God is love

[UllysesS.Archer]

If that was his goal he was an underachiever. It's probably only been in the last 100 years that his message made to every corner of the globe. Only took 2,000 years, you'd think a message so important would have a higher priority from God.

What is 2000 years, when compared with eternity?

A man was walking with God. The man asked, God, how long is a million years to you? God answered, it's just a second.
They walked awhile longer, the man again asked, God, how much is a million dollars to you? God answered, it's just a penny.
After a while, the man asked, God, can I have a penny? God answered, you sure can, give me just a second.

The millions who lived and died in that time lost that eternity.

How do you know that? Please point that out to me so I can read it in the Book.

 

[alang1216]

Thanks to all who took the time to respond, I sincerely appreciate it. I mean no disrespect to anyone's faith.

It is apparent that Christianity is like pornography. At least in so far as what Supreme Court Stewart wrote about pornography: I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description ["hard-core pornography"]; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it

(no other similarity is implied so no flames necessary)
​

 

[UllysesS.Archer]

Do you have the power to say who is a Christian? Christianity has always been diverse, can you define it? Any other groups should be excluded?

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You are the one claiming that power by insisting that everyone that calls themselves a Christian has to fit into my belief system.. Nice try to attempt to blame me for your idiotic bigotry though, it might have worked if you were talking to someone who is an intellectual midget, like yourself. Unfortunately, for you, I am a smart ass, and don't fall into traps laid by idiots.

I like your phrase

my belief system

like you have the authority to include or exclude groups from your Christianity. I don't know what a Christian is so I certainly don't claim any power over it. If you're not an intellectual midget like me please define Christianity and show me how to determine who is a Christian.

It's not up to Christians to determine who is a Christian, we are to police ourselves, and those around us, that we hang out with, and our own church.

Anyone who says, so and so is not worthy of anything has never understood the Teachings, or the parable of the vineyard workers.

Matthew 20:1“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

3“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

7“ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

8“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

9“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

13“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

16“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

God is the judge of whom is a Christian, whom is getting into heaven, and who is not. As I said, we(Christians) are to police ourselves and our church, and try to spread the Word.

Defining a Christian is easy. A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. Determining who is a Christian is much harder. Judge a person by their actions if you feel you must judge, as for me, I'll mostly leave that to the Father.

 

[Mad Scientist]

Ever wonder why if 'God is love' his earthly representatives are also the biggest pricks? Every religion's clergy are the most intolerant, our way or the highway, join us or die/go to hell, obey us and don't ask questions or die/go to hell, etc. Where's the love part? It's like how the US constantly beats its chest saying how free we are despite all kinds of evidence to the contrary.

And Liberals have nothing to do with that loss of Freedom right?

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Do you have the power to say who is a Christian? Christianity has always been diverse, can you define it? Any other groups should be excluded?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using USMessageBoard.com mobile app

You are the one claiming that power by insisting that everyone that calls themselves a Christian has to fit into my belief system.. Nice try to attempt to blame me for your idiotic bigotry though, it might have worked if you were talking to someone who is an intellectual midget, like yourself. Unfortunately, for you, I am a smart ass, and don't fall into traps laid by idiots.

I like your phrase

my belief system

like you have the authority to include or exclude groups from your Christianity. I don't know what a Christian is so I certainly don't claim any power over it. If you're not an intellectual midget like me please define Christianity and show me how to determine who is a Christian.

You don't get it, it isn't my job to tell people who is, and is not, a Christian. That decision is made above my pay grade, I am just a follower of the teachings of Jesus, not the guy who says who gets into heaven.

That said, my criteria for people I will hang out with as Christians is based on my understanding of the biblical teachings of Jesus and the various apostles. Christians don't tell people that God hates them, or that he is killing people for other's sins. That is why WBC does not fit into my definition of a Christian, but I am not arrogant enough to think that I have the final answer on that question.

There have been prophets that proclaimed God's judgment on humanity before, and I think they sincerely believe they have that calling. The problem they run into with me is that they aren't shopwing any real signs of being prophets, all they express is their personal bigotry toward anyone who doesn't follow their teachings. If they were really prophets their message would follow the teachings of God, not their belief that homosexuality is going to destroy America.

