Whose Side Is God On?

[PJM]

Whose side is God [god] on?

**I suspect that a most common response might be: “mine” or “ours.” **

Each faith and every group holds to their claim on God - god as “their own.” Few if any groups or sects seem willing to share their possession of “their God - gods” with other faiths or sets of beliefs; by which I mean to say: are willing to freely extend ownership to others of the very same God - gods they hold as their primary God -gods with other, holding onto differing belief-systems. [yes, I do understand a willingness to share so long as they accept MY beliefs].

And yes; everyone; even atheist and agnostics have their “own gods“. Pride, Lust, Greed, Wealth and Power, along with Sexuality, & Pornography are in there own way “gods” to a great many people. As ones’ God-god’s tend to influence who and what we are; who and what we choose to be, and have a huge influence, even if not holding outright control of our thoughts and actions.* I hold that this fact is undeniable*.

Even within the realm of “christianity” there seems to be [must be?] multiple God’s. This is provable by the thousands of differing sets of “christian” faith -beliefs. Yet truth is singular, so either there is just “One True” God, with His One set of True Faith beliefs; or Christianities God is just “another god” among many other man-made; man chosen gods?

How can one know this? Because even simple logic ought to lead everyone to know and understand, and conclude that each “God” or [god]” must have it’s own set of beliefs. Can any God [god] hold differing views [often even contradictory] on the same defined issue? No; this is simply an impossibility. Except of course for the New Ager’s” who’s common claim is “it’s only TRUE if I say it’s true.” Still, Simple Logic denies this philosophy of self-interest being the only right judge, and holds that [any] “One God - god” can and does hold only One view per defined issue as being the “truth of that defined issue;”** because truth itself is and must always be only singular. Saying otherwise; even choosing otherwise, cannot and does not alter this reality.**

So, “whose side is God-god” on?

God is on God’s gods side. It can’t be any other way.

What does this do to YOUR understanding of “your God-god?” being “The True God?”

**Malachi 2:10 **“Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why then doth every one of us despise his brother, violating the covenant of our fathers?

**Mark 12:29 **“And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God.”

 

[kmcarl56]

This is the sole reason that I prefer to call myself Christian – not Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, etc., etc.

My beliefs come strictly from the literal words of the Bible. Yes, there are parables and allegories (stories) to help us understand more easily the full intent of God’s word. However, when it comes to God’s commandments, and there are over 400 in the Bible, I try my best to live my life in accordance with those laws. I want to walk the talk.

However, we are not perfect. Since Adam and Eve disobeyed God, we have been sinners. Yet, God knows this and loves and forgives us anyway. He sent His only Son to deliver us from the sins of our flesh. And all I have to do is repent and ask for His forgiveness, and He gives it freely, and wipes my slate clean. That doesn’t mean that I can just keep on committing the same sin over and over again. I must learn from my mistakes and try not to sin the same sin again.

In my view, God is everyone’s God, regardless. His Church is One Church, regardless. He tells us so very emphatically. If we believe in Him, have received the Holy Spirit, then we are one of His Church.

Again, these are my beliefs, not necessarily those of others. I am a non-denominational Christian who wishes to bring all people to Christ.

 

[Loving_disciple]

Whose side is God [god] on?

**I suspect that a most common response might be: “mine” or “ours.” **

Each faith and every group holds to their claim on God - god as “their own.” Few if any groups or sects seem willing to share their possession of “their God - gods” with other faiths or sets of beliefs; by which I mean to say: are willing to freely extend ownership to others of the very same God - gods they hold as their primary God -gods with other, holding onto differing belief-systems. [yes, I do understand a willingness to share so long as they accept MY beliefs].

And yes; everyone; even atheist and agnostics have their “own gods“. Pride, Lust, Greed, Wealth and Power, along with Sexuality, & Pornography are in there own way “gods” to a great many people. As ones’ God-god’s tend to influence who and what we are; who and what we choose to be, and have a huge influence, even if not holding outright control of our thoughts and actions.* I hold that this fact is undeniable*.

Even within the realm of “christianity” there seems to be [must be?] multiple God’s. This is provable by the thousands of differing sets of “christian” faith -beliefs. Yet truth is singular, so either there is just “One True” God, with His One set of True Faith beliefs; or Christianities God is just “another god” among many other man-made; man chosen gods?

How can one know this? Because even simple logic ought to lead everyone to know and understand, and conclude that each “God” or [god]” must have it’s own set of beliefs. Can any God [god] hold differing views [often even contradictory] on the same defined issue? No; this is simply an impossibility. Except of course for the New Ager’s” who’s common claim is “it’s only TRUE if I say it’s true.” Still, Simple Logic denies this philosophy of self-interest being the only right judge, and holds that [any] “One God - god” can and does hold only One view per defined issue as being the “truth of that defined issue;”** because truth itself is and must always be only singular. Saying otherwise; even choosing otherwise, cannot and does not alter this reality.**

So, “whose side is God-god” on?

