Can someone explain these to me?

Question

How is God merciful?
How is God omniscient?
What indication, even in the Bible, is there that God loves us and really has our welfare in mind?
How is Hell even an option for a kind, loving God?

Now, I know there will be those who get on me for "blaming" a God I don't believe in, but that's not what I'm doing. I'm asking for believers to explain these things.

Thanks! =0)

Answer 1

I don't question your desire to have explanations for that which you don't believe. Science would be nowhere if we had no desire to learn of what we don't understand.


God is merciful in that He *is* concerned with human welfare and alleviation of suffering. He *is* compassion. If He were not merciful, the very first time any of us sinned (say a toddler testing limits with their parents) we'd be thrown into a pit of fire never to be seen again. He allows for our mistakes and transgressions. Suffering, however, is as real as God and is not selective. Problems befall the believer and non-believer alike. Wars are fought by Christians and non-Christians alike. If He wasn't merciful and wasn't just - then only non-believers would suffer illness and strife.

He is Omniscient in that He does have total knowledge. Like an omniscient narrator in literature, though, to come out and "spill the beans" would defy the very need for the "story to be written" in the first place. However, if we are patient -keep reading and turning the pages- we discover more and more what is being told to us and ultimately receive the reward of completion and understanding.

In the bible -it is indicated to us that God loves us and really has our welfare in mind. One verse in particular (there are others) speaks most clearly. John 3:16 -For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that WHO SO EVER believeth will NOT perish, but have everlasting life. God sent His Son not to condemn the world, but rather to save it.

From the most secular of standpoints regarding your question of Hell being an option. I pose a rhetorical question. What would you suggest He do with all the mockers, non-believers and flat-out God haters? Why should those who believe on the promises of the Father and God Himself be subject to eternity with those who flatlly have denied Him to be real...who have constantly strived to prove a lack of validity to His Word...and even tried to convince others that they were lacking because of their belief in Him? And what if hell were actually only being just outside the gates of heaven?

That is how this believer explains these things.

Answer 2

God's Love - John 3:16 (nuff said)

Merciful

2 Chronicles 6:19
Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence

Nehemiah 9:31
But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

Omniscient

Matthew 10:30
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered

Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

As far as Hell is concerned, I'm not really sure what it entails but I'm sure that the more evil a person is, the more punishment he/she will receive. Would you agree that God, having been described as Holy, cannot tolerate sin and rebellion and thus cannot go unpunished because of His holy nature.

Answer 3

Every day God holds off judgment is mercy to those that do not believe or have fallen from grace. Also, after starting the world man sinned and God made a way for the sinner to atone. Furthermore, God provided the ultimate form of atonement in the sacrifice of his son for our sins. All of these examples are good for his mercy.

Several verses reference his fore knowledge. John the Baptist is often the most quoted "In my mothers womb you knew me." Also if you look at the Prophets they foretold of events that God brought about in his time. I can find more I am sure if you need it.

Your last question on hell is very hard, but you have to try and see it from His view. Heaven is all good things that flow from the Father. Those that wish to be with him accept this and enter in. Those who do not God makes a place for them that is void of every essence of God. When He does this the resulting place is called hell. So, while you may think I am being cheeky I am not. Hell is the place where nothing of God exists. Face there is not much left when God leaves the picture save weeping and gnashing of teeth. You could say he lovingly gives them exactly what they wish. But, that is not how I read the scripture. God tries to do everything he can without overriding free will to win us to Heaven.

Even as parents we understand this concept. When a child goes a way we do not believe we try to win them back and help them, but there comes a time we have to cut them loose and in the process sever all ties with them. But, if and when the child comes back we open the doors with loving arms.

Answer 4

I have asked the same questions. We have a 2000 year old book with some fanciful tales we can't relate to today. You also have the Muslims some of which have such deep devotion that the kill themselves. Yet most people on this planet are going to hell for not buying this or believing the wrong way. Then you have Satan screwing with our minds too. If God wants to run things this way, fine, but I can't see how we would suffer so much after death.

Answer 5

Because He will be whatever he will be.

He gives the same deal for everyone despite of our sin level. We just need to accept Him as Savior and He will save us even if we do not deserve it.

His character is not having the same limits as we have. He can do everything He wants to do within His character.

He is loving indeed. What gives you the idea that loving God would not do what He says He will do. Take it as a friendly warning. What gives you the idea that hell should be the option/ I understand where you are coming from but the perfect love comes with the choice.

Remember, God is not like us. And I am sure He made hell to protect us rather than to scare us.

Answer 6

There are many ways that God is merciful and omniscient. You have a choice to believe whatever you want, as I do. With the choices that we make, there are consequences. Do you think people with no conscience and no regard for human life should go to heaven? People choose to be murderers, rapists, torturers, etc. With those choices there are consequences and each person that is in prison right now, God is showing mercy on. He has given them another day to repent for their wrongdoings. But once again, it falls back on the individual and their individual choice. We cannot blame God for the bad choices that we choose to make.

Answer 7

The church is the Bride of Christ, as described in the new testament. This is, I believe, indication of why we were created. God desired our company. He wanted companionship
We have a body, mind, heart, soul, and in many cases are joined to a mate. All the many things that make man unique from the angels makes him suitable as a companion for God, whose own being is equally and more complex. Desiring that companionship to be genuine, man was given the free will to accept or deny God. God sacrificed a part of Himself as a display of His love for His creation.

Answer 8

i do not know the bible, but i will give u a quote from the Quran
the quranic surahs, chapters(114) start, "in the name of god the beneficent the merciful."

[49:8] Such is grace from GOD and His blessings. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise

"If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful". (3:31)

Jesus (p.) said when he was asked about a single act that makes one inherit Allah's love: "Detest life in this world and

Allah will love you".…and do good (to others); surely Allah loves the doers of good". (2:195)

"Is there any Reward for Good - other than Good?" (55:60), "For those who do good is good (reward) and more (than this)" (10:26)….

Answer 9

The Christian explanation for a merciful God is seen more in the promise of salvation and forgiveness of sins, as well as accounts of Christ's acts of compassion to those with physical and mental diseases. After all, if He was the cruel, vindictive, fault-finding God alot of people think He is, He could've just said ,"Screw you. Deal with it."
As for His omnisience, what knowledge of anything at any possible level does He not already know? Is there anything in physics, chemistry, astronomy, genetics, linguistics, history, -anything at ALL that He couldn't know in the sense that all that knowledge is or could be He possesses it as the source creator and originator? In other words, what about life on earth or any aspect of the physical universe doesn't He know? He created it, so He should know every minute detail of it all, and He does. What could any mere man or woman possibly instruct Him in concerning say, a giant star going supernova, or black hole physics, or the intricacies of cellular biology? Genetics? Biochemistry?Electron theory? The abstract nature of mind psychology? Logic in any form?
As for hell and the lake of fire- I don't see them as having anything to do with God's nature of love and kindness. I see them more as attributes of His justice for people who just can't "get it" and do the right thing, especially when they know of the real and yet unimagineable consequences of willfully refusing to allow Him to rule over them in this life.
You may not agree with or understand it, but your shortcomings in these matters are not a prerequisite for the reality of such a place. They are the reason for them. Kindness has nothing to do with it then. But, it has everything to do with it now. If you choose to ignore or reject His kindness NOW, what difference does your attitude or thoughts about it mean to Him then? Actually, then they should mean nothing.

Answer 10

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