Why does God use humans?

[obedienttogod]

what's Paul's point here, about our faith?

Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. ​

In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. ​

(1 Corinthians 14:20)​

​

how does this exist in the same Bible as Matthew 18:3 does?

Interesting, you are using a scripture where Paul is instructing the importance of speaking in Tongues. This scripture has nothing to do with what Yeshua taught.

 

[posthuman]

Interesting, you are using a scripture where Paul is instructing the importance of speaking in Tongues. This scripture has nothing to do with what Yeshua taught.

is it only with respect to speaking in tongues that we should be mature in our thinking?

i considered this instruction to be more broadly applicable.

 

[posthuman]

Interesting, you are using a scripture where Paul is instructing the importance of speaking in Tongues. This scripture has nothing to do with what Yeshua taught.

Mark 7:18
"Are you so dull?" He asked.

Matthew 15:16
"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them.

what's Christ talking about here?
seems like it is implied that we ought to be bright in our thinking and sharp in our understanding.

 

[tourist]

But concerning the things of God, would should just automatically believe without question or reason. Just like a child believes in Santa because their parents tell the child he is real.

Perhaps. I believe the entire bible without question as the Word of God but I don't understand it all and I desire to learn.

 

[crossnote]

I think Simon’s father’s name is mentioned?

I was thinking the same but couldn't recall. Interesting take on Jonah but I wouldn't run too far with it

 

[crossnote]

Because Frank realized what was happening. He woke up. Look here,

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. Pro.29:1

When the Bible says "God hardened Pharaoahs heart", it doesn't mean on purpose. It means when God corrected Pharaoh, Pharaoh became even more angry. Pharaohs heart was hard to begin with. He thought of himself as a god. He was worshipped as a god.

Look at Jer.18. It shows it's never Gods correction is for repentance.

But what caused Frank to repent? Surely not Frank!

Romans 2:4 (KJV) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

 

[obedienttogod]

Mark 7:18
"Are you so dull?" He asked.

Matthew 15:16
"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them.

what's Christ talking about here?
seems like it is implied that we ought to be bright in our thinking and sharp in our understanding.

That is because, many did not accept Yeshua as I AM, God, the Christ. Twist scripture all you like, there is still a context for each scripture you quote!!

 

[obedienttogod]

is it only with respect to speaking