Experience/Meeting God!

[Bahman]

I think we could agree that we own the knowledge of our existences to experience of our existences. Simple and plain, we don’t make argument X and then conclude that we exist as the result of the argument. Meeting God, assuming that it is good, if it is logically possible should lead to experience of a good quality (if God is good). My question is how we could be 100% sure that this permanent specific experience is related to experiencing God and is not an illusion?

 

[sealoch]

I think we could agree that we own the knowledge of our existences to experience of our existences. Simple and plain, we don’t make argument X and then conclude that we exist as the result of the argument. Meeting God, assuming that it is good, if it is logically possible should lead to experience of a good quality (if God is good). My question is how we could be 100% sure that this permanent specific experience is related to experiencing God and is not an illusion?

There are few certainties and this would not be one.

 

[Avila123]

Prayer, discernment, checking the Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic church, spiritual guidance from a Priest and more prayer.

If the experience runs counter to the Scriptures or the teachings of the church, then it is an illusion which can only come from the prince of illusions because God is truth. That may be why some of the people who post bizarre (and sometimes dangerous) videos on YouTube will not seek spiritual guidance from a Priest (although they claim to do so, notwithstanding the messages from the church condemning the message and begging the person to receive help)

 

[Polycarp1]

I don’t think we can be 100% sure of anything based on reason alone. Reason is only one process we can use to try to discover truth. With it we are confined largely to considering temporal things. The other process is faith. Faith allows us to discover truth about super-natural things.

Many stop at reason alone and conclude there is no God, but studying creation by reason alone and concluding there is no creator is like studing bear tracks and trying to prove there are no bears!

 

[Bahman]

If the experience runs counter to the Scriptures or the teachings of the church.

What do you mean with this statement?

 

[Bahman]

I don’t think we can be 100% sure of anything based on reason alone. Reason is only one process we can use to try to discover truth. With it we are confined largely to considering temporal things. The other process is faith. Faith allows us to discover truth about super-natural things.

Many stop at reason alone and conclude there is no God, but studying creation by reason alone and concluding there is no creator is like studying bear tracks and trying to prove there are no bears!

And what faith does say in this regards?

 

[fhansen]

I think we could agree that we own the knowledge of our existences to experience of our existences. Simple and plain, we don’t make argument X and then conclude that we exist as the result of the argument. Meeting God, assuming that it is good, if it is logically possible should lead to experience of a good quality (if God is good). My question is how we could be 100% sure that this permanent specific experience is related to experiencing God and is not an illusion?

If we’re not even responsible for our own existence-and, similarly, to our awareness of our existence, of our selves- then we wouldn’t be responsible for illusions either. We don’t make the rules of life-we just live according to them; we experience their effects. And, if those effects are good, then we experience goodness, itself, and all that that implies-and why argue with any of that?

 

[Polycarp1]

And what faith does say in this regards?

Reason can tell us that the universe had a beginning and that its design was in accord with a superintellect and not the result of chaotic chance. Faith tells us about this Creator and some of what His intention for us are, His relationship to us, and His plan for us is.

 

[Bahman]

Reason can tell us that the universe had a beginning and that its design was in accord with a superintellect and not the result of chaotic chance. Faith tells us about this Creator and some of what His intention for us are, His relationship to us, and His plan for us is.

My question was about experiencing God, if it is possible, how we could be 100% sure that we are experiencing God and not illusion or devil.

 

[Bahman]

If we’re not even responsible for our own existence-and, similarly, to our awareness of our existence, of our selves- then we wouldn’t be responsible for illusions either. We don’t make the rules of life-we just live according to them; we experience their effects. And, if those effects are good, then we experience goodness, itself, and all that that implies-and why argue with any of that?

I understand your argument but my question was about Assurability of meeting God.

 

[Polycarp1]

I understand your argument but my question was about Assurability of meeting God.

Jesus said the He was the Way the Truth and the Life, and that no one can go to the Father except through Him. This was not just an empty nicety but a real road map for experiecing and knowing God. Jesus is the completion of all that the Creator has revealled about Himself to mankind. He also said to the apostles when they asked Him to show them the Father " If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father" …

 

[fhansen]

I understand your argument but my question was about Assurability of meeting God.

We’re just created beings-ultimately subject to the whims of Whomever or whatever created us. We’ll find out for certain only in the end whether or not our faith was well placed, whether or not God is good and our eternal destiny is likewise good. Meanwhile I’ve been given light that leads me-and, from my still limited perspective, that light nonetheless *broadens *my perspective-adding to what I don’t naturally know, and its source has proven that to me in numerous ways over the years, sometimes in profound ways. And yet the best I can expect now would be assurance without 100% certainty. Regardless of how strong our faith is, we see “as through a glass darkly” (1 Cor 13:12) for the time being-and yet we do see!

 

[kmcarl56]

I can tell you quite matter of factly that God is Real, Heaven is Real, and Hell is Real. We exist only because God wants us here. He knew us before we were even born, and can count the hairs on our head, and knows the time of our earthly death.

I know God and Heaven are real because in August 2010, I was very very ill and was in a coma for weeks. While in a coma, I died twice (heart failure, kidney failure, etc). During my comatose state, I went to Heaven. I was enveloped in the purest white light one can ever imagine. There, I felt the most overwhelming sense of peace, love and joy. I heard God tell me that it was not my time because He still has work for me to do. Then I saw my late husband, and he told me that I had to go back, but that he would be waiting there for me. I did not want to come back here. When I awoke, I remembered nothing else but that experience. I did not know why I was in ICU or how I got there. My prognosis was very grave and the doctors told my family I would not make it. However, I awoke once my brother-in-law prayed over me. So much for what the doctors knew! God knew!

