Is it alright to discuss things like church theory when one is not even sure what one believes about God?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Stephen Simons on November 27, 2009 at 9:26am

Don't wait. Jesus said, "Come". He does not ask or expect us to believe in Him before we have met Him for ourselves. And so He says, "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened." (Matthew 7). In other words, get into conversation with believers. Ask your questions. Explore and pursue your relationship with God, whatever there is of it. And open yourself to discovering the faith and simple, effective answers that God has in store for you.

Christianity is about accepting who we are and where we are in our walk of life, and then choosing to pursue a relationship with God. It's like the parable that Jesus told of the servants who were give 1,2, and 5 weights of silver. The master in the story doesn't judge his servants' results based on the total amount of there net worth when he returns from his journey, but rather he chooses to reward them based on their ability and willingness to expand the resources they were given.

For every person there are areas of strength and clarity and areas of weakness and obscurity. Even Jesus Himself experienced times of doubt and inability to grasp who He was and what His mission was, and Jesus is God.

So the question for you should be more a question of attitude than achievement. The question is, are you willing to find the growing edges of your faith, walk right up to them, and then boldly step over the line and grow in your relationship with God?

God never asks us to have the answers before we talk to Him, He only asks that we be open to the answers when He shows them to us. And it's His hope and earnest desire that once we discover the truth we will embrace it, use it, and so expand the boundaries of our faith, so that we will have new ground to cover, new growing edges, and new opportunities forever.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robert Lee on January 22, 2010 at 12:59am

I believe it is helpful to discuss the subject of your interest if you wish to share what you believe and if you are willing to hear the thoughts of others. Your journey to 'certainty' concerning God is an inner one of course but can be influenced by the other people who share with you their experience with God. We are the family of the Lord. Let's give and receive, share, teach and learn together. When it comes to these things it's always alright.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maxwell Blair on February 28, 2010 at 10:59am

I like the title of this forum - thanks Eli.
Talking with myself does not bring assurance.
Being talked-to is somewhere between being controlled and victimized.
Learning to talk about doubts to others draws all kinds of undesired responses - (inappropriate, irrelevant, etc)

It feels like experimenting with a spiritual immune system.

Learning to share - That is what I need to master.

I am uncertain about how I or anyone can speak for God as with the following expressions below...
... grow in your relationship with God? ... God never asks us ...

OK - how does anyone distinguish between the Bible as really great fiction (lots of fiction is wonderfully influential) and the Bible as the word of God? As I search the physical evidence, there is a significant gap between the described historical events and the authorship of the gospels. I have my thoughts - but have to run. Anyone want to share?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Maxwell Blair on March 5, 2010 at 11:34pm

So, I think it is significant that there is such a gap (100 years) between the Lord's life on earth and the oldest scriptures extant. If I were to be handed life accounts of my great grandparents written in a different language than their native language, it would be very strange. Also, what does it signify that the Lord Himself did not pen the New Testament? So, in this sense, the Lord is somewhat unaccountable.

And then there are the miracles that happen in my life. These are not very accountable either - but much appreciated.

The phrase, the Lord is the Word made flesh. Wouldn't it also make sense to describe the Lord as the flesh made Word? I guess I have a study assignment here.

Any comments?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Makram Max Abdelmalek Youssef on May 25, 2010 at 4:34am

i urge you all new church members if you are sincerely searching for the truth ,who is Christ,read Vassula Ryden Messages ,and you will surely be converted ,by the power of the holy Gohst,and give me a clear honest reply.site is :www.tlig.orgmy e.mail:makrammax@msn.com

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Makram Max Abdelmalek Youssef on May 25, 2010 at 1:33pm

if you want meet Jesus in reality ,read the messages of Vassula Ryden,and you will discover what Stephen meant to tell you.But i feel you are not serious in your aim,because you don t give any reply.

▶ Reply to This