I read in my Bible that only certain people are given the authority by God to believe in Jesus. Is this true, and if so, why wouldn't God want everyone to believe in Him?
2007-07-06 15:24:02 · 15 answers · asked by Ben 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God gives everyone the chance to accept Christ. John 3.16
2007-07-06 15:27:42 · answer #1 · answered by Mulereiner 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I believe that this is something that Paul said. In fact, if I remember a correctly he said this a couple of times. He said that G-d calls only who he choses, and then later on he says that G-d would allow a great delusion to fall on all those who do not believe.
I don't know why G-d would allow people not to believe in him. I have heard it argued by Christians that these people would have chosen not to believe in G-d even if they had been given every possibility to. So G-d instead plans to use them in a different way.
I'm not sure this answer satisfies, because then it means that G-d created people that he knew where going to be damned. That there was no possibility of saving them. So what kind of G-d would do this? Wouldn't it be better for them not have been created in the first place, if G-d truly loved them?
I have yet to get a good answer from Christians on this issue, and I don't expect to see one in the near future.
2007-07-06 22:30:09 · answer #2 · answered by noncrazed 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Where did you read that in the Bible? It says that Christ is the only way to the father, but it also says that the Father must draw you to Jesus before you can go.
2007-07-06 22:34:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Haha what Bible were YOU reading? No, God calls ALL of us to believe in Him.
2007-07-06 22:27:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Lord lets the sun rise and set on both the good and bad, lets the rains descend on the good and bad, etc... . It does indeed state this preface in scripture and demonstrates His justice. Also in actuality, the Lord desires everyone to come to a saving knowledge of His son Jesus Christ, however, the Lord also gave man free will. In doing so, some men chase their own desires rather than heed the Lord's warnings: some because they are actually lost and some because they"... love the creation more than the Creator."
If people are sealed by the Holy Spirit ,(only believers who recognize and affirm all centrall truths of the bible including the resurrection, ascenscion, and promise of a second coming) they can discern the Lord's voice but they have to draw close to Him and then he will draw close to them.
It's a relationship and a choice not an oppressive hierarchial order or a jail sentence. The Holy Spirit is a revealer of Truth and in studying the Scriptures to prove yourselves unto God... a workman rightly dividing the word of truth..." the Holy Spirit converses with you as you mediatate upon those words and apply them to your life.
If a person in their stuborness continues to harden their heart against the loving discipline of the Lord, it is advised for us as believers to wipe the dust from our feet. Perhaps the Lord will then intervene in a different way at a different time.
It's important to remember He is always present, ready, willing, and able to invite us Home. For whatever a man asketh, that shall be given Him according to the measure...."
and "yet while we were all sinners Christ died for us..." for "whoever belieth that Jesus is God's son and God raised Him from the dead then to that man is there no shame... and "that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever should believth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life..." Read the parable of the Prodigal Son and it should be evident how forgiving the Lord is or the theif on the cross asking Jesus for mercy... BUT
In this way, we each own responsibility. That is why it states plainly in scripture that "...we should each work out our salvation with trembling..."
Man's sin seperates them from God and their own blindness. It's His will that no one should be lost "... how sweet are the feet of those who bring the Gospel" and that's why as believers we are all given the responsibility and really privelege of carrying out the Great commission... "going into all the world, preaching the gospel, and baptizing every nation in the name of Jesus.."
You're right that as a human some things are indeed difficult to reconcile and they're are many things which don't make sense. In fact, at times points seem to contradict one another but that is why we must "... flee from the enemy." pray as the Son prayed... " Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven and give us this day our Daily Bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for Thine is the Kingdom, Power and Glory forever. Amen. and "...forgive them Lord they know not what they do."
If you are a beleiver (and I mean not only in terms of knowing there is a God... even the demons tremble in fear at the name of Jesus) but accepting Him as your Savior and believing in the resurrection, then you have nothing to fear. Read scripture particularly John Ch. 14-16 and be of good cheer built up in your faith once again. "Sing to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spirtual songs exhorting Him above all else."
And as far as people being kept from Heaven remember the Lord is merciful, forgiving, and loving but he is also impartial and judicious. Those who have rejected his Son and His discipline are corrupted by sin and cannot stand sinless before the father. They would corrupt Heaven if that be the case. The word corrupt may seem harsh but think about that.
AND...
Keep reading and growing in His word. I promise things will become clearer. God bless.
2007-07-06 23:02:07 · answer #5 · answered by literaturelover 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you believe in.
Personally I am Catholic and I think that
God is there for everyone through any kind of sticky situation and I think God deffinetly wants you to believe in him if you are going to him for help...just out of curiousity what kind of bible is this?
2007-07-06 22:29:28 · answer #6 · answered by Jillian 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No wonder I don't believe! So why does everyone get so upset? (Not that I believe the bible) but if Christians read the bible and know that, why do they bother trying to convert people?
2007-07-06 22:28:28 · answer #7 · answered by Heidi K 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
John 3;16 God wants all of us to believe in Him
2007-07-06 22:27:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Where in the Bible did you misread that?
2007-07-06 23:15:03 · answer #9 · answered by Steve Amato 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't recall the context you found that in but I have seen misleading and sometimes false informationin the bible.
2007-07-06 22:27:06 · answer #10 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