Crisis of Faith

[Benjamin Bradley]

Hello all! I am in need of advice and perspective. There may be some controversy in what I have to say and I suspect that I'll get a wide variety of responses and opinions, but I value each and every insight you have to offer. I don't want to start a heated debate, I merely want to hear what others have to say on the topic. So here goes:

I believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Yet, while I feel this as truth in my heart and I feel God's profound love, there are other things I feel very deeply that I fear might be in conflict and I'm not sure what to do about it.

I see so many wonderful people every day who are secular, Muslim, Buddhist, Bahá'í, or some other belief system. I've met many people who do not practice monogamy who seem to be among the most loving and kind individuals. I have known people who are in a mutual relationship of three persons who love each other deeply and equally with great devotion and fidelity. My own dad, whom I love and have learned so much from, is a serious believer in atheism and has no interest in God. I feel love for all of these people and rejoice at their love and consideration for each other despite their differences.

I know that love is absolute in the teachings of Jesus and that all things are possible in God, yet the parts of scripture that are potentially condemning of these people frighten me. If all these people, who are trying to live a life of peace and love, are condemned to a separation from God and an eternal death for believing in a different religion or value system, I don't think I could bear the sadness.

I have prayed and researched a great deal on the subject and will continue to do so. Sometimes I feel as if I have found some sort of resolution in the conflict and other times I am overwhelmed by fear. My days are full of both rejoicing in The Lord and being consumed by sorrow at this potentiality. I believe God has a purpose in showing me his divine love and filling me with such fear at this time in my life, but I am at a point where I need to reach out to someone to help me understand or at least hear another perspective on the issue.

I know this may be a bold and even overwhelming thing to ask, but if you have any advice to give I would be grateful. I am grateful that you would even listen to my thoughts and fears (especially because brevity is not one of my strengths).

Thank you & Bless you

addendum: I am new to the forums and if I have posted this in the wrong place somehow, I apologize. Please let me know and I'll do my best to rectify any mistakes I've made.

 

[Lyndon]

Jesus actually says we are judged by our works, not our faith in Him as Paul preaches. I think God judges people on what they do, not what they believe, beliefs are dime a dozen, but what you do really counts, I wouldn't fear that your friends are going to hell, If they live a good life, i don't see how a loving God could judge them negatively just because they had different beliefs.

 

[Deeje]

Hello and welcome Benjamin Bradley.

Hello all! I am in need of advice and perspective.

As we all do from time to time.

I believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Yet, while I feel this as truth in my heart and I feel God's profound love, there are other things I feel very deeply that I fear might be in conflict and I'm not sure what to do about it.

That is a good start and also I commend you for asking the serious questions. This prevents our faith from being blind. Informed choice is the only one worth making.

I see so many wonderful people every day who are secular, Muslim, Buddhist, Bahá'í, or some other belief system. I've met many people who do not practice monogamy who seem to be among the most loving and kind individuals. I have known people who are in a mutual relationship of three persons who love each other deeply and equally with great devotion and fidelity. My own dad, whom I love and have learned so much from, is a serious believer in atheism and has no interest in God. I feel love for all of these people and rejoice at their love and consideration for each other despite their differences.

Does God have a set of standards that he had written down so that his people would understand the difference between good and bad? This was what Adam and his wife stole from God in the garden. A "knowledge of good and evil"...being able to discern between the two was originally placed in God's exclusive jurisdiction. By unleashing this knowledge and being able to decide for themselves which was which, we can see that free willed humans sometimes confuse them. Good appears to be bad and vice versa.

All of the people you mentioned here...the different belief systems, polygamists or those with more than one sexual partner, atheists etc....we must understand how they are viewed by God, not just themselves. It matters little if a person is "good" in the eyes of the world or even themselves, if they compromise on God's standards, they are living outside of them and are therefore without the true God and without application of Jesus sacrifice.

I know that love is absolute in the teachings of Jesus and that all things are possible in God, yet the parts of scripture that are potentially condemning of these people frighten me. If all these people, who are trying to live a life of peace and love, are condemned to a separation from God and an eternal death for believing in a different religion or value system, I don't think I could bear the sadness.

Love is definitely the number one quality that we all should have....but it should never include love of wickedness....no matter who practices it. It is out of love for the "sheep" that God must destroy the "goats".

Can I take you back to the time of Noah? Here was one man out of a whole race of humans who truly loved his God and taught his family to love him too. He was a "preacher of righteousness" according to the apostle Peter so his message must have been preached to the people all the while he was doing the construction work. His own relatives and friends must have been included in his audience. Why did no one listen to his warning message? Why did they choose to ridicule him and treat him as someone they could ignore? Wasn't it because they liked the life they had even though it was flawed? They simply did not want to change their ways. When God closed the door of the ark, Noah knew that not a soul outside would survive. How do you think he felt? Do you not think that God would have shielded his heart from the sadness?

Jesus used the time of Noah to demonstrate how it will be again when he comes to judge the world. (Matthew 24:37-39) Do you not think that God can shield out hearts from the sadness then too? We can't make people listen, nor can we force them to be obedient to the Christ, but in order to be saved, people must do both. It has to be their choice. They have free will.

I have prayed and researched a great deal on the subject and will continue to do so. Sometimes I feel as if I have found some sort of resolution in the conflict and other times I am overwhelmed by fear. My days are full of both rejoicing in The Lord and being consumed by sorrow at this potentiality. I believe God has a purpose in showing me his divine love and filling me with such fear at this time in my life, but I am at a point where I need to reach out to someone to help me understand or at least hear another perspective on the issue.

How much do you trust Jesus to be just and fair in his assessment of each individual? If you trust his judgment, then you must trust that no one will perish who does not deserve to. It is best not to think too much about the sadness but to concentrate on the blessings. Noah was not weighed down with a sense of loss after the flood, but faced a new beginning on a cleansed earth. Focus on that.

We already know that "few" are going to be saved. (Matthew 7:13-14) The cramped road is cramped because there are restrictions based on God's laws. We cannot flout them without consequences. Even "many" who think that they are living a good Christian life, will face rejection by Jesus because they are breaking God's laws. (Matthew 7:21-23) God's standards, especially with regard to morality and worship are clearly stated.....and they are not negotiable.

I know this may be a bold and even overwhelming thing to ask, but if you have any advice to give I would be grateful. I am grateful that you would even listen to my thoughts and fears (especially because brevity is not one of my strengths).

This is one person's opinion and I hope it provides some food for thought.

Thank you & Bless you

You too.