My Ruminations

[Mediate]

So, first of all, hi everyone reading this This post is going to be about the process by which people come to conclusion. For me, that is everything. A thought process can go in so many different directions and our God has seen fit for us to have the means to comprehend different ideas, to form opinions and to have a mindset able to change, even if it is just a small change.

So, by the way, This will probably be quite long, I do a lot of thinking lol.

So, as you have probably all read in the threads, there are things I believe that others don't, and this is where I'd like to begin with this post.

Why do I believe different things than others? Or how?

Well, first of all, I'd ask the question, why does anyone believe something different to others?

Well, there are people that come from varying walks of life, people brought up to believe certain things and a lot of the time, people never change those hard-fought, hard-earned, (Or drilled in, essential to everyday life) beliefs.

There are millions who believe in Islam, or Christianity, Buddhism, atheism, or whatever. And to be honest, what I believe is that it's all dependant on the person.

A person can read a book, and take something from it completely different to another person.

The words are the same, but the outcome could be drastically varying. And this is where many of my beliefs originate.

God created man equal. 'God has made from one blood; all the nations of men'.

We all came from God and were designed by God.

Acts 17;26 (He) has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings'.

So it is not for me to say 'you are wrong', and 'you are right', for God has created me with my boundaries, and another with theirs. I could very well be wrong too, if I could comprehend myself from outside what God has allowed me to see of myself.

And on the subject of self, this is another cornerstone for me. That because of the nature of men, that we are created and have certain mindsets and limitations, I believe it is better to focus on my own actions and intent rather than that of others. I need to take logs out of my own eye.

I am one person of 7 billion people who are God's children in the sense that we came from the same seed. We all are created by the hand of God.

And this is another cornerstone for me. The example of the adulterous woman showed that there was none, not even of those whom some may consider 'unsaved' who was beyond Jesus' forgiveness. Jesus is the one who saves, and he saved even the 'unsaved' woman.

So then Jesus practices what he preaces. Forgiveness. Seventy times seven, too, he says.

So if we are to sin seventy times seven (sin being a trespass agsinst God), surely He will forgive umpteen times.

And this is where my view of Jesus comes from. From his very own teachings. He would not tell others to do what he himself would not do. And as he is appointed by God as the judge of men, then surely His death is actually the very doing of God's forgiveness towards man. (For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.)

And I believe this forgiveness (as shown by his death, and his treatment of those deemed 'sinners') to extend to everyone, regardless of what 'box' they are put in by the men around them. For to put them in a box and condemn them, is surely also a sin. So then neither party is perfect.

Then it is so as John says, that He died for our sins, but not only ours, but for the sins of the whole world'.

The way I see it, I am as unworthy as ever. I am a goat turned to a sheep, like everyone.

But then people ask me 'then why should we not go round sinning?'

This has been asked and answered before, when Paul said of believers mindsets in 1st corinthains 6: ' I can do anything, all is permissible, but not all is benificial'.

He said a few verses behind that 'not all will inherit the kingdom of God'.

Another belief of mine, as Jesus says 'the kingdom of God is within us'.

So then it is down to doing what is permissible, and having love, that I may gain 'the kingdom of God', Ie. The mindset to live by. Because what point is there in doing hurtful and harmful things? A very simple reason not to sin. For THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS, not for my own heavenly gain.

It is an irony that Paul, the most horrid of men, was to become the messenger of such a great insight.

He also explained that it is better to be wronged and not to go to court, than to go to court.

Jesus did not go to court. He rather He was wronged.

So in summation, these are where some of my beliefs come from. Reasoning and cross reference.

I'm a firm believer in looking at all angles.

And I would also say that, as part of what I believe, you're allowed also to believe whatever you like.

It is the perfection of self where the perfection of God's love lies.

I have no need to judge others. I'm imperfect

 

[Mediate]

EDIT: It is down to doing what is benificial (not 'permissible' as I put by mistake)

 

[psychomom]

I may not be properly comprehending, but, if "us" means absolutely everyone who is/has been/will ever be, how do you remediate the inequity of these two statements (a word I chose just for you )
You said--
He said a few verses behind that 'not all will inherit the kingdom of God'.

