What is the difference between Christians and the Rest of the World?

[cinder]

Sure, being alone forever is better than going to hell.

So I try to tell myself.

God's will above my will... God's will above my will... at any cost, pain, or loneliness.

That's what sets Christians apart.

First off extra hugs for you. Sounds like you are also fighting a battle with the loonies (ok that is supposed to be lonelies but I think I mistyped and then autocorrect got ahold of it and it was too funny to delete). But yeah, extra hugs because what I am about to say is not in any way trying to write off the very real emotional yuck of feeling alone and just wanting to feel like you can really connect deeply and intimately with someone.

That being said, being single is not being alone. And being physically alone at the moment is not being unloved. Those are lies that we all fall prey to, but being a common lie doesn't make it any less a lie. Truth is you've got a lot of CCers who love and respect you (including me). I bet there are people in your church, community, and even workplace who feel the same though they may be too cowardly or feel too awkward to tell you so. Most of all the creator of the universe loved you enough that Jesus died for you. So please don't let the devil take these cheap pot shots at you anymore (at least not this round) and make you think you are unloveable just because no one is romantically attached to you.

 

[seoulsearch]

Hi Cinder ,

I don't feel unloveable at all just because I am unsure if God has anything planned for me as far as remarriage. But if God doesn't want that for me, I do feel as if I will always be on the outside looking in.

As you know, I'm adopted. Although I never experienced this firsthand because I was adopted very early on, the feeling I have is one of being a kid at the orphanage and watching all the other kids find and go home to their families... but knowing that you will never have that. Why? Because it is the plans of the God who loves me so much, and I have to abide by His plans instead of any I should want for myself.

I have always been a very realistic, long-term thinker. I grow a little nauseous when I hear about "crusades" in which thousands "gave their lives to Christ"--NOT because I don't think it's possible or because I don't want to see the masses saved, but because, most likely, they were told only one side of the story, which is how much God loves them.

Of course God loves us. But I feel that as a Christian, it's important to tell the whole story or else we are lying to people. God's love is defined differently than what we as humans think love is, and over time, the masses usually find that His love is either unbearable or not worth the good time they feel they can have while on earth.

As Christians, we are set apart because we accept God's definition of love and abide by it. God's love is very different from what the world believes love to be. Jesus had thousands of people who followed Him--the miracles and "God loves you" is easy to follow--but when they really heard about what God wants and expects from us, most found that they did not want to follow where He led.

And of course, the same is true today.

 

[Bride]

Hi Cinder ,

I don't feel unloveable at all just because I am unsure if God has anything planned for me as far as remarriage. But if God doesn't want that for me, I do feel as if I will always be on the outside looking in.

As you know, I'm adopted. Although I never experienced this firsthand because I was adopted very early on, the feeling I have is one of being a kid at the orphanage and watching all the other kids find and go home to their families... but knowing that you will never have that. Why? Because it is the plans of the God who loves me so much, and I have to abide by His plans instead of any I should want for myself.

I have always been a very realistic, long-term thinker. I grow a little nauseous when I hear about "crusades" in which thousands "gave their lives to Christ"--NOT because I don't think it's possible or because I don't want to see the masses saved, but because, most likely, they were told only one side of the story, which is how much God loves them.

Of course God loves us. But I feel that as a Christian, it's important to tell the whole story or else we are lying to people. God's love is defined differently than what we as humans think love is, and over time, the masses usually find that His love is either unbearable or not worth the good time they feel they can have while on earth.

As Christians, we are set apart because we accept God's definition of love and abide by it. God's love is very different from what the world believes love to be. Jesus had thousands of people who followed Him--the miracles and "God loves you" is easy to follow--but when they really heard about what God wants and expects from us, most found that they did not want to follow where He led.

And of course, the same is true today.

A single person will have less pain and sorrow in this world than a married person.
A single person will have a relationship with Jesus that is greater than any earthly marriage could ever provide.

God will never ever "plan for someone to marry, or be remarried. That is a fleshly desire, one that He advises against, unless you aren't strong enough to resist fornication. You don't sin if you marry, you just demonstrate loving the things of the world and how to please your mate, and though it is going to cause you a lot of trouble in the flesh, at least know it isn't a sin.
So if you have strength and power over your body, you will do very well single, as opposed to suffering the typical pitfalls of a fleshly relationship.

It is all perfectly described word for word as above, by Paul the Apostle in 1 Cor 7

When I was younger, I wasn't strong enough to remain single. Wow did I ever pay for that. And then again...

But now that I am strong in Christ, I am Married to Him instead, without that troubles of the worldly marriage.

Blessings to you

(1Co 7:32)
But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
(1Co 7:33)
But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

 

[ChandlerFan]

Hi Cinder ,

I don't feel unloveable at all just because I am unsure if God has anything planned for me as far as remarriage. But if God doesn't want that for me, I do feel as if I will always be on the outside looking in.

As you know, I'm adopted. Although I never experienced this firsthand because I was adopted very early on, the feeling I have is one of being a kid at the orphanage and watching all the other kids find and go home to their families... but knowing that you will never have that. Why? Because it is the plans of the God who loves me so much, and I have to abide by His plans instead of any I should want for myself.

I have always been a very realistic, long-term thinker. I grow a little nauseous when I hear about "crusades" in which thousands "gave their lives to Christ"--NOT because I don't think it's possible or because I don't want to see the masses saved, but because, most likely, they were told only one side of the story, which is how much God loves them.

Of course God loves us. But I feel that as a Christian, it's important to tell the whole story or else we are lying to people. God's love is defined differently than what we as humans think love is, and over time, the masses usually find that His love is either unbearable or not worth the good time they feel they can have while on earth.

As Christians, we are set apart because we accept God's definition of love and abide by it. God's love is very different from what the world believes love to be. Jesus had thousands of people who followed Him--the miracles and "God loves you" is easy to follow--but when they really heard about what God wants and expects from us, most found that they did not want to follow where He led.

And of course, the same is true today.

This is so true. I think I posted once a quote that said something to the effect that the good news of the Gospel is not that when we get saved, everything goes our way and we are free from pain and longing, but that Jesus is enough when we do face those things.

 

[cinder]

Hi Cinder ,

I don't feel unloveable at all just because I am unsure if God has anything planned for me as far as remarriage. But if God doesn't want that for me, I do feel as if I will always be on the outside looking in.

As you know, I'm adopted. Although I never experienced this firsthand because I was adopted very early on, the feeling I have is one of being a kid at the orphanage and watching all the other kids find and go home to their families... but knowing that you will never have that. Why? Because it is the plans of the God who loves me so much, and I have to abide by His plans instead of any I should want for myself.

I have always been a very realistic, long-term thinker. I grow a little nauseous when I hear about "crusades" in which thousands "gave their lives to Christ"--NOT because I don't think it's possible or because I don't want to see the masses saved, but because, most likely, they were told only one side of the story, which is how much God loves them.

Of course God loves us. But I feel that as a Christian, it's important to tell the whole story or else we are lying to people. God's love is defined differently than what we as humans think love is, and over time, the masses usually find that His love is either unbearable or not worth the good time they feel they can have while on earth.

As Christians, we are set apart because we accept God's definition of love and abide by it. God's love is very different from what the world believes love to be. Jesus had thousands of people who followed Him--the miracles and "God loves you" is easy to follow--but when they really heard about what God wants and expects from us, most found that they did not want to follow where He led.

And of course, the same is true today.

Yeah, I knew I had good reason to think so highly of you. Mostly because you are awesome and write awesome posts like this. But also because posts like this show a depth of faith that is capable of sustaining through the rough spots.