Believing in the bible is ruining my life...

[gnomon]

Believing in the bible is ruining my life...

Then stop.

 

[gzusfrk]

I can't help but feel this way. I suppose for others that believe in the bible they might feel differently, but I find inside the bible instructions that teach this is suppose to happen.
I think for others they "make" the bible augment their life, and it is just another aspect to their life, so long as it does not destroy their life.

We read often times in the New Testament that we are to not Love this world, and those that do are enemies of God. We are told the world has been given over to Satan, and that choosing the ways of the world is an act of defiance to God.

Our leader Jesus had no problem leaving this place, nor did Paul shy away from talking about leaving early.

So, I find that giving myself wholly to the bible and sacrificing my own life for a life that presents Jesus to people, and in no way am I concerned for myself, I am left with no life at all. Yet, I am told by giving up my life like this, I will have treasure in heaven.

It is no wonder why so many people hate or loathe the bible or many religious texts, if they cause this type of reaction. Yet, for others it is the individual people and not the texts, that get the brunt of disdain.

I guess for me it is all the way or nothing, I am either balls to the wall, or forget it. I mean whats the point if it is not real? I don't really give a crap about a book that isn't real. Don't read much fiction, never have. I enjoy a good non-fiction any day.

Any questions, just shoot. Or as some might say, just shoot

No life at all you say, but to those you serve they think your doing great, if indeed you are serving, thats are basic duty as christians is to serve.John 3;16 for God so loved the world that He gave. Helping people is a great service, yes sometimes it means giving up something I want to do, but at the end of the day I feel better about myself if I do for others instead of myself. But I have to admit I do spend alot of time with my grandchildren they are a GREAT joy in my life.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I'm a believing scholar of the Bible.

Hmmm ... I'm a not-as-yet-believing nonscholar of the Bible. No wonder I'm so happy!

 

[Heneni]

I can't help but feel this way. I suppose for others that believe in the bible they might feel differently, but I find inside the bible instructions that teach this is suppose to happen.
I think for others they "make" the bible augment their life, and it is just another aspect to their life, so long as it does not destroy their life.

We read often times in the New Testament that we are to not Love this world, and those that do are enemies of God. We are told the world has been given over to Satan, and that choosing the ways of the world is an act of defiance to God.

Our leader Jesus had no problem leaving this place, nor did Paul shy away from talking about leaving early.

So, I find that giving myself wholly to the bible and sacrificing my own life for a life that presents Jesus to people, and in no way am I concerned for myself, I am left with no life at all. Yet, I am told by giving up my life like this, I will have treasure in heaven.

It is no wonder why so many people hate or loathe the bible or many religious texts, if they cause this type of reaction. Yet, for others it is the individual people and not the texts, that get the brunt of disdain.

I guess for me it is all the way or nothing, I am either balls to the wall, or forget it. I mean whats the point if it is not real? I don't really give a crap about a book that isn't real. Don't read much fiction, never have. I enjoy a good non-fiction any day.

Any questions, just shoot. Or as some might say, just shoot

Yes, you risk everything to believe in God. Everything that does not matter if He exists, and every alternative that possibly should have mattered if He doesnt.

 

[Madhuri]

Yes, you risk everything to believe in God. Everything that does not matter if He exists, and every alternative that possibly should have mattered if He doesnt.

You mean, you risk everything to believe in the Biblical interpretation of God. There are numerous faiths that believe in God but have a vastly different philosophy.

 

[Heneni]

You mean, you risk everything to believe in the Biblical interpretation of God. There are numerous faiths that believe in God but have a vastly different philosophy.

No i mean that a christians risks all to believe in god. That risk involves loosing this life to get it back. A christian cant be wondering if this stuff is real because nobody that isnt sure will loose this life without being sure there is another. We are wired to preserve ourselves, not give ourselves up.

 

[Madhuri]

No i mean that a christians risks all to believe in god. That risk involves loosing this life to get it back. A christian cant be wondering if this stuff is real because nobody that isnt sure will loose this life without being sure there is another. We are wired to preserve ourselves, not give ourselves up.

But so many christians lead a very normal life that does not involve such intensity or risk. Are they doing it wrong? There doesn't seem much risk for these ordinary people who simply believe in Jesus as God.

 

[Heneni]

But so many christians lead a very normal life that does not involve such intensity or risk. Are they doing it wrong? There doesn't seem much risk for these ordinary people who simply believe in Jesus as God.

That is where christianity distinguishes itself. If there is no life after this one, lets eat and drink and think nothing more about it. Live it up the best we can. But a christians fundamental hope lies in the afterlife. If there is no resurrection from the dead our faith is in vain and so is our hope in god. And if there is no resurrection from the dead, we wont feel the slightest inclination to live this life of risk.