God is on God’s gods side. It can’t be any other way.

What does this do to YOUR understanding of “your God-god?” being “The True God?”

**Malachi 2:10 **“Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why then doth every one of us despise his brother, violating the covenant of our fathers?

**Mark 12:29 **“And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God.”

From my understanding God or El is on his own side and he bring us to him.

 

[davidv]

From my perspective God isn’t on a “side”, He is the goal.

 

[tskrobacz]

Unless God is everywhere, God is nowhere at all. To suggest there is a side denies the fact that all that is is the generosity of God. To put it another way, God is eternally giving birth to God as reality itself.

 

[Della]

I don’t hold the idea that only my way of understanding the truth can be the right one. Such an attitude is not of God but comes from man’s ego.

Truth is. It cannot be coopted, only recognized. As Christians we believe that Jesus Christ is the truth–because he made that claim and we have good evidence to believe it. This does not mean, however, that there is no truth in any other faith, not even in atheism, for everyone outside of the Church can’t be wrong all the time about everything.

God has revealed himself to us in the person of Christ. This is the one truth that stands out above any other and must be preeminent. It should lead us to share this truth and rejoicing in finding truth wherever it appears rather than trying to negate others’ faith/beliefs. We should invite them to the fullness of truth that subsists within the Church Christ founded.

 

[Polycarp1]

We don’t get to make sides and expect God to chose one. He has set the sides “Good and Evil” and its up to us to choose what side we are on.

 

[Lady_Love]

God is on the side of the human being. He has done everything for us and desires to give us life in abundance; the satisfaction of being loved beyond our understanding and to love us in full measure. He gives meaning, purpose, and peace to all who truly desire it.

God goes to war with our enemies: demons, principalities, and rulers of this world. Jesus died for every single human being and every single human being is His beloved. It is God’s will that none should perish but come to repentance and to eternal life in His presence.

 

[PJM]

=kmcarl56;11233917]This is the sole reason that I prefer to call myself Christian – not Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, etc., etc.

My beliefs come strictly from the literal words of the Bible. Yes, there are parables and allegories (stories) to help us understand more easily the full intent of God’s word. However, when it comes to God’s commandments, and there are over 400 in the Bible, I try my best to live my life in accordance with those laws. I want to walk the talk.

However, we are not perfect. Since Adam and Eve disobeyed God, we have been sinners. Yet, God knows this and loves and forgives us anyway. He sent His only Son to deliver us from the sins of our flesh. And all I have to do is repent and ask for His forgiveness, and He gives it freely, and wipes my slate clean. That doesn’t mean that I can just keep on committing the same sin over and over again. I must learn from my mistakes and try not to sin the same sin again.

In my view, God is everyone’s God, regardless. His Church is One Church, regardless. He tells us so very emphatically. If we believe in Him, have received the Holy Spirit, then we are one of His Church.

Again, these are my beliefs, not necessarily those of others. I am a non-denominational Christian who wishes to bring all people to Christ.

Thank you for responding

For the sake of debate here are two points to consider.

Was God literal when He said if your eye is the problem “Pluck it out?” [Mt. 5:29]

And if God’s Church is One; why did He wait more than a THOUSAND years to share His Singular truths through Luthr, Calvin, Smith ect. And which of them is righ? They all can’t be?

John.10: 16 “And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd”

Eph. 4: 1-7 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

Eph. 2:19-20 “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

Eph. 3: 9-10 “And to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church [singular] the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

And take note of the fact that Mt. 16:15-19 is all singular tense:

I God

You Peter

The [all of] key’s to the Kingdom

“my church”

God Bless you my friend!
Patrick

 

[PJM]

=Della;11233979]I don’t hold the idea that only my way of understanding the truth can be the right one. Such an attitude is not of God but comes from man’s ego.

Truth is. It cannot be coopted, only recognized. As Christians we believe that Jesus Christ is the truth–because he made that claim and we have good evidence to believe it. This does not mean, however, that there is no truth in any other faith, not even in atheism, for everyone outside of the Church can’t be wrong all the time about everything.

God has revealed himself to us in the person of Christ. This is the one truth that stands out above any other and must be preeminent. It should lead us to share this truth and rejoicing in finding truth wherever it appears rather than trying to negate others’ faith/beliefs. We should invite them to the fullness of truth that subsists within the Church Christ founded.

Agreed; but in God’s way or the manner we choose?

Thank you!

 

[ThinkingSapien]

Whose side is God [god] on?

I’ve always found the wording of this question to be odd. To me “Who is on God’s side” would be the expected wording unless some one is invoking a god-concept in which the god is subservient to the people.

