RE: What are the causes for people rejecting "God" so much?
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RE: What are the causes for people rejecting "God&... - 10/9/2008 11:19:53 AM
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rwe2156
Posts: 2366
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: GeorgiaNerd
The main reason I'm not a Christian anymore
I can only answer you from my own theological standpoint.
So, some of the things I am about to tell you might
make you angry or might make you sad or might be
things you have never heard of depending on what
doctrine your church adhered to.
You say you are not a Christian anymore. Interesting.
My question to you is do you really think this possible?
To believe this you must think salvation is some decision
of man rather than an act of God, which is unbiblical.
Some man-centered theologies focus on man and
what he WANTS rather than God and what he DOES.
These Arminian doctrines say we can forfeit our salvation.
But let me ask:
Can a man "unadopt" himself?
Can a man "unborn" himself?
Can a "new creature in Christ" uncreate himself?
Can we "unconvert" ourselves.
Do you really think one can bob in and out of Christianity
based on their own doubts or lack of fulfillment?
I urge you to rethink your position here.
We are Christians because we have been saved,
not because we voluntarily submit to teachings
or capriciously decide whether we like God or not.
When we are saved we received the Holy Spirit
and this is why we say we are "born again".
This is why we cannot "unborn" ourselves.
quote:
is because I never received a personal revelation when I was doubting my faith, despite begging for one for a year and a half.
So what?
The very fact you think God needs to prove himself to you
or you walk away reveals a fundamental flaw in whatever doctrine you believe.
The internal witness a believer possesses when they are
saved is where our "proof" comes from.
"Give me a sign"? It doesn't work like this.
You know I doubt my faithFULNESS and my faith
everyday, but not Him.
I suggest if you are doubting that much, you must examine
your faith as 2Cor 3:15 tell us. 1 Cor 15 tells us we might
have believed the wrong gospel and we are not saved.
Maybe for a year and a half you were seeking the wrong thing?
Do you understand much of the revelation we get
can only happen if our spiritual ears and eyes are open?
Don't blame God for not proving himself to you, humble
yourself and diligently seek him all the more.
quote:
The doubts were mainly coming from studying science and apologetics. Finally, there came a point when I could no longer justify my faith, and it left for good.
Deception is the Evil One's modus operandi.
Don't place yourself over God. (Remember Eve?)
Don't base your faith on what you feel.
I would urge you to read Hebrew Ch. 11 and the beginning
of Romans - the first 4 or 5 chapters.
In the meantime, if you think you have received the
Spirit of God, then you must pray for restoration.
quote:
Anyways, that's the Reader's Digest version.
Right now, barring a personal revelation or convincing
evidence of the Christian God's existence, I would not
go back to being a Christian.
All I can say is you can't go back to a place you never were.
Finally,
I have been crucified with Christ;
it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by
faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself for me. Gal 2:20
Please read Lee Strobels book.
I hope God will awaken your heart.
If you feel the draw of God at all you must
seek the fellowship of believers, not atheist
scientists who exalt man and deny God.
The fact you have posted here tells me you are seeking.
I fear you are a victim of poor theology. I would be
very interested in your conversion testimony.
As for those scientists, been there, done that.
_____________________________
The Truth is between the tensions. The "contradictions"only reflect our lack of understanding.
So we choose sides. God help us.
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RE: What are the causes for people rejecting "God&... - 10/9/2008 3:01:01 PM
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nettiel
Posts: 184
Joined: 10/8/2008
Status: offline
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 I THINK THAT IS REALLY SAD THEY ARE LOSING MORE THAN THEYLL EVER KNOW.WHY CANT PEOPLE LOOK AROUND AND SEE THERE IS A LOVING GOD. NETTIE
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RE: What are the causes for people rejecting "God&... - 10/9/2008 6:43:11 PM
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SamsonUSA
Posts: 577
Joined: 10/5/2008
Status: offline
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The biggest reason people reject God is because of the worst possible sin one could commit. The sin of unbelief.
_____________________________
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and earth!
Casting Crowns
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RE: What are the causes for people rejecting "God&... - 10/9/2008 7:49:54 PM
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bravjim
Posts: 395
Joined: 10/8/2008
Status: offline
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As for the comment about SIDS, we live in a fallen world. In a fallen world, tragedy happens. At least it is tragedy from our perspective. For God to take someone so young is hard for us to understand, but for Him He knows the end game. He knows that even though that child will not grow up, He will hold that child and love Him. It is painful for us, especially parents. Perhaps He is trying to draw those parents closer to Him. We do not know why, and will not until we meet Him in glory.
We are all sinners, including christians. For me, the christian life isn't about going to church, or receiving something from the church. It is about a relationship with God through His son Jesus Christ. About being made new, being made whole. That relationship is what being a christian is about. That relationship is the best part of being a christian. It is not about what the church is doing right or wrong. Anyone who has truly experienced that relationship would not base their faith on whether or not the church was living up to their expectations, they would base their faith on that relationship. I know the church does not live up to my expectations. I do not reject the church because of that, however. Instead, I accept Christ, knowing that I am a sinner and not even close to being perfected, and knowing that I'm not living up to my own expectations. But Christ loves me none the less. That is His grace and mercy being shown to me because of the relationship that I have with Him.
As I read through this thread, I have to admit I was convicted once again (as I often am) for my failures as being a part of the body of Christ. I would hope that others would read through this thread and be convicted as well for not doing enough to be like Christ. I know that we cannot do it on our own; it only happens through the Holy Spirit. But I am convicted because of my own disobedience to the Holy Spirit, for He has convicted me of many of these things previously.