 

[gnomon]

That is where christianity distinguishes itself. If there is no life after this one, lets eat and drink and think nothing more about it. Live it up the best we can. But a christians fundamental hope lies in the afterlife. If there is no resurrection from the dead our faith is in vain and so is our hope in god. And if there is no resurrection from the dead, we wont feel the slightest inclination to live this life of risk.

Yeah, you might want to check out some other religions. Even ones that are atheistic. Christianity is not so distinguished in this particular area.

Especially if we go by practice over preaching given Western history. But the same applies to those others as well.

 

[J Bryson]

itwillend, I suppose that I only have one bit of advice from what I understand of Christianity, and I hope that I'm not overstepping my bounds by suggesting it:

Pray for guidance. Ask for God to make his will your own.

Calmly allow yourself to understand what that will is, without second-guessing or judging it.

The Bible may be the Word of God, but sometimes I think that it's best to go to the source.

 

[Heneni]

Yeah, you might want to check out some other religions. Even ones that are atheistic. Christianity is not so distinguished in this particular area.

Especially if we go by practice over preaching given Western history. But the same applies to those others as well.

I am well aware that there are other religions out there. Itwilled is a christian and he was talking about the bible. So, i responded from a christian perspective.

I dont feel the need to 'check out ' other religions as in shopping around for another, but i do on occasion like to learn more about other religions.

I realise that there are other religion that believe in the afterlife. But are there other religions that believe in the resurrection from the dead? Being reintroduced into an immortal body?

 

[Madhuri]

I am well aware that there are other religions out there. Itwilled is a christian and he was talking about the bible. So, i responded from a christian perspective.

I dont feel the need to 'check out ' other religions as in shopping around for another, but i do on occasion like to learn more about other religions.

I realise that there are other religion that believe in the afterlife. But are there other religions that believe in the resurrection from the dead? Being reintroduced into an immortal body?

Perhaps not resurrecting, but certainly in immortal bodies.

 

[Heneni]

Perhaps not resurrecting, but certainly in immortal bodies.

Yes, christians also believe that everybody will be resurrected some with incorruptable bodies, and some with bodies who's worm never dies.

 

[Madhuri]

Yes, christians also believe that everybody will be resurrected some with incorruptable bodies, and some with bodies who's worm never dies.

That sounds really twisted. Isn't the Christian God supposed to be all about love and forgiveness? Why has he set things up in such a morbid way?

 

[Heneni]

That sounds really twisted. Isn't the Christian God supposed to be all about love and forgiveness? Why has he set things up in such a morbid way?

Christianity cannot and does not appologise for their god. A religion that has to present their god, as something that he is not, in order to appease the masses, does not please their god but the masses.

Heneni

 

[Madhuri]

Christianity cannot and does not appologise for their god. A religion that has to present their god, as something that he is not, in order to appease the masses, does not please their god but the masses.

Heneni

Yes, but how am I, as a non-Christian, supposed to understand your concept of God? It just seems like contradictions and very strange/unpleasant philosophy.

I guess my question is, why would you believe these things in the first place? If a person has not realised these things to be true, why believe them at all? I don't just mean belief that there is something mroe or something greater, but the specific beliefs set out in the Bible.

 

[Heneni]

Yes, but how am I, as a non-Christian, supposed to understand your concept of God? It just seems like contradictions and very strange/unpleasant philosophy.

I guess my question is, why would you believe these things in the first place? If a person has not realised these things to be true, why believe them at all? I don't just mean belief that there is something mroe or something greater, but the specific beliefs set out in the Bible.

In christianity our god chose us, we did not choose him, so he is the one that does the drawing and reveals himself to us, in our inner spiritual man. Our God finds us, we dont find our god.

heneni

 

[Madhuri]

In christianity our god chose us, we did not choose him, so he is the one that does the drawing and reveals himself to us, in our inner spiritual man. Our God finds us, we dont find our god.

heneni

So..he is selective? Basically then he chooses those who get to be saved and everyone else can be damned to eternal punishement? That doesn't sound very loving...

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Hmmm ... I'm a not-as-yet-believing nonscholar of the Bible. No wonder I'm so happy!

haha

But which one gives you more glee?

 

[gnomon]

I am well aware that there are other religions out there. Itwilled is a christian and he was talking about the bible. So, i responded from a christian perspective.

I dont feel the need to 'check out ' other religions as in shopping around for another, but i do on occasion like to learn more about other religions.

I realise that there are other religion that believe in the afterlife. But are there other religions that believe in the resurrection from the dead? Being reintroduced into an immortal body?

Note: The concept of being reintroduced into an immortal body is highly debatable nor is it a condition of resurrection.

Zoroastrianism

Many Eastern religions. Let's face it.....reincarnation is resurrection from the dead. Just a different waiting period.

Some of the ancient Greeks through apotheosis.

I'm just pointing out the non-unique nature of Christianity, grace and that I no longer have any idea what this thread is about.