Believers claim to know without a shadow of a doubt, that their God is loving and good - but if they don't even fully understand their God (his plan, his wishes for the human race, why bad things happen etc.) then how can they know for sure that he is good?
2007-05-10 19:12:36 · 22 answers · asked by God Fears Me 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'd rather be called 'stupid' by the world and be SAVED than be called 'smart' and be WRONG.
2007-05-10 19:17:34 · answer #1 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I love nature, yet do not fully understand science. I worship God because of what God stands for. Everyone has in their mind some kind of concept of ultimate goodness. The highest, best, greatest, most merciful, beautiful good imaginable within the mind - thus, they give this the name of God. In the Bible, Jesus asked his followers, "why do you call me good?" that only God is good thus forming a riddle of sorts for those who know that Jesus is one with God. We know this because Christ lived a life free of sin. The fact that God is loving is and should be apparent in this life and the next. If it were not so, no one would believe in God.
2007-05-10 19:39:42 · answer #2 · answered by reasonfaith 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God says in His word that His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are higher than ours.
Even though I may not understand everything that's going on around me I can know that all things work together for the good of those who are called according to His plans and purposes. Bottom line: faith ( real faith is active, not passive)
His plan for the human race is simple: that none should perish but have everlasting life through the shed blood of Jesus. It's all in the Bible.
His individual plan for my life: I'm walking that out one step at a time and He keeps showing me alittle more of the big picture as I go.
My purpose: to worship Him and fellowship with Him.
God is very good. I know He is good by what He's given me and what He's done in my life. He's given me beauty for ashes, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, the oil of joy in place of sorrow, and most importantly, His unconditional love.
2007-05-10 19:32:19 · answer #3 · answered by graphitegirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, you are absolutely right that without accurate information, how can one really know the God they worship.
Knowing God's plans for mankind and the earth...and why we suffer is crucial to understanding just how awesome our Creator is...I think also that it is just as crucial and important to know that God has a name, and that Jesus is not God Almighty, that Jehovah is.
(Psalm 83:18) “. . .That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth.”
But again, you are so right about learning those things really helping to know that God is good, and that he has made a way of reconciling everything to himself, and that his plans from the beginning will be realized.
(Isaiah 55:11) “" so my word that goes forth from my mouth will prove to be. It will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted, and it will have certain success in that for which I have sent it.”
I want to address more of the things that you mentioned, like God's plans for our future and etc, but I don't want to make my answer too long...I do want to add one last Scripture though, just to provoke some thought...
(Psalm 37:9-11) “For evildoers themselves will be cut off, But those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth. 10 And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; And you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. 11 But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”
2007-05-11 04:09:54 · answer #4 · answered by wannaknow 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In order to love God and give him the exclusive devotion that he deserves, we need to know him as he truly is.
How can we get to know God better?
“His invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward,” says the Bible, “because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship.” (Romans 1:20)
One way to get to know God better is by observing and reflecting appreciatively on what he has created.
The creation, however, does not tell us all we need to know about God. For instance, to understand that he is a real spirit Person with a unique name, we need to look into the Bible. Studying the Bible is, in fact, the best way to come to know God better. In the Scriptures, God tells us much more about the kind of God he is. He also reveals his purposes to us and educates us in his ways. (Amos 3:7; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
How glad we can be that God wants us to “come to an accurate knowledge of truth” so that we can benefit from his loving provisions! (1 Timothy 2:4) Let us, then, make every effort to learn all we can about God.
2007-05-10 19:37:17 · answer #5 · answered by Dakine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody regardless of what they say knows exactly who God is or his plans...this is obvious. However, for Christians we put our faith based on ration, logic, historical facts and other experiences.
Everyone has "faith"...we all believe in something. Perhaps for me I believe in God part because I don't have enough faith to believe we came from monkeys. Theres a lot more facts pointing towards a creator...that is obvious, its just up to you to overcome whatever you went through and figure out which creator is true.
2007-05-10 19:20:28 · answer #6 · answered by swordfishla 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have complete confidence over a God who cannot be understood because of His infinite divinity, wisdom, power, and glory, than a god who can be easily known.
The case is like an insect who would try its best to know human behavior.
I pray that you may also trust the Almighty God that I trust--Jesus Christ.
2007-05-10 19:19:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think to give him attributes such as good, bad, etc, is a matter of human arrogance in one regard, and an attempt to define him in another. Lets face it, he hasnt publically spoken in a while - so we dont know what he's really like.
We are limited by the fact that we are finite and the object of study isn't.
Be well
2007-05-10 19:16:57 · answer #8 · answered by freshbliss 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"love and worship" falls out-side the jurisdiction of mind,
not necessarily for GOD, but for any-one also,
why claims or understanding or surity that HE is loving and good,
when the subject starts with
"love, worship, and faith"
rest of the points do not count at all,
I love, worship and have faith that HE is there good and loving,
that is all and enough,
believe you me,
2007-05-10 19:34:06 · answer #9 · answered by Karsan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's called faith. Mankind needs something bigger than its self to believe in and explain the unexplainable. Weather or not god is good is what you were taught to believe in hell fire and brim stone or love and eternal life.
2007-05-10 19:24:00 · answer #10 · answered by cricks181 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't smart actually. They do it because a book tells them to. They believe he is a loving God because they are afraid of what will happen to them if they think otherwise.
Hugs
2007-05-10 19:17:26 · answer #11 · answered by Mawyemsekhmet 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