And what of unity? Unity must beg the question: "With whom?"
And of peace?? If it extends beyond our nose, is it merely peace of mind ...giving a piece of our mind ...or do we mean world peace??
Do we believe that sameness or unity can bring about world peace??
Has our same God done this??
I believe He will.
But, it won't be through our imagining of it, nor our dreamy efforts to pretend that sameness is a reality.
Yes, we are all created equal ...the same.
We are all given the choice ...to think for ourselves, let others think for us, or to not think much at all. And doing too much of any of those can be dangerous.
So, we can all choose to want the same peace, yet we should not want to believe so much in it that we can be deceived into it. And we should especially be on our guard, so we don't too easily accept the guise of non-reality to establish our reality.
Yes, sometimes Daddy can be happy and sometimes Daddy can be angry. And often there are reasons ...and we should not ignore the possibilities of reasons. But, unlike some Daddies, God does not get drunk. God has good reasons, and we may even understand some of those reasons if we are looking to follow God for who He is. We can read His message, His Word ...the Bible. If it's not the Bible, then it's a different message, different prophets, and a different god.
When we follow the same Bible, do we follow the same God??
Sometimes it appears not.
But, if the Bible is our authority ...how then could we still have differences??
When I worked in the prison, I came to know of a 'white supremacist' who was a prisoner there. We correction officers were doing our searches, for contraband, and I made mention to him about his Bible and other study books (which were not contraband). I asked him how a person can be 'saved' ...how one could gain the assurance of eternal life in heaven with God. He said it was simple. I asked how. And he said it was by simply believing in Jesus. I asked, "Is that all?" And he smiled, "That's all it takes!" I then told him that I know of many black people who dearly love Jesus, so if they'd die ...then they would go to heaven. I made mention of the other 'white supremacy' books he had, and asked how he reasons himself supreme down here on earth, while condemning black people ...and especially how he'd be supreme to a black person in heaven praising God? I felt like telling him he was supremely stupid, but that would have probably done little in the way of potential rehabilitation.
From the tenth Chapter of Luke, we read:
Many people who read the Bible do not read it well ...or don't read it much at all, and they listen to those who lie.
We know about birth ...and that's how we come into this world. We should have equal standing ...as God loves each of us. This process of birth had a beginning ...and it was not evolution. I know many Christians who believe in evolution, yet on this point I am closer in agreement with the Muslims who say we were created. Yes, there are many truths that we do share ...but, there are many lies that have been spread, and sadly accepted also.
Let's stick to the truths. If we bake a cake, we can add some really good ingredients ...but, if we add one wrong ingredient, we may have a very bad cake. Likewise, we can all add much good to this world ...but, one wrong thing often seems to have the greatest effect. None of us can always do what's right ...yet, like a boat in a huge ocean, a little off course can end up more than a little off course. Corrections must be made to set the course right. Not to blame anyone, but we all mess up ...and we all need correction. But, then again, if deliberate sabotage is involved ...then blame becomes more of an issue.
It could take some time to get into that, but let me say, in short, that there was only one way to make it right. The biggest problem is the lack of concern ...but the biggest concern is in viewing how things are made right, and the judgment involved with that. Of primary importance is the fact that we should not esteem ourselves to think we are to get involved in the judgment of others (nor are we to judge ourselves too harshly ...but, merely reconcile our actions). When Jesus was put to death, things were made right ...yet, it may not always be the way we see as right. Jesus did not remain dead long ...in less than half a week, He was alive again, and continuing to teach us how to live. He also gave us a way to get to Heaven, that was not available to us beforehand. Jesus is the way ...and if we are told we need more than Jesus, that is not what Jesus said. I don't like to say that people lie ...yet, if anyone tells us something contrary to that, what then would you call it??
We'd all find much to like if we'd follow the same God, if we'd only follow the true God. There's much to like, especially when considering eternal life. If one says the Bible is truly God's Word, and truly God ...and another says it is not, then that is not the same.
Sorry, but I don't make the rules. No, I take that back ...I am not sorry. I don't want to make the rules, and you wouldn't want me to either. It's not that I'd be without compassion or understanding ...it's just that I'm too much like you. We are all errant and without perfect discernment and wisdom. And I am never as near to what God would have me be ...or me have me be. And my behavior is not perfectly in line with what He would have me do ...but, nonetheless He has me as a follower. Never do I stand sufficiently straight or tall ...but I look up and point humbly to the love of the Father who sent His Son for us.
And there is the Holy Spirit also ...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; not multiple gods, they are One.
If we want to have one understanding, then let's talk. If we believe we have the same God, let's talk about our God ...and not be offended by the conversation. Let's not be the ones who decide who He is ...let Him reveal that to us.
