Are we all God's children?

[Silas]

What does repent mean to you?

It's a change of mind and life style. It entials a person forsaking going their own way, but instead following the Lord, Jesus Christ. Its absolute conformity to God's will and a heading into the direction of perfection; which of course, we culminate when we meet God in the next life. Do, you think people can make it to Heaven without Repentance and Faith in Christ?

 

[Dondi]

It's a change of mind and life style. It entials a person forsaking going their own way, but instead following the Lord, Jesus Christ. Its absolute conformity to God's will and a heading into the direction of perfection; which of course, we culminate when we meet God in the next life. Do, you think people can make it to Heaven without Repentance and Faith in Christ?

"It's a change of mind and life style. It entials a person forsaking going their own way"

I accept this first part as repentance. When John the Baptist began crying out in the wilderness, he preached the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He said, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for Him". A heart must make room for repentance (change) in order for that change to come. One must change his mind about sin and realize the consequences of own thoughts and actions. But for this to happen, one must know what sin is, namely the breaking of God's Law. The Jews at the time knew God's Law, so John was calling for a change in their attitude toward sin, to straighten their paths. They have to be willing to obey God. That God's way is thge right way. This is only the first step in salvation.

The second step is to realize that in their attempt to obey God was also the possibility of failure, but that provision has been made by God to atone for their sins. For the Jews, faith in God's Mercy and Forgiveness was demonstrated in the sacrificial ordinances of the Levitical Law, though God preferred obedience to sacrifice. Nevertheless, the blood of bulls and goats only prefigured Christ, who ultimately replaced the Levitical system by Himself, being the sacrifice to atone for the people, to be offered to God in a building not made by hands.

When one come to the idea that their life is not what God intended and trusts God for change, then one is well on their way toward repentence. When one realizes that they have no strength in themselves to obey God and relies on God's strength (and not their own) to provide the means to obey God, then they have acknowledged God as their Savior. Forgiveness and mercy and grace are met in Christ and the person is saved.

 

[Silas]

i would never poke fun at the subject of God. point being that people easily get offended on this forum. and to answer your question. no, all of us are not His children. Only His elect.

I agree. Hey, dont worry about poking fun, I can take a joke.

 

[Silas]

"When one come to the idea that their life is not what God intended and trusts God for change, then one is well on their way toward repentence."

I'm not sure what you mean there. I dont want to assume that you're talking about feeling sorry of the consequence's of life, "metomellomi" (repentence), or feeling sorry for your sins against God, "Metanoia" (repentence). Which exactly are you saying is repentence?

 

[Dondi]

I'm not sure what you mean there. I dont want to assume that you're talking about feeling sorry of the consequence's of life, "metomellomi" (repentence), or feeling sorry for your sins against God, "Metanoia" (repentence). Which exactly are you saying is repentence?

I'd say the latter, but also maybe a little of both. Certainly when one comes to a low point in one's life, that can spark a need for repentance, like the prodigal son, for instance (godly sorrow produces repentance). But ultimately, you have to know that you've sinned against God.

 

[Silas]

You're right, the prodigal son did have godly sorrow. That is what metanoia means. Its being sorry for your sins against God, rather than sorry for the consequence of sin, which is "worldly repentence."

 

[Dondi]

You're right, the prodigal son did have godly sorrow. That is what metanoia means. Its being sorry for your sins against God, rather than sorry for the consequence of sin, which is "worldly repentence."

I would say he did have worldy repentence. He looked at the state he was in and found it wanting. He recognize that the consequences of his actions placed him in the slop of pigs. Then he turn his thoughts on home and to his father.

 

[Silas]

I would say he did have worldy repentence. He looked at the state he was in and found it wanting. He recognize that the consequences of his actions placed him in the slop of pigs. Then he turn his thoughts on home and to his father.

"I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you." - Luke 15:18

That's godly repentence, Dondi. Notice that sorrow from verse 17 downward (I qouted from v 18). It is Godly repentence that leads to to salvation, not worldy repentence. Those who come to Christ because their lives are lessed than what they want it to be, ususally fall away when they get what Jesus promise, namely, persecuation, trails, tribulations, etc. Did you listen to the witnessing audio? How did it go?

 

[Prober]

At least he's humble...

"I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants."

(my favorite part)

 

[cyberpi]

That's what I was saying...I dont understand why you used that scripture against what I said. What does God's wrath, and the scripture you posted have to do with what I said, namely that not everyone is God's children?

If the assumption is that all people are potentially God's children and worth every effort to help enjoin toward good values, with good values, then I see no rebuke. Otherwise I would read Jesus' rebuke closely and enjoin towards not using God's name in vain.

I believe it is a fundamental of Christianity and other religions that a person can change, for better or worse. I submit that means assuming that ALL can be God's children.

 

[Dondi]

"I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you." - Luke 15:18

That's godly repentence, Dondi. Notice that sorrow from verse 17 downward (I qouted from v 18). It is Godly repentence that leads to to salvation, not worldy repentence. Those who come to Christ because their lives are lessed than what they want it to be, ususally fall away when they get what Jesus promise, namely, persecuation, trails, tribulations, etc. Did you listen to the witnessing audio? How did it go?

