God Is Confusing!

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M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#1
Yes to me God IS confusing. I always think of Him as a spirit, I can't imagine what He looks like so when I think of Him I think of Jesus. In Genesis God's spirit hovered over the earth, was this the Holy spirit or God Himself being of spirit. Then again we are "made in His image". Does this mean He looks human like us? In John 14:7 Jesus said "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" In John 14: 9-11 Jesus goes on to say in reply to a puzzled Philip “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves."

Also, The Holy Spirit is a person but how can a person reside in us?! I have read countless tales of those who have experiences NDE's but I've never heard of anyone claiming to have seen God - only Jesus, yet He sits left of Jesus - doesn't He? I do find the trinity somewhat difficult to understand and the atheist has a field day confronting us with these issues. I know we cannot look at it from a logical human perspective because God is beyond the understanding of our human minds (try telling that to the convicted atheist!) but I would appreciate others' perspective on this subject because I wonder if it's just me that's confused.
 

skipp

Senior Member
Mar 6, 2014
654
7
0
#2
I appreciate the honesty in this post. A lot of people like to pretend that they have God completely figured out and that He holds no mystery for them.
 
J

JesusIsAll

Guest
#3
Unless anybody has run into the Lord Jesus lately, hanging out at some ER or funeral home,

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Now, would certainly invite any scripture referring to absent from the body sometimes being popping in and out. (As if not to mention how different so many NDEs are, and the amazing coincidence there are those selling books about it.)
 
J

JesusIsAll

Guest
#4
Perhaps an alternate thread title to consider: Man Is Confusing!

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
 
May 15, 2013
4,307
27
0
#5
Yes to me God IS confusing. I always think of Him as a spirit, I can't imagine what He looks like so when I think of Him I think of Jesus. In Genesis God's spirit hovered over the earth, was this the Holy spirit or God Himself being of spirit. Then again we are "made in His image". Does this mean He looks human like us? In John 14:7 Jesus said "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" In John 14: 9-11 Jesus goes on to say in reply to a puzzled Philip “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves."

Also, The Holy Spirit is a person but how can a person reside in us?! I have read countless tales of those who have experiences NDE's but I've never heard of anyone claiming to have seen God - only Jesus, yet He sits left of Jesus - doesn't He? I do find the trinity somewhat difficult to understand and the atheist has a field day confronting us with these issues. I know we cannot look at it from a logical human perspective because God is beyond the understanding of our human minds (try telling that to the convicted atheist!) but I would appreciate others' perspective on this subject because I wonder if it's just me that's confused.
To distinguish a spirit from another is that you see what come from them, you can't see their form or expressions, but you can see the aftermath what its produces. Jesus had told the disciples did they know whom He is, and Philip still didn't see whom Jesus is after they have been with Him for a while.
 

Trailblazer

Senior Member
Sep 8, 2014
432
30
18
#6
This all does lead us into our own speculation on some accounts.
God is Spirit, Yet! He can make or speak anything into existence with his words. So he choose to take on a image. WHY?
Maybe!..Since he had decided what his new creation was to look like. That being man. He took on the image of man as to what his new creation was to look like.

The Godhead, Trinity. Three yet One, all equal in power. Jesus, The Father and the Holy Spirit. Not one is above the other.
Together as One. Working as one for the kingdom of God.
Silly reference!.. I watched a show called 300? It was about Spartans fighting in battle. There training and tactics that made them so effective in battle. The General said, We all move as ONE. 300 as One? It would seem, If they are all doing there own thing. that would separate them from not being as One.

Does not in Scripture somewhere it say that, In Christ we are One? The Term, body of Christ speaks of this also. The body has many parts. Yet it is ONE body. That being the Body of Christ.

Ive heard sermons speak of what make us a person. Having feelings, personality? and the ability to be able to think and reason. Scripture says!...The Holy Spirit Guides us. So he has intelligence. Scripture says, Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. So we can hurt the Holy Spirits feelings. This means the Holy Spirit is a person. Yet as a Spirit, he is able to enter us as a way to communicate with us 24/7. That might sound creepy. But look at the accounts in the Bible of what dark spirits can do if you are not saved by Jesus.
 
