IF we should forgive and forget then why is God so mean?

Question

My question is why is everything black or white, light or dark, good or evil? Is this the way life is suppose to be, it would be easier if we didn't have to walk on egg shells all of our life making sure do the right thing so we get to heaven? Then why do we scorn every other religion?

Answer 1

You've latched onto one of the reasons many of us are atheists! You've started asking good questions and thinking for yourself; soon you'll see that the answers just don't make sense if there's really a God. Congrats. You've started on the road to intellectual honesty and spiritual freedom - don't let anyone intimidate you into going back to accepting stuff that doesn't make sense just because it's in the Bible or "because God says so." And don't let anyone make you feel that asking questions is bad. If there is a God, he gave you a brain and must expect you to use it, right?

Answer 2

God is not this way as some religions have preached. God's grace allows us to overcome all evil, including the human habit of condemning by judgment, rejection and punishment.

If you look at the "Gospel of Inclusion" advocated by Bishop Carlton Pierson, he argues that the previous ways of teaching Christianity as 'exclusive' or 'judgmental' or "condemning to punishment" have corrupted and lost the real message, and that salvation is for ALL people. So the "evil" is in the judgment and rejection that you also argue against. This man has finally stood up against the Christian hypocrisy of his own faith, and even walked away from his church and established ministry to defend his vision, published in his book that "God is Not a Christian"

(1) As for forgiveness, this process is necessary psychologically and spiritually for healing of damage or injury from the past. It is not about forgetting or repressing, but releasing the negative thoughts feelings and energies associated with an injury, similar to cleaning out a wound so that bacterial infection does not build up. True forgiveness is for the purpose of correcting, healing and preventing injury so that it does not cause further injury or happen again but that health is restored to people and relations.

(2) As for evil, like disease it exists as a symptom that something is wrong. Until we correct what is wrong, we will see negative symptoms to let us know; otherwise, we would not be motivated to correct anything, to diagnose problems and resolve them at the source. So even though the symptoms are bad and hurtful, the process is meant to guide humanity toward correcting problems and creating a healthier planet and society. So even "evil" and bad things can be used for good purposes, and that is the reason for these to exist in creation as part of evolution.

Answer 3

We should forgive and forget because it's best for us. Resentment rots the soul. That doesn't mean that we continue to let someone walk all over us. Sometimes we terminate relationships because we cannot restore trust. Forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same thing.

We also are to forgive because we recognize our state before God. I've sinned. And in doing so, I've hurt others and needed forgiveness. God instructs us to forgive each other because we've all done things to hurt others. I also firmly believe we need to practice forgiving ourselves.

Lastly, we are to forgive because God forgives us. Even though we can do nothing to earn it and He has never sinned against us. It's not about walking on eggshells and trying to be perfect. God already knows we aren't. It's about learning how to be loving by His definition, not ours.

I highly recommend "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. It sounds like you have suffered or are suffering spiritual abuse. "Boundaries" really helped me a lot.

Answer 4

I am not a scorner. I just live my life according to my faith and hope that people will see my life as an example of God's love.
What people do and the choices they make are not my business unless of course I see a crime bieng committed. If someone asks me about my beliefs I will tell them.

Answer 5

God is not about hate or prejudice, man are unfortunately. Many use the Lord's name to promate that hate, but that is not him. GOD is Love. God said "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:18

Answer 6

Religion is a personal choice. Myself, I prefer to follow God's ways, Jesus' teachings, the old prophets, and the apostles writings. God bless.

Answer 7

God is not mean, He is kind and loving and most of all He is faithful. He provides us with all of our needs. You don't have to walk on eggshells if you trust in Jesus. We don't hate other religions, we just think that although they may have good life lessons, because they deny Christ, to us that means they are in error

Answer 8

Just be a good person, Yes, We will fail but get back up...whats so hard about being nice?

Answer 9

You'll be happy to know that you can do nothing to get to heaven. Only through what Christ did on the cross can you be saved. Titus 3:5 says, "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." Ephesians 2:8,9 states "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." As those verses explain, you don't go to heaven because of being a good person. You are saved by grace through faith. We, as human beings, are sinners. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross as our substitute. After all of our sins were imputed to Him on the cross, they were judged by God the Father. Christ paid the price for our sins. To be saved and have eternal life with Him in heaven, we only have to place our faith alone in Christ alone as our Savior. As I mentioned on another post, you have to realize you're a sinner (as we all are). Believe that Christ died for sinners. Accept and believe that Christ died for you. God's grace provision of salvation is that simple. God isn't mean. As a believer, He would be your Heavenly Father. When we get out of line, disobeying His Word, we come under discipline. . . just as an earthly parent would do with his child. God loves each and everyone of us. The things He has layed out in the Bible that we are to follow are for our protection, not to prevent us from happiness. His thoughts and ways are higher than our own, so He certainly knows - more than we do - what is best for us. The Bible states, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). As a Christian and believer in Jesus Christ as my Savior, I don't scorn other religions. I just believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, so I believe that it is only through Christ that one can be saved. God doesn't want to exclude anyone. In I Timothy 2:3,4, His Word promises, "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." He wants all people to be saved by believing in Him, but He won't force the issue. Some will choose not to believe.

I hope this helps you with your question. If you desire to learn more about salvation and what our Savior has done for you, feel free to order the basics class set at http://www.archangelbibleministries.org/basics.htm. There is no cost and I think it would answer many of your questions about how we are to live this life as Christians. Take care! : )

Answer 10

This is a great question.

God is not mean. He is actually concerned about you and loves you. That is why He requires you to do what is right. When we err and do wrong so much bad things happen as repurcussions.