I won't argue the point that the son purposed in his heart to go confess to his father his sin. But that was only after realizing the predicament that he was in. I mean, there he was eating out of the pig's trough and it was like, "Whoa, what am I doing?" He came to himself. He remembered from where he had fallen. The servants in his father's house were fairing better than him. It was a low point in his life and he knew he needed to do something about it. THEN he knew he needed to repent.

 

[17th Angel]

Jesus lubs me

 

[Prober]

Jesus lubs me

Yes He does!

 

[wil]

On what do you base your answers?

If we believe G-d created the world...we are all G-ds creations..

If one believes G-d created Adam and Eve and we are descendents...then we are an extension of his creation.

If we believe Jesus was his only begotten son through a virgin birth... I suppose unless G-d impregnated all our mothers by definition none of us are G-d's children.

 

[Silas]

I won't argue the point that the son purposed in his heart to go confess to his father his sin. But that was only after realizing the predicament that he was in. I mean, there he was eating out of the pig's trough and it was like, "Whoa, what am I doing?" He came to himself. He remembered from where he had fallen. The servants in his father's house were fairing better than him. It was a low point in his life and he knew he needed to do something about it. THEN he knew he needed to repent.

It is true that he did not like his circumstances. Yet, his circumstances was not the reason for his repentence, but rather a knowledge of his wrong doings. Notice his own testimony in v19..."I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants." It is the same as the man in another of Jesus' prable, namely the tax collector who beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" This is repentence: A godly sorrow for one's transgrettions, not a sorrow for the out come or circumstances of sins. This is the way the Bible shows us how we might find forgivness in God - through godly sorrow (Metanoia - Repentance) which leads to God. How was the audio, by the way? Did you learn how to share your faith?

 

[Silas]

Wil

If we believe G-d created the world...we are all G-ds creations..

The angels have intimate knowledge of this fact and they arent saved.

If one believes G-d created Adam and Eve and we are descendents...then we are an extension of his creation.

According to the most holy scriptues, only those born agian are God's children. Scripture calls the rest: "Children of Adam," "Children of the Devil" and "Children of wrath."

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6).

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13).

If we believe Jesus was his only begotten son through a virgin birth... I suppose unless G-d impregnated all our mothers by definition none of us are G-d's children.

There are two kinds of people on the earth: Those born of the flesh and those born of the Spirit.

Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. - John 3:5-6

 

[Silas]

If the assumption is that all people are potentially God's children and worth every effort to help enjoin toward good values, with good values, then I see no rebuke. Otherwise I would read Jesus' rebuke closely and enjoin towards not using God's name in vain.

I believe it is a fundamental of Christianity and other religions that a person can change, for better or worse. I submit that means assuming that ALL can be God's children.

I think I understand and agree and like what you said?

 

[Dondi]

It is true that he did not like his circumstances. Yet, his circumstances was not the reason for his repentence, but rather a knowledge of his wrong doings. Notice his own testimony in v19..."I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants." It is the same as the man in another of Jesus' prable, namely the tax collector who beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" This is repentence: A godly sorrow for one's transgrettions, not a sorrow for the out come or circumstances of sins. This is the way the Bible shows us how we might find forgivness in God - through godly sorrow (Metanoia - Repentance) which leads to God. How was the audio, by the way? Did you learn how to share your faith?

You still don't believe that his circumstances weren't a catylist to him repenting. If he never ran out of money, do you think he would have repented? As long as he was immersed in the lusts of the world, he was going to keep running. His repentance came only after he ran out of the means to enjoy himself.

 

[wil]

It is true that he did not like his circumstances. Yet, his circumstances was not the reason for his repentence, but rather a knowledge of his wrong doings. Notice his own testimony in v19..."I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants." It is the same as the man in another of Jesus' prable, namely the tax collector who beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" This is repentence: A godly sorrow for one's transgrettions, not a sorrow for the out come or circumstances of sins. This is the way the Bible shows us how we might find forgivness in God - through godly sorrow (Metanoia - Repentance) which leads to God. How was the audio, by the way? Did you learn how to share your faith?

We are discussing a parable here yes? And are we truly discussing what the fictional character in a parable was thinking?

 

[Silas]

You still don't believe that his circumstances weren't a catylist to him repenting. If he never ran out of money, do you think he would have repented? As long as he was immersed in the lusts of the world, he was going to keep running. His repentance came only after he ran out of the means to enjoy himself.

Yes, I do. I agree with you that his situation was a catylist. He saw his state and wanted better. Yet, in the same vein, it wasnt his state that lead him to repentence. The dude was actually sorry for sinning against God and His father. He was so distrought that he said, "make me a servant, I dont deserve to be your son." It is the same way with us and God. We cry out from our hearts, "God I am not worthy of your love, but please save me!" And He is gracious to do that! However, if we were to say to God, "God I hate my life! I have horrible circumstances and nothing ever goes right, please make it better and save me," nothing will ever happen. Why? Simply because God isnt our Genie and He wants us to be broken over our sins against Him and not sad about what our sins have bought us. Truth be told, we deserve all the bad we get and more. God is gracious when He allows bad things to happen to His children that we may run back to Him. Terrible things happen to everyone, but not everyone is sorry for sinning against God and therefore do not run to Him. Only "sons" and "daughters" do that.