As I read this, I passed on by.... twice. But I cannot leave this as you have asked, with no reply.
When God created Adam and Eve, He gave mankind dominion over the earth and every creeping thing. It was his to live in and enjoy.
This dominion was NOT honored, nor was the Creator, as Adam and Eve believed the words of Lucifer, the fallen angel, (devil, Satan, whatever you want to call him, he is the father of LIES). Satan took this power to rule 'this world' from man.
His use of this 'dominion' over "principalities and powers of the air" has caused men DEATH as God warned, since that time.
There had been NO problem with 'free will' nor any other prevailing emotion but worshipful Love for this AWESOME and LOVING God.
As Adam and Eve realized how they had disobeyed Him, they hid themselves and were ashamed... (the same way we do now, when we have hurt ones we love here on earth).
There is no deceit, no lack of LOVE, nor changability in the Lord God.
Men brought the processes of death, and evil and hatred upon themselves, God did not do it.
How can the man of the creation look upward to a Holy God, and ask WHY HAVE YOU MADE ME THUS?
I do not count myself worthy to be called an 'authority' on the Bible.
But I read it a lot, and have heard scripture expounded for many years. There are times I do NOT believe people are sincere. There are times I feel they interpret what the prophets said in a manner that is inconsistent with what the Spirit of God meant.
But I understand what Rauch is saying. God is a Spirit. Those things He reveals to us are SPIRITUAL, and we will not 'live' them in our flesh.
Now, I know what it is to give away 'emotional control'. Anyone who has ever fallen in LOVE, has given of themselves so freely-- they are in the power of the one they love and have given themselves to. If they make a mistake, surely they can and will be forgiven- and can go on to make new choices. But friends, that does not mean they are forever free of consequences of their actions. And should they expect and TEACH that to come to the Lord and Repent In Jesus Name, will bring them back (physically) to the sparkling place they were before they embarked on this 'choice of love'?
View it from a standpoint of understanding: A young lady decides she will become an ice skater. Years go by, and she does very well, recovering always from her falls and mistakes. But one day, she crashes into another's sharp blade, cutting a tendon necessary for her leg muscle to perform properly. So-
she can never skate again. She is a cripple, with a brace on her leg.
TWO scenarios: she becomes bitter. Sits a cries, takes anti-depressants, and grows old full of anger and friendless, practically.
Or
she gets well, trains in a good job sitting, makes many friends and goes on to marry and become a good mother. etc etc.
Now, either way---- her leg is crippled. She can NEVER take that back despite any "feelings" she has, whether they be 'religious', earthly;
kind or heartless--- the leg has BEEN CRIPPLED.
So many persons who preach and say they practice Christianity- (which is an endeavor to be like Christ, in your spirit-- never hesitating just because you make mistakes, and never judging others!) are really practicing a 'ritual'.
Loving Christ and thanking Him daily for our Salvation, is NOT a ritual- nor is it forced. You either want to do it or you don't. And WHY does it bother others that a GLORIOUS JOY lives in those who believe and accept it?
What I want to say, is that arguments and discussions are not going to change truth. And my replies here, are not going to change you all.
That is not WHY I replied.
I just wanted you to reread the Bible you are quoting, and see that God does not stand over His Creation scowling "Love me or Die". Nor does He come to "resolve" our earthly problems every time we yell out "God, I have fallen and I can't get up!"
There is SO much more to Him than that. He is EASY to love- and loving is the easiest thing I have ever done.
Goodnight.
