The highlight of my day was the church service that I was blessed enough to be able to attend this morning. In this amazing church that I have recently started attending, we are discussing those questions that "christians" tend to shy away from. This for one makes me happy. I dislike talking about the same mundane material sunday after sunday. I find it highly pointless and it does no good for anyone who actually wishes to grow or actually learn in any way, shape, or form. Today was very good in a challenging, yet understandable way. The title of the sermon was "why would a loving god send people to hell?" This tends to be one of the biggest issues when "non-christians" are concerned. If we cannot answer this question then how can believe. When it all comes down to it, I think I truly believe what we talked about today is the truth. God is a loving god. In fact he loves us so much that he will NEVER force us to love him. He will always give us a choice. Is there a greater love than this? Also, where do we get the truth that God is all loving? The answer would be the normal Sunday school answer... The Bible. If you look at the bible as a whole then you will also see that God is a judgmental god. Would this not now fit? God gives us a choice. This choice, like all others, has a consequence(hell). As C.S. Lewis said, "The doors of hell are locked from the inside."
Another topic that we hit on is if you are truly a "christian" than how much must you hate someone to not share your faith. You believe in heaven and hell and you are willing to let someone go to hell, because you are afraid of making it "awkward." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM This is a pretty good video blog from Penn. He claims to be an atheist, in my opinion(which is the right one, because your in my little world right now) he has it right. Seems ironic that an atheist has it right for a "christian."
All in all I strongly encourage everyone to know their beliefs. I respect those that have the courage to believe or claim a belief. I do not always agree, but I do respect them. Though, if you know nothing about what you believe, then how can you rely on it. You cannot defend something you know nothing about. You cannot debate something you are ignorant to. 1 Peter 3:15 There is reason for our hope, we should know it and be proud. We should not have to shy away because we no not what we believe. God gave us the proof of the world around us and the records that were kept for us that we may be knowledgeable in him and share his love with all.
I may have made no sense in all of this ramble and for that I am not sorry. I am at least willing to say what I believe.
I also believe the left over brownie is calling my name, therefore I will leave this thought with you... Jude 22-23, we were plucked out of the fire, yet we do not smell like smoke. Daniel 3, No smell of smoke was left on them.
Smokefree and thankful.