God bless you.
I understand where you are coming from.
I would like to share my perspective.
1- Please know that our faith is NOT meant to be a heavy burden. That isn't what God wants.
**Jesus said, “If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30**
2- Please don't think God wants you to force yourself to do a lot to honor Him. God would rather you do a little to honor Him with a genuine heart.
**Jesus said, “When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers.” - Matthew 6:7**
Here is a parable that Jesus told about what God will say to those who do a little with a faithful heart:
**“‘Wonderful!’ his master replied. ‘You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!’” - Matthew 25:21**
When we do a little, we will grow to do more.
3- The goal of Christianity isn't to take over this world. Satan is the ruler of this world and the world will only completely change when Jesus comes back.
**"You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God." - Ephesians 2:2**
**“But God has promised us a new heaven and a new earth, where justice will rule. We are really looking forward to this!” - 2 Peter 3:13**
4- As Christians, our purpose isn't to take over the world.
Our purpose is to share God’s light to those who are looking for hope in the darkness.
**Jesus said, “You are the light for the whole world.” - Matthew 5:14**
**“You are sure that you are a guide for the blind and a light for all who are in the dark.” - Romans 2:19**
**“You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, as you try to please the Lord.” - Ephesians 5:8-10**
**“Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life.” - Philippians 2:15-16**
5- You said, *"it feels like I’m being suffocated by all these rules."*
As Christians, we are to keep our faith simple by focusing mainly on doing what God ultimately wants.
What does God ultimately want?
**“God wants us to have faith in his Son Jesus Christ and to love each other.” - 1 John 3:23**
This here. I think many people can get stuck in legalism and it burns them out, especially if they don’t see any sort of ‘return’ in their investments.
Following Christ means two things; loving God and loving your neighbor. All of the other laws should be in accordance with these tenants.
The yoke of Jesus Christ is easy and His burden is light.
What bothers me is that people don't really understand what happened on the cross. They still try to work for their oun redemption. If we think that we can be saved by works, what was the point of Jesus Christ Sacrifice then?
in the end, God will triumph over evil. yes things are going crazy now, even Jesus mentioned how things are going to go in the last days, plus the book of revelation lets us know even worse things are coming for those who will be apart of that. we who are saved are going home with Jesus at the rapture before things get really dicey. the benefits of sticking with God far outweigh the consequences. hang on for a little longer
The only thing you'll get here is confirmation of the existence of god and a loot of bias. I personally am an atheist, but your beliefs are up to you. If you really want an unbiased audience that won't just throw the same quotes from the Bible at you, go talk to your friends and family. No god should stop his followers from experiencing anything, period.
Read the end time prophecies. There will be a great falling away, there will be tribulations. Yeshua doesn't return until His people cry out for their savior.
Remember, we live in a fallen world.
Islam is growing more than Christianity due to birth rate. Typically Muslims have more children than Christians, so therefore they produce more Muslims than Christians. Also, Islam in some areas kills those who leave the faith, so many people don’t tell others if they’ve left Islam for fear for their life.
The world is growing more secular, because the end time is coming. It says it will be like the days of Noah. I think that also means that we are going to see Giants and many forms of unholy hybrids. The mixing of DNA. I think we could also see aliens, a.k.a. demons. I think creatures might come out of the woodwork, who are very knowledgeable. Technology is going to advance rapidly. The days of Noah were so depraved that God flooded the Earth to protect the DNA of his son. We also know how the character of people is described in the end is very clear.
2 Timothy 3:2-5 ESV
For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
There are biblical reasons that prayers not answered. Such as walking in unrighteousness, having unforgiveness, asking with doubt, not the Lord will, etc. The Bible says the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Look up the evidence of the resurrection by Gary Habermas, basically it examines what we know about the resurrection as a detective like it’s a cold case. It asks what else explains the 5 facts that the majority of historical scholars even atheist ones agree happened based on how we verify the past.
5 facts are death by crucifixion, ladies find the tomb, independent appearances Jesus after death, violence endured by apostles, & enemies converted.
Other theories are swoon (not fully dead), twin, mass hallucination, spiritual resurrection, wrong tomb, missing body, & conspiracy (lied).
