Why do people say God gave us free will if he really didn't?
Ok. I am just very confused about God lately. I have always been a believer but lately things just don't make sense. Like why would God create us and then put us here on earth to be harrassed by satan all the time? Anything bad that happens is satan's fault, but why does God allow it if he has infinate power? And then people say he gave us free will, but he really didn't because in the end if we don't do what he wants, he will force us to go to hell? They say he created us to worship him, but gave us free will so we wouldn't be like "robots." And then they compare how us parents feel towards our children and how we don't force our children to do things but instead try to guide then, but I am sorry, I love my child so much and no matter what he did, even if he didn't do as I asked, I would never want him to spend eternity in hell being tortured. It makes no sense to me.
2012-09-11T14:13:04Z
gino hunter- i don't blame my wrong doings on other people. but isn't that the christian belief? that 'satan is always trying to tempt us to lure us away from God' so people who are doing things that are wrong, are being tempted by satan. I didn't say: "I did drugs, satan made me, it's not my fault!" I understand that we are supposed to overcome temptation. I just don't understand why satan pretty much runs the world. look around, there are far more wrong doings than right going on and then in the end we will suffer for doing things that seem to be ok to some people in our society, and we are given free will, yet we will suffer if it isn't according to God's will. I just wanted people to answer my question, not try to make it seem like it's a dumb question that I shouldn't be asking.
I really appreciate everyone's answers. both believer's and non-believers have some very good points.
Julian T.2012-09-12T08:36:35Z
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God didn't create us to be harassed by Satan, he wanted us to live happy, but Satan ruined it for us all by turning evil. (John 8:44) He did this by saying humans should worship him, and he took thousands of angels with him. But, this wasn't Jah's fault. (Genesis Chapter 3)
Not everything bad that happens is the Devil's fault. Sometimes stuff happens indirectly, like car accidents and storms. (Ecclesiastes 9:11 - bottom part)
And God does have the power to stop Satan, he has unlimited power over the universe. However, Satan wanted to rule, as shown in Genesis in the Adam and Eve account. So, Jah is letting him rule, not because he wants to, because he doesnt want to. Its horrible to see all the sufferings that us imperfect humans have, and all our problems and 'devils'. Nevertheless, this has to happen. Satan HAS to rule for a litttle while (long while in human's view). Satan has to have full control and full responsibility over what happens on the Earth. (2 Corinthians 4:4) The Earth HAS to get horrible, it has to almost be wasted. This way, when God brings destruction to all wicked, he will be able to say to Satan:
"See, you thought you could rule over humans, but look what has happened because of you. Now you're done forever. I have universal sovereignty over everything."
Once again, God will claim rule, with Jesus Christ by his side. (1 John 5:19 - Isaiah 9:6, 7 - Daniel 2:44)
We do have free will, and there's no such thing as an everlasting fire for all humans who reject God. Matthew 25:41, the scripture that most people think of when they think of 'hell' speaks of 'an everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels'. That's it though; its just for the Devil and the demons, nowhere does it say that humans will be there. Ecclesiastes 9:5 states that the dead are conscience of nothing at all, it doesnt say 'the dead who are bad will be burned forever'. And that is not even a physical everlasting fire. Its merely a symbol of everlating destruction, or nonexistence. Besides, only physical things are affected by a fire. What would a fire do to wicked spirit creatures?? They dont have human feelings of pain or touch. WE cant even see them!
I believe you on homosexuality, I don't know what the answer is whether it is a sin or no longer, but I do suppose that it's between God and this individual. My job as a Christian is to like them and be sort to them. The query of abortion is one that may be very exceptional and i can answer this as both a Christian and on soley an mental degree. As a Christian, I believe that all life is sacred, that at the moment of conception a living soul has come into the arena to whole God's motive (whatever that may be). Placing my Christian beliefs aside (I recognize that not everybody is a Christian or shares my beliefs), American law errs on the aspect of conservatism (i.E harmless except demonstrated guilty). The American medical organization has determined that at a distinctive point in fetal development (I suppose it's 16 weeks) it can be viewed a existence. Well as soon as we've got decided that at a distinct point it does become a existence (they themselves use the word "around") what if it is 15 weeks or 14 weeks? That being mentioned I also believe that pro-lifers have got to step up and take responsibility for their beliefs (in case you are professional existence, do you volunteer to work with disadvantaged youngsters, are you a foster guardian? Do you give to charities that support youngsters and single mothers? When you possess a trade, do you furnish day care?) since i am a pro-lifer, I additionally consider in family planning and condom use (if the egg and sperm by no means meet, there s no concept)
You are absolutely right sweetheart, it makes no sense at all for an all loving God to burn people forever in fire. With such an important subject as hell, it is vital we understand what the Bible says about it, and more importantly what it doesn’t say, but merely comes from human thought and invention.