The reasons that I think that people reject God have all already been covered. Pride, not wanting to change their lives or give up those guilty pleasures, not wanting to be convicted, not wanting to admit to an obvious higher power, hypocrisy (probably the biggest reason). One that I don't think was mentioned was legalism. God doesn't make you change. He draws you to change by expressing His love to you and drawing you to love Him in return. It is our love for Him that causes us to obey Him, and we don't miss those guilty pleasures because the relationship we have with Him is much more rewarding. Too many think that being a christian is about following rules, the very definition of legalism, and this is partly due to the way too many in the church live. We surrender because of our love for Christ, and this is the only thing that can possible motivate me enough to change and endure the change. I don't follow a set of rules, I follow love.
< Message edited by bravjim -- 10/9/2008 7:56:18 PM >
_____________________________
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
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RE: What are the causes for people rejecting "God&... - 10/9/2008 10:11:13 PM
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NotDoneYet
Posts: 289
Joined: 12/11/2007
From: Virginia
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bravjim
As for the comment about SIDS, we live in a fallen world. In a fallen world, tragedy happens. At least it is tragedy from our perspective. For God to take someone so young is hard for us to understand, but for Him He knows the end game. He knows that even though that child will not grow up, He will hold that child and love Him. It is painful for us, especially parents. Perhaps He is trying to draw those parents closer to Him. We do not know why, and will not until we meet Him in glory. ...
... The reasons that I think that people reject God have all already been covered. Pride, not wanting to change their lives or give up those guilty pleasures, not wanting to be convicted, not wanting to admit to an obvious higher power, hypocrisy (probably the biggest reason). One that I don't think was mentioned was legalism. God doesn't make you change. He draws you to change by expressing His love to you and drawing you to love Him in return. It is our love for Him that causes us to obey Him, and we don't miss those guilty pleasures because the relationship we have with Him is much more rewarding. Too many think that being a christian is about following rules, the very definition of legalism, and this is partly due to the way too many in the church live. We surrender because of our love for Christ, and this is the only thing that can possible motivate me enough to change and endure the change. I don't follow a set of rules, I follow love.
Do you really buy into this "fallen world" thing? Really? I tried to believe in it, but couldn't. Sorry, I don't see where the "comfort" of telling someone their loved one is "with God" is such a comfort. (and I've sat through more than my share of funerals..including my child's) That "comfort" does NOTHING for the empty arms and hearts...
Legalism, the list of "do's and don'ts" is another "turn-off". My family is diverse and quite non-traditional (I won't go into the whole thing here)...
In the "christian" world...we would NEVER be accepted...EVER...but this is how our family is...and I definitely don't want to hear the stuff about how some members of my family are doomed for hell because of their life choices...I don't buy it, I don't believe it...
They don't know how we arrived at our choices, they don't know the how's and why's of our choices...and I'm not going to either spend my life attempting to explain them nor am I going to permit someone who hasn't got a clue spew hate and condemnation at my family...
NDY
_____________________________
Remember, normal is just a setting on the dryer!
Ranting and raving: diaryofaravingmom.blogspot.com
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RE: What are the causes for people rejecting "God&... - 10/9/2008 10:22:47 PM
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Focusing
Posts: 6043
Status: offline
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NDY ... the vast majority of people don't understand the how's and why's of anyone's life ... unless they take the time and patience and extension of love to get to know another well. There are things I don't post on these forums because I know beyond a doubt there will be unkind words from others who have no clue as to what I've been through that has led me to where I am. And that's fine. I don't condemn them, I just realize that they don't know me or my circumstances, and accept it for what it is. Being a believer by no means makes us perfect or fully understanding of others. Believers are no more deserving of being placed on a pedestal than unbelievers. We are all sinners who struggle through life. We all have misunderstandings. We all have disagreements. We do attempt to reach a higher standard (for Christ), and that's a part of the process of sanctification. Yet we fail often.
_____________________________
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
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RE: What are the causes for people rejecting "God&... - 10/10/2008 1:59:09 AM
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campbe33
Posts: 422
Joined: 10/4/2008
From: Idaho
Status: offline
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I feel it's because people have a hard time with having to be subservient to God. Slavery has always had a negative connotation. What most people don't realize is that we are always a slave to something. I think they fear they will have to give up who they are and that they will have no freewill. To a small extent that is true. I think they think they can stride though life without depending on anyone or anything but themselves. This is an illusion because we all depend on something. I feel not having anything they would quantify as actual proof for God's existence and asking them to believe in him is a really terrifying prospect. People are use to the tangible, they want to see it, feel it and hear it.
I think the way Christians try to spread the word also plays a part. You cannot force or terrorize people into believing, though some try. Jesus and the Apostle's didn't try to win the people over this way, so why should we? We should reach out in love and understanding, with an open heart.
< Message edited by campbe33 -- 10/10/2008 5:51:21 AM >
_____________________________
"Let your conversation be gracious and seasoned with salt so you will have the right response for everyone"
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RE: What are the causes for people rejecting "God&... - 10/10/2008 3:09:51 PM
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p8ntballer4christ926
Posts: 20
Joined: 10/6/2005
Status: offline
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christians, in a nutshell.
We dont live and give the grace and love that christ gave us to give, his way was so revolutionary that it could not help but get a reaction (like turning the other cheek, meditate on the concept and what someone would do in response to something so ludicrous)
Also, we paint this picture like God is this formula God that you have to do "x" to get something from him, and if you dont you risk being out of his favor, huh, I would not want to follow that, feeling like God is always just a few steps ahead of you running and saying come on, cant you keep up? No God is usually carrying us, or walking right with us talking and understanding us
Basically we paint a picture like God cannot be attainable and he is a nicer version of a greek god with more love, but still gets mad and is finicky
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