The actions of God?

Question

A question I answered inspired me to ask this.

I am an Atheist, cut and dried. I heard a Christian once give me, however, the best explanation for God's actions that I have ever heard. They told me that God moves through the actions of his followers, and that it is up to his followers to do justice to his reputation; if they fail, God suffers. Although I don't believe in God, I like this line of thought. If there is a God, he exists in the good and decent actions of good and decent people. If you are a Christian, does this describe your feelings? If a non-believer, does this seem like a good view of divinity?

By the way, the Christian who told me this? Me, some 10+ years ago, trying to convince my wavering faith that there was a way to reconcile my doubts about God with some form of faith. I lost the battle with faith, but still like what that Christian I was so long ago reasoned their diminishing faith with.

Answer 1

You should read some process theology. You might like the vision of God it describes -- very similar to what that vacillating believer in you ten years ago was struggling for. Basically, you were on the cusp of becoming a liberal Christian -- i.e., a Christian with liberal theological opinions. It's another option besides atheism.

Answer 2

Yes, God does indeed work through his followers. We are the hands and feet of God...yet it is not in our strength or totally us on our own.

The Christian that told you that God moves through the actions of his followers, and that it is up to his followers to do justice to his reputation...has it partially correct.

We are to be upright citizens and we are to be above reproach. We are to be living pure and holy lives as an example...but God will accomplish his plan even if we are not willing servants.

God imposes His will upon our human wills to accomplish his purposes. The really amazing thing is that us humans don't know. We often don't recognize God at all.

How many "accidents" have we not had because God delayed us in some fashion... a phone call...a lost key to our car.

God moves through his followers even if no one notices. God even moves through those that are not his followers.

The end will come as God has foreordained...
We can't speed Jesus' return...nor delay it. It will happen when God says it is time.

Answer 3

I never have had a battle with it so I don't know. I have read various religious books but when I've observed the results it seems absurd. I don't see how or why other than a social and emotional crutch that anyone could possibly see any truth to religion in any form. When the misery and hate that religion has brought to mankind is analyzed I can't understand why anyone would want to. It goes against all peace and social progress. To think that most Americans fall for this silliness, it's no wonder George Bush so easily deceived them. Americans are very gullible and a bit backward. I'm very happy that Adolph Hitler wasn't an American

Answer 4

God wrought a change in my life over 36 years ago which was totally unexpected, unsolicited and which I didn't even know was possible. At a time in my life when I had basically "divorced" God and told Him I wanted nothing to do with Him, He revealed Himself to me directly, not through human agency, but through a voice spoken into my heart saying "Maybe Jesus really did die for your sins". With that word a profound change happened within me, and a sense of hopelessness, meaninglessness and despair vanished, being replaced by a sense of love and peace and hope and comfort and an inexplicable assurance that my eternal future was blessed and secure. I have never lost that confidence and live in a continual awareness of God's favor upon my life. I did not realize until about a year later that what I experienced was written about in the Bible in John's Gospel, chapter three, where Jesus speaks of being born again. Since that time I have proved I suppose hundreds of verses in the Bible and found them to be true in my own experience.
God prefers to move through the lives of His most sophisticated work of creation, the descendants of Adam, but in the final analysis it is as the Psalmist says: "Our God is in the heavens, He does whatever He pleases."

Answer 5

Well, your description of "God" moving through his followers might serve well enough for many to live by. But I think it's fairly inadequate compared to recognising the interdependence of all things, the incredible chance of the world evolving as it has, and therefor the self-enforcing rationale of ethics towards the well-being of all (Deep Ecology, simplified). By the way an Archbishop of Canterbury told me confidentially long ago that he had lost his beliefs to drive him and all he had left was faith. We agreed that was a better option. Belief presumes assumptions and assumes expectations. Faith has none of any of that. It simply IS - and with it we can embrace our lives and all things whilst opposing anything that diminishes life or anything else. By that definition the use of the word "faith" by the religious, as an alternative to "belief" is totally inappropriate (the AofC and I agreed!) Ho hum. And amen.

