Is this life a sort of test set by God then?

Question

What people seem to be saying is that is life is a sort of test. That if you have heard of God and deny him then you don't go to heaven? If you have heard of him and believe then you do.

But isn't this life a great gift? Isn't viewing it is a form of test in some way saying I want something better?

Personally I think that were God to exist (remember from my other questions I am an athiest) he's already given us this great gift of life. Maybe this is our reward? To live it and enjoy it is the best thing you can do and the best way to thank God. Why view it as a test and say "If I'm good I get my reward." when you already have you're reward.

Of course if, as I believe, there is no God, then we should enjoy this life as it is. There isn't anything else to aim for. So enjoy it while it lasts.

By the way, anyone simply posting replies to this of the form "Believe in God because it's the right thing to do." that doesn't help, you will get a thumbs down from me.

daisy322_98 - No thumbs down from me. You are just stating what you believe, that's fine.

Ragincajun - When we die, we die. That's it

King - My question stands. I'm still looking for an answer even if I've put what I presently think. The fact that I'm asking a question means I'm interested in the opinions of others

Answer 1

It is my firm belief that our purpose is to exist, grow, and eventually reach enlightenment. If god does exist (I'm agnostic) then he does not punish or reward, he just lets us be. This life is a gift because thanks to it, we can gain wisdom and embrace the ideas of peace, love, compassion, understanding and forgiveness.

Answer 2

life is a test, i dont really understand though. Like why we didn't all go to heaven in the first place. But i guess He wanted test our faith and see if we would still follow him. I guess no one really knows why, but maybe he wanted us to have free will, but the whole thing with adam and eve made it so there was evil in the world, like loss, death, war and you know all the other stuff..... and people started not to believe in our father.
your reward is not life, some people think of it as a reward but actally heaven is the reward.Life is not perfect don't u notice all the bad stuff in the world?? llike poor people abused people, there is so much bad things, some people have it bad, so for them its not really a reward. In heaven its perfect none of that! Life is a a test to see where u will be when you die, so u should be prepared to be judged at the end. If u are an athiest then where do you think we will go when we die? there is eternal life. And why dont u just live life with God in it its better then living it alone. you can do what you want but \in the end u will regret it not having God in ur life.

Answer 3

Having been given life is a truly great gift from God. I will not deny that but to be his and follow his rules can lead to alot of things that He promises to His own. I feel that I have been tested beyond the ends of my wits but know that He willnot give me anymore than I can handle. I also believe that The testing I recieve comes from God for He only tests those that are His own or those that He is trying to get to convet to HIs own and He knows who they are. I can truly say I count it a blessing to be tested by God. To tell someone to believe because it is the right thing to do is lame. It is right but it is also very rewarding even through all the trials. Hey I broke my leg and couldn't figure out why God allowed that when He did then A couple I knew got together and got married because they helped my family move and did it together and that is when they started seeing each other. So there are answers and reeasons why things happen.

Answer 4

What a wonderful attitude you have toward this life as it stands. Since it has been all you have ever known, it is somewhat healthy for you to accept it as it is and make the best of it. God, however, knows of perfection and order and love and peace without interferance from evil. So, while he is allowing this time for humans to learn and make choices, based on the mercy he has for all of us, he truly wants something better for any who are open to the idea of his will being done on earth. I do not believe all who accept him go to heaven. In fact, I don't believe he originally intended for anyone to go to heaven. He made the earth a perfect place for man and he made man perfectly able to enjoy life here. Unfortunately, Eve believed the lies Satan told and then Adam loved Eve more than God and well, I am sure you have heard the rest of the story. Soon, God will remove Satan from his ability to influence us in any way. He will also get rid of all the false religions and crush and put an end to all human governments. Then, all people will begin to see the perfect health and happiness that God has in store for those who love him. I hope to see you there.

Answer 5

I've never read a scripture that says life is a test.

I have seen war, disease, death, destruction, hate, evil, lies, and deceit since the day I was born.

I believe the bible gives the reason for all of it and the answer for how to have a life more abundant.

This life is 70-80 yrs long for most people, and I believe a loving God has made a way for us to enjoy more than this.

I do enjoy my life here. I love, laugh, dance, sing, have sex with my wife, play with my children, listen to great music of all kinds, watch my fav team, the Dallas Cowboys, pray, read my bible, minister to people, have run a Cub Scout pack, coached my daughter's softball team, traveled the world, and lived a rich life.

I'm ready for one that doesn't include all the sufferings of this life.

You?

Answer 6

First let me say that I respect your opinion though I disagree with it, everyone has the right to believe what they will. That being said, my answer to your question is this: The Creator gave us two great gifts, one is life and the other free will. From that point he turned us loose in this class room called Earth to see what we might do with these gifts. Giveing us knowledge of our creation, the difference between what is deemed as good and bad, and a certain set of guidelines with which to live our lifes by.
Though we have progressed so far,(in our opinion)we are as yet still children to our Creator. As children we have tested the boundrys of everything we know to be. We have sucessfully divided ourselfs into religions, races, countrys, etc. We have learned how to destroy the land that gives us life. We have learned how to polute the air, earth and warters of our world, and have even started to through trash into space. To make extinct animals that did not benifit our perpose at that moment. We have learned that genocide is an answer to a difference of opinion or belief. If indeed this was a test, I fear we have failed. I feel that it is a place for us to learn. In all the religions of man, in all the text through out the time of man, there has been but one true message. The message is simpley to love. To love each other ( even those you have differeces with or call a foe) negates hate and war. In loveing comes compassion and understanding for those in need, which will bring us closer together as peoples of this world. To love the earth beneth your feet, the air you breath and the wathers of the earth will inspire us to think of ways to protect her and clean her of all the waste and destruction we have caused. Sorry, I do go on...
As with most gifts, this one has meaning and perpose, even if we have forgotten it.
Love and peace to you my friend,
Aho,
Fenix

Answer 7

That worked wonders for Britain and Spain when Britain became Protestant. Oh no wait, it actually was a time filled with war and killings over religious differences between two extremely similar sects. Oh, well at least it worked great for Ireland, because of course there was no massive outbreak of Catholic terrorists fighting for religious differences. Oh wait, that's the opposite of true. Add on- Oh, so "faith," will save us eh? Well then, I'll tell that to the folk in the hospital then. Don't worry, just having faith will patch that sucking chest wound.

Answer 8

Life is a test and God is interested in seeing what you do in life as for the rest a lot of that is up to interpretation and possibly judgement from God.

God said not to put other God's before him.

It is said we should not follow false prophets.

So, one has to be very careful what they do and whom they follow in life.

Stick with God and don't let men tell you what to believe.

Answer 9

It is a test - I agree. When this life is over - there is an afterlife - Heaven - and that will be the real beginning. Trust in Jesus Christ as He is the Truth, the Way, the Life. We can have an abundant life on this earth as well as the life to come. We still should enjoy this life but with Jesus it is so much more purposeful and joyful. Blessings.

Answer 10

Well God intended for us to have much more than what this life offers us. I'm pretty sure you heard about the whole Adam and Eve thing regarding the reason why sin has entered this world (if not ask and I will explain more)...However God did create this world for us to enjoy it. But because of one man's disobedience(Adam) we all have sinned...and that one action brought death into this world. That's why plants die, people die, things age, hatred is rapid, killing, etc.... But in heaven where God resides there is no death and everything in it's beauty that's here on earth can't even compare to what's in heaven....Color's that you've seen here on earth...you wouldn't be able to explain or describe if you visited Heaven. So this life that God has given to us doesn't compare to what our life would be if lived with Him for eternity in the Heaven that He has created for those who has accepted His Son Jesus Christ. Please, take this into consideration...This body that we live in wouldn't be alive if our spirit was not in it....This body we live in is just a house, and your spirit man brings life to this house...But this house ages and eventually dies...once our house dies and returns back to dust...Our spirit man continues to live on....But "WHERE" our spirit man continues to live on is up to you and I. We can either spend eternity with God through His Son Jesus Christ or spend Eternity separated from Him(God)..It's your choice...This life that we live as human beings on an average of 50-100 yrs doesn't compare to eternity (which is forever). We don't believe in God because it's the right thing to do..But because He first loved us even when we didn't love Him (and some still don't)..It is His unconditional love and the things He has created brings me to believe He is real and is alive...

Answer 11

You are absolutely right! However, as you can see by the results of sin mankind is failing this test miserably!

Exodus 16:4 Then said Yahweh to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law, or not.

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