So I have been having some thoughts on this subject for a little bit, and was hoping to get some insight into others thoughts on it. Essentially, we always hear that we have a forgiving God, and Jesus blood atoned our sins. While I believe that to be true, I think a lot of Christians have the wrong idea about a "forgiving" God.

 

What do you think?

Well, I'll start this off. God loves all of us, no matter what. Even those who have turned their backs on Him, He loves them, even atheist. He is our Father and He is forgiving, but are we able to ask Him for His forgiveness?

 

At least twice a day when I pray, usually when I wake up and then before bed, when asking for forgiveness I also add "and I accept Your forgiveness".

So when I read the thread title, I thought it was about people forgiving God.

 

With that premise, how does one keep the faith if they are dedicated, church going people, yet unfortunate events continue to follow them, causing them to feel like God hates them?

 

How do you get those people to want to come back to church and God, when they feel it does no good, as their bad luck continues?

^ John 15:18

God is altogether perfect and lovely and just and gracious and wise in all his ways. But to speak of “forgiving God” suggests that God has erred or made a mistake or perhaps even committed a moral offense against us or someone else. You only have to look at Psalms to see feelings vented thinking God doesn't care. So, as a Christian I try to operate on the basis of the biblical witness that God does all things well: not necessarily all things the way we want him to do them, but they are “well” and good and righteous and fair and just, nonetheless.

 

So, what I’m getting at is that the language of forgiveness is only appropriate when it is God forgiving us or us forgiving others, but never of us forgiving God. We should deal honestly and sincerely with our disappointment in the way life has turned out. We must be open and authentic about our feelings concerning ways in which we mistakenly think that God has failed us or hurt us. I say “mistakenly” think because it is a mistake ever to think that God has failed or treated us unjustly.

I apologize. I didn't intend for the thread to be about us forgiving God.

 

I meant for the idea that God is forgiving to be tossed around a bit.

 

My bad!

 

With that premise, how does one keep the faith if they are dedicated, church going people, yet unfortunate events continue to follow them, causing them to feel like God hates them?

 

How do you get those people to want to come back to church and God, when they feel it does no good, as their bad luck continues?

 

The biggest hurdle. You've nailed it. There is no clear answer and I myself struggle with this. The closest I get to a Biblical answer is in the book of Job and God only gives us a slight answer. IF you can figure this out, I owe you.

I apologize. I didn't intend for the thread to be about us forgiving God.

 

I meant for the idea that God is forgiving to be tossed around a bit.

 

 

My bad!

TC51 no apology necessary because it was a thought provoking question either way you think about it. So thanks for the post!

If it were not for Jesus, GOD would not be forgiving. He is righteous and we would get what we deserve. The blood of the lamb who took our punishment said that he is the way. John 3:16 kind of sums it up. If not for Jesus we would all perish because none of us can live perfect by the law.

If it were not for Jesus, GOD would not be forgiving. He is righteous and we would get what we deserve. The blood of the lamb who took our punishment said that he is the way. John 3:16 kind of sums it up. If not for Jesus we would all perish because none of us can live perfect by the law.

 

While I agree with where you are coming from, the OT is likewise filled with the grace and mercy of God. Hosea comes to mind. Jeremiah.

God is altogether perfect and lovely and just and gracious and wise in all his ways. But to speak of “forgiving God” suggests that God has erred or made a mistake or perhaps even committed a moral offense against us or someone else. You only have to look at Psalms to see feelings vented thinking God doesn't care. So, as a Christian I try to operate on the basis of the biblical witness that God does all things well: not necessarily all things the way we want him to do them, but they are “well” and good and righteous and fair and just, nonetheless.

 

So, what I’m getting at is that the language of forgiveness is only appropriate when it is God forgiving us or us forgiving others, but never of us forgiving God. We should deal honestly and sincerely with our disappointment in the way life has turned out. We must be open and authentic about our feelings concerning ways in which we mistakenly think that God has failed us or hurt us. I say “mistakenly” think because it is a mistake ever to think that God has failed or treated us unjustly.

 

Same way my wife and our family did. My wife was never a big church goer, but always Spiritual through Yoga and meditation. After her diagnosis, she became extremely spiritual in a Catholic sense. She gave herself over to God, so that whatever was meant to happen we would be open. 3 weeks after her first surgery and 2 weeks after we learned that the cancer had spread, a healing priest, which NEVER happens, came our Parish. I had to act as a "Catcher," which meant that those overcome with relief or joy would basically faint and I would keep them from becoming a bloody mess. In doing that, I got to follow the Priest as he went person to person. Now, I don't know what Jesus looks like, but that was as close to Jesus coming to me on this plane of existence that I will ever get. You had to be there to feel it, but it was very, very real. Anyway, my wife went before him and felt the same thing. At that moment, there was no doubt about God. There was worry about the unknown of what was going to happen, but no doubt.

 

Here's what I would say to someone who is suffering, or is close to someone that is suffering or that they will lose. Having faith, losing faith, either way, it will not bring a person back or heal their physical pain. However, if there was never any pain, if there was never any worry, there would never be any questioning of faith. Then, and only then (IMO), can you truly hear God speak to you. That is the moment when you find God. You may not agree with God's plan, you may be angry, but you will not doubt his existence if you are open.

^Awesome. Thanks for sharing Mex.

^Awesome. Thanks for sharing Mex.

 

No problem. We never found ourselves "blaming" God. We questioned why, but never went away from him. I think, for me anyway, a big part of that was listening to our friend @Bench's cousin at a benefit for her. She was terminal, this was going to be the last time that she saw many of her friends and old classmates. She took, I'd guess, 20 minutes of her speech either praying or thanking God. That hit me to my core. If a woman facing death, leaving her 2 little girls, a husband, a very successful career, and all of this love, saw the glory of God, then who was I to have any doubt?

No problem. We never found ourselves "blaming" God. We questioned why, but never went away from him. I think, for me anyway, a big part of that was listening to our friend @Bench's cousin at a benefit for her. She was terminal, this was going to be the last time that she saw many of her friends and old classmates. She took, I'd guess, 20 minutes of her speech either praying or thanking God. That hit me to my core. If a woman facing death, leaving her 2 little girls, a husband, a very successful career, and all of this love, saw the glory of God, then who was I to have any doubt?

Thank you! Robin never wavered in her beliefs, not from day 1. Good had a plan for her and she let him do his thing. I have no idea how she handled her cancer the way she did. Knowing what the outcome might be. But in the moments, literally minutes before she left us, she had faith. She never faltered. She knew he had a plan for her and she tried to help us through it even while she was dealing with so much herself and she just wanted to live her life to the fullest, no matter how short it was going to be.

 

It's the main reason I am so devoted to helping keep her memory alive through her scholarship. That's what she wanted. She beat cancer because she didn't let it change what she wanted to do. She wanted to help people and I'll do everything in my power to help her continue that, even though she's not here to see it.

No problem. We never found ourselves "blaming" God. We questioned why, but never went away from him. I think, for me anyway, a big part of that was listening to our friend @Bench's cousin at a benefit for her. She was terminal, this was going to be the last time that she saw many of her friends and old classmates. She took, I'd guess, 20 minutes of her speech either praying or thanking God. That hit me to my core. If a woman facing death, leaving her 2 little girls, a husband, a very successful career, and all of this love, saw the glory of God, then who was I to have any doubt?

And now that you've made me cry, I'm going too get back to work haha.