firestormx

Ok, then how do you get in on God's favor?

When I was a kid I was sexually abused. Then I developed Bipolar in my early teens. Had it 3 years before God healed me, Dr's say remission. in 25 years I've never had a relapse. during the time I was bipolar when I was walking down the street, I could hear people call me weird and a freak. this was the parents by the way. I won't get into the things the neighborhood kids were doing to me. Around the time I was healed, The Pastor and elders mocked me in front of the entire church over a disagreement over doctrine. So I left the church ( never really had a relationship with God ) and went into satanism. I figure I don't even need to go into how that turned out. about this time I turn 21 and went to drink with one of the few " friends " I thought I had, and he got me so drunk I could not walk then raped me. Later I had to prostitute myself to have a little money because I couldn't get a job. Another time when I was homeless I was trying to go to sleep outside and it was snowing. I remember begging God to kill me so maybe I would stop shivering. I've been diagnosed with cancer. Lost my kids. Had my wife cheat on me then leave me after I took her charges and mine on myself so she wouldn't go to prison. when I was in prison for committing Armed Robbery ( for trying to get money to buy food and diapers for my 1-year-old at the time ) I died. I should have drunk myself to death. Should have overdosed on drugs. While in prison is when I realized Jesus is real. That there is a difference between just saying a prayer and having a relationship with him. It was there in prison I accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior. But I ask you exactly what about my life is fair? what is fair about the pain and betrayal and hurt that has followed me all of my life? Why me? How is it fair for some to be rich and never have a real problem in their life, while I and people like me suffer almost endlessly? How is it not showing favor? What do I have to do for God to show me that favor so I won't have to be alone and hurt all the time? How can you tell me it is fair?

maybe, but it's still showing favor to do something for one and not for another

Then will he do for another everything he did for Israel?

Maybe I would be more accurate by saying favor. Favor 1. approval, support, or liking for someone or something.

Just because it comes with responsibility does not mean that it isn't favoritism!

I don't think it's very tricky. I think God clearly has favorites. I thank you for your answer but nothing about that response changes my thoughts any.

God does work that way. What has he given to any other Nation that even remotely compares to what he has done for Israel? How does God not Show favoritism to some? Face to face relationship with Moses, and who else? Nobody will have the wealth Solomon did why? How can you say God doesn't show favoritism especially with the verse I posted?

I disagree. If I gave one of my children 1 million dollars and gave the other the leftover change in my pocket, would I have not shown favoritism? Isn't that what God has done? Doesn't the verse below state God show's favoritism? Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

So then the gifts and things we receive from God are earned based on obedience? Do I understand you correctly?

Then would he do for another all he has done for Israel? If not is that not showing favoritism?

Does God show favoritism? Will God give good things to one that he won't do for another? why or why not?

Yeah, I had never heard any of this before, which is why I was hoping for feed back about the article. With the article being so long I understand why there hasn't been much feed back, but I found that article fascinating.

I think I just read this differently than you. But I have no desire to get into the middle of a dispute. I have said my peace and I believe you have said yours. So God Bless you and may you always be kept at perfect peace by the Lord Jesus.

The scripture I quoted from 1 Corinthians says otherwise.

How did Jesus reveal himself to the 12 that Paul is referencing in these verses? This is important to context. The list Paul gives is important to context. Why? Because when Jesus revealed himself to everyone else on this list he did so to prove without a doubt he was alive. Not just a spirit, not a vision but a flesh and bone body. He told the 12 to handle him to see if he was flesh or not. I disagree with the thought that Paul didn't see Jesus face to face. That was kinda the point of Jesus showing himself to people. To show he was alive.

Please prove this in scripture. Why isn't it saying that?

These are one set of scripture that state Paul saw Jesus. These scriptures are clearly talking about how people Physically saw Jesus alive after the crucifixion. 1 Corinthians 15:3-10 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Sinning is a choice we make. Period! I think this is one of the most accurate statements possible to make about sin.

