God and the Devil
My Opinion is Only for Me Unless I Share It
I understand we live in the United States of America. I also understand we have the right to express our beliefs without fear of being jailed or forced to shut up. I believe that any Religion that exclaims I can't get into heaven unless I am saved by them is ridiculous. I know God is not that closed minded. The author of the above articles did mention God wasn't pleased with what men have done with His words and teachings. I wonder how many of these screaming, cheating, stealing, preachers were listening to that.
I know I haven't learned enough of God's teaching to be a preacher. I also know He didn't, nor doesn't today preach condemnation of any beliefs only what men have done to His examples of Honesty, love and kindness. All the books I have studied tell me God's words are of honesty, love, kindness, acceptance of all faiths, and a desire for serenity for all His children.
God didn't cause the Crusades. It was the men of power that decided all folks should be Christians. What are we not doing the same thing with our missionaries to Africa, China, and other countries. When the Christians preach if you don't believe in creation you will go to Hell is this God's teaching of honesty, kindness and love?
I know students of Islam. None of them will agree to the slaughter that the men of Iraq have begun in the name of God. I know Christians that still claim the Jews are at fault for all that is wrong in the world. How can a person claim to be Christian, Jew, or Muslim and yet focus on the negative of their neighbor. Where is God's teaching of honesty, love, and kindness in this behavior?
I believe Lucifer, the devil, etc are only an illusion created by men. The illusion was created so men could blame someone else for their own unacceptable behavior... "The devil made me do it" Men have created enough evil on this earth without any help from another entity. Men have created a Hell on earth by twisting God's words and examples from the view of all that observe them.
I have yet to find a place of worship that will accept my beliefs. I have found many churches that God wouldn't be welcome in the congregation. I found even more that God wouldn't feel comfortable sitting in the pew. Yet I know God is in these buildings attempting to be heard above the noise of men.
Let me leave you with a thought, perhaps a prayer, that inspires me most mornings. It was written by a Holy Man by the name of Ray. Morning of the Unknown "My mind and hands are busy, preparing for the probabilities of this day, the desirable and the dreaded. But thought and labor are powerless with the unknown which shall indeed be part of today. In that yet unknown reality all I need is a willingness to live it when it comes. For when the unknown becomes the present event, it is equally honored with the attention of God's power and love. It becomes my meeting place with God, my place of surrender to that Power greater than me. And just as quickly, it is etched into my unchangeable history, to be embraced equally with all the anticipated moments of my life and remembered gratefully for the presence of God in the yet unknown."
MIZPAH..(Gen 31-49)
Published by Bubba
Struggling free lance writer with one leg to stand on. View profile
- Transformers Vs. God and the DevilThis movie sort of reminds me of the battle between God and the Devil. Lucifer (Devil) was an archangel of God.
Memnoch the Devil - an In-depth LookThis article contains an in depth look into the novel Memnoch the Devil, written by Anne Rice. Along with a short summary of the authors background and that of the books storyli...- The Great Debate: Is the Bible of God or the Devil?An article that I found, struck a question in my mind. The question was, what does everyone believe and does it really matter what they believe. Read more to find out why some people believe and others don't.
- The Interview Between Jesus and the DevilUnderstanding our goal in life.
- Reflections on God and SantaI'm sure I'm not the first person to speculate on the relationship between the two, but there are some amazing similarities that have led me to conclude that they are, indeed, the same person. Or, more precisely, I be...
- When Relationships Fail, We are Still Loved by God
- 1 John 4:4-6: God and the World
- Origins and Meanings of Names for the Devil
- Lucifer was in Fact a Man, and Not the Devil
- Is There a God?
- Who is Holding Whom? You or God?
- ....when "Under God" Became a Threat
17 Comments
Post a CommentInteresting little piece, but you've got it wrong. "God and the Devil are the Same Person!" is a piece that I submitted. If Associated content ever publishes it, I hope you will read it.
(continued from below) The only way to become free from sin is to accept the death of Christ, who is the Son of God, as a subsistution for the punishment deserved by a sinner, such as every man is judged by the Lord to be. Anyone who wants to know more about Jesus Christ and how to begin a personal relationship with Him, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would love to tell you more about what Christ has done for me and what He wants to do for you.
Someone once said, "The biggest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist." There is much truth in that statement, as is evidenced by this article. However, a man does not need to believe that Satan exists in order to realize his need for salvation from sin, because every man (whether he will admit it or not) knows in his heart that human beings are wicked. No one can claim to be righteous; the standards that a man holds his neighbors accountable to he cannot himself abide by, and by the moral laws which judge others as guilty he also will be condemned. "You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law." (Romans 2:21-23, ESV) The only way to become free from sin is to accept the death of Christ, who is the Son of God, as a sub
Oh, and I know of many Christians who have claimed to have experienced the presence of Satan as well as the presence of God. One of my teachers is expecting a baby and his wife once had to pull over because she literally heard God speaking to her and telling her that she would have a son and he would be named "strength". The child is a boy and they have decided to name him Aton (that may not be spelled right) after the Hebrew word for strength.
God does not condemn anyone to Hell, our sin does. No matter what you do, you cannot live up to God's standard for right and wrong. If you've ever read the sermon on the mount, you know what I mean when I say that Jesus never preached about "good enough". Sin separates us from God and that is exactly what Hell is all about. The only way to enter the presence of God (heaven) is to accept Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. That is the only thing that is necessary for salvation and it is the only thing that Can give salvation. You can be as religious as you want but no amount of theology or understanding of the Bible is ever as important as accepting Jesus Christ into your heart.
Alban, I couldn't agree more. Very well written and nicely expressed.
Another gem of an article. You come up with the best ideas.
This is great; I've wanted to express something like this for a while now, but you've said it much better than I could. And I don't believe in Lucifer/Satan either; there is enough evil in humanity that we don't need a "dark lord of Hades" to blame for what we do out of our own free will and choice. Wonderful work!
A "pharmaceutical beginning..." Now that made me laugh. I'll have to remember that little phrase for use in a conversation somewhere, some time. You make some good points in your article, Alban. God have mercy on us all!
Another well expressed opinion. Good thoughts from a sincere person.