Does God choose to shut some people out?

[Everstruggling]

Hi Everyone,

If faith is a gift from God why doesn’t he give it to everyone? This has always bothered me. I know several people, like myself, that would love to believe but don’t.

Everstuggling

 

[Ghosty]

People have to embrace and feed the graces God gives them. Many, unfortunately, do not. That’s the only answer necessary, I think.

That being said, what can we do to help you feed these graces?

 

[CJE]

Look inside and ask yourself, what keeps you from believing?

Maybe you are looking for “feelings” that you beleive. These are not necessary. Many protestant faiths will tell you that if you do not feel it than it is not real. If that is the case, than I am definitely not right with God. Because there are days when I feel a million miles away from God. But then I realize that he is in fact right there beside me.

So, again, I ask…what is keeping you from believing?

 

[edwinG]

Everstruggling:

Hi Everyone,

If faith is a gift from God why doesn’t he give it to everyone? This has always bothered me. I know several people, like myself, that would love to believe but don’t.

Everstuggling

Hi Everstruggling,
Faith is a gift from God. You have it if you pray to Him in Jesus’s Holy name. You could not pray to Him if you dont believe in Him. It is impossible. Please remember that faith comes in degrees. If your faith was only as large as a mustard seed you could move a mountain,not that He wants 1000 people tossing mountains around because His desire is for you to obey Him. You** do** have this small amount of faith, so now please start to exercise it. The only way you can exercise your faith is by using it. Start by listening to your conscience and following that. Never do anything which contradicts the Holy Scripture. You will be attacked, your belief tested, but keep on following your conscience in all ways. Even very small things like picking up someone else’s rubbish and carrying it to a bin. If your conscience asks you to do this -do it. He will never give you any work to do that you are not capable of doing. He is also a conservationist,see how beautifully He made the world, where nothing is wasted.Pray for everything except wealth and material things, He will add these as you travel. He wants to give all good things to you so His name can be honored, so be very sure that in your obedience, His abundance will be revealed. When I say pray for everything this is especially true if you are facing a situation which may require you to confront a person. Christ does not want this. You must not argue with people to the extent that anger is invoked. Go to Christ before this happens and , believe me 100%, if Christ is in agreement it will happen as you ask and if it does not happen, accept it as to oppose the outcome of your prayer is to oppose His will. Do not oppose His will. Again you will be tested. Just keep believing and He will open your eyes to His wisdom, His ways which pertain in your life. Remember Christ has a personal yoke which fits only you, and He has work for you if you will accept His will.
You can watch and measure your faith as it grows. Your joy will abound.
walk in love
edwinG

 

[AServantofGod]

I’ve always been somebody that needs to be hit over the head with the spiritual frying pan or given a good spiritual kick in the pants. It bothered me that God didn’t make himself more obvious to me.

I was mad at God for not realizing what I needed. Then I asked myself why God didn’t make himself known to me? This is when I realized that God wanted me to learn to hear him in the quiet & believe in him even though he’s not blatantly present. It still makes me mad; I grumble & say, “O.K. God whatever you say, but I still know a better way”. This is why I’ve always loved St. Thomas.

 

[Nun_ofthe_Above]

Hi Everstruggling,

I don’t claim to be an expert, but I have done a lot of reading, and from what I have read, it would appear, that God does not choose to reject anyone. We ‘choose’ to cut ourselves off from God, by not believing in Him, or we believe in Him, but don’t follow His rules, and REFUSE to ask for forgiveness, when we sin. God WANTS us to turn to Him. We have to take that leap of FAITH.
I pray that you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to the Church, soon.

Peace be with you.

 

[Viki59]

AServantofGod:

I’ve always been somebody that needs to be hit over the head with the spiritual frying pan or given a good spiritual kick in the pants. It bothered me that God didn’t make himself more obvious to me. .

Once long ago I figured out a foolproof way (I thought) to communicate with God. I wanted the answer to a question, so I said, if I get only local mail this week, I’ll know the answer is yes. If I get any long distance mail, I’ll know the answer is no.

I got no mail for the whole week. This had never happened before. It taught me that God was paying close attention, but that He wanted me to listen and communicate with Him in a more personal way – He’s not a Ouija board!

This is not exactly on topic, sorry. But Everstruggling, He is paying close attention to your efforts to draw closer to Him, never doubt it.

