Christians Only: Does God really care?

Katzpur said:

Does it matter to God what you believe?

Does He care whether you believe in the doctrine of Original Sin or not? Does it matter to Him if you conceive of Him as a triune God or not? Suppose you believe He has a human form? Is that okay with Him? If you believe that the Lord's Supper (i.e. Communion, the Eucharist, the Sacrament, etc.) is symbolic or literal, is it all the same as far as He is concerned? Does He care how, when or if you are baptized?

If I were God, I think I'd want people to have a correct understanding of these things (although I can't say I'd condemn them to hell if they didn't ). What do you think?

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If God cared either way what our specific beliefs were in these matters, he would have made it a lot more simple/obvious. I think God makes it tough so we actually are forced to think about these things. An aspect of faith, to me at least, is trusting God even when that experience forces the realization that scripture is fallible. I trust God a lot more than ancient men, thousands of years ago, with a much more primitive understanding of the natural world who merely claimed to speak for God and/or claimed to have a "vision" on the road to Damascus that left him shaking even though no one else saw it and/or claimed to jot down scripture correctly and accurately, while simultaneously tossing most gospels in the garbage, etc.

jonny said:

If God really cared about what we believe in, you'd think he would have made the truth more obvious to us. It seems that the process of finding beliefs is as important to him as the actual beliefs.

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Great statement! (The Bible does encourage us to "dig" for it, as for treasure.) But Jesus did indicate that the correct understanding of Scripture would be "hidden" from some. (Luke 10:21) You really need God's spirit, His blessing / approval, to understand it.

All this aside, It's interesting that Jesus said that what would be important in identifying his followers, would be, not by what they taught, but by how they acted. John 13:34,35 is critical to follow, to get Jesus' approval. He said it's a "commandment."

Now, all kinds of groups show love. But this would have to be different, to the point where it would identify them as Jesus' true followers. A love that surpasses all boundaries, be they national, racial, etc., that would unite them worldwide. Look for a religion like this, one that truly follows Christ (Christian). It would stand to reason, they have this unity, this peaceful brotherhood, due to having God's blessing. Reasoning on this leads one to conclude that they would also have been given an accurate understanding of God's Word.

There is one, but I'll let you find it.

God doesn't exist outside, he is inside all us. Someone says " If god wasn'
t there, we would need to invent him." Since we do not need to invent him, I believe god exist!
God doesn't care of anyone, he just made it in that way.
Kumbh 2016

TheInfiniteLight,
All the things that Katzpur mentioned are very important!! Some are even, what are called Cacodoxies, which mean that can cost you your life.
Here is something everyone MUST understand, the Bible does not put in one place all things that relate to any subject. There are very few scriptures that are Categoremata, or Categorematic scriptures, which means there is no other scriptures that modify or complement the scripture. Most scriptures are Syncategorematic, they can be changed or added to, modified or complemented. This is why the Bible tells us that we should search for truth as you would for hidden treasure. After all, it is very seldom that we find gold or silver just lying on the ground, in easy sight. Bible truth is the same way, we must search for truth, because over the years, by the process of syncretism, many false doctrines have been accepted into, what used to be Christianity, but is no longer. The fact is that the main foundation doctrines of all the main religions are founded on false teachings. We are now almost two thousand years since the last book of the Bible was written, and Bible writers warned that many false teachers would arise and mislead many. Consider the warning of Paul, at Acts 20:29,30. Consider also 2Tim 4:2-5, where we are told that the time was coming when people would not listen to true doctrine, but would gather together teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear, tickle their ears. Notice what Peter wrote as a warning, 2Peter 2:1-3.
As to whether doctrines are important or not, I believe that Jesus knew the answer to that, consider John 4:23,24, where Jesus said that we MUST worship in spirit and truth. Consider again what Paul was inspired by God, to write, 2Thessalonians 2:8-13. Notice that the Bible said that people would be destroyed because they did not have a LOVE of the TRUTH.
The Apostle John warned that the vast majority would be fooled by Satan, Revelation 12:9, 1John 5:19.
Think seriously the warning of Paul, at 2Corinthians 4:3,4, and 11:13-15.
One last point, at Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus said that people would call him lord, lord, and say didn't we do all kinds of things in your name, and Jesus would say for them to get away from him, because they were workers of lawlessness.
The reason that God had His word written down, was because it is important to know the truth, 1Timothy 2:4.
If a person changes the scriptures, it is to his own destruction, 2Peter 3:15-17. Stumbling anyone is a great offense, because they could then lose out on everlasting life, Matthew 18:6,7, Philippians 1:9,10, the very ones who Christ died for, 1Corinthians 8:11, Romans 14:15.

