I read an interesting article and what it contained reminded me of a question and frustration concerning God I have heard many times. Some of which I have dealt with personally.
Following is my response and some of the lessons I have had to learn, at times the hard way. That was my choice though.
This was my response;
I Completely agree! God is Not a pedophile!
My belief when I read the story of God requiring the sacrifice of Isaac. . .it was to show obedience. . .obedience to God even when it hurts or we don't understand. Now God stopped him of course.
I believe God wanted us to always remember His words He has tried to teach us, but as you know. . .we don't always listen.
I Samuel 15:22
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
Now, I've also heard people get angry with God for this. Or even angry that God allows such heinous evil to exist.
No. 1, don't we tried to get our children to understand starting when very little. . .you need to obey! Because we want the Best for them.
If we truly care about them. . .we really drive home Obey without Question! Now, especially when little. . .we don't want them stopping and asking us why or second guessing us. What can this lead to for them?
They must learn to obey. . ."don't step foot in that street, stop right now" if we know a stranger is approaching, train or whatever.
What happens if they take valuable time to question? What happens on many issues if they constantly second guess us, rather than just obey because we have a prior knowledge, experience and skill set to navigate Better than them until they reach maturity.
Just as God has put us as guardians of our children. . .so is He to us except it never ends with God. Our relationship continues and obedience to Him is Still required.
In addressing the, Why won't God stop this heinous evil?
I wrestled with this one at times. Not going to lie. I was down right rebellious at times in my anger feeling as. . .why should a serve an omnipotent, omniscient being who clearly Allows this wickedness and preying upon these children to continue?
I was so caught up in just using my limited, finite reasoning that I would actually think I could tell God what He should be doing.
"Wipe out these terrible abusers God!"
I went through a literal storm and was hit for some of the things I had said.
God literally reigned down lightening on my home. He spared us, but He knew that I knew who had brought that down on us and though all were spared, I was ashamed for having put my family, my children at risk because I though I could question an Almighty God whose wisdom and knowledge far surpasses mine.
Can you imagine, the God who created everything including me. . .I as His child was daring to question Him!
I wasn't seeing it, but he revealed to me something I Never understood.
God didn't bring sin into the world. . .man allowed sin in.
In other words, God wanted a genuine relationship. He did not want to Force us to believe in Him.
Remember, God gave Adam and Eve a command. Sadly, they did not obey without question. The ultimate deceiver helped put doubt into their minds. What does that doubt do? It doesn't just make us question Why we have to obey, but it is ultimately making us question God entirely. . .His being, Who He really is, How He knows better than us.
That is Not trust, that is Not faith. It is a Faith thing. If you read His word as a whole you can see it all come together like a tapestry. So many of us at times (including myself) see just a bird's eye view, we pick and choose what works or what we think doesn't work for us. That is not how God works. It is the Big picture!
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Such pretty words. . .but What do they Really mean? For me, I have been shown many times, either I will Obey on faith, or I will risk the consequences of harm God is trying to protect me from. Just as it is with our own children.
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Now a human sacrifice Was once required and Jesus had to follow through at that cross. There was no other way because God's greatest creation. . .mankind, whom He made after His own image.
Once man chose the deceiver, or satan's ways. . .sin entered this world. This is satan's domain. We had a protected place, but it was given up because Adam and Eve were enticed and drawn to sin. . .they chose it rather than obey without question.
Obeying isn't always easy is it? Not for our kids and not for us. But is it best for us, for our kids?
God's son Jesus became the sacrifice, but people have to accept His gift.
If you are given a gift, but don't accept it, does it become yours? Does it take up space in your house?
Nothing else will save you. . .not even your good works. Now good works Do come into play once you receive Jesus as your Savior because He changes you. You want goodness, you want to do good. Doesn't mean you aren't tempted to do otherwise, but if you rely on Him for strength, He is faithful.
I John 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God Not of works, lest any man should boast.
I now know as God has shown me. .. satan is the prince and power of the air. . Those who follow them Are the children of disobedience and are being led down a path of transhumanism and false teachings making them think. . .just as satan has always done. . .tried to trick God's greatest creation made in His image. . ."there is a different way to be saved". . .or "you can transcend and become More than you were meant to be."
I Assure you, all a Trick. All religions are Not one. ..Any and All do Not save. There is only One God! The Alpha and Omega the Beginning and th End!
Satan started out as God's greatest didn't he? Lucifer, the most beautiful in God's eyes. What did he try to do? Tried to usurp God's authority. Why? Thought he could take God on. Isn't that what all rebellion and all these New Age Religions are all about?
They're just the same as the Old or Ancient Religions. God isn't about religion. . .religion Does not save. ..always leads people into useless rituals and deeds. Only One way to God and heaven.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Satan and his cohorts will continue to do all in his power to trick people. through the propaganda he owns on airwaves like the tell a vision box and the radio. . .because he controls it all. Yes God's voice and people can be heard if people really listen for it.. .John 10:27
This is why among All the confusion there is Still a remnant. It appears the voices of satan's realm are louder, they are certainly filled with violence and hate at times, but if you are seeking, really looking for the One true God. ..there is only One no matter what society tries to tell you or confuse you with. . . Only one seeks to truly Save you.
He is your creator, the one who wants the best for you even when we like our children, don't always understand his methods. ..God's ways are Not our ways.
Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”
People including myself fight against this. But I can't tell you in words the feeling when you just accept God at His word. . .that hole inside and that constant confusion and battle within yourself if you Truly trust in Him and talk to Him. . .He already knows your thoughts, you doubts your fears, but God is not the one who brings this to us. . .it is the deceiver.
The New Age movement which Is the Beast system ushering in and furthering the agenda of the anti christ wants you to hold to that human fear. . .it can't be as easy as trust and receiving. . . it has to require something on my part!
In other words we are a work based society. Not saying people shouldn't work to pay their bills, but you don't have to work to be save. The true work comes in trying to show the rest of humanity, those who don't know this Good News, the truth because we have a heart for God, who in turn has a heart for humanity and wishes None should perish.
The whole. . .we need to do something to transcend is a typical satan move. He has done nothing but work towards usurping God's power. God's ways require humanity to put their trust in God. To understand and submit themselves to God's will and the acknowledgement that we have No power without God. . Satan does indeed have power, it does not match God's, but he does and will entice a lot of people with it. But what is the price of his power? Children and people being harmed to serve satan. Pure wickedness.
God does give us power to combat this evil, but we must accept it and rely on Him. We must believe we have that power, take Him at His word. He shows us, if we ask and trust Him.
2Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
As for that peace, that stillness that can Only come from one place. . .
Philippians 4:7 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
Thank you for sharing your article with me. It wasn't my intent to be so wordy.
Some pretty deep topics you are covering in your article and they are due the respect of considering, pondering and responding to. These words aren't really from me as I asked God before I even responded what should be said. I am adding you to my prayers, as it seems you may be searching. There is no other love like God's. God wasn't being cruel either. . .Jesus loves us as God the father, though we can't understand they are one and the same. Three parts in one to make up a whole as God gave us the Holy Spirit which dwells inside of us to give us Peace, Power and Comfort that only the one True God can give to us.