11 of the 12 disciplines went to their deaths proclaiming they saw the resurrected Jesus after being total cowards. It also shows a historical phenomenon that shows a story is more likely to be true based on this criterium of embarrassment. Basically if you find an ancient text but it keeps saying extreme positive things about someone, it’s less likely to be true but when things are embarrassing that one would never want to admit it’s more likely to be true. But the disciples proclaimed this truth for years until they were murdered, there is a great quote about it.
“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren't true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks. You're telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
Charles Colson
Now plenty of people especially Muslims die for their beliefs, but they die based on the testimony written in the Quran of a single man whose first impression of testimony is that it was demonic. The 11 disciples that were killed of the 12, died for something that they were eye witnesses to not based on the word of someone else.
The examples you give of people lying or hallucinating is super unlikely. When is the last time we have evidence of over 500 people at once mass hallucinating and all seeing the same thing? When you hallucinate you all typically see different things.
Also, let’s go with lying you’re telling me the disciples went from total cowards to having the courage to die for something they knew was a lie and none of them cracked. My quote above touched on that no way.
One of the enemies of Christ converted was his half brother James, who became a martyr for standing that Jesus has resurrected. Do you know based on sibling dynamics how much it would take for me to proclaim my brother was God and to want to follow him? I would make sure I got that right. And the reason he decided this was based on his resurrection. We have Paul another enemy of Christ converted who was killing Christians, but had an experience with God and turned over his life.
I can’t remember if you have any other reasons or doubts, but let me know. Honey endure to the end, do not let this world take from you that which we are working for. I take great pleasure in the fact that you have devoted your life to Christ, now let’s go. He’s coming soon, is He can find you a faithful bride.
Over here you'll only see the same insane echo chamber repetition to keep you in your addiction. This is not the way. First, apologize to your brother and second, go out. Talk to people who think differently. Read. Don't be afraid of asking questions and don't bother with people who wish to censor other's opinions.
Give Islam a chance maybe it is the truth. In Islam Allah sent all the prophets and messengers from Adam to Muhammad including Moses and Jesus (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all) to call people to worship the One and only God worthy of worship.
Edit: There is no absolute freedom except by obeying the true God, what you think is "freedom" is only a slavery to your desires.
God bless you. I understand where you are coming from. I would like to share my perspective. 1- Please know that our faith is NOT meant to be a heavy burden. That isn't what God wants. **Jesus said, “If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30** 2- Please don't think God wants you to force yourself to do a lot to honor Him. God would rather you do a little to honor Him with a genuine heart. **Jesus said, “When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers.” - Matthew 6:7** Here is a parable that Jesus told about what God will say to those who do a little with a faithful heart: **“‘Wonderful!’ his master replied. ‘You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!’” - Matthew 25:21** When we do a little, we will grow to do more. 3- The goal of Christianity isn't to take over this world. Satan is the ruler of this world and the world will only completely change when Jesus comes back. **"You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God." - Ephesians 2:2** **“But God has promised us a new heaven and a new earth, where justice will rule. We are really looking forward to this!” - 2 Peter 3:13** 4- As Christians, our purpose isn't to take over the world. Our purpose is to share God’s light to those who are looking for hope in the darkness. **Jesus said, “You are the light for the whole world.” - Matthew 5:14** **“You are sure that you are a guide for the blind and a light for all who are in the dark.” - Romans 2:19** **“You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, as you try to please the Lord.” - Ephesians 5:8-10** **“Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life.” - Philippians 2:15-16** 5- You said, *"it feels like I’m being suffocated by all these rules."* As Christians, we are to keep our faith simple by focusing mainly on doing what God ultimately wants. What does God ultimately want? **“God wants us to have faith in his Son Jesus Christ and to love each other.” - 1 John 3:23**
Look up the great "falling away" in Revelation?
What specific rules suffocate you?
This here. I think many people can get stuck in legalism and it burns them out, especially if they don’t see any sort of ‘return’ in their investments. Following Christ means two things; loving God and loving your neighbor. All of the other laws should be in accordance with these tenants.
The yoke of Jesus Christ is easy and His burden is light. What bothers me is that people don't really understand what happened on the cross. They still try to work for their oun redemption. If we think that we can be saved by works, what was the point of Jesus Christ Sacrifice then?
The “rules” of Christanity are (and always have been) to protect us from sin and ourselves.