Now, I make it my job here on earth to tell everyone I meet in person and online about my experience, and that God is Real, Heaven is Real, and Hell is Real. The Bible doesn’t lie. I try very hard to tell everyone about the vast love God has for us all, and that if we repent of our sins, God will forgive us and wipe the slate clean. I tell everyone to keep in the Word by reading the Bible, going to church, and staying in prayer so that they may live a Christian life.

I also did make a video on YouTube about my experience so that others might learn how great and wonderful God really is. I cannot wait to go back to Heaven, and to spend the rest of eternity with Him!

Please put your questions at ease. Experiences such as I had are not illusions or dreams. There was no question in my mind of where I was and who was talking to me.

May God bless you and keep you today and until eternity.

 

[Polycarp1]

We have heard these verses often but often discount or dimiss them as they don’t fit for the plan we would like to have for ourselves. But what keeps us from readily accepting these truths? It is the same thing that kept Lucifer and other Angels from accepting God’s plan and stating “I will not serve!”…Pride. Pride is at the root of all sin in that every time we sin we are, in effect saying to God , we will not obey, our plan for ourselves is better than Yours!”
I think that deep down we, in some way, resent having being created, or having a creator. We resent that being members of a fallen race that we have to be saved. That’s pride. When you think about it, it’s rather silly and often tragically foolish. It is like the chair back talking to and criticizing the carpenter that built it. I suspect that a back talking chair would soon find itself as kindling! God on the otherhand did not build us He created us from nothing and holds us in existence. Fortunately He puts up with a lot of our human foolishness and pride and has told us how to overcome them.

 

[Polycarp1]

It takes real humility for a created being to submit their will to anyone else, even, or especially an unseen Creator. It goes against our human nature which clings to our sense of self preservation and survival. When we are called upon to trust something we can’t experience or confirm by our senses alone it is even more difficult. It takes faith. We are all like Saint Thomas in wanting to see physical evidence before we believe. Acting in faith is taking that step into the unknown and unseen and believing in something that is outside the part of creation we can experience without our eyes, and hands. It’s not easy because we are human and have human natures. But we are also spiritual beings with spiritual natures and unless we step out in faith we can never really answer those primal questions like who we are and what are we for, and who our Creator is and what does He want for us?

 

[Qoeleth]

I think we could agree that we own the knowledge of our existences to experience of our existences. Simple and plain, we don’t make argument X and then conclude that we exist as the result of the argument. Meeting God, assuming that it is good, if it is logically possible should lead to experience of a good quality (if God is good). My question is how we could be 100% sure that this permanent specific experience is related to experiencing God and is not an illusion?

You could say the same about an experience. The whole world could be an illusion.

St. John of the Cross recommends regarding all visions as illusions or deceptions. If they really are from God, he says, the message will get through anyway.

I suppose if one actually met God or Jesus, there would be no doubt, and even if you wanted to treat it as illusion, you would not be able- the question wouldn’t even arise.

 

[Bahman]

Jesus said the He was the Way the Truth and the Life, and that no one can go to the Father except through Him. This was not just an empty nicety but a real road map for experiecing and knowing God. Jesus is the completion of all that the Creator has revealled about Himself to mankind. He also said to the apostles when they asked Him to show them the Father " If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father" …

Why each individual could not have his/her own way of journey toward God? Moreover the concepts of love,… and forgiveness are more ancient than Jesus. Moreover do we have any other sense which has to do meeting God. I mean it couldn’t be one of our five senses.

 

[Polycarp1]

Why each individual could not have his/her own way of journey toward God? Moreover the concepts of love,… and forgiveness are more ancient than Jesus. Moreover do we have any other sense which has to do meeting God. I mean it couldn’t be one of our five senses.

Well if God has set a process for us to search for Him, are we not obligated to follow His requirements. While man made religions can contain some truths they don’t contain the fullness of the truth and can and do contain error. We don’t get to set the requirements and don’t get to create God in our own image. He is the Creator and we are His creation. While this may injure our human pride and our idea of how things should be, when it comes to how it has to be done God is always right and we are always wrong if we think there is another way.

 

[Bahman]

Well if God has set a process for us to search for Him, are we not obligated to follow His requirements.

This is matter of belief and unfortunately each religion has the same condition but different set of rules to follow. The main question is: what is the guarantee that the system of belief that you are following is the way to God knowing the fact there are many system of believes who claim the same?

While man made religions can contain some truths they don’t contain the fullness of the truth and can and do contain error.

This is unavoidable. Don’t tell me that you were not/don’t become Christian by chance.

We don’t get to set the requirements and don’t get to create God in our own image. He is the Creator and we are His creation. While this may injure our human pride and our idea of how things should be, when it comes to how it has to be done God is always right and we are always wrong if we think there is another way.

We are always wrong!? Can you please elaborate on this sentence.

 

[Polycarp1]

This is matter of belief and unfortunately each religion has the same condition but different set of rules to follow. The main question is: what is the guarantee that the system of belief that you are following is the way to God knowing the fact there are many system of believes who claim the same?.

Yes there are many man made religions growing out of our ancestors sense of God’s presence in our souls and spirits. But there is only one religion founded and commissioned by God made Man = Christ. Natural religions reflected man’s knowledge that there was something or something out there greater than himself and I sure God smiled upon their efforts to reach out to them and did not condenm then if they lived according to the instilled sense of right and wrong that is in all of us by virtue of being created in His image. But when the time came for that part of God’s plan for the redemption of fallen mankind He became man, taking on our humanity and set new rules to follow. He founded a church. A new Way.

This is unavoidable. Don’t tell me that you were not/don’t become Christian by chance…

No, we become Christians by the mercy of God.

We are always wrong!? Can you please elaborate on this sentence.

If we believe something contrary to God’s revelation we are in error.