Notice that all
healthy relationships function within a mutually agreed upon set of standards
and rules sometimes known as boundaries.
This is also true of one’s relationship with God. These standards and rules are known as God’s ways
and are found in the Bible.
Viewed in terms
of human relationships, if boundaries are missing or unclear, there is at best
a dysfunctional and chaotic relationship.
As well, if there is not agreement as to where boundaries exist, then most
often there is no relationship.
Now have a
look at man’s relationship with God.
Maybe you’ve noticed that some make statements that are based upon man’s
view not God’s. Such are little more
than a designer approach to some sort of god.
Such is the, “My god would never…” statement. The simple question is this. Can such a view, that often rejects God’s
ways, allow for a relationship to exist?
This view
questions whether a relationship with God functions within mutually agreed upon
sets of standards and rules? When it does not, one can conclude that at best it is a dysfunctional and even
destructive relationship as man seeks to fashion a god according to his own
“good’ ideas.
The Bible
lays out very clearly the standards and rules necessary for relationship with
God. Therefore, the choice is up to the
one who would be in relationship with God.
Such a person can choose to accept God’s ways as set forth or reject
them. Such a person by making choices can
choose to be in relationship with God or not.
Remember that
God invests each individual with the power to choose to accept Him and His
ways. Also one can choose to reject
God’s ways and in doing so reject Him.
The outcomes of such choices are beyond man’s capacity to control.
Think about it this way. Should one expect to enjoy the
guidance, protection, comfort, and care of the very One whom they have rejected. Yet, the very one rejected calls for all who find themselves in need of these very things to, "Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavily laden and I will give you rest."
Yet, you're doing relatively the same thing by creating your own version of the Judaic god, Alvie.
ReplyDeleteThe hook of gods is that humans believe that there is some sort of survival benefit. However, the proof that gods are human created, can be seen daily. Babies that have not lived long enough to be considered "evil" have been born with horrific mutations and diseases only to die shortly thereafter.
Rules, laws, ethics....whatever so called boundaries are the result of what human beings have established in order to increase the chances of survival within groups. If we lived alone with no other human beings...we would not be in need of such boundaries.
Okay Cloe, glad to hear from you, thought you were sick since you have not responded in a while.
DeleteWould rather do this on FB.
However, since you are here and not there, please cite for me an instance of what you postulate. I suspect it is a good idea but that there is little foundation to support the idea that man left to his own ideas will come up with universal, objective, etc. truth. Be specific so I can read about it.
What human beings have established as right and wrong? Worshipping Man sounds so...circular, Cloe.
ReplyDeleteOf course we're the ones that make this stuff up as we go. The very simple proof for you is right there in your bible. The bible has quite a few horrific and harsh examples. It appeared perfectly fine at one time to have slaves, beat and have sex with children, stone homosexuals and prostitutes, have concumbines, slaughter entire tribes...all in the name of righteousness.
ReplyDeleteWe make up our ethics and laws. It's perhaps why we see other cultures as sometimes odd.
By the way, Don...in a sense religions do in fact worship man. We make our gods in our image. Sometimes we incorporated animals...but even these animal gods had human qualities.
ReplyDeleteJust noticed that you'd rather debate on facebook, Alvie. That's fine. Next time/article...I'll post on facebook. This medium is a bit more difficult in that you have figure out the security letters and numbers before you can publish.
ReplyDeleteWon't see me today however as I have errands before going on a little vacation this weekend. :)