The spirit that speaks through Obama also speaks through Vivek.... [video]

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[–]StillLessons 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

You and I have far more in common than opposition. I absolutely recognize and know God's existence. I just think the focus on the life and figure of Jesus is a mistake. I'm not sure it's accurate, either. The way the texts of the Bible were arrived at historically leaves a lot of room for questions. I would not be surprised if Jesus did not intend to be the focus that he has become. I see Mark 10:18 "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone" as a window into a Jesus who knew that he was a man and a preacher who saw and knew God, and who did not ever pretend to be God. What he taught was correct, and sadly his teaching has been eclipsed far too often by the requirement that "either you recognize Jesus as God or you are going to Hell." The Good Samaritan is my favorite parable. Jesus could not have said more clearly that those who behave according to the ethics of God are God's children, whatever different creeds we may or may not follow.

I enjoy your posts.

[–]In-the-clouds[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It is good to scrutinize everything you are told, what you read and hear. Since you recognize the existence of God, you can also pray or talk to God and ask him for the truth. He promises to reveal his truth to anyone who asks out of a sincere desire for it.

Here is my response to what you said about Jesus. He indeed did ask why they called him good, but he was not rebuking them for it. He is good. Similarly when Thomas called Jesus, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus did not correct him or tell him to stop saying so. Jesus allowed people to worship him but never demanded it.

We could rephrase that statement you put in quotes to: Either you recognize Jesus as God or you are not entering the kingdom of God. Jesus said, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No one comes to the Father but by me. He also said he was one with the Father, making himself equal with God.

But why does this matter? It's a long story that began before you were born on this earth. Everyone that was born here already belonged to God's adversary. Man is fallen through sin. There is one purpose of life here: to be united to God. But everyone came here in bondage, under the control of the enemy of God. This is Satan's planet. Many people are in hell already and don't know it! The only way to be free from God's adversary is to be redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Jesus descended to Earth and lived a perfect life, teaching people the truth and performing good deeds everywhere he went. God's enemy worked through men to crucify Jesus and God allowed it. Jesus was the ransom to purchase all souls from the adversary. But the only way to be released from God's adversary is to choose to follow Jesus. Free will is respected. The spiritual beings previously used their free will to rebel against God and followed Lucifer. Now, if man wants to be free, he has to exercise his free will to be released from the adversary and follow Jesus. It was God in the man Jesus that paid the ransom. God is love, and it was that perfect love that gave Jesus the power to accomplish the greatest act of love. He lay down his life for his friends.