First, I took out the John the Baptist comment because I realized it was an opinion comment. What I mean is, whether you agree or disagree that his ministry was " fire and brimstone " is all opinion. Unprovable with scripture alone. My point with bringing up his ministry was that he was beheaded because his calls to repent made someone in sin uncomfortable. He wasn't worried if he " hurt their little feelings ". He wanted them to repent and forsake the sin they were living in and would not shut up about it. Today that would be condemned as hate and Judgement. While yes we are called to show mercy and grace, considering ourselves lest we fall ourselves. Calling a sin what it is....sin, is not judgment. Saying the consequence of sin is eternal separation from God is not me Judging. It is biblical truth and God's judgment. I was more referring to ministry and the church setting not one on one. I didn't clarify that. I apologize. A minister can't just stop a message to get to know every person who is in the building. The gospel message of Jesus is one of hope from my point of view. Also, not just hope but also of love. You can't separate that when talking about sin. But you can't coddle people either. We are called to speak his truth in love. How can it possibly by Loving to let someone stay in sin, coddle their little feelings and let them die in their sin when we know they will burn in the lake of fire for it? How can we who know the truth and the truth about the consequence of living a life in rebellion to God not speak up and tell everyone and say we walk in love? Maybe I just misunderstand your approach to this. Maybe your not meaning to come across as coddling them in sin. Telling them nothing of the consequence of their sin out of fear of hurting their little feelings and making them uncomfortable. but that is how I am understanding the responses so far. If we coddle people to make sure they are comfortable why would they ever change their behavior?

Am I misunderstanding you? It sounds like you are saying we can never say the consequence of sin is burning in the lake of fire. That we are to make sure we coddle people and that they are comfortable in their sin. If we truly love someone will we not tell them what happens if they step in front of God with unrepentant sin? Are we to walk in love? Yes of Course, always. But Love rebukes and corrects even when that rebuking and correcting is not what people want to hear. Are you saying any and all fire and brimstone messages are wrong? That we can never discuss hell with unbelievers?

I'm just curious how you understand what you said above and reconcile it to Jude 23 which says, Jude 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

I think it is very true that only God can Judge us in regards to our eternal destination. However, I also believe a lot of people today have a very unbiblical view of what judging really is. For example, Quoting the Bible is not judging. Quoting the Bible on what is or is not a sin is not judging. We are commanded by Jesus to share the Good News or Gospel. What Gospel? That there is forgiveness of sin in Jesus Christ alone. That In Jesus Christ alone can we be forgiven of our sin and be made right with God. Now, exactly how can we tell people Jesus can and will forgive them of their sin if we can't say what a sin is? What is sin? Sin is the transgression of the law or whatever is not of faith. Saying something is a sin is like saying you drove faster than the posted speed limit. But saying something is a sin is not a personal attack. Most of what a lot of people quote from the bible about not judging anything at all ever, they are actually taking out of context very badly. Most of what Jesus said about Not judging, for example, was about hypocritical judging. I really believe most people today are following their own moral compass on judging and not what the bible actually says.

Thank you for taking the time to answer, we discussed this a bit much earlier in the thread. I just wanted to emphasize the Joel 2 verse. In the Joel 2 verse, you have the Bible/God saying clearly that these events must take place BEFORE the great and terrible day of the Lord. That is important. Yet so many never even bring up this verse and where it falls or fits in with Matthew 24 and Revelation. Where it fits in is important because everything before this event is BEFORE the Day of the Lord. In following this thread and reading every post I just was hoping to encourage the use of these verses in the conversation. These verses are important in getting the proper timeline for the end time events. Thanks for indulging me and answering this again.

You might want to go check again what is meant by Whoremongers because the word means Homosexuality. I stumble and I fall at times and then repent but I don't live a life of unrepented sin. Nice try to deflect to me. Doesn't change the truth. Homosexuality is a sin. God says nobody in UNREPENTANT sin will inherit the kingdom of God. You didn't address any questions I asked. Below are my questions again, will you answer? But I want to ask one more. You said the version I quoted was wrong, so I ask bluntly. Do you believe that the Bible teaches Homosexuality is a sin?