 

[Piusx]

**Please, Dont Stone me for quoting anything from the Jesuits, but on a pamphlet for a retreat it states…

“Seek not consolation from God, but rather seek the God of consolation.”**

Dont fall for feelings and getting the chills or anything human.

Wait on God to act. He will. In His time, not yours.

Patient endurance.

One thing about God. He cannot stand to see his children suffer who call on him. He will respond to you***.

PiusX**
*

 

[slinky1882]

Please, Dont Stone me for quoting anything from the Jesuits, but on a pamphlet for a retreat it states…

"Seek not consolation from God, but rather seek the God of consolation."

******Dont fall for feelings and getting the chills or anything human.

Wait on God to act. He will. In His time, not yours.

Patient endurance.

One thing about God. He cannot stand to see his children suffer who call on him. He will respond to you***.***

PiusX

Why would anyone stone you for quoting Jesuits??? As in every order, there are good and bad apples. One of the best books of the priesthood I have found is “The Fifth Week” which was given to me by a diocesan priest (written by Jesuits).

As for the original post, I am sure Everysturggling can understand this passage from the Bible from 1 Kings 19:
11 1 Then the LORD said, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD–but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake–but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was fire–but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. 13 When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. Rarely does God knock people off of their horse literally. God wants His children to learn His Voice which we must silence out thoughts, worriss, fears in order to hear Him speak. Remember that God always answers prayers in one of three ways: yes, no and not now. Hope this helps. Thanks and God Bless.

 

[Piusx]

slinky1882:

Why would anyone stone you for quoting Jesuits??? As in every order, there are good and bad apples. One of the best books of the priesthood I have found is “The Fifth Week” which was given to me by a diocesan priest (written by Jesuits).**

• I agree with you. There are good and bad in any profession and it is the same with Catholic orders. Howerver, I have been stoned before. I know how it feels. In my experience, when I mention The Jesuits, I can see people pulling stones out of their pockets. Ouch!!!
  Maybe I need to hang around with a different crowd.
  LOL

---

As for the original post, I am sure Everysturggling can understand this passage from the Bible from 1 Kings 19:
11 1 Then the LORD said, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD–but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake–but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was fire–but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. 13 When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. Rarely does God knock people off of their horse literally. God wants His children to learn His Voice which we must silence out thoughts, worriss, fears in order to hear Him speak. Remember that God always answers prayers in one of three ways: yes, no and not now. Hope this helps. Thanks and God Bless.

 

[laadan]

Everstruggling:

Hi Everyone,

If faith is a gift from God why doesn’t he give it to everyone? This has always bothered me. I know several people, like myself, that would love to believe but don’t.

Everstuggling

Hi Everstruggling. I see by your profile that you are agnostic. Good, you’re not sure. I notice that everyone prior to my posting who has responded to your question has given you an opinion. Let’s look at what the scripture says. Also, don’t be surprised if others after me object, strenuously, to what the scriptures say.

I want to stay focused on your question: *Does God choose to shut some people out? *Simple answer: Yes. Is that difficult to grasp? Yes. Let’s get rid of our opinion, and look at a couple of verses to give you something to think about.

Romans 9:13-16 says:

*13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” *
*14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! *
*15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” *
*16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. *

Digest each of those verses above, they are each important. Notice that:
1: Paul says that there is no injustice with God.
2: God says,He will have mercy/compassion, on whom He will.
That is important. Most here will reject that, but that is what the
text says. It is a restatement of Ex 33:19, and it means the
same thing here in Romans, as it did in Exodus (God’s word
never changes).
3. Paul then says, that neither the will of man, nor the work of
man, is determinative of who God will mercy or compassion.
The determinative factor on who God will mercy or compassion,
ie: give saving faith, is God (see also Eph 1:11).

This is not smoke and mirrors, Everstruggling. You can read. No need to allegorize, or spiritualize. Take the text at its word.

These also speak for themselves:

Romans 9:18
*18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. *

Romans 9:21
*21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? *

Something to think about: No injustice with God, Paul says. The sinner gets one of two things from God pertaining to salvation. He gets either justice (eternal condemnation for all have sinned), or mercy. Either way, the sinner has no basis for complaint.

