Quote:
Originally Posted by Yamer
It was disturbing how the church and it's teaching left so many of questions up to a single universal answer, faith. As I discovered new influences in my life my questions only grew. I remember listening to 'The Fight Song' by Marilyn Manson and specifically the lyrics 'I'm not a slave to a God that doesn't exist'.
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I think the reason that God only reveals Himself partially to us and not fully is that if faith were completely out of the picture, we would basically be forced to acknowledge His existence and then consequently be subject to His Lordship over us. In which case believing in and following God would become an obligation and not done out of love. True love is always a choice and of our own volition and God would rather have that than forced slavery I suspect.
Yet blind faith is not logical and truth-based either. In my walk with the Lord I have found that He reveals enough of Himself here and there to encourage His children and remind them that their faith will not disappoint them. Maybe not visually, but in many different little ways He manifests Himself in His creation and more importantly, in His people.
The trouble with a lot of church teachings is that churches can make stuff up as they go along. Sadly, many churches today preach following certain rules will get you to heaven, or else God will be angry with you. It's no wonder the atrocities that people commit nowadays all in the name of "God" or organized religion. Some religions just take it a little further than others. It's difficult to find Christian churches that teach the Bible 100% and don't let let personal biases, cultural upbringings and particular interpretations get in the way. It's why you have so many denominations and even cults today that are Bible-based in some ways. They all started in the same place but rather than teaching Christianity as a personal experience they get away from salvational issues and teach their particular interpretation of the Bible as the correct one.
Gandhi probably said it best when he said, "I like their Christ, but I don't like their Christians."
Anyways, I'll end the ramble and get back on topic here. I believe that when I die I will go to heaven and be with my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Knowing that I have my eternal salvation secured makes living life a lot easier. Having that hope makes this life more worthwhile and I'm less likely to live it selfishly. Because if there was no life after death I'd do whatever I want on this earth - nobody else matters since we are only here a short time, may as well live it up for my own pleasure.
Many don't and won't accept God or acknowledge His existence. Frankly, I believe God would rather have that than if we were all forced to serve Him. Which is why as a Christian I try never to be pushy or force my beliefs on anyone else...if it's forced, it isn't real.