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Bahman
Guest
Matthew 12:30: Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
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davidv
Guest
You are free to change your mind.
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
I think he is talking about people who don’t follow the path of Jesus - loving their fellow man and feeding the poor, visiting the sick, etc., rather than if someone is “Christian” in name only.
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fisherman_carl
Guest
How is this unmerciful? In the context of what was said Jesus was accused of casting out demons by Be-elzebul. Jesus said that a house divided against itself will not stand. Thus, how could he cast out Satan by Satan? But, if it is by the Spirit of God that he casts out demons then the kingdom of God has come upon them. In this context Jesus is saying that a house divided against itself does not stand and thus one has to choose to be either be a part of God’s Kingdom or not. There is no middle ground in the war between light and dark. You can’t be working for both sides. Jesus sees himself in a battle between good and evil, upon which everyone is affected and will have to choose sides. Either you are on his side, the light, or you are in the darkness.
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Catholic_Lady
Guest
Yes, this is what I would say as well.
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ProdglArchitect
Guest
A small additional note. God does have mercy on those who oppose Him. That is why he constantly works to call them back to himself. The thing is, mercy can only be given to those who are willing to accept it. If the unrepentant sinner refuses to accept God’s mercy then that’s their choice, not God’s.
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fisherman_carl
Guest
Yes, good point. God is the Father of the prodigal son… Always willing and waiting for the son to return to him. He allows the son the freedom to squander his inheritance. Yet, he accepts the son back after he returned. How is that not merciful? It was a lot more merciful than the other son was.
A small additional note. God does have mercy on those who oppose Him. That is why he constantly works to call them back to himself. The thing is, mercy can only be given to those who are willing to accept it. If the unrepentant sinner refuses to accept God’s mercy then that’s their choice, not God’s.
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ffg
Guest
Another thing to consider too is that a Christian needs to be very careful considering the ‘to whom much is given’ line.
I wish I would have brought the Magnificat (sp?) companion for the year of Mercy in with me. but the last paragraph for today’s thoughts focused on the sins surrounding the concept of hope.
The second one being an expectation of Mercy.
Need to be careful not to assume Mercy upon ourselves.
Take care,
Mike
I wish I would have brought the Magnificat (sp?) companion for the year of Mercy in with me. but the last paragraph for today’s thoughts focused on the sins surrounding the concept of hope.
The second one being an expectation of Mercy.
Need to be careful not to assume Mercy upon ourselves.
Take care,
Mike
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Bahman
Guest
How I could be free to choose if I haven’t ever heard this verse? Moreover, one do not expect such a approach from a God who is love.
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Bahman
Guest
What if a person does everything you expect from a Christian and be a non-believer?
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Bahman
Guest
Is there any room for those who are not in light and dark side?
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Bahman
Guest
This is not what I understand from the verse. God has no mercy on those who don’t choose him rather than opposing him.
A small additional note. God does have mercy on those who oppose Him. That is why he constantly works to call them back to himself. The thing is, mercy can only be given to those who are willing to accept it. If the unrepentant sinner refuses to accept God’s mercy then that’s their choice, not God’s.
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davidv
Guest
Why do you think it is all dependent on one verse?
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
How could a nonbeliever expect God’s mercy? Why would anyone expect mercy from nothingness and no one? This seems extremely irrational to me.Now if this person isn’t sure, hopes there is a God, then perhaps they could hope for his mercy. But if you simply don’t believe in anything at all, what sort of mercy are you expecting from nothing at all?
However, in answer to you question - YES God will show them mercy. Because God IS.
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TimothyH
Guest
Jonah was angry that God was merciful to Nineveh, even though they were not part of God’s people.
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ffg
Guest
For clarity, I don’t want people concluding hope is pointless because of the above.
A confident hope does not necessarily equate to an arrogant hope.
To be confident God gives the gift of Mercy to His children, and living in a way that displays hope for the gift (say, puts God first in one’s life) - is quite different than living in any manner with an expectation for the delivery of the gift.
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Bahman
Guest
I asked whether God has mercy to non-believer rather than a non-believer expecting mercy.
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Bahman
Guest
So we have two conflicting positions now.
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davidv
Guest
When do you think God exercises His mercy? Are there an conditions?
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Charlemagne_III
Guest
Mercy is not a free gift. We have to be sincerely sorry for our sins to merit mercy. If one does not believe there is a God, one cannot be sorry and beg forgiveness.
In other words, atheists, like Christians, if they do not repent, go to the same place by their choice, not God’s. To reject God is to accept hell. This applies to all, Christians and atheists alike.
There is no free pass to heaven for anyone.
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