суббота, 11 февраля 2017 г.

Conversations About Things That Matter To God

By Raymond Cooper


Humans more often than not are conscious that there is a supreme being. The concept of some sort of god is found in most cultures, although more modern philosophies may be dedicated to the idea of a godless universe governed by chance. However, anyone having conversations about things that matter to God has presumably accepted that God is an entity mindful of man and the things of the earth. So, the question to start with is perhaps: what does matter to God?

There are a couple of ways to narrow this down. One is to look inside oneself and find what makes sense, what feels right. This is probably a universal trait, anyway; people tend to make everything subjective to a degree. However, some people are more comfortable with a belief system of their own making. They accept what they like about ancient teachings and philosophy and discard the rest.

The existence of hell is a good example of something many people reject, even if they are okay with other tenets of Christianity. Those who want to think of the Lord as a loving creator may not accept His role as judge and condemner. The fact that this viewpoint dilutes the value of the crucifixion and weakens standards of right and wrong is not enough to make them acknowledge a loving spirit who also demands atonement before deserved punishment can be averted.

You can see why some common ground is necessary before conversation can be meaningful. If sin matters to God as much as the Bible says it does, conduct will be an important topic. Those who choose to believe that the Lord of the Bible has defined Himself will base their arguments on scripture. Others may choose to believe what they are comfortable with, what makes sense to them, what makes them feel good.

Many things support this kind of reliance on scripture, including archaeological discoveries and miracles. However, there are more skeptics than believers in the world. This to some seems tragic but to others only logical.

It is necessary to have two or more participants for true conversation. A certain amount of common ground is also needed. It is easier for two Christians to talk about things which are spiritually significant than it would be for a Christian and a New Age devotee who's seeking guidance and help in crystals.

Scripture is a way to let God speak for Himself, to see what He commands His followers to do, and to learn His will. Some things are easy, like feeding and clothing the poor or caring for widows. Some are harder, like how to show mercy, give forgiveness, and live a holy life. Discussing these precepts can help reinforce the rules of conduct and strengthen the resolve of those who want to honor the Lord. For those who have no fellowship, christian talk radio is a great resource.

In the Bible, believers are encouraged to speak of the things of the Lord. The Book of Ephesians is particularly rich in guidance about avoiding loose or evil speech and focusing on what is pure and right. Discussing righteous actions unites believers, encourages them, and promotes the work of the kingdom.




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