Once a week I strive to meditate on God. Whatever crosses my mind is what I think on and write down. I'm going to write here what I pondered and came up with today. Its more raw, less refined, but none the less I think I may be on to something.
My process is that I usually pose a question to myself then try to answer it. Usually the answer leads to more questions. Below you'll see my flow from today. Italicized are the items I found particularly valuable through today's process culminating in the final question and answer which I believe is the most insightful.
Why am I so opposed to the Bible being considered inerrant?
Because if one error is found, then you can say all the wisdom within the Bible can be considered untrue. I don't believe that's true, there is still plenty to learn from it even if there are flaws. Any time God's word passes through man its subject to error, corrupted by our limited understanding.
What am I trying to learn by studying the Bible?
- How to live a good life?
- How to find God?
- To learn about the realm beyond earth?
Why do you want to find God?
To understand the purpose of this life. To align my decision around that purpose. I'm not sure that the purpose of this life is as basic as the Christian church teaches. That we are all inadequate failures that need to be saved, and our purpose is to acknowledge our shortcomings, ask to be saved, and then encourage others to do the same.
To me, it seems illogical that God would continue to want people to be brought into the world if that was the only purpose. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. God isn't insane, there has to be more to it.
Why learn about the realm beyond this life?
I seek to understand what I cannot perceive. To identify its value. To adjust my life according to that value.
What is the value and purpose of God? Of me?
Does existence require a purpose? If there is no purpose, there is no value.
Is the purpose/value companionship? Companionship with God? If we are made in God's image, then we are at least partially God. In fact, God (the Holy Spirit) lives within us. Thus loving each other is equal to loving God. And since everyone has a piece of God in them, we must love everyone.
To love, is to desire the best for another person. Thus it would make sense that God would want to isolate those whom cannot love others, who only do things to their benefit, regardless of the harm it causes others. Perhaps, this is why there must be a hell.
If love/companionship is the purpose/value, then actions that demonstrate this are good. Actions that result in love and unity should be our goals in life.
Closing
The following scripture is quite relevant to my personal takeaway. It has me pondering some actions I have regrettably taken, and perhaps should take to rectify things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - NIV
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
This is the first blog of yours that I've read and I love that you're asking questions and seeking God in His Word. The fact that you're studying the Bible and asking questions is part of the process of becoming a disciple, one who is seeking to be more like Jesus. I applaud your desire to know more!. As you continue to study, you will see God answer your questions in amazing ways.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about there being more to this Christian life than just getting saved. So many Christians quit at the justification point, where they've accepted Christ, but fail in their sanctification process of truly becoming a mature Christian; and I must say, it's not always their fault, as the church (as a whole) has failed in showing believers how to grow spiritually. It's our relationship with God that matters.
Once you have that, you start seeing everything through a different set of lenses. We begin to see things in a more loving way.
Brother, it's refreshing to see people like yourself searching after God and the answers He has for us. He wants us to be seekers of Him and His truth. It makes us a better person, a better neighbor, a better father, a better husband and a better friend.
God bless, and I'll be praying for you as you continue this Journey.