You will have further questions. I’m new to these boards, but you probably know how to contact me, if you want to.

 

[edwinG]

laadan:

Hi Everstruggling. I see by your profile that you are agnostic. Good, you’re not sure. I notice that everyone prior to my posting who has responded to your question has given you an opinion. Let’s look at what the scripture says. Also, don’t be surprised if others after me object, strenuously, to what the scriptures say.

I want to stay focused on your question: *Does God choose to shut some people out? *Simple answer: Yes. Is that difficult to grasp? Yes. Let’s get rid of our opinion, and look at a couple of verses to give you something to think about.

Romans 9:13-16 says:

*13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” *
*14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! *
*15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” *
*16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. *

Digest each of those verses above, they are each important. Notice that:
1: Paul says that there is no injustice with God.
2: God says,He will have mercy/compassion, on whom He will.
That is important. Most here will reject that, but that is what the
text says. It is a restatement of Ex 33:19, and it means the
same thing here in Romans, as it did in Exodus (God’s word
never changes).
3. Paul then says, that neither the will of man, nor the work of
man, is determinative of who God will mercy or compassion.
The determinative factor on who God will mercy or compassion,
ie: give saving faith, is God (see also Eph 1:11).

This is not smoke and mirrors, Everstruggling. You can read. No need to allegorize, or spiritualize. Take the text at its word.

These also speak for themselves:

Romans 9:18
*18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. *

Romans 9:21
*21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? *

Something to think about: No injustice with God, Paul says. The sinner gets one of two things from God pertaining to salvation. He gets either justice (eternal condemnation for all have sinned), or mercy. Either way, the sinner has no basis for complaint.

You will have further questions. I’m new to these boards, but you probably know how to contact me, if you want to.

Hi laadan,
Yes you have quoted correctly. You have also left out the time and reason element. When is one ingored by God and why.

It would be more accurate to discuss scripture which shows God ignoring people who love and obey Him. This would be helpful to one who is beginning to search.

That God will have mercy on those He chooses is for your benefit and mine. This passage is giving the likes of you and me the freedom to help who ever our hearts choose to. If your heart is touched by someone or by their circumstances you ( on God’s behalf) may help person A and not help person B. Imagine not having this wisdom from God. Then we would not be able to help person A (choosing to show favour) unless we helped persons A to Z. Who has the time, ability or finances to help everyone equally.
Walk in love
edwinG

 

[slinky1882]

laadan:

I want to stay focused on your question: *Does God choose to shut some people out? *Simple answer: Yes. Is that difficult to grasp? Yes. Let’s get rid of our opinion, and look at a couple of verses to give you something to think about.

Romans 9:13-16 says:

*13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” *
*14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! *
*15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” *
*16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. *

Digest each of those verses above, they are each important. Notice that:
1: Paul says that there is no injustice with God.
2: God says,He will have mercy/compassion, on whom He will.
That is important. Most here will reject that, but that is what the
text says. It is a restatement of Ex 33:19, and it means the
same thing here in Romans, as it did in Exodus (God’s word
never changes).
3. Paul then says, that neither the will of man, nor the work of
man, is determinative of who God will mercy or compassion.
The determinative factor on who God will mercy or compassion,
ie: give saving faith, is God (see also Eph 1:11).
QUOTE]

I apologize on the above as I was addressing AServantofGod on the Scripture passage from 1 Kings. And as for the quote above, why would God shut people out if He desires all to be with Him in Heaven???

1 Timothy 2:

“1 First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, 2 for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. 3 This is good and pleasing to God our savior, 4 who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, 6 who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time.”

Or take the Gospel of John 3:

“16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”

Or Gospel of John 14:

“1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”

Or Gospel of John 6:

"35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. 36 But I told you that although you have seen (me), you do not believe. 37 Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, 38 because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 39 And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it (on) the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him (on) the last day.”

Or Acts 2:

"38 Peter (said) to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”

Or Gospel of Matthew:

"7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, 10 or a snake when he asks for a fish? 11 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.”

And those are just a sampling. Nearly the entire Psalms are prayers asking for God’s Grace in trials and tribulation. Apparently David didn’t believe that God just dismissed some prayers or people right off the bat, and he wasn’t alone among OT figures. I encourage everyone to read all of Scripture. Hope this helps. Thanks and God Bless.