Ujjain Kumbh Mela 2016 said:

God doesn't exist outside, he is inside all us. Someone says " If god wasn'
t there, we would need to invent him." Since we do not need to invent him, I believe god exist!
God doesn't care of anyone, he just made it in that way.
Kumbh 2016

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Not quite sure what the meaning is of "God doesn't care of anyone," because 1 Peter 5:7 says that God cares for you Ujjain Kumbh Mela.

According to Scripture, God has an outside dwelling place or location -> 1 Kings 8:27; 1 Kings 8:30; 1 Kings 8:39; 1 Kings 8:49

Hockeycowboy said:

Great statement! (The Bible does encourage us to "dig" for it, as for treasure.) But Jesus did indicate that the correct understanding of Scripture would be "hidden" from some. (Luke 10:21) You really need God's spirit, His blessing / approval, to understand it.
All this aside, It's interesting that Jesus said that what would be important in identifying his followers, would be, not by what they taught, but by how they acted. John 13:34,35 is critical to follow, to get Jesus' approval. He said it's a "commandment."
Now, all kinds of groups show love. But this would have to be different, to the point where it would identify them as Jesus' true followers. A love that surpasses all boundaries, be they national, racial, etc., that would unite them worldwide. Look for a religion like this, one that truly follows Christ (Christian). It would stand to reason, they have this unity, this peaceful brotherhood, due to having God's blessing. Reasoning on this leads one to conclude that they would also have been given an accurate understanding of God's Word.
There is one, but I'll let you find it.

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I like that you put emphasis on ' how they acted, or how they act ' because just having information or facts can change a person's beliefs, but having such knowledge does Not necessarily mean a person chooses to change who they are / how they act. We have the power to improve our dominant mental attitude in order to swoop in and conquer the bad qualities of Galatians 5:19-21, and put on the new personality connected with the qualities of Galatians 5:22-23. So, we need to surround oneself with people who have godly traits we want to acquire such as Jesus' admired - Proverbs 13:20 - and obey Jesus' NEW commandment surrounding oneself with others who have self-sacrificing love as Jesus - John 13:34-35

I don't view God as an anthropomorphic being that answers prayer. To me, God is the "ground of being" that makes things happen. God's spirit is in us all equally. I appreciate the earth and creation in a general way.

Thirza Fallen said:

I don't view God as an anthropomorphic being that answers prayer. To me, God is the "ground of being" that makes things happen. God's spirit is in us all equally. I appreciate the earth and creation in a general way.

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I too appreciate the earth and creation, but I am wondering how you meant in a general way ?

If the whole earth were to become a beautiful global paradisical garden as Eden originally was, would that mean more to you than a in general way ?

URAVIP2ME said:

I too appreciate the earth and creation, but I am wondering how you meant in a general way ?

If the whole earth were to become a beautiful global paradisical garden as Eden originally was, would that mean more to you than a in general way ?

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I like nature for what it is, and am not sure if I think God is in nature or not. I don't believe in Eden as a place, so it's not important in that way.

Katzpur said:

I agree that these things are important to God. I honestly think it matters very much to Him, not only that we love one another, but that we have a correct understanding of all of the doctrines we don't seem to disagree on. But I do feel like it matters to Him and that we each have a responsibility to do our best to figure out what's true and what isn't -- even if we make some mistakes in the process.

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John 17:3
This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that we should keep “taking in knowledge” of God and Christ. The Greek word used here can also be translated “should keep on knowing” or “should continue knowing.” So “taking in knowledge” of God would mean to keep learning more and more about him. But this means much more than just knowing his qualities and purpose. We must love him deeply and have a close friendship with him. Knowing God also includes being obedient to him.