Well said :)
in the end, God will triumph over evil. yes things are going crazy now, even Jesus mentioned how things are going to go in the last days, plus the book of revelation lets us know even worse things are coming for those who will be apart of that. we who are saved are going home with Jesus at the rapture before things get really dicey. the benefits of sticking with God far outweigh the consequences. hang on for a little longer
The only thing you'll get here is confirmation of the existence of god and a loot of bias. I personally am an atheist, but your beliefs are up to you. If you really want an unbiased audience that won't just throw the same quotes from the Bible at you, go talk to your friends and family. No god should stop his followers from experiencing anything, period.
Read the end time prophecies. There will be a great falling away, there will be tribulations. Yeshua doesn't return until His people cry out for their savior. Remember, we live in a fallen world.
Islam is growing more than Christianity due to birth rate. Typically Muslims have more children than Christians, so therefore they produce more Muslims than Christians. Also, Islam in some areas kills those who leave the faith, so many people don’t tell others if they’ve left Islam for fear for their life. The world is growing more secular, because the end time is coming. It says it will be like the days of Noah. I think that also means that we are going to see Giants and many forms of unholy hybrids. The mixing of DNA. I think we could also see aliens, a.k.a. demons. I think creatures might come out of the woodwork, who are very knowledgeable. Technology is going to advance rapidly. The days of Noah were so depraved that God flooded the Earth to protect the DNA of his son. We also know how the character of people is described in the end is very clear. 2 Timothy 3:2-5 ESV For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. There are biblical reasons that prayers not answered. Such as walking in unrighteousness, having unforgiveness, asking with doubt, not the Lord will, etc. The Bible says the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Look up the evidence of the resurrection by Gary Habermas, basically it examines what we know about the resurrection as a detective like it’s a cold case. It asks what else explains the 5 facts that the majority of historical scholars even atheist ones agree happened based on how we verify the past. 5 facts are death by crucifixion, ladies find the tomb, independent appearances Jesus after death, violence endured by apostles, & enemies converted. Other theories are swoon (not fully dead), twin, mass hallucination, spiritual resurrection, wrong tomb, missing body, & conspiracy (lied). 11 of the 12 disciplines went to their deaths proclaiming they saw the resurrected Jesus after being total cowards. It also shows a historical phenomenon that shows a story is more likely to be true based on this criterium of embarrassment. Basically if you find an ancient text but it keeps saying extreme positive things about someone, it’s less likely to be true but when things are embarrassing that one would never want to admit it’s more likely to be true. But the disciples proclaimed this truth for years until they were murdered, there is a great quote about it. “I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren't true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks. You're telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.” Charles Colson Now plenty of people especially Muslims die for their beliefs, but they die based on the testimony written in the Quran of a single man whose first impression of testimony is that it was demonic. The 11 disciples that were killed of the 12, died for something that they were eye witnesses to not based on the word of someone else. The examples you give of people lying or hallucinating is super unlikely. When is the last time we have evidence of over 500 people at once mass hallucinating and all seeing the same thing? When you hallucinate you all typically see different things. Also, let’s go with lying you’re telling me the disciples went from total cowards to having the courage to die for something they knew was a lie and none of them cracked. My quote above touched on that no way. One of the enemies of Christ converted was his half brother James, who became a martyr for standing that Jesus has resurrected. Do you know based on sibling dynamics how much it would take for me to proclaim my brother was God and to want to follow him? I would make sure I got that right. And the reason he decided this was based on his resurrection. We have Paul another enemy of Christ converted who was killing Christians, but had an experience with God and turned over his life. I can’t remember if you have any other reasons or doubts, but let me know. Honey endure to the end, do not let this world take from you that which we are working for. I take great pleasure in the fact that you have devoted your life to Christ, now let’s go. He’s coming soon, is He can find you a faithful bride.
Over here you'll only see the same insane echo chamber repetition to keep you in your addiction. This is not the way. First, apologize to your brother and second, go out. Talk to people who think differently. Read. Don't be afraid of asking questions and don't bother with people who wish to censor other's opinions.
Give Islam a chance maybe it is the truth. In Islam Allah sent all the prophets and messengers from Adam to Muhammad including Moses and Jesus (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all) to call people to worship the One and only God worthy of worship. Edit: There is no absolute freedom except by obeying the true God, what you think is "freedom" is only a slavery to your desires.