God in the Modern World https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/t93 Runboard| God in the Modern World en-us Fri, 29 Mar 2024 12:25:12 +0000 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 12:25:12 +0000 https://www.runboard.com/ rssfeeds_managingeditor@runboard.com (Runboard.com RSS feeds managing editor) rssfeeds_webmaster@runboard.com (Runboard.com RSS feeds webmaster) akBBS 60 Re: God in the Modern Worldhttps://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p158,from=rss#post158https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p158,from=rss#post158Starfighter, I appreciate your frankness about the issue of religion. I want to encourage you to ask more questions whenever you want. Also, please return here in the near future as I intend to address the issue of what relgion is "right". The short answer from me would obviously be Christianity, but many are supposedly "Christians", who know nothing about a right relationship with God. You say that you don't think you have it in you to become a good Christian (or a good whatever type of religious devotee). I would say that no one has it "in them" to become a good Christian. God is the One Who makes us "new creatures in Christ". Oh, by the way, just to clarify, I used the term good Christian because you did. As I understand the Bible all true Christians are good, because the grace of God makes them good.nondisclosed_email@example.com (BibleNote Writer)Sat, 26 Jan 2008 07:53:04 +0000 Re: Too Many Bonds?https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p157,from=rss#post157https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p157,from=rss#post157Hello again Biblenote writer I would like to thank you for giving such full replies to my (in hindsight), rather unclear questions   While I do respect your faith, and the faith of others. I dont think I have it in me to become what you would refer to as a good christian (or buddish, or muslim or whatever other religious there are). I simply asked the questions because the subject facinates me somewhat again, thank you very much nondisclosed_email@example.com (starfighter100)Sat, 26 Jan 2008 07:21:44 +0000 Too Many Bonds?https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p141,from=rss#post141https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p141,from=rss#post141Does God/Jesus put too many demands upon us? or, does He make us live in a moral or religious "strait jacket"? This is very much related to the above reply I have given, but I thought it good to address it separately. The original wording in your post is as follows: quote:I also have a hard time seeing how the word of God/Jesus can survive in the world today. At least without putting too many bonds on you. Here again I believe that your view of "too many bonds" -- or what I would refer to as a religious "strait Jacket" -- is a rather subjective (or relative) idea. It all depends upon to what you are comparing God's requirements for holy living. If you are comparing it to a sinner's desires for sin without the "born again" experience I mention in the reply above, then God's requirements, or demands, upon one's life will always seem too strict. But, if one has become born again, then God's requirements are much easier to follow. There are churches and people, including one's own mind and conscience in some cases, which will at times try to make demands of a person's life which may or may not be truly a part of our obedience to God. This is why I would urge people to read the Bible for themselves and to talk to God about everything (in prayer). Remember that if God truly requires something of a person, he will with that requirement also grant the grace and the power to obey. quote:I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phi 4:13) When a person comes to know Jesus Christ as his Saviour, he realizes that Jesus saves from sin. The very Word of God which does make some demands of us, is used by God to set us free from sin. We are set free from the bondage of sin and can then enjoy the liberty of the sons of God. quote:And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free... Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house forever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:32, 34-36) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Rom 6:14-18) Again, I will emphasize that the modern world and all that comes with it is no surprise to God. His Word, the Bible was fully completed while He was fully knowledgable of everything we would have to face today. God has made no exceptions for us today, or for anyone in any particular circumstances. His Word is true for everyone in all times and situations. There is a remarkable prayer recorded from the very words of Jesus in which He prays, not only for His dsiciples, but also for those which would believe upon Him through their preaching and teaching. It is found in John chapter 17. This prayer logically applies to all believers in Christ from that day until the very end of this world. I hesitate to quote a whole chapter here, but 1 Peter chapter 1 very much relates to your questions and my replies. So, here it is: quote:1 Peter 1:1-25 (1) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (6) Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (8) Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (9) Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (10) Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: (11) Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (12) Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: (15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (17) And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: (18) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (19) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (20) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (21) Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (22) Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. (24) For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (25) But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. nondisclosed_email@example.com (BibleNote Writer)Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:46:15 +0000 Can we live relatively normal lives while still being a good Christian?https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p140,from=rss#post140https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p140,from=rss#post140Again, I will have to specify in which sense we can and in which sense we cannot, live normal lives, because "relatively normal lives" is a rather subjective statement. What is "normal" where I live in the USA may be rather abnormal to those living in Europe or Asia, or even more abnormal in the heart of Africa or in Papua New Guinea. Also, what is "normal" to a sinful man, woman, or child, who has never known a relationship with God and what is "normal" to one who does experience such a relationship can be very different as well. Given the comments surrounding your question, I believe the heart of the matter goes something like this: "Can a person be a good Christian and enjoy life like other people do?" I am sort of going out on a limb with this interpretation of your question. And, you can certainly correct me if I am wrong. But, it seems to me that most often, those who haven't been converted to Christ (and are not Christians), are very concerned about all the things they would have to "give up" if they were to become converted. As I tried to explain to some unconverted teenagers, a long time ago when I also was a teenager, when a person has truly converted to Christ, he has his desires changed, so that he wants to do what God wants him to do and he no longer wants to do the things which God forbids. quote:Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2Co 5:17) I well remember that before I had become a Christian, my life was filled with boredom. I spent many hours before a television set and had no true satisfaction. I sought satisfaction in rock music, but did not find it there. I was bound by a guilty conscience and some sinful habits. I was on my way to an early imprisonment if something didn't happen soon. Then I became a Christian in a night and was completely changed