Only as far as Exodus, but now I feel as if God doesn't love me because it seems as he tends to favor certain people.
2007-10-16 01:18:56 · 14 answers · asked by CompanyOfAngels 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Don't ignore the Old Testament, but start with Mark in the New Testament. Once you read the Gospels and Paul's letters, then read the OT and you'll get a much different interpretation on those events.
2007-10-16 01:48:59 · answer #1 · answered by capitalctu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might start your reading at John in the NT. The OT books are a great historical reference but the NT Gospels are what Jesus is all about.
People need to be reassured of God's love and always look for a sign of it. But really, the fact that he sacrificed his perfect son on the cross, for you.... God coudn't possibly do anything more dramatic than that to show how much you mean to him. You just have to learn to embrace it, believe it and live a life as honorably as you can because of it.
Study the life of Jesus and you will become more like Him and then begin to really understand the magnitude of His sacrifice and His love for you. It's a life long learning process. A friend told me once what the word BIBLE stands for; Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. I thought that was pretty cool.
Have a great day!
2007-10-16 08:40:12 · answer #2 · answered by Walden 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Listen, in reality we are lucky that God favored the Israeli people. Think if the judgements that you read about were to the whole world. It would be devestating. God judged and loved His people, but read Romans 11:17-23. We are the branches being grafted in. God favored those people back then because it was His choice, but becuase they did not believe Jesus was the Christ, He moved on to the world to be saved. I'll tell you the one verse that I love that tells me that God loves me just as much as His people:
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
2007-10-16 08:31:07 · answer #3 · answered by tcjstn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you taken the time to read the New Testament? If not, then I certainly can not understand why you started in the old. Yes the OT is very important, there is much to be gleamed from its pages, but if you really want to read, to know the love and the joy of our God, Then start in the book of John. Read it through a couple of times, let its meaning sink in, then start at Matt. read the new testament through, but stop at Rev. I must assume you are not ready for that. If can read the NT, and still make the claim that you did in your question, I will be amazed. If you do this, you will come to know the God who died for you.
2007-10-16 08:40:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is because it seems like God is focusing on the people of Israel. Try reading the new testament, and see how Jesus loves all, not just select few
2007-10-16 08:47:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read John 3:16!
"For God so loved the world [including you] He gave His only Son [Jesus] that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
The bible also tells us "there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus".
So feel loved and don't feel condemned. Also, read the new testament first.
2007-10-16 08:23:25 · answer #6 · answered by jemhasb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is called good news!
Think about it, you are a sinner, and headed for eternal Hell.
However, God sent his Son Jesus so you could live for eternity in Heaven!
Jesus took on Hell for you, that is right, he stood in YOUR place so you would not have to take Hell for eternity!
The start of the Bible Genesis is about man's fall, but the 2nd Adam, Jesus came so we could have Eternal Life!
Gospel means "GOOD NEWS"!!!
Also, read Revelations, to see what you will be missing out on if you decide to rebel against God!
2007-10-16 08:38:03 · answer #7 · answered by Rudy P 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dear One,
Remember, or perhaps you didn't know, that the Old Testament includes the Books of Law, the Books of History, the Books of Poetry, the Books of the Major Prophets and the Books of the Minor Prophets. It relates God's dealings with mankind, especially through His chosen people, the Israelites. As Christians, we can learn from the things we read, from a historical perspective, but that which is mostly addressed to us is the New Testament.
In the New Testament, we have the Gospels, History (of the beginning of the Church), Letters to the Church in different areas and The Revelation, prophecy of the work and return of Jesus Christ.
In the Gospels, we are introduced to Our Lord Jesus Christ as He walked as a human in this world. These books are foundational to new believers. They not only, reveal God's great love for us, but they give us the One and Only true example, in the person of Jesus, of how God wants us to live.
The Book of Acts establishes the authenticity of the Church introducing salvation to all nations, peoples, tribes and tongues, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, repent from their sin and yield their lives to God, becoming active followers of the truths taught by Christ and His Apostles.
The Books of Letters are the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles to believers in various areas. What is written in them is applicable to all believers, because it deals with the way we live in relationship to God and one another.
Then the Book of the Revelation looks into the future when Jesus returns for His Church, all those who have believed, trusted in Him for salvation and walked with Him in this earth, obeying the will of God, Our Father, for their lives.
Now, I've said all that to help you understand what is happening where you are reading in any section of the Bible.
But, I want you to know that there are parts of the Word of God that will make a person, who is especially sensitive, feel bad. I've been a Christian for many years, and in my recent reading of the Prophet Jeremiah, I've been feeling kind of bad myself, even though I know that Jeremiah was God's man on the scene, trying to warn the Israelites to change and return to God in obedience. But, I must remember that, we learn in this book, and many others of the Old Testament, why Jesus, the Perfect Son of God, had to come and die for the sins of mankind. We humans could not obey God without His example and the work of His Holy Spirit, which He sent to us after He was resurrected from the dead, and ascended to God on High. Now, the Holy Spirit is working in this earth to draw us and to reveal Jesus to us, who then reveals to us Our Heavenly Father.
I know I've written a lot here, but I hope you will take it piece by piece and think about it, because God does love you and He has a plan for your life.
Bless you, dear one!
2007-10-16 09:15:02 · answer #8 · answered by Songbird 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For those new to Bible Study, it's often suggested to begin with the book of John.
2007-10-16 08:29:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do as a good Christian and ignore the OT. Get your happy inspirations from the NT.
2007-10-16 08:27:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