Kashii_Ai
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So then scripture is not the revelation from God but rather man's agenda?
True, that the Bible was physically written by the hands of men. How else do you expect God to reveal his word to his creation?
I do believe it's God's Word, but I also think it should be taken with a grain of salt. God most definitely works through people, and that includes their writing. I'm a fantasy author and I write a lot about religion and spirituality in my work and feel closest to God in this work. But that doesn't mean what I say about spirituality in my work is 100% correct.
So I consider the Bible to be an authority, but I don't take it at face value. I do my own research and prayer and personally ask God what He thinks before I make any decisions about what the Bible says.
Interesting. What would happen if your personal experiences or revelations from God contradict each other and scripture?
Kashii_Ai
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Personally, when there is people in this world that get away with robbery, rape, murder and etc. There will be a day of judgement, (especially for me!), to give an answer to our Creator for our actions.
Yes, and notice that robbery, rape and murder are ways of harming and separating you from others. And you're also right that God will see it, even if others don't. I don't think people can escape God's judgement--quite the opposite.
But I also think this is God's job ALONE and it's not our place to judge others (I personally see it as 'playing God'). It's our job to carry out God's work as the force of all good things, and be forces of good things too by being Christ to others.
And may the Force be with you. //shot
I'm guessing then you believe in Hell?...
I would like to change this direction towards me on God's judgement. I confess that I'm lying, thieving, adulterous at heart, who has coveted and put the Lord's name in vain many time through out my whole life. Wretched person, I am. Do I deserve God's judgement and be sent to hell for my rebellion against God?
Kashii_Ai
I believe the Bible right off the bat says this:
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So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. --Genesis 1:27, New International Version
God created us to be like Him. If God is the force of all that is holy and good, this means we have all His goodness and holiness in us, doesn't it?
Goodness before the fall of man, then yes. I'm not saying that anyone is not capable of doing good but spiritually we are not good. That's why Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) Also he said, "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed." (John 3:19-20)
Apostle Paul also quoted the Psalm 14 in Romans 3:10-18,
"as it is written:
'None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
“Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes."'
This is why Jesus came to save what was lost. To redeem man from the curse and bring them back to God.
Kashii_Ai
I think the idea that our goodness is 'false' or 'weak' contradicts the idea of Christianity, because it opposes all the religion strives for--to be the image of God. To be LIKE God. If our goodness is weak and we're evil by default, how can we possibly ever measure up? That's an impossible, unrealistic expectation.
Jesus did. Christianity is about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not to be like God. That we fall short of God's holiness and are under the shadow of judgement. God knows this and so he sent his Son Jesus. "She (Mary) will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will
save his people from their sins.”(Matthew 1:21)