Another belief of mine, as Jesus says 'the kingdom of God is within us'.

Also, if you wouldn't mind more questions--
you said,
I am a goat turned to a sheep, like everyone.

Leaving aside "like everyone" for now...
whose sheep are you? how do you know?
how did you become a sheep?

And one extemporaneous question, if that's okay--where do/did you go to college?
thanks!

 

[kenisyes]

It's way earlier in the Bible than Acts. Adam is a plural noun. Look up the Hebrew at the end of Jonah, the population is 150,000 "adam", not "adamim", which would be the plural if adam were singular. He said,"fill the earth". We can't do that if we are all standing in the same place. He made us all different, so we can all stand in a different place. You absorb from the world what you are made to absorb, so you end up where you need to be. That's why the Body has hands, feet, eyes, etc., as Paul says in Corinthians, and apostles, prophets, evangelists, etc., as he says in Ephesians. Of course, any of us can seek God's plan or choose not to. The culture can stand in our way, like if you are born Moslem or Buddhist, but Romans covers that too. Which is why we have to forgive, why we have to look for whatever is of God in whoever we meet and whatever situation we find ourselves. As we grow, we find a little bit of what God in ourselves, and either choose to respond or not to. If we respond, we get a little more in touch with God, and we see a little more, etc. Paul talks about that too; he calls it going from glory to glory.

 

[webchatter]

I too, spent years studying others' beliefs/religions/cults. I know nothing of your beliefs except what u wrote here. So I am assuming you are young, therefore, I spent many more years than you studying different beliefs. But I will share with you what I learned. Although the Old Testamnet of the Bible is the same or similar to the first of the Muslim's & Jew's, you know the difference lies in : the Messiah/new testament of Christian Bible, & end time prophecy. Although our God may be the same or similar, all other religions in the world either have no Messiah, or are still waiting for their Messiah. To a Christian & ANY Old testament believer, God's Messiah is/will be the foundation of their belief, once those others find their Messiah.
I read the Koran. Mohammed was asked if he was the Messiah or Son of God & he said no. Yes it is true that God sent Jesus to die for ALL of mankind's sins. All of mankind has a CHOICE whether to believe Jesus was the Son of God or not. The bible clearly states that if they do not believe in Jesus, they will not enter heaven, Jesus is the ONLY WAY.
What if you asked your son to die so others could live, & the people whom he died for didn't appreciate it, or said it was a lie?What if they mocked your son & appreciated other people more? What if they said that it was someone down the street who actually died for them? Given all the evidence these ungrateful people had/have to go on, no one is even trying to deny that Jesus died when He did, or did the things we claim He did. The people whom Jesus died for are not showing their appreciation to their God, for God allowing His Son to die, so that they may live in heaven for eternity.
If it was my son, I would send these ungrateful non believers to hell too. No Problem.
Another different element in viewing all religions & cults is mainly this: They always say, once you thoroughly investigate them, that Jesus is not the Son of God, or ONLY son of God. They may offer to tell you who they think IS, but their books or conversation always goes to denying Jesus. IN Christianity, The New Testament does not say anywhere, "Oh by the way Buddah/Mohammed, etc is not the messiah." These other religions either have demonic influence, trying to deprive you of your only chance at eternal salvation, (for Jesus is the only way), or they already kmow the powerful influence of one's belief in Christ.
You are right, Christians are not supposed to judge, it is a sin in certain cases. The book of James speakes mainly about how we are to treat each other, judging, etc. We as a group, do not mistreat Muslims or other people of different faiths, but it is written in Scripture that they will not enter heaven. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent here to die for all of mankind's sins, then what will you say on judgement day? You might be asked why you teached a false doctrine? Does that disqualify you from heaven? If you do believe that Jesus is the only Son of God sent here to die from our sins, then why is the NEW Testamment NOT the foundation of your beliefs?