Answer 6

When a person is born again it is their heart (inner-man) that is born again, the problem is their mind is not instantly transformed. The way a Christian grows is by transforming the mind with the word of God. That is a process of getting into the word of God until the mind is transformed. Often Christians actions do not change because they do not get into God's word to put it into action in their lives. The transformation of the mind helps to show God to others.

Answer 7

Nope. That sounds more like Buddism. No matter what we do ,good or bad,God is still on the throne ,unwaivering.He created humans perfect and they screwed up.Now ,it has to run it's course.What we have to do is realize we are not just body and soul(some don't even recognize that much)but body,soul and spirit.That our spirit is what died in the garden(perpetually throughout the generations)when God said not to eat of the tree,that they would die.They ate and didn't die for another ,oh,say 850 years but their spirit died,the Shekinah glory that covered them instead of clothes.The same bright light that enveloped Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration.That's when they knew they were "hangin'".
Once we realize these things and accept that Jesus can restore us,our spirit is revived(That's the Born Again part).Then as Paul says we walk by the spirit and not by dumb@ss rules and regulations.We sin...yes but we are still in fellowship with God and as I John 1:9 says ,"He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins".Life begins to make sense.
There is no universal reason for anything ,anything at all to exist without a reason and a creation.Now ,with all it's hardships ,life is worth it.and as Joshua said"As for me and my house,we will serve the Lord".

Answer 8

Being a Christian is like anything else you truly believe in and have Faith in, you live it. I try everyday to let my actions speak louder than my words so people can see what a difference Jesus has made in my life. I don't have to browbeat you to get you to see my point of view, I just sow the seeds and, hopefully, some of them get watered by others as well as myself, and people get Born again because of our actions. Everyone should always NEVER be ashamed for what they believe in if they truly are dedicated to their Beliefs. Thanks for the question, and have a Great day!!

Answer 9

You bring up a very interesting point I think. The scripture tells us we may do many things in His Name, but when judgement comes He might say to us "I never knew you". This speaks to the unbeliever who is pretending to be a Christian. What you are talking about is a true believer. Each believer bears the Name of Christ. We are adopted into the family of God when we accept Christ as our personal Savior. Just as each of us carries a family name on this earth, Christians also carry the Father's Name. What we do with our lives on this earth affects our earthly family, as does what the Christian does affect our heavenly family. The way we live our lives can bring shame on our family or can bring honor to our family name. The goal of the Christian in their daily activities, thoughts, intentions, motives is to bring honor to our Father God. Always to hold Him high in esteem and glorify Him in all we do. Ever conscious of His presence and purpose in our lives, we strive to honor Him. Sometimes our failures bring shame on His Holy Name and on our entire family of Christians. These are the times the Holy Spirit not only makes us aware of our own disgrace, but comforts us with the knowledge that repentance will bring forgiveness. He directs us to make amends or restitution when others are involved. If we follow His direction, we can set things right with God and man, and restore fellowship within the family. If not, we are separated by our sin and the fellowship is broken until such time that we repent. Ultimately, God's reputation will always be intact, no matter how much we fail Him, because He will never fail to be and do exactly what He claims. He never lies. He is faithful on His promises. He is constant, never changing. He is all powerful. He is love. He is merciful. And on and on. Just as we are responsible for our own actions, any shame is really on us.......not Him......in the final analysis.
I'm sorry you can't bring yourself to trust our wonderful Creator. It is a friendship like none you'll ever know. Perhaps you could find it in your heart to turn to Him one more time and sincerely seek Him. He promises that if you seek Him with your heart, you will find Him. I pray you do.

Answer 10

I believed in God for 35 years. Studied both Hebrew and Greek. I no longer believe in the existence of a God. There is absolutely no evidence even in hypothetical circumstances that happen in people's lives that they want to give God or the Devil credit for. Evil is created by men to control other men. And religion is so polluted in today's society by money that if Jesus did actually return he wouldn't recognize his picture, his statue or any other religions artifacts that he is supposed to have something to do with. Jesus Moses Abraham were good men but not Gods. Mohammad and Buddha were also good men but a lot of people have corrupted their teachings as well. It would be nice if religions would support each other rather than condemn each other because they don’t believe the way the other does. So, my advice is love one another try to understand each other and be happy because you only have 75 to 100 years to live so make the best of them.