Isaiah 48:17,18
This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit [yourself], the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk.
Everything that Jehovah says is for our benefit, and he is keenly interested in our welfare. The principles embodied in this powerful passage apply today. Jehovah is our Creator and he knows better than anyone how we should use our lives. He has given us guidelines, not to rob us of enjoyment, but to benefit us. His directives protect our spirituality and our relationship with him, and they shield us from Satan’s corrupting influence.

2Peter 3:9
Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.
God has provided the very best counsel on living. When applied, this fills our lives with meaning, results in happy family life, brings us into close association with people who really love one another, and safeguards us against practices that can bring much needless physical suffering. If we ignore that help, is it fair to blame God for the trouble that we bring upon ourselves and others? The Bible shows that God has a set time to destroy wickedness, pain and suffering.

Psalms 37: 10,11,29
Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more;
You will look at where they were,
And they will not be there.
11 But the meek will possess the earth,
And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.
29 The righteous will possess the earth,
And they will live forever on it.
So, yes....God cares very much.

Thirza Fallen said:

I like nature for what it is, and am not sure if I think God is in nature or not. I don't believe in Eden as a place, so it's not important in that way.

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According to Scripture Eden ( and Adam too ) are a literal place and a literal person, so if Eden is Not a place, Adam Not a person, does that mean you disagree with Scriptures about them ?__________ - Luke 3:38; 1 Chronicles 1:1-4

The Edenic ' tree of life ' is found in Eden, and the return of the Genesis ' tree of life ' will once again be found on earth during Jesus' governing over earth - Revelation 22:2

URAVIP2ME said:

According to Scripture Eden ( and Adam too ) are a literal place and a literal person, so if Eden is Not a place, Adam Not a person, does that mean you disagree with Scriptures about them ?__________ - Luke 3:38; 1 Chronicles 1:1-4

The Edenic ' tree of life ' is found in Eden, and the return of the Genesis ' tree of life ' will once again be found on earth during Jesus' governing over earth - Revelation 22:2

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Yes, it can't be taken literally. Too many errors and inconsistencies.

Katzpur said:

Does it matter to God what you believe?

Does He care whether you believe in the doctrine of Original Sin or not? Does it matter to Him if you conceive of Him as a triune God or not? Suppose you believe He has a human form? Is that okay with Him? If you believe that the Lord's Supper (i.e. Communion, the Eucharist, the Sacrament, etc.) is symbolic or literal, is it all the same as far as He is concerned? Does He care how, when or if you are baptized?

If I were God, I think I'd want people to have a correct understanding of these things (although I can't say I'd condemn them to hell if they didn't ). What do you think?

Click to expand...

I think one needs to allow the Holy Spirit teach him or her the truth. One can share what the Holy Spirit has taught them, but it is up to him or her to go to Jesus to see if what has been shared is true or not.

What truly matters is if one obeys God’s Commandments or not.

(Matthew 7:21-23) “It is not those who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, who will enter the kingdom of Heaven but the person who does the will of My Father in Heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?’ Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, you evil men!”

Johnlove,
I don't think that letting the Holy Spirit teach you would get you very far. There are many things trying to influence you, including Satan and his many demons, Ephesians 6:11-13, 1John 4:1, 2Corinthians 11:11-15, 2Corinthians 3:3,4. Then, there are many false teachers that try to teach you things that the Bible does not say, and some are very deceptive. How would you know who to listen to???
The fact is that the Bible is actually written, directed by the Holy Spirit, 2Peter 1:20,21. The Bible was inspired by God,Himself, and written to help people to understand God' message that He wants all people to know.
The only way to learn Bible truth is to study God's word and pray for understanding, Proverbs 2:1-11. Pray for a good heart, because only people who truly want the truth, and have receptive hearts can understand God's word, Luke 10:21. No wicked people can understand, Isaiah 26:10, Daniel 12:10, Psalms 10:4, 7, 11,13, Malachi 3:14-18.
God is using His angels to lead true Christians to people who show that they truly want to know God, so pray incessantly, 1Thessalonians 5:17, John 4:23,24. Agape!!!