God's Forgiveness

koodles, I don't think there is ANY sin that God does not forgive.

As I understand it, the only sin, in Christianity, that cannot be forgiven is the individual's REFUSAL to believe in God. It is the individual's act, not God's, that keeps him out of grace. This is the worst aspect of Christianity, this matter of faith. Christianity focused spiritual virtue away from altruistic intentions and acts (remember, Jesus enjoined us first of all to love one another) to the blind act of "faith." It is as if a cognitive act were a spiritual value, like believing in the Theory of Evolution, or the Theory of Relavity as the way to Heaven. Ghastly that anyone could endorse such a notion, and describe that endorsement as the foundation of their spirituality.

Fundamentalists and nationalism coming together? Where is that happening, JL? Right now that sounds like those who killed over 3000 people here on 9/11 and declared a "holy war" on America.

But, can you please explain just how America is nationalizing, if you refer to U.S.? And, why didn't bin Laden mind his own business, keep his billions $, spend it on his own country?

A topic brought up earlier in this forum was a question some where around 'What happens if a man goes out kills people, rapes women, then comes home every night and pray for forgiveness, what happens then?'

That question bothered me alot. Once i figured it out i felt like an idiot for not coming up with it sooner.

God doesn't just hear and prayers and grant them. He sees our heart and our intentions. You can only be forgiven if you have no intention to do it again. If you plan on doing it again, you really aren't sorry anyway.

And the question comes up 'what if the person doesn't want to do it again, but is too weak?' Then i go to Philippians 4:13. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
So really, no that person is not forgiven.

Frank & JLN, I have just moved and my 8 boxes of books are not going to tell me which one holds the bibles, so I won't know right away what it says in Matthew, Mark and Luke to lead one to think God forgives some sins and not others.

Our sins are forgiven, period. What sort of bible are you reading from? The bible won't stand up and explain itself. There are so many more books written, so many more, that assist us in understanding the bible. There are also books written at the same time the "book of little books" was put together that were not included in this "bible." The bible as we know was also changed in the 13th century to exclude spiritual matters. Some is lost in interpretation.

This topic IS called Religion AND spirituality is it not? Religions lead us to believe religion itself will save us. Ha!

I will return again with bible in hand.

If there is a god, I use the brain and body that it gave me to determine that agnosticism is the truth.

I am a very good person. I am moral, I give to charity, I try my best to be a positive force for my friends and family.

If I go to hell because of this, I would be in good company!

A topic brought up earlier in this forum was a question some where around 'What happens if a man goes out kills people, rapes women, then comes home every night and pray for forgiveness, what happens then?'

That question bothered me alot. Once i figured it out i felt like an idiot for not coming up with it sooner.

God doesn't just hear and prayers and grant them. He sees our heart and our intentions. You can only be forgiven if you have no intention to do it again. If you plan on doing it again, you really aren't sorry anyway.

And the question comes up 'what if the person doesn't want to do it again, but is too weak?' Then i go to Philippians 4:13. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
So really, no that person is not forgiven.

Your last sentence says it all: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

This person cannot stop what he's doing that he considers wrong. But, through God who is within, he can. What this person could do is pray for, ask for, the strength to cease these hidious actions. But, when we ask for something, we have to generate the feeling that we already have what we've asked for, then say, "thank you." In this way anyone is forgiven for anything. The temptation to commit the act will enter this person's mind again and again. People do have to do something for themselves, and seek help. Some must hit bottom before they will seek help.

We are forgiven even before we ask. But, we do have to make amends, admit our wrongs, pay for our wrongs. Nobody needs a bible to read, that is common sense. God forgives all transgressions, as we should forgive those who transgress against us. Regardless of what Matthew, Mark and Luke say. God forgives all sins, regardless of what THE BIBLE SAYS.

Revenge is the Lord's. What a mess we'd all be in if these words weren't true. Obviously that doesn't happen here on earth in this little life. Figure it out for yourself.

My last book to read was "Five People You Meet in Heaven." by Mitch Albom. If Albom figured it out, there's hope for everyone. The truth is we are incredible spiritual beings living in a human experience, only to learn, one lesson after another.