 

[PostmodernProph]

I know they are hardly representative of Christianity, I never meant to imply they are anything but a fringe (cult?) group. My point was that they consider themselves Christian so the definition of Christianity must include them.

not at all....you may consider yourself rational, but we don't have to stretch the definition of rationality enough to include your arguments........

If I asked the Westboro folk I wonder if they would include you amongst Christians.

if you choose to ask them, feel free......I am not concerned about their response.....

 

[PostmodernProph]

If that was his goal he was an underachiever. It's probably only been in the last 100 years that his message made to every corner of the globe. Only took 2,000 years, you'd think a message so important would have a higher priority from God.

story told in seminary.....missionary travels to China in the 1800s.....tells people about Jesus.....many converted.....one comes to missionary and asks......"why did you wait so long before coming to tell us?".......

So what was the answer?

/facepalm......

 

[PostmodernProph]

If that was his goal he was an underachiever. It's probably only been in the last 100 years that his message made to every corner of the globe. Only took 2,000 years, you'd think a message so important would have a higher priority from God.

What is 2000 years, when compared with eternity?

A man was walking with God. The man asked, God, how long is a million years to you? God answered, it's just a second.
They walked awhile longer, the man again asked, God, how much is a million dollars to you? God answered, it's just a penny.
After a while, the man asked, God, can I have a penny? God answered, you sure can, give me just a second.

The millions who lived and died in that time lost that eternity.

how do you know that?......did you receive some special revelation from God with the information?.....

 

[alang1216]

What is 2000 years, when compared with eternity?

A man was walking with God. The man asked, God, how long is a million years to you? God answered, it's just a second.
They walked awhile longer, the man again asked, God, how much is a million dollars to you? God answered, it's just a penny.
After a while, the man asked, God, can I have a penny? God answered, you sure can, give me just a second.

The millions who lived and died in that time lost that eternity.

How do you know that? Please point that out to me so I can read it in the Book.

John 14:6New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

 

[alang1216]

What is 2000 years, when compared with eternity?

A man was walking with God. The man asked, God, how long is a million years to you? God answered, it's just a second.
They walked awhile longer, the man again asked, God, how much is a million dollars to you? God answered, it's just a penny.
After a while, the man asked, God, can I have a penny? God answered, you sure can, give me just a second.

The millions who lived and died in that time lost that eternity.

how do you know that?......did you receive some special revelation from God with the information?.....

John 14:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

 

[alang1216]

story told in seminary.....missionary travels to China in the 1800s.....tells people about Jesus.....many converted.....one comes to missionary and asks......"why did you wait so long before coming to tell us?".......

So what was the answer?

/facepalm......

I hope the convert was more satisfied with that answer than me.

 

[UllysesS.Archer]

The millions who lived and died in that time lost that eternity.

How do you know that? Please point that out to me so I can read it in the Book.

John 14:6New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

Revelation 1:…17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Jesus has conquered Hell and death, who is to say what he preached while in death's embrace.

Those that never got the opportunity to know Jesus or hear of Him, those are the lucky ones. They never got to make a decision. They got in for free. Just as a little child, for God does not hold ignorance against anyone.

So on the day you heard of Jesus, your freewill kicked into play, make your decision, and be saved or be damned, it's that simple.

 

[PostmodernProph]

So what was the answer?

/facepalm......

I hope the convert was more satisfied with that answer than me.

no, that answer was just for you....

 

[alang1216]

How do you know that? Please point that out to me so I can read it in the Book.

John 14:6New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

Revelation 1:…17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Jesus has conquered Hell and death, who is to say what he preached while in death's embrace.

Those that never got the opportunity to know Jesus or hear of Him, those are the lucky ones. They never got to make a decision. They got in for free. Just as a little child, for God does not hold ignorance against anyone.

So on the day you heard of Jesus, your freewill kicked into play, make your decision, and be saved or be damned, it's that simple.

So if I am a good person who has never heard of Jesus I might get into heaven but if I am a good person who has heard of but doesn't follow Jesus I'm bound for hell?

That seems to conflict with:

John 3:17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

 

[PostmodernProph]

The millions who lived and died in that time lost that eternity.

how do you know that?......did you receive some special revelation from God with the information?.....