And yes; everyone; even atheist and agnostics have their “own gods“. Pride, Lust, Greed, Wealth and Power, along with Sexuality, & Pornography are in there own way “gods” to a great many people.

Kind of seems there would be a more fitting term for the concept being described here as this seems to dilute the meaning of the word “god” (or God). It sounds more like you are asking what one’s primary interest or motivation is. Why put ones motivations through apotheosis?

 

[kmcarl56]

…Always in God’s way! We are imperfect. He is perfect. His way is the only way. We, as sinners, try to add and/or subtract from the Truth He has spoken to us in the Holy Bible to fit our own interpretations, needs, and desires.

The Catholic Church claims to be the only one true church, but even the Catholic church has divisions within it, i.e. Eastern, Western, Orthodox, Unorthodox, Evangelical, etc.

To me, there is only one True Church which is God’s Church, and Jesus told us that we are all His church, everyone who believes in Him.

So, it is always God’s way. It is for man to accept, understand, and obey.

 

[Della]

Agreed; but in God’s way or the manner we choose?

Thank you!

It isn’t always a matter of conscious choice–not when we have been brought up to believe certain things which everyone around us believes and to which we are expected to adhere.

People aren’t partisan merely for the sake of it, rather they have beliefs passed on to them and to which they have great attachments.

I’ll use myself as an example. I was brought up Episcopalian and never considered being anything else until a family tragedy compelled my mother to seek solace outside our faith community. She left the ECUSA for the Assemblies of God, and since her children (me included, of course) were all minors, we went with her. At first I wasn’t happy, but I became a part of the AOG for about 20, and all because of my mom’s decision, not my own. Obviously I didn’t stay in that sect, but that was due to the grace of God.

God can and does move people to look deeper and explore “what is truth.” But I think most people just go along with whatever is popular in their own societies and never think twice about it. Should they? I don’t think so, but I’m not them and cannot tell them what they should do. I can share my faith and pray, but in the end it is God’s grace and their cooperation with it that decides if they seek the truth for themselves or not.

 

[Della]

…Always in God’s way! We are imperfect. He is perfect. His way is the only way. We, as sinners, try to add and/or subtract from the Truth He has spoken to us in the Holy Bible to fit our own interpretations, needs, and desires.

A great definition of indifferentism.

The Catholic Church claims to be the only one true church, but even the Catholic church has divisions within it, i.e. Eastern, Western, Orthodox, Unorthodox, Evangelical, etc

.

Your categories are not correct, I’m afraid. The Catholic Church and the Orthodox are apostolic, in that they both trace their lineage directly back to the Apostles by the laying on of hands, one bishop to another. Within the Catholic Church there are several rites, Eastern and Latin, but we are all one in beliefs. Those ecclesial bodies that are outside of apostolic succession are Protestant denominations, of which Evangelicals are a part, but not the whole. There is no “Unorthodox” ecclesial body that I ever heard of.

To me, there is only one True Church which is God’s Church, and Jesus told us that we are all His church, everyone who believes in Him.

Not quite. He told his Apostles to go to the whole world baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and to teach what he had told them. All who are baptized are Christians. Those that are not Catholic are imperfectly joined to Christ’s one, holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic Church.

So, it is always God’s way. It is for man to accept, understand, and obey.

Indeed, as Christ instituted it and founded it upon Peter and the Apostles.

 

[kmcarl56]

Again, these are your interpretations based on what you’ve been taught by the Catholic Church. The Disciples (Apostles) were God’s messengers, not His sons. There is only one Son, who is the Savior. There is only one Father, who is God.

Protestants are baptised in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity) when they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Do you really think that God is going to dismiss all who follow Christ in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? …All of us who devote our lives to Christ as members of His Church?

The Church isn’t your church or my church. It is God’s Church, and we are all believers who follow Christ. We were forgiven of our sins by the same Christ, and are given eternal life because of the same Christ. I think it is sinful for us to deny anyone of this rite as given to us so freely by God Himself.

I pray that you will be forgiving and accepting of all Christians before your day of judgement. I know I do.

 

[Della]

Again, these are your interpretations based on what you’ve been taught by the Catholic Church. The Disciples (Apostles) were God’s messengers, not His sons. There is only one Son, who is the Savior. There is only one Father, who is God.

I’m afraid you are reading things into my words that I didn’t state. And no, it’s not my interpretation–it’s what has been taught since 33 AD. All who are baptized into Christ are his sons, so the Apostles are God’s sons, but that wasn’t my point–merely that they received their authority to baptize, teach and preach directly from Christ.

Protestants are baptised in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity) when they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

That’s certainly a legitimate way to baptize, but not the only way. We baptize children too because doing so removes original sin from their souls and marks them for God.

Do you really think that God is going to dismiss all who follow Christ in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? …All of us who devote our lives to Christ as members of His Church?

