recognize what Jesus did on the Cross, I don't know. I'm hoping the following verse forgives those who simply cannot believe:
Matthew 12:32
whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Love
Hardcore Newbie (From other thread)
That's lovely but as I've said in countless threads, the bible is the word of man.
Hardcore Newbie (From other thread)
My laundry's done. And no worries about scripture, I used to read it all the time, still do on occasion with some family members. But i'm off to bed and I'll give it a look tomorrow.
Hardcore Newbie (From other thread)
Yeah, so some of the messages are nice in the Bible, but it does nothing for me if i don't believe in this being.
It'd be different if i felt what the bible speaks of, but I obviously don't. Again, i don't see the need for god to be able to love my fellow man. I think it's better that it happens naturally than because an all powerful (and scary, sometimes) being tells me it's the right thing to do. I know it's the right thing,and I know right from wrong. and I don't understand why god requires me to love him in order for me to be in his graces, especially since I have no evidence of him. It just seems petty to me.
that's my take at least.
Hardcore Newbie (From other thread)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hardcore Newbie
Yeah, so some of the messages are nice in the Bible, but it does nothing for me if i don't believe in this being.
It'd be different if i felt what the bible speaks of, but I obviously don't. Again, i don't see the need for god to be able to love my fellow man. I think it's better that it happens naturally than because an all powerful (and scary, sometimes) being tells me it's the right thing to do. I know it's the right thing,and I know right from wrong. and I don't understand why god requires me to love him in order for me to be in his graces, especially since I have no evidence of him. It just seems petty to me.
that's my take at least.
That's the thing, it doesn't come naturally. Why? Because naturally we are tainted, whether you wish to recognize it or not. God doesn't force himself on anyone, if you are not open, you won't receive. If you are not willining, he won't make you.
You already know the right thing; I'll assume that you walk in like manner. Does it matter if you believe in God the 'being'? I'm not sure, man. You obviously believe in the Spirit, which is what matters most, imo.
Junk
Hardcore Newbie (From other thread)
Quote:
Originally Posted by reaper666
The Bible is a good book. Yes I said it, it is a good book. It largely promotes a decent way of living, but it's when people take it as unproven fact that I get confused and upset. It's nice that people are willing to respect their parents and neighbor, and are compelled to not steal and murder, but when people are willing to believe that there is an all powerful entity and other supernatural happenings beyond logical reasoning that they lower themselves below what I believe separates humans from the majority of other organisms. Humans have a natural curiosity about the world around them and have the ability to observe and quickly learn how things work, but when you blindly accept anything, it's like being blindfolded and trusting someone (religious "authority" for example) to lead you out of the jungle instead of using your natural abilities to do it yourself. In my opinion the origin of man is not nearly as important as the future of man but I do believe evolution is mostly accurate (much more so than creation anyway) based on fossil evidence, and from my perspective when you put on that faith blindfold you simply reverse the process of evolution... I hope that came out right, I am.. umm, intoxicated right now, but you should get the idea. IMO The Bible is an OK basis for forming a life philosophy, but IMO it is a work of fiction and should not be taken factually but conceptually.
There's certainly good stuff in there, reaper. Life philosophy, kingdom promotion, love, forgiveness, equality, acceptance, etc. The problem it that people attempt to justify their 'not so pleasant' ways through OT verse. If we focused on what Christ taught, we wouldn't feel compelled to bash gays, or even murderers, drug addicts, acoholics, etc.
He taught compassion and acceptance, he taught love and forgiveness. Not that murderers should go unpunished, they should be punished. They also need love; we all do. Not so easy in realistic terms, but that was the message of Christ.
Junk
Hardcore Newbie (From other thread)
Quote:
Originally Posted by JunkYard
You obviously believe in the Spirit, which is what matters most, imo.
Junk
I found this part odd, I'm just not sure where you get this from.
Hardcore Newbie (From other thread)
Hardcore Newbie (From other thread)
