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Re: Why does God make it so hard to believe?
#13172
03/31/05 02:46 PM
03/31/05 02:46 PM
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OP
SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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Yes, apparently Jesus’ physical presence would have been a hindrance to mankind, which is one of the reason He returned to heaven. Also, the life and death of Jesus is powerless without the influence of the Holy Spirit, which is why Jesus sent Him. Anyone who claims to have perfect peace and happiness, without Jesus, is lying. Or, they haven’t a clue what real peace and happiness is, which is why it is so important that God's remnant believers reflect the glory of God in all that they think, say, and do.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
HP 337 Christ said, "It is expedient for you that I go away." No one could then have any preference because of his location or personal contact with Christ. The Saviour would be accessible to all alike, spiritually, and in this sense He would be nearer to us all than if He had not ascended on high. {HP 337.2}
LHU 191 The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail… It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's Redeemer. {LHU 191.3}
AG 196 Never will the human heart know happiness until it is submitted to be molded by the Spirit of God. {AG 196.4}
OHC 150 When a man is filled with the Spirit, the more severely he is tested and tried, the more clearly he proves that he is a representative of Christ. {OHC 150.5}
RC 22 Heaven is free from all sin, from all defilement and impurity; and if we would live in its atmosphere, if we would behold the glory of Christ, we must be pure in heart, perfect in character through His grace and righteousness. {RC 22.5}
1SM 135 The period of great spiritual light, if that light is not sacredly cherished and acted upon, will be turned into a time of corresponding spiritual darkness. {1SM 135.1}
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Re: Why does God make it so hard to believe?
#13173
04/01/05 12:07 PM
04/01/05 12:07 PM
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I sometimes have this problem but used to have it more before God turned my whole life upside down in fruit-basket-upset. I used to be so insecure that I would get overly dependent on certain people in my life who were truly idols within my soul. I realized how bad this was, with anxiety and rejection always tormenting me. I knew it was supposed to be God, that was the center of my selfhood, not another weak human, but I just couldn't change it. But, with therapy and lots of talking to myself and God, this did change. The sinful idol worship was gradually replaced.
The freedom and strength I gained can't be imagined unless you've been there, done that. I realize now that my deep unconscious trusts God even better than I do. If some trial comes up, like some financial problem or some issue with a mean neighbor, I find myself staying steady and trusting deep inside where it really counts. So, even if I would like to see proof of God's existence, such as a miracle or seeing an angel, or Jesus himself, that would be just great. But I really do have all the proof I need in how God changed me from weakness to strength in a way I never could have done by will power without Him. When the Holy Spirit fills that empty place in your heart, that's better proof than anything you can see with your physical eyes.
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Re: Why does God make it so hard to believe?
#13174
04/02/05 01:26 AM
04/02/05 01:26 AM
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Active Member 2012
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
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quote: But I really do have all the proof I need in how God changed me from weakness to strength in a way I never could have done by will power without Him. When the Holy Spirit fills that empty place in your heart, that's better proof than anything you can see with your physical eyes.
Very nice!
Proof of God's existence for me is the Gospel. It's beyond the human mind to devise such a beautiful and profound thing. When we've seen Jesus, we've see the Father, and that also is proof.
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Re: Why does God make it so hard to believe?
#13175
04/03/05 10:14 PM
04/03/05 10:14 PM
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OP
SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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Yes, the gospel is a beautiful concept, and an even more beautiful reality. But the majority of the World's population disagree. And, even those who claim to agree miss the mark miserably. "For many are called, but few are chosen." Matt 22:14. Why? If the gospel is so wonderful, why isn't it more obvious, more evident?
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Re: Why does God make it so hard to believe?
#13176
04/04/05 03:33 AM
04/04/05 03:33 AM
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Active Member 2012
14500+ Member
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
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The problem is not with the Gospel, but with people who either have never understood it (the vast majority) or have rejected it. The Gospel is not hard to understand -- even a child can understand it.
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Re: Why does God make it so hard to believe?
#13177
04/05/05 02:38 AM
04/05/05 02:38 AM
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OP
SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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If the gospel is so easy to understand, then why is it misunderstood by the vast majority of Christians? Why do most Christians disagree on righteousness by faith?
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Re: Why does God make it so hard to believe?
#13178
04/04/05 05:59 PM
04/04/05 05:59 PM
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Active Member 2011
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Re: Why does God make it so hard to believe?
#13179
04/04/05 07:35 PM
04/04/05 07:35 PM
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OP
SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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1T 632 Not one in twenty of those who have a good standing with Seventh-day Adventists is living out the self-sacrificing principles of the word of God. {1T 632.2}
8T 148 Not one in a hundred among us is doing anything beyond engaging in common, worldly enterprises. We are not half awake to the worth of the souls for whom Christ died. {8T 147.4}
1SM 360 There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject [justification by faith] that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare. {1SM 359.2}
CG 430 In every age a majority of the professed followers of Christ have disregarded those precepts which enjoin self-denial and humility, which require modesty and simplicity of conversation, deportment, and apparel. {CG 430.1}
HP 343 The Lord has sent us, by His ambassadors, messages of warning, declaring that the end of all things is at hand. Some will listen to these warnings, but by the vast majority they will be disregarded. {HP 343.5}
5T 136 To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few--this will be our test. {5T 136.2}
1BC 1118 This obedience [complete obedience] works out for us the divine will, bringing into our lives the righteousness and perfection that was seen in the life of Christ (MS 43, 1907). {1BC 1118.4}
TDG 93 [O]ur churches are dying for the want of teaching on the subject of righteousness by faith in Christ, and for kindred truths. {TDG 93.3}
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Re: Why does God make it so hard to believe?
#13180
04/04/05 08:35 PM
04/04/05 08:35 PM
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Active Member 2011
3500+ Member
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,965
Sweden
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outdoors
Could you please spell out what those quotes have in common and what your intention with posting them was?
/Thomas
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Re: Why does God make it so hard to believe?
#13181
04/04/05 08:57 PM
04/04/05 08:57 PM
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Active Member 2012
14500+ Member
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
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quote: If the gospel is so easy to understand, then why is it misunderstood by the vast majority of Christians? Why do most Christians disagree on righteousness by faith?
That's a good question. I think the answer is pride, unbelief and selfishness get in the way of understanding the Gospel. But the Gospel itself is not difficult to understand.
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