And I believe He has ...and I'd love to tell you how I believe He has done this.
Thanks for listening.
I'll listen too.
Try to be kind ...and I hope I come across that way too.
Yes, sometimes Daddy can be happy and sometimes Daddy can be angry. And often there are reasons ...and we should not ignore the possibilities of reasons. But, unlike some Daddies, God does not get drunk. God has good reasons, and we may even understand some of those reasons if we are looking to follow God for who He is. We can read His message, His Word ...the Bible. If it's not the Bible, then it's a different message, different prophets, and a different god.
When we follow the same Bible, do we follow the same God??
Sometimes it appears not.
But, if the Bible is our authority ...how then could we still have differences??
When I worked in the prison, I came to know of a 'white supremacist' who was a prisoner there. We correction officers were doing our searches, for contraband, and I made mention to him about his Bible and other study books (which were not contraband). I asked him how a person can be 'saved' ...how one could gain the assurance of eternal life in heaven with God. He said it was simple. I asked how. And he said it was by simply believing in Jesus. I asked, "Is that all?" And he smiled, "That's all it takes!" I then told him that I know of many black people who dearly love Jesus, so if they'd die ...then they would go to heaven. I made mention of the other 'white supremacy' books he had, and asked how he reasons himself supreme down here on earth, while condemning black people ...and especially how he'd be supreme to a black person in heaven praising God? I felt like telling him he was supremely stupid, but that would have probably done little in the way of potential rehabilitation.
From the tenth Chapter of Luke, we read:
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
At this point Jesus told a story of how someone had been beaten and needed help desperately. A priest and others considered to be 'good' walked by ...but a Samaritan, whom other thought not to be good, stopped and helped. He also made provisions for the man until he got well.Many people who read the Bible do not read it well ...or don't read it much at all, and they listen to those who lie.
We know about birth ...and that's how we come into this world. We should have equal standing ...as God loves each of us. This process of birth had a beginning ...and it was not evolution. I know many Christians who believe in evolution, yet on this point I am closer in agreement with the Muslims who say we were created. Yes, there are many truths that we do share ...but, there are many lies that have been spread, and sadly accepted also.
Let's stick to the truths. If we bake a cake, we can add some really good ingredients ...but, if we add one wrong ingredient, we may have a very bad cake. Likewise, we can all add much good to this world ...but, one wrong thing often seems to have the greatest effect. None of us can always do what's right ...yet, like a boat in a huge ocean, a little off course can end up more than a little off course. Corrections must be made to set the course right. Not to blame anyone, but we all mess up ...and we all need correction. But, then again, if deliberate sabotage is involved ...then blame becomes more of an issue.
It could take some time to get into that, but let me say, in short, that there was only one way to make it right. The biggest problem is the lack of concern ...but the biggest concern is in viewing how things are made right, and the judgment involved with that. Of primary importance is the fact that we should not esteem ourselves to think we are to get involved in the judgment of others (nor are we to judge ourselves too harshly ...but, merely reconcile our actions). When Jesus was put to death, things were made right ...yet, it may not always be the way we see as right. Jesus did not remain dead long ...in less than half a week, He was alive again, and continuing to teach us how to live. He also gave us a way to get to Heaven, that was not available to us beforehand. Jesus is the way ...and if we are told we need more than Jesus, that is not what Jesus said. I don't like to say that people lie ...yet, if anyone tells us something contrary to that, what then would you call it??
We'd all find much to like if we'd follow the same God, if we'd only follow the true God. There's much to like, especially when considering eternal life. If one says the Bible is truly God's Word, and truly God ...and another says it is not, then that is not the same.
Sorry, but I don't make the rules. No, I take that back ...I am not sorry. I don't want to make the rules, and you wouldn't want me to either. It's not that I'd be without compassion or understanding ...it's just that I'm too much like you. We are all errant and without perfect discernment and wisdom. And I am never as near to what God would have me be ...or me have me be. And my behavior is not perfectly in line with what He would have me do ...but, nonetheless He has me as a follower. Never do I stand sufficiently straight or tall ...but I look up and point humbly to the love of the Father who sent His Son for us.
And there is the Holy Spirit also ...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; not multiple gods, they are One.
If we want to have one understanding, then let's talk. If we believe we have the same God, let's talk about our God ...and not be offended by the conversation. Let's not be the ones who decide who He is ...let Him reveal that to us.
And I believe He has ...and I'd love to tell you how I believe He has done this.
Thanks for listening.
I'll listen too.
Try to be kind ...and I hope I come across that way too.
No comments:
Post a Comment