from the inside out. My sinful habits and rock music dropped off immediately. I eventually gave up the television entirely and found that I was satisfied with Christ, the Bible, prayer, church services, and trying to help others to come to know the Lord as well. As for ending up in prison, that option went out the window with the sinful actions. Yes, I still enjoyed some games, bicycle riding, driving a car, and etc., but now, I found that the sinful things which had once controlled my life no longer appealed to me like they once had and I was set free from them. Yes, we can live a "relatively normal life", IF we do not consider sinful actions as relatively normal; but, on the otherhand, No, we cannot be a good Christian and live a "relatively normal life" which includes any sinful actions. Here is a passage of Scripture that states this very clearly: quote:1 John 3:1-10 (1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. (6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. (7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. (8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. The people who are not converted to Christ will always have trouble understanding the people that truly are Christians indeed. It is often said, "He has gone crazy over religion" or "She has become a religious fanatic."; but, the same people who make these statements usually have no problem understanding how unconverted people can be so fanatical about the various sinful activities in which they indulge themselves. quote:Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God...That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (Joh 3:3, 6-8) The "born again" experience mentioned in the Scriptures I have quoted is a supernatural thing that only God can do for a person. It is a truly miraculous experience. Once someone really is converted by this means, he will never be the same again.nondisclosed_email@example.com (BibleNote Writer)Tue, 22 Jan 2008 01:15:27 +0000 How does God/Jesus fit into the modern world?https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p139,from=rss#post139https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p139,from=rss#post139As the very Creator and sustainer of the world in which we live, God and His Son Jesus are both apart from the world and in the world at the same time -- omnipresent. Also, God and Jesus have complete knowledge of the past, present and future -- omniscience, Therefore, what is modern to us is not a surprise to God in the least. So, in a literal sense, this question is unnecessary. However, the whole context of your question suggests an issue of great importance to many I am sure. Considering the current condition of the world, technologically, sociologically, morally and etc... Well, it is an awfully different world than in was when Jesus was physically walking upon the earth in Israel about 2000 years ago. Yet, I would have to say that people are still essentially the same -- a soul, a body, a mind, basic human desires and aspirations. The sins that people commit haven't changed much either -- lust, adultery, murder, stealing, coveteousness, and etc. They just have some different avenues by which they may be practiced. But, to more specifically attempt to answer the question, God/Jesus in one sense have never "fit into the ... world", at least not in the sense that the world as a whole would accept Him and favor Him. In another sense, God/Jesus fit into the modern world today just as He did in the first century of Christianity. The Way in which God/Jesus Does NOT Fit into the World quote:He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (John 1:10) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16) God/Jesus do not fit in with the wickedness of the world and because of the world's wickedness, most people tend to reject Him. This has always been the case and will always be so until the end of this world (as we know it). There is coming a time when all the evil of this world and evil-doers will be gone and the world will be re-made. Then God/Jesus and all the holy beings (angelic and human) will fit in quite perfectly. quote:But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2Pe 3:10-13) The Way in which God/Jesus Does Fit into the World In the sense that God/Jesus does fit into the world, we are looking at the aspect of His love for the people of the world and His desire and ability to change their hearts and lives. I will likely deal with this more under the next question, but I here give a bit of an answer. quote:For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (Joh 1:12-13) Jesus is the Savior of all who will truly believe in Him. The time or conditions in which we live cannot change this fact. He has the power to save us and to give us a right relationship with God. I could make the answer to this question tremendously long by going into all the many aspects of how specifically God/Jesus and the Bible relate to the many issues that face humanity today (as in all other ages of world history as well), but I will save those comments and Scripture references for other questions. Feel free though to ask more specific questions about various particular life issues. My answers here to your questions are especially designed to deal with what I see as the most important way(s) in which the Bible answers.nondisclosed_email@example.com (BibleNote Writer)Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:56:22 +0000 Re: God in the Modern Worldhttps://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p138,from=rss#post138https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p138,from=rss#post138Wow! Very good question(s)! And, welcome to the Bible Notes message board, Starfighter. I would love to take the time to answer several issues that you bring up in your comments before the main question(s), but I will restrain myself for now. Perhaps, I will post these other issues as their own separate question topics. Perhaps they will be worded something like: "Which religion is right?", "Something greater than us?" and, "What age is too young to have a relationship with God?" Anyway, I will still be biting off quite a chunk to answer the main questions. How does God/Jesus fit into the modern world? Can we live relatively normal lives while still being a good Christian? and I add this last one -- implied by the words, "without putting too many bonds on you". Does the Word of God/Jesus put too many demands upon us? or, worded differently, Does God/Jesus make us live in a moral or religious "strait jacket"? I will be answering each of these questions as a separate reply to help emphasize the different angle that each takes. Please keep in mind that I will be answering these specific issues (questions) from the viewpoint of what the Bible has to say and treating the Bible as the authoritative Word of God.nondisclosed_email@example.com (BibleNote Writer)Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:32:40 +0000 God in the Modern Worldhttps://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p137,from=rss#post137https://bbiblenotes.runboard.com/p137,from=rss#post137Hello Im happy to see myself as the first one to ask a question here. (unless some are in hiding) Plz excuse me if this question is not in coordinance with the rules. Its in a bit of a gray area I think. So I wanted to try. When I went to school, we had a very christian girl in our class, she didn't drink and those sort of things. I found it remarkable for a girl her age to really believe she had found god. But I always respected her, and she was one of my close friends. (generally, we were the only 2 not drinking at parties..) Now, here is my question. I believe there is something greater than us in this world. But admittedly, I dont know what. Im having a hard time figuring out which of the major religious are "right". I also have a hard time seeing how the word of God/Jesus can survieve in the world today. At least without putting too many bonds on you. So the bottom line is: How does God/Jesus fit into the modern world? Can you live relatively normal lives, while still being a good christian?nondisclosed_email@example.com (starfighter100)Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:11:50 +0000