John 14:6 New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

and it also says in 1 Peter 3 that after dying on the cross he went to hell to reveal himself to those who had died before his incarnation......if he took the time to speak to them do you assume that he rejected those that accepted him?.....

 

[PostmodernProph]

John 14:6New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

Revelation 1:…17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Jesus has conquered Hell and death, who is to say what he preached while in death's embrace.

Those that never got the opportunity to know Jesus or hear of Him, those are the lucky ones. They never got to make a decision. They got in for free. Just as a little child, for God does not hold ignorance against anyone.

So on the day you heard of Jesus, your freewill kicked into play, make your decision, and be saved or be damned, it's that simple.

So if I am a good person who has never heard of Jesus I might get into heaven but if I am a good person who has heard of but doesn't follow Jesus I'm bound for hell?

That seems to conflict with:

John 3:17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

why do you think that's a conflict?....the world "might be saved through him" but if you choose not to follow him you might not......

in truth, the Bible is more specific than just "might"....
John 3
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son

 

[The Irish Ram]

Do you have the power to say who is a Christian? Christianity has always been diverse, can you define it? Any other groups should be excluded?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using USMessageBoard.com mobile app

You are the one claiming that power by insisting that everyone that calls themselves a Christian has to fit into my belief system.. Nice try to attempt to blame me for your idiotic bigotry though, it might have worked if you were talking to someone who is an intellectual midget, like yourself. Unfortunately, for you, I am a smart ass, and don't fall into traps laid by idiots.

I like your phrase

my belief system

like you have the authority to include or exclude groups from your Christianity. I don't know what a Christian is so I certainly don't claim any power over it. If you're not an intellectual midget like me please define Christianity and show me how to determine who is a Christian.

Here is your answer:

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

 

[The Irish Ram]

John 14:6New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

Revelation 1:…17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Jesus has conquered Hell and death, who is to say what he preached while in death's embrace.

Those that never got the opportunity to know Jesus or hear of Him, those are the lucky ones. They never got to make a decision. They got in for free. Just as a little child, for God does not hold ignorance against anyone.

So on the day you heard of Jesus, your freewill kicked into play, make your decision, and be saved or be damned, it's that simple.

So if I am a good person who has never heard of Jesus I might get into heaven but if I am a good person who has heard of but doesn't follow Jesus I'm bound for hell?

That seems to conflict with:

John 3:17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

alang, instead of assuming or presuming what God says or means, why not just read His book? It has the answer to your questions.

God is a loving Father. Why would He condemn someone who has no access to the truth in Christ?
Here is the answer to your question:

Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness...

100% just, 100% merciful. 100% a Father that loves His children.

 

[Chuckt]

John 14:6New International Version (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

Revelation 1:…17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Jesus has conquered Hell and death, who is to say what he preached while in death's embrace.

Those that never got the opportunity to know Jesus or hear of Him, those are the lucky ones. They never got to make a decision. They got in for free. Just as a little child, for God does not hold ignorance against anyone.

So on the day you heard of Jesus, your freewill kicked into play, make your decision, and be saved or be damned, it's that simple.

So if I am a good person who has never heard of Jesus I might get into heaven but if I am a good person who has heard of but doesn't follow Jesus I'm bound for hell?

That seems to conflict with:

John 3:17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Can a Person Please God by Being Good?

Blue Letter Bible - Help, Tutorials, and FAQs

 

[alang1216]

Revelation 1:…17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Jesus has conquered Hell and death, who is to say what he preached while in death's embrace.

Those that never got the opportunity to know Jesus or hear of Him, those are the lucky ones. They never got to make a decision. They got in for free. Just as a little child, for God does not hold ignorance against anyone.

So on the day you heard of Jesus, your freewill kicked into play, make your decision, and be saved or be damned, it's that simple.

So if I am a good person who has never heard of Jesus I might get into heaven but if I am a good person who has heard of but doesn't follow Jesus I'm bound for hell?

That seems to conflict with:

John 3:17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Can a Person Please God by Being Good?

Blue Letter Bible - Help, Tutorials, and FAQs

Why did God give us the 10 commandments if he didn't want us to be good?