If you are a Christian...shouldn't you look to God, and not to man?

Question

If you are looking to God...why are you so filled with unhappiness and despair...aren't these things of man?

Fundamentalists are constantly pointing out what is wrong in the world...the moral decay, wars, poverty, disrespect for human life, etc...however all of these things are of man...not of God...

So, why are you dwelling on the things of man and not on the things of God?

There are many beautiful things to see and appreciate, there are many good, Godly people in the world doing great things...and I think God will be very angry with us for not giving him thanks for the many blessings he has given us while on earth...and not appreciating all of the good things that happen.

The question remains...why do you fundamentalists dwell so much on that which is bad? Is your heart right with God, or it twisted?

If you are truly trying to reach others,won't you "get more bees with honey, than with vinegar".pointing to the great things God does, instead of the bad of the world?

Answer 1

Good point indeed! I am a fundamentalist, however a long tima ago a wise person once told me, "Don't kick the darkness. Turn on the light!" Then he illustrated what he meant by comparing this to how jewelers display their diamonds (under bright lights and against a black background). You don't pay attention to the background because you are focusing on the beatiful diamonds made to sparkle against the bright light.

I also agree that too many Christians spend too much time complaining and pointing out faults, instead of just shining and being an example of goodness and truth. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine among men, that they will see your good works, and glorify the Father which is in Heaven."

Answer 2

Ok...well good question. For the record, I don't know what exactly you would call a "fundamentalist", but I am one of those "crazy evangelicals" you hear so much about on TV. It's a funny misconception we walk around throwing bibles at people and telling them they're going to hell.

However, I believe that while the things of man that are wrong with the world, (ie. poverty, genocide etc.) people need to do something about it, rather than sit and finger point.

Once you've identified a problem, discussing it will do nothing. You need to get down there and work on fixing the problems that most concern you. I firmly believe this goes for anyone, not just Christians. By doing these things, I believe you become even more thankful for your blessings. By getting taking hands-on approach, you appreciate just how good you do have it. Hope I answered your question.

Answer 3

You are right to point out the need for balance. But I can't think why you refer to 'fundamentalists'! If you just stuck to 'Christians', your question would make a lot more sense because gloomy, pessimistic Christians are to be found in EVERY denomination under the sun. This is largely a personality thing.

The Bible urges Christians to dwell on that which is good, pure, kind, loving etc and to actively avoid evil things, yet the Bible never shirks from spelling out what evil is nor does it pretend things are better than they really are. It foretells times of great trouble as well as wonderful blessings to come. The Good News of salvation cannot be understood until the Bad News of our sin has been grasped first. We praise God continually, we are full of hope and joy - yet that is only possible once we've realised just how hopeless and lost we are without God's transforming power, and that, daily, we sin and need forgiveness. Sin grieves us. Love restores us. Balance is essential. None of us gets it entirely right!

Answer 4

You raise a good question.
Personally, I think it is because as Christians, we have been told to spread the gospel news to the whole world. Because we are Christians, we have an idea of how heaven should be, and we think that if we can all get along, we will be better off.
I also believe that we have been given stewardship of the Earth, and Christians believe that if we take care of it, God will be pleased.
We are dwelling on the things of man, because as Christians, we want what is best for the world, and for many, that is a place where everyone can worship his/her own god, be free, and be safe.

Biblically it is because Jesus reached out to everyone around him. He didn't limit it to just teaching about God, he showed everyone what he expected by the way he lived his life.

Answer 5

You're right. Unfortunately man is not perfect. We are all flawed, including Fundamentalists, Christians, and everyone else. God on the other hand is perfect. He is not like man. He is all love and not hate. As Christians, we are supposed to show the world God by showing His love. All come up short of that. All I can do is ask that you forgive our mistakes and know that God is not man. He's so much greater, even greater than I can say.

Answer 6

I'm a Christian, and I'm DEFINITELY more of a God-pleaser than a man pleaser! I have joy in the Lord! Life IS a bed of roses, but even roses have thorns.

My heart is burdened for the lost and for the over-abundance of immorality in our country; but I don't sit around wailing & fretting about it. God wants us to enjoy life & the blessings He provides! Sour Christians aren't going to win anyone over to Christ! We can be a blessing to others through random acts of kindness every day. We can witness to others with our testimonies and the lives we live. Prayer changes things....just because we don't see immediate results doesn't mean God isn't listening. He sees the entire movie of each of our lives all at once and He knows the ending, we only get one frame at a time. Be still and know...

Answer 7

Let me point out the fact that all Christians are not on the same spiritual plane. Some are babes in Christ and they
may not exercise very much faith but at least they are doing the best they can and they continue to learn. Now one other thing that I would like to point out is that some pastors preach
about the things that is wrong with the world. So when a
Christian hears it on Sunday they may talk it on Monday.

Answer 8

I think you post a good question. But the more I think about it, the more the problem lies with human nature, and not with God. The problem is with people who sometimes get holier-than-thou attitudes and who miss the whole point of what living life is - doing good. Most people make the point of life trying to get to heaven, whereas I think God wants us more to focus on making the world a better place for the here and now, NOT to focus on the afterlife. It's unfortunate.

Answer 9

It depends... if my car breaks down I ask God to help me find the right man to fix it... I do not expect God to fix it... He could of course, but that is not how He works.

While I like a good hell fire and brimstone sermon once-in-a-while... I do not use that approach when responding to questions concerning my Faith. I tell of God's Love and Give The Salvation Message... along with my Testimony and witness... The rest is between God and the seeker... I do not believe in the "you are going to Hell" approach... even though it is true for the majority.

Answer 10

for God to have created the universe He might could be outdoors of its confines. that's God won't be able to and isn't issue to the organic rules which govern the way the universe works. e.g. How could the author be issue to spacetime, if He grew to become into around earlier spacetime. with that for the period of innovations its lifelike to assert that God isn't a actual being. as a christian i'm confident you have self belief adult males and girls have spirit and soul. its this that's in a twin of God. the undeniable fact that we've the skill to reason, we've concept of ourselves and so on calling God male or lady runs into a similar issue. the bible tells us that God created the two guy and lady in His photograph. adult males and girls are created equivalent, we supplement one yet another, and jointly are the epitome of God's introduction.