esus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
The Bereans searched the scriptures daily whether these things are so. Paul told the Thessalonians to prove all things and to hold fast to that which is good.
The King James translators have rendered the Hebrew word Sheol, and the Greek words Hades, Gehenna (or Geena) and Tartaroo as Hell. Is this really intellectual honesty? No, it is not.
Sheol: the grave, the pit, hell.
Hades: place of departed: i.e. the grave.
(Strong’s Concordance, 7585, 86)
Neither of these words have the slightest notion or connotation of a place of punishing or punishment.
New Testament Hades. Here we find this Word used eleven times and it is translated hell in all instances except in I Corinthians 15:55, which is the resurrection chapter. If Hades refers to a place of punishment, then how could these most uplifting scriptures of hope be recorded here as our victory over hell (the grave) through Jesus Christ? It would make no sense whatsoever!
However, does this mean there is no place of punishment? No it does not. It is called the second death,( Rev 20:6 ) Death being the key word, being burned to ashes almost instantly never to exist again, gone and forgotten, but this is only for the very very wicked who will not comply and be repented. Matthew 5:22, 29. The victims of Gehenna fire (second death ) are described in Malachi 4:1-3 as merely ashes left under our feet —that’s all you have left after a fire of any physical material—ashes, that’s all. The fallen angel’s fate is described in 2 Peter 2:4,
It is Satan’s fate to suffer eternally because Spirit cannot burn and cannot die. It has only to do with Satan and his demons. That is why it is he who has perpetuated the lie of the immortality of the soul and an ever-burning hell and eternal punishment. That is his fate—not mankind’s.
In review, Sheol, and Hades mean grave. Tartaroo is the place of final restraint for Satan and his demons. Gehenna is the punishment for the wicked and the end of their existence.
Thank God for being God and loves us so much that all people will being given a 1 real chance to know Yeshua ( Jesus ) thats what the resurrections are for, also found in Rev 20.
Let me take your first misconception. No where in the Bible does it say there is eternal torture. That is a myth and simply not true. What an evil God he would be if it were. The lake of fire is an all consuming fire. total destruction of the soul, it is no more, not even ash would remain or even be remembered. And it is the LAST thing. God takes no pleasure in that. Sure you love your child, but You could not live in a house where your child was violent and destructive all the time either.
What God wants is LOVE. Love can not be bought, or forced. It is the one thing that only be given by someone who has freewill to give it.
We are not random created beings, we were with God. We screwed up. Instead of destroying us all as we deserved. God loved us and wanted to redeem us.
Briefly, God didn't create us out of nothing. We have always existed. God just made a place for us, organizing existing material, so that we could come down to earth and receive a mortal body. In this life we are tempted and tried, which helps us become stronger, independent, wise, and develop the power of faith. We develop real character living in this fallen world. God allows it because it is for our own good.
We have the freedom to choose our actions, but the laws of the universe are such that we cannot choose the consequences independent of our previous choices. You can choose to tell lies but you cannot then choose to be a truthful, honorable person until you also choose to stop lying. The first choice sets us on a path, and we cannot choose a different destination without repenting or turning around and picking a different path. God is not responsible for your choices, but he will see that the laws are enforced as to the consequences of our choices.
Your idea of hell is incorrect. When we die we are given more chances to repent, with more knowledge, as spirits waiting for the final resurrection. But if we never repent we must suffer the consequences. The consequences will be severe pain and regret, but we will not be in torment forever. After we have paid the price for our unrepented sins, we will be given a kingdom of glory. There are many kingdoms in heaven, and the greatest gifts and kingdoms are given to those who first repent of all their sins and develop Christlike characters, which should be our goal in life. The unrepentant will be damned in their eternal progression, but ultimately will be happy and at peace and content after paying the price.