NoSmoke wrote:The Muslim God is not the same God of the Christian faith simple because if you read the Quran, you will never see in any place where it says that Allah loves you. Read the whole thing if you want; you will never see that phrase anywhere in there and more than one Muslim has been converted to Christianity when they realize Allah they were so willing to die for, never even says he loves them. Yet if you read through the bible, it is the one determining factor that sets us apart. In fact in all the religions, you will never find a God that does not require something from man...only Christianity. The only thing we have to do is accept his gift of faith.
It is no different then me telling you that if you come to my house I will give you $100 dollar bill. You don't have to work for it, trade for it, or even ask for it...all you have to do is accept it. It is a gift, but YOU decide if you are going to take that gift or not; and that my friend is justification by faith. That by taking that $100 dollar bill you got something tangible for doing nothing. A free, generous offer...all other religions require man to do something for them. God loves us too much to do that; just as I would not grab you by the collar and force you to the ground and demand that you take my $100 dollar bill. If you don't take it, that is your loss.
Now if you read the bible, it says clearly to do as God has done. A lot of non-christian tend to bring up things PEOPLE have done, like the Crusades for instance, and yet nowhere in the bible does it say to follow the people that follow the God of the bible. It never says to do what Smitty has done, or do what NoSmoke has done, because we are human and that will get you into trouble. This is where non-christian's really go sideways...it just says to follow the bible. And when we screw up...and we will, he loves us and forgives us just the same. Just like with your kids. You told them not to do things; you did not tell them those things just to be mean, but to keep them from getting hurt, yet they still did it anyway, but being a Dad, you still love them just the same. That is why the bible refers to God as our "father" and yet the Quran NEVER says that.
It is these principals that are so simple, and so true that shows the bible is true.
I encourage you to read Proverbs and see if that makes sense to you. Read just one chapter a night since 31 chapters fits into most months nicely...and see if it makes sense. If it does, (or you dislike that Format), try reading the Book of John...see if that makes sense.
""It is these principals that are so simple, and so true that shows the bible is true"
To you maybe but I don't understand your rational? How does that "show that the bible is true?" Because its an easy guidline to follow?
To me sounds like a nice way "out" for those who know they can "screw up" and by golly it's not a problem because the bible says so. How convienient! I'm not trying to be condesending but you are proving my point about rightiousness (and feeling of superiority) for me. Your right about one thing, it's very simplistic. I'd like to think my actions are held to a little higher standard than what you are describing and in fact that I might NOT be forgiven if I do the wrong things.
Yes I agree with you that those "things" you describe were done by people but lets not forget what their justifications for those things were. Once again, it was for THEIR faith versus that of others. Because you can right that off as being ok because the bible tells me I'll be forgiven by my father or anyone else doesn't cut it. I can see the "sheep in the flock" comparison though, which is exactly what organised religeons want you to be. Lastly, lets not forget who wrote the Bible. People. Same as the Quran, same as the Upanishads the Mahaburata etc...etc....The part about their God is different than yours because he doesn't say he loves you? Not buying that one either and it's apropos to nothing in regards to who's is real or right or true.
