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Jesus said:
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full." (Luke 6:32-34)
Yet it seems that elsewhere God is not following these instructions, for God is said to forgive only those who love him, and provide eternal life to those who are within his good graces.
So is Jesus asking Humans to be more forgiving and loving than the God that they worship?
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2007-02-27 01:39:17 · 9 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This has always bothered me. The god of "do as I say, not as I do."
When I have asked Christians about this in the past, they have responded with, "but he is God! So far above humans that He can require anything of us..." which isn't the point at all! That kind of "logic" flies in the face of so many things:
1. If there are moral absolutes, unchanging moral standards, why would a God be outside of those standards? Do they not understand what the word "absolute" means?
2. In our "sinful" human systems, the parents, the governments, don't set themselves outside the law. It's basic knowledge that a mom who shoots heroin, is going to have kids who experiement with drugs. A government that allows themselves to cheat and kill, will not have the respect of their citizens. They're the poorest example of what a government can be and only rule out of brute force. Which is maybe exactly the point with Christianity.
2007-02-27 01:48:28 · answer #1 · answered by Laptop Jesus 2.0 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think that Jesus is asking us to be more forgiving and loving than God. I think it makes sense that "God is said to forgive only those who love Him" because usually only "those who love God" ask for forgiveness from Him, and how can God forgive those who don't ask for forgiveness? I think what the verse is really saying is that everyone should be treated the same. Just because someone may not believe in God does not mean that they can't have morals. One other thing, the verse refers to sinners, and everyone is a sinner, the only difference between one sinner and another is that they ask for forgiveness.
2007-02-27 09:57:12 · answer #2 · answered by jpn 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please re read carefully. You are not getting the point.
He was asking his followers why they only love and forgive those who do love them but will not do the same for an enemy. He's not referring to himself.
Of course Jesus knows that people will never be more forgiving than God because God who is an infinitely good being loves us more than we will ever know or understand. Only God can be the most forgiving ever.
Please reread the entire passage until you understand.
2007-02-27 09:58:00 · answer #3 · answered by 0 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is still following the instructions He gave to us when He "saves" those that love Him. I mean, if you don't love God, and you don't care about Jesus, and you don't believe in Heaven, why would you want to go there? All God is doing really is giving each of us what we really want. Those who desire life with Him get their desire. Those who would rather not have a life with Him are given their desire. So by "only" saving those who love Him, he is, in fact, showing the same kind of mercy he asks us to show. Would you rather He force it on you?? And not care what you say?? He offers you a choice and gives you what you ask. Pretty awesome if you ask me!
Be Blessed.
2007-02-27 09:54:06 · answer #4 · answered by Cool Dad 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God is holy and in the position to judge, we're not. It's truly amazing what a holy God is prepared to tolerate and forgive and forget if we do only one little thing, which is to hold out an empty hand and accept what he has done for us in Jesus Christ.
What's also amazing is that people keep hiding from the light.
2007-02-27 09:48:34 · answer #5 · answered by Amelie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Seems that elsewhere"...what ever that means. Jesus is God. He came here to show us the way to God. Jesus was an exmple and a teacher here.
He asks us to be forgiving. God is the rightful judge. He gives the life and can take it away. That is the way it is, like it or not.
2007-02-27 09:46:04 · answer #6 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure. But Jesus forgives everyone who comes to him. Jesus never leaves us. He's always right there! We are the ones that leave him! && he forgives us && takes us back each time! Like that song "Welcome Back You" By; Byran L.. We are ments to forgive everyone as our Lord did. He's saying if we love only those who love us. We are the same as the lost. So, we have to be different and love everyone, as in those who hate us or speak bad of us. I'm not sure if that helps, but I tried.
2007-02-27 09:46:33 · answer #7 · answered by 18 weeks pregnant 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's kind of a trick question, really. If somebody really believes in God, then God is Infinite, and therefore cannot be judged by human standards.
2007-02-27 09:46:24 · answer #8 · answered by majnun99 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wish Jesus would have asked that question to his father!
2007-02-27 09:47:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