Did I say so? Wherever did you get this idea? Not from me.

The Church isn’t your church or my church. It is God’s Church, and we are all believers who follow Christ. We were forgiven of our sins by the same Christ, and are given eternal life because of the same Christ. I think it is sinful for us to deny anyone of this rite as given to us so freely by God Himself.

Again, who has denied anyone the rite of baptism? And when did I make that claim? I think you are reading into my remarks what isn’t there–or projecting you fears onto what I wrote, imagining slights I didn’t make. Again, I’m confused.

I pray that you will be forgiving and accepting of all Christians before your day of judgement. I know I do.

Truly, you are quite confused here. I never wrote anything about anyone having to forgive anyone of anything. And I wrote that the Church recognizes non-Catholic baptism, which joins all baptized (if imperfectly) to the Church. I think your head is filled with a great deal of misinformation about Catholicism that is making you jump to hasty and odd assumptions.

 

[kmcarl56]

Nevermind. You misread my words too. You believe that the Catholic Church is the one and only true church, and that my church is imperfect and that my baptism is imperfect. You believe that the Catholic Church and the Pope are infallible. You believe that Mary is the perpetual virgin and messenger to Jesus. You believe that Protestant Christians are sinners because they do not know or follow the Bible as defined by Popes, Cardinals, and Bishops, and others in their writings since Christ died on the cross. These are Catholic beliefs based on what I have learned on this forum so far.

I believe differently because I interpret the Bible differently. I want to know and understand what Peter and Paul actually said of what Jesus actually said. I think that I am intelligent enough to read literal words within their context.

Let’s just agree to disagree. Let’s leave it at that, and just glorify God in our own way.

Thanks for the lessons, though.

May God bless you and keep you all the days of your life.

 

[PJM]

=ThinkingSapien;11234429]I’ve always found the wording of this question to be odd. To me “Who is on God’s side” would be the expected wording unless some one is invoking a god-concept in which the god is subservient to the people.

Kind of seems there would be a more fitting term for the concept being described here as this seems to dilute the meaning of the word “god” (or God). It sounds more like you are asking what one’s primary interest or motivation is. Why put ones motivations through apotheosis?

Thanks, appreciated your view

 

[Della]

Nevermind. You misread my words too.

That’s certainly possible. Communicating cold on a forum often leads to misunderstandings between people. :tiphat:

You believe that the Catholic Church is the one and only true church, and that my church is imperfect and that my baptism is imperfect. You believe that the Catholic Church and the Pope are infallible. You believe that Mary is the perpetual virgin and messenger to Jesus. You believe that Protestant Christians are sinners because they do not know or follow the Bible as defined by Popes, Cardinals, and Bishops, and others in their writings since Christ died on the cross. These are Catholic beliefs based on what I have learned on this forum so far.

You are right except for us Catholics believing Protestants are sinners because you don’t follow our hierarchy. We don’t believe that–if a Catholic told you that they were wrong on two counts: firstly they were wrong theologically and second they were wrong in charity.

I believe differently because I interpret the Bible differently. I want to know and understand what Peter and Paul actually said of what Jesus actually said. I think that I am intelligent enough to read literal words within their context.

We believe all that they said literally too. But we see their words in the context of the whole of sacred history, not merely since the 1500s.

Let’s just agree to disagree. Let’s leave it at that, and just glorify God in our own way.

I’m glad you see that we need to disagree on some things. Truth is truth and cannot be compromised for the sake of being nice. Charity requires telling the truth, but with consideration and respect. If I failed in those I do apologize.

Thanks for the lessons, though.

I didn’t intend to give you lessons but to explain where you had incorrect information regarding Catholicism. Having been on the Evangelical/Pentecostal side of Christian beliefs, I understand where you are coming from quite well.

May God bless you and keep you all the days of your life.

Pax et bonum to you and yours, as well.

 

[PJM]

=kmcarl56;**
I believe differently because I interpret the Bible differently. I want to know and understand what Peter and Paul actually said of what Jesus actually said**. I think that I am intelligent enough to read literal words within their context.

May God bless you and keep you all the days of your life.

***So my dear friend in Christ:

Do you BELIEVE these Words of Christ?***

**2nd. Tim. 3:16-17 **“All scripture, [is] inspired of God, [and] is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.”

**2nd. Peter 1: 16-21 ** “You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Matthew 4:4 “Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God”

**Luke 9”23-26 **“And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, and cast away himself? For he that shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of man shall be ashamed, when he shall come in his majesty, and that of his Father, and of the holy angels”

Parts of Mt. 10:1-8 “And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. And the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother… These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles, And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils”

Jn. 6: 49 56 “I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the desert, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven; that if any man eat of it, he may not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed”

**Jn. 20:21-23 **“He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained

May our Merciful God grant you His Understanding sear friend:thumbsup: