Is believing in God enough...?

Question

I mean is it enough to believe that God exists. For instance, I have a friend who was religious. Then his older sister was murdered - he was 13 at the time, and she was 16. Then when people talked about God he got really upset. He said hated God. I don't know enough about the Bible, so I'm asking. Were he to die, what would happen? Is it enough that he believes in God (obviously he does or he wouldn't hate God, you can't hate something you don't believe exists)? Must you always like God, or can you be angry?

I mean this as a serious question for people who have a thorough understanding of the Bible.

Thanks

Thanks. These are all great answers. This was almost 9 years ago, so I don't know how he feels about it know. We have lost touch, but I just thought about it and I was wondering. I appreciate the thoughful responses.

Answer 1

Satan and the demons believe in God, they just don't worship and follow him. I am really sorry to say that your friend is in need of some spiritual help. I understand he is angry, but he shouldn't be angry at God. You can not blame God for what Satan and mankind do. Although his older sister was murdered, it isn't that God caused her to die this way, man, in his sinful ways did this, through the constant influence of Satan. Satan brought sin into the world by influencing Eve and then Adam. Your friend needs to understand that God loves his sister and would never cause something like that to happen. Everyone seems to think that because God "knows" everything, that our choices are also preplanned. Not true, we make our own choices as God has given us Free Will, he does, however, know what we will choose, and he does give us every opportunity to Not make the wrong choice.

So, in answer, only God can judge, as he is the only one who really knows what is in the heart of your friend. Sometimes outer anger is just lack of understanding. Your friend should seek counseling from a church minister or friend that knows God and can help him to see the truth.

Answer 2

NO it isn't enough to just believe in God.
The Demons believe and shutter. the bible says.
When God destroyed the earth only Noah and his family survived.
In Sodom and Gamorrah only lot and his two daughters.
Luke and matthew have similar accounts of when Jesus was asked are those being saved few. He said, Yes.
Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life and few are the ones finding it. Broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction and many are the ones on it.
The Churches would have you beleive everyone is saved because it is a business that is run by donations.
Who would donate to something they think wouldn't do them any good. 1 Cor 6:9 shows that many things we do in this wicked world is actually condemed by God. Very few people are actually concerned with pleasing God. But no one not even a serial killer believes he is wicked. Maybe that is a build in defense system.
No one believes he will die. Or even be condemed by God.
But the truth is most people will be.

Answer 3

I have a friend whose daughter was murdered. There are times when you think things that happen are God's fault, or that He should have or could have prevented something from happening. We know God has the power to intervene, but why doesn't He? Why does He let bad things happen? In part, all of us, those we call good and those we call bad, make choices that affect one another. God has given us the privilege of choice, and sometimes we are in the way of some person's bad choice. God has never promised that bad things will never happen, but what He has promised that, to those who believe in Him, He will bring something good from it. Do you know who John Walsh is? The guy from America's Most Wanted? He had a terrible tragedy when his young son was abducted and murdered. I personally do not know if he is a religious man, but think about how that led him to develop one of the most effective means of tracking down wanted criminals. God did not want Adam Walsh to die, and yet how many lives have been saved because of Adam's death? As for my friend, it has taken a long time for her to stop being angry with God and to trust that He is a God of justice, even if she cannot see it at this time. Learning to trust in God is more than just knowing He exists. You can only trust someone Who is alive and shows Himself to be trustworthy. That is one reason why knowing Jesus is so important. He is alive and His Spirit lives in those who believe in Him. He helps us through all the circumstances of our life. There will always be things in life, perhaps some more tragic than others, that you (and I, and everyone else) will not like. With Jesus we can be sure that whatever happens, He'll bring good from it.

Answer 4

May I try to answer this?
Only God knows what is in our hearts, and he will judge us accordingly, with love.
Belief is of course the foundation. But part of that is also believing that God plans our lives, and that although we don`t always understand why something happens to us, there is a reason for it. This is extremely difficult, and takes time, but its very important. My mother also was angry that God gave her a severely handicapped daughter (my sister) who died at 14. It lead her to becoming an atheist. Acceptance and trust are basic parts of belief, and also knowing that God doesn`t always just give us the "good stuff". We aren`t actually the best judge of what`s best for us at a certain time, or which events will end up leading us down a better path later. I hope that your friend will arrive at this point eventually. Feeling anger can be a normal reaction to something, but one must move past this point. Your friend may not be able to see God`s guidance at this point. Trusting God means giving up control - difficult, but its the next step. I wish that your friend finds peace within.

Answer 5

I think we probably all have times when we don't like god to much. Your friend was young at the time. If he truely believes in God he will once again see the beauty of God. Is just beleiving enough? Probably not. We need to realize that God created us all and that there are certain standards that we need to live up to. Regardless of some popular theries I think Jesus was sent for one basic reason, to teach us to love one and all. There are so many people who claim to love God and think they are going to heaven just because they beleive in Jesus then go about their lives doing anything they please both good and bad. They think just because the bible says Jesus washed away their sins. If they really know that shouldn't they at some point realize that if they are still sinning they will have to answer for all the hurt they caused to others. Maybe they will go to heaven but they will still be judged and will have to face the consiquinces of their wrongs.
So all I can really tell you is to Love God, love other people try to do good. help those in need and live the way Jesus was sent to teach us. Then hopefully you will live a happy life and join our God on the other side

Answer 6

I feel sorry for your friend and I can understand his anger,better again God can understand his anger,it is a common thing for us to blame God when tragedy strikes our lives and yet the paradox is that God can bring good even out of situations like this.
I pray that your friend`s pain will be healed in time and that he may come back to a relationship with God.

Answer 7

May the peace, blessings and mercy of God be upon you

You must believe in God in order to enter paradise, but you must also work Righteousness and do good deeds for the sole sake of pleasing God. Always seek forgiveness for the wrong you do.

Answer 8

Use your reason, not the Bible. Why base your entire life philosophy one one particular book written by two guys from the 3rd century AD when there is an entire world of ideas out there? Live the best you can, and dont worry about the afterlife which may or may not exist in the first place. Trust me on this. Anything else is a collossal waste of precious time.

Answer 9

The Bible says Satan believes in God but we know he will be cast into the lake of fire. It also tells us that unbelievers believe God exists but suppress the truth. Therefore, believing faith in Christ for salvation entails more than just believing in the existence of God.

Answer 10

Take a look at Job. He got pretty frustrated with what went on in his life, and flat out questioned God as to what was up. BUT he still believed that God was his redeemer and blessed His name for it. Believing that there's a God doesn't quite add up... even the Devil believes in God, but accepting Jesus as your personal savior/sacrifice for your sins? That's where it's at.