M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#7
This all does lead us into our own speculation on some accounts.
God is Spirit, Yet! He can make or speak anything into existence with his words. So he choose to take on a image. WHY?
Maybe!..Since he had decided what his new creation was to look like. That being man. He took on the image of man as to what his new creation was to look like.

The Godhead, Trinity. Three yet One, all equal in power. Jesus, The Father and the Holy Spirit. Not one is above the other.
Together as One. Working as one for the kingdom of God.
Silly reference!.. I watched a show called 300? It was about Spartans fighting in battle. There training and tactics that made them so effective in battle. The General said, We all move as ONE. 300 as One? It would seem, If they are all doing there own thing. that would separate them from not being as One.

Does not in Scripture somewhere it say that, In Christ we are One? The Term, body of Christ speaks of this also. The body has many parts. Yet it is ONE body. That being the Body of Christ.

Ive heard sermons speak of what make us a person. Having feelings, personality? and the ability to be able to think and reason. Scripture says!...The Holy Spirit Guides us. So he has intelligence. Scripture says, Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. So we can hurt the Holy Spirits feelings. This means the Holy Spirit is a person. Yet as a Spirit, he is able to enter us as a way to communicate with us 24/7. That might sound creepy. But look at the accounts in the Bible of what dark spirits can do if you are not saved by Jesus.
I like this reply. I agree it is open to our own interpretation but I do feel that God is beyond the understanding of the human mind. God must surely have a form of some sort. The Bible tells us that seeing Him would surely kill us. It's difficult for me to get my head around it if I think too deeply into it. I think it's easiest when we look at Jesus in order to see God - it is for me anyway.
 

Trailblazer

Senior Member
Sep 8, 2014
432
30
18
#8
Perhaps an alternate thread title to consider: Man Is Confusing!

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
How about! God is Smart. We are not?
I could imagine. If God ever had a struggle throughout all eternity. It was to make things simple enough for mankind to understand. Yet!.......... We still do not understand. ;) LOL
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#9
This is the easiest way that I understand it...

Heavenly Father===>Intellect
Jesus Christ======>Body <---------One God manifest three ways!
Holy Spirit=======> Spirit/Breath/Life

MAN made in God's Image

Adam

Mind-->Intellect
Body--->Body
Spirit-->Breath/Spirit

You, I, me, we are manifested three ways, yet are one individual.....My Mind (intellect) instructs my BODY what to do and the BREATH/spirit in me makes me alive...

This is as close as I can get to it without driving myself mad....we are trying to understand the infinite with the finite......and I suppose that at end of the day we will be in the dark somewhat until the day we have a glorified body and complete understanding.........just a few thoughts to ponder.........
 

Trailblazer

Senior Member
Sep 8, 2014
432
30
18
#10
I like this reply. I agree it is open to our own interpretation but I do feel that God is beyond the understanding of the human mind. God must surely have a form of some sort. The Bible tells us that seeing Him would surely kill us. It's difficult for me to get my head around it if I think too deeply into it. I think it's easiest when we look at Jesus in order to see God - it is for me anyway.
Makes 100% sence to me. God the father, choose a form of man. That form being the man being Jesus.
Fact being! Jesus is Lord and Savior.

As far as Non believers or Atheist. I ask them. Do you think that you are some form of Cosmic Accident or something?
A lightning bolt hitting pond scum, turned into pollywogs? Then into monkeys? So now, here you are? ;)

I can then go to mention how the Bible speaks of the enemy of God. The most powerful being ever created. This thing is able to blind some people that there is no God. It has the ability to put thoughts into peoples minds. This is were false religions come from and so much hurt and evil in this world.

At this point the conversation can go either direction!
Do not throw my pearls before the swine. Or I like to link the Middle east with the Book of Daniel.
The Angel Gabriel apologizes to Daniel for being 21 days late bringing him the message from God. He got in a battle with the Prince of Persia. (Modern day Iran) A single dark spirit that influences that entire region? YIKES! The Bible teaches us that there are 100's of 1000's of Angels. 1/3 of the these angels are fallen.

With all of that said!....You ever wonder why there is so much hurt and evil in the world? Everything in the Bible is 100% true and correct I tell them. I feel content at this point! I planted a seed of truth. and that they have no excuse come judgement day.
 
M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#11
Makes 100% sence to me. God the father, choose a form of man. That form being the man being Jesus.
Fact being! Jesus is Lord and Savior.

As far as Non believers or Atheist. I ask them. Do you think that you are some form of Cosmic Accident or something?
A lightning bolt hitting pond scum, turned into pollywogs? Then into monkeys? So now, here you are? ;)

I can then go to mention how the Bible speaks of the enemy of God. The most powerful being ever created. This thing is able to blind some people that there is no God. It has the ability to put thoughts into peoples minds. This is were false religions come from and so much hurt and evil in this world.

At this point the conversation can go either direction!
Do not throw my pearls before the swine. Or I like to link the Middle east with the Book of Daniel.
The Angel Gabriel apologizes to Daniel for being 21 days late bringing him the message from God. He got in a battle with the Prince of Persia. (Modern day Iran) A single dark spirit that influences that entire region? YIKES! The Bible teaches us that there are 100's of 1000's of Angels. 1/3 of the these angels are fallen.

With all of that said!....You ever wonder why there is so much hurt and evil in the world? Everything in the Bible is 100% true and correct I tell them. I feel content at this point! I planted a seed of truth. and that they have no excuse come judgement day.
Amen to that!
 

Trailblazer

Senior Member
Sep 8, 2014
432
30
18
#12
I like this reply. I agree it is open to our own interpretation but I do feel that God is beyond the understanding of the human mind. God must surely have a form of some sort. The Bible tells us that seeing Him would surely kill us. It's difficult for me to get my head around it if I think too deeply into it. I think it's easiest when we look at Jesus in order to see God - it is for me anyway.
The Bible speaks of Angels that are flying around him while worshiping him. Are not they blazing with fire being so close to him per the scriptures? Imagine the power it takes to keep the entire universe in order. Planets staying in rotation. The earth rotation keeping the proper distance from the Sun to sustain life. Even for the Sun to stay burning as it does is a masterpiece of power and design.

What power has man created in comparison? Nuclear power? Think of the Bright light of a nuclear blast that will blind us if we look at it. That looks scary powerful to me.
I once read that our Navy's most powerful nuclear powered warships can run Twenty years without fueling. Then they are dead in the water.

God is the Alfa and the Omega. He always was, and always will be. He can sustain anything and everything for all eternity if he wishes it so. Not an easy task to grasp all the power that the Lord Jesus has. But it does make it easier for me to understand how my sinful flesh could not be anywhere near such power and Glory. AMEN!
 

Dan58

Senior Member
Nov 13, 2013
1,991
337
83
#14

The triune nature of God is how He presents Himself to us. God the Father is the knowledge source of all that is, Jesus the son is the logos, the Word calling forth all that is (John 1;1), and the Holy Spirit is the power or force bringing forth all that is (Genesis 1:2). The three function as one entity and are not separate. I think, I speak, and I do, but I am one. Just different aspects of one unit. Those 3 separate qualities are never divisive, but are all inclusive of Elohim.
 
Mar 4, 2013
7,761
107
0
#15
This all does lead us into our own speculation on some accounts.
God is Spirit, Yet! He can make or speak anything into existence with his words. So he choose to take on a image. WHY?
Maybe!..Since he had decided what his new creation was to look like. That being man. He took on the image of man as to what his new creation was to look like.

The Godhead, Trinity. Three yet One, all equal in power. Jesus, The Father and the Holy Spirit. Not one is above the other.
Together as One. Working as one for the kingdom of God.
Silly reference!.. I watched a show called 300? It was about Spartans fighting in battle. There training and tactics that made them so effective in battle. The General said, We all move as ONE. 300 as One? It would seem, If they are all doing there own thing. that would separate them from not being as One.

