Right now I feel like the Bible is full of contradictions. What is one to believe?
And how much does eternal salvation really matter? I know that I want to keep my relationship with God and that I am sure of. That relationship will ensure my salvation. For me, it's a mute point.
But I also believe that we need to know what we believe and why so that that we can defend ourselves. I don't want to be a person that says, "this is what I believe and it doesn't matter why".
However, everything seems to be in question right now. And it's tearing me up. I'm in tears. I'm at my wit's end. It's all I can focus on, and other things are being left undone because of my focus on this.
Questioning hurts. Growth hurts. In the past, I've turned and run. I can't do that with this. Something is not letting me run.
I need to find the balance though.
Striving to learn and live God's purposes,
9 comments:
I think the Bible is full of paradoxes, which is different from a contradiction, in that paradox (meaning: *apparent* contradiction) is inherently not a contradiction. You have to dig deep to find where it's not a contradiction, but you realize that two things that seem to not fit are actually pieces in the same puzzle.
Anyway, I think that our salvation is just like any relationship, because our human relationships are based on God's created order, and his perfect relationship to himself as well. Obviously, his relationship to us can never be truly cut off (except in death), but even when we are feeling cut off, or we choose to cut ourselves off from him, HE is still ever present in the world.
I think at this point, though, it would be better to walk away from thinking about this topic. Whenever I find myself overwhelmed and over-thinking something, I just step away, because my brain is too full, and nothing really makes sense at all anymore. You have to leave it alone for awhile, and you might see that things have been answered in your absence (of thought on the subject, that is).
Ultimately, I wouldn't get too overly concerned about it. If you are in a relationship with God, you are in the right place. If you are not, then obviously, you are not in the right place. You should not concern yourself too much with where other people's hearts are, only whether your own is in the right place.
I love your honesty. This is kinda where I am too...once I started questioning things and finding the answers in Scripture, it took me down a path that I was not really expecting to go down. LOL
Yahweh loves that you are seeking Him though and that you are not satisfied with your relationship with Him. He is calling you deeper, this is why you can not run this time. We are living in the end days and there is a sifting going on right now. I truly believe this. Hugs. Let's explore the Word together, whether we come up with the same conclusions or not, it's still good to search Scripture for our answers! Blessings to you!
Thanks, Abby. I may just have to do that.
Thanks, Prvbs31Mama.
I needed to hear that support, too.
One more thought that I wanted to add, is that I have found that if something totally doesn't make sense in the New Testament, then I go to the Old Testament and see if it gets any clearer. Cause the Bible CAN NOT contradict itself! there may be errors in the translating of it...but that's when we just have to rely on Holy Spirit to guide us.
This is what I read today..."It's time for us to be more light and more salt than we have been in the past. The Spirit of God is calling your families out of darkness. Jer. 3:14 'Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:' It does not mean everyone in your cities will be saved. It does not mean everyone in your families will be saved. It means out of your cities and your families, God will call a people, and then out of that people, some will be chosen.
Matt 22:14 'For many are called, but few are chosen.' Not everyone who has heard the message will make it into eternity. Not everyone who has responded to the message will be found faithful as an overcomer and stay true. The Bible is very clear; it says,
'He that endureth to the end shall be saved.' Matt 10:22
To him that overcometh will I give to eat the tree of life...' Rev. 2:7
'...He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.' Rev 2:11
'...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna...' Rev 2:17
'...he that overcometh...to him will I give power over the nations:' Rev 2:26
'...He that overcometh...I will not blot out his name out of the book of life...' Rev 3:5
'...Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God...' Rev 3:12
I do not want to be morbid and lay a heavy one on you, but the Spirit of God is working with your hearts in this teaching. Do not go into another year practicing more of the same." this is by Dr. Henry W. Wright. I thought it was a good one.
I think when people over think that is where those side "cults" come from. We can begin overanalyzing scriptures and they can take on a whole new meaning. Just like our own workds sometimes can have a whole new meaning if not in the entire context. I agree with Abby, take a break, pray and ask God for insight. Come back and read new scripture whatever the Lord leads you to and re-read the perplexing ones that sent you for a whirl.
I read your posts the other day, and had not had a chance to get back on here, and I actually forgot about this until today when I was listening to a lecture on The Reformation. The professor pointed out that Romans says, "the just shall live by faith." Then I thought of another quote, "an unexamined faith is not worth holding." God is so complex and extraordinary that it isn't possible for us to understand everything. I have learned to trust by faith and reason. A lot of people feel that they are letting God down by having questions, but questions hopefully lead to answers which will strengthen your faith. God knows what you need and I believe he will point you too it. I have many excerpts from a book called Theology for Today, that are extremely helpful and I would certainly be happy to pass them on to you. In reference to what you wrote the other day about sin, mistakes and screw ups, I believe this should go back to the idea that we are not perfect creatures; this is why God sent his son for redemption. Price for redemption is blood which is paid for the remission of sins (Heb 9:12-22) Jesus was a "vicar", a substitute, one who takes the place of another and acts in his stead. There is something called personal guilt, which is experiential in nature and becomes a means by which a sinner is convicted of his sins. Combine personal guilt with the idea that just because we are saved does not mean that our sinful nature is eliminated and I believe that if conscious/convicted of our sins that God is forgiving. The Our Father says everything for us, from beginning to end. There is also something called literal translation, which is when people translate the bible literally...so if they read the statement "the lamb of God" they believe they are talking about a lamb that belonged to God, rather then the symbolism or analogy...it can get very confusing. My grandfather tells me that I need to explore the word of God from different perspectives especially if something seems a little hazy. If 3 people sit in a room and someone ask for their perspective on a specific topic, their accounts will probably at minimum slightly differ, so if we have 3 people talking about the same story in the bible and they are all told a little differently it can really become confusing. And I believe that we just have to try to make the most educated decisions and trust that God will lead us where we need to be. Hope this makes sense, and in some way helps you. And again if you want to read some of the excerpts that I have, some are very informative and help.
I wanted to add something about when you mentioned "when my son disobeys me, I don't remove that relationship. The relationship is strained, yes! But there is repentance and a return to obedience. He doesn't have to be come my son all over again."
We don't have to become God son all over again either, God is the Father, and like a father should be his love never ends, but he isn't going to overlook what we have done either, but when we turn to him with our heart and say Father God, I'm sorry, he is forgiving, just like you are forgiving to your son. I believe that sometimes we fall from God and it is important to rededicate ourselves as a sign of our faith, but generally I believe the only way that a person would have to "become his son all over again" is if he were never truly committed to God in the first place, if they had been empty words.
Hi, Dear sister in Christ,
I just happened to see your tweet on Twitter.
Salvation is important to us, because Jesus died for us, to take away all our sins, so that we might have everlasting life. We believe through faith in God. He (God) is our hope. I am praying for wisdom, comfort and peace for you, in the mighty name of Jesus.
God says in His Word that He will never leave nor forsake us. Thank God for that.
In His Love,
Cathy
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