Does not in Scripture somewhere it say that, In Christ we are One? The Term, body of Christ speaks of this also. The body has many parts. Yet it is ONE body. That being the Body of Christ.

Ive heard sermons speak of what make us a person. Having feelings, personality? and the ability to be able to think and reason. Scripture says!...The Holy Spirit Guides us. So he has intelligence. Scripture says, Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. So we can hurt the Holy Spirits feelings. This means the Holy Spirit is a person. Yet as a Spirit, he is able to enter us as a way to communicate with us 24/7. That might sound creepy. But look at the accounts in the Bible of what dark spirits can do if you are not saved by Jesus.
Yes I agree. We have a motivation=spirit
We have a mind to think=reason
We have a body=work of fulfillment

He has a motivation=spirit
He has a mind=reason
he has a body=work of fulfillment Christ Jesus

Genesis 1:26a "And God said , Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:"

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (Elohim, 430) created the heaven and the earth.

God =430 'elohiym el-o-heem' plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
 
Sep 30, 2014
2,329
102
0
#16
John 8:58
Jesus said unto them verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of the angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 John 5:7

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
2,171
113
#17
The Bible speaks of Angels that are flying around him while worshiping him. Are not they blazing with fire being so close to him per the scriptures? Imagine the power it takes to keep the entire universe in order. Planets staying in rotation. The earth rotation keeping the proper distance from the Sun to sustain life. Even for the Sun to stay burning as it does is a masterpiece of power and design.

What power has man created in comparison? Nuclear power? Think of the Bright light of a nuclear blast that will blind us if we look at it. That looks scary powerful to me.
I once read that our Navy's most powerful nuclear powered warships can run Twenty years without fueling. Then they are dead in the water.

God is the Alfa and the Omega. He always was, and always will be. He can sustain anything and everything for all eternity if he wishes it so. Not an easy task to grasp all the power that the Lord Jesus has. But it does make it easier for me to understand how my sinful flesh could not be anywhere near such power and Glory. AMEN!
These thoughts boggle my Blond mind and then to think that God has the hair on our head numbered and knows that number....I wouldn't even take the time to try and count my own hair, but God knows the number.

How great and awesome is our God. Worthy of our praise. When I try and think about Him I am brought low and humbled I end up crying every time as that is the emotion that is the only one I can come up with. It is not crying from sorrow but of such gratitude for His love that I can't understand He has for us sinners.

He makes me feel at such peace and yet in His presence I would be consumed because my sinful nature could not stand up to His sinless one. Only with the cover of Jesus could I even come near God. Yes, gratitude and tears when I ponder Gods unending love for us humans.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,649
113
#19
John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 14:6, 9 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Atheists? Can a blind man understand color?
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#20
Hebrews uses the word ICON and means express image....God mad man in his LIKNESS and in HIS IMAGE as God knew what form he would take when he pressed himself out among men. Jesus is the express image of the Heavenly Father (being invisible to men as no man hath seen God at any time and lived)...God predetermined before the casting down of the world that man being a spiritual being would have to have a body of flesh and blood and in the grand scheme of things God knew that He would have to come as a man as well and there for chose which image he would use (Jesus) and therefore made us in his image.....

Remember....flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God...why?

1. God is (be verb) light and dwells in light
2. God is SPIRIT and his kingdom Spiritual
3. Our resurrected body is ethereal, astral

Hit the speed of light and time stops...God is light and dwells in light...a permanent state of eternity... and again we undertand God in a limited way, yet it seems to reason that God is and man is in his image...Let (US) make man in (OUR) LIKENESS

When God breathed into Adam the breath of LIVES (plural)

Hebrew has

Singular<--one
Dual<--twos, sets
Plural<--three or more

Father=Intellect, Mind
Son=Body
Holy SPirit=Spirit,Breath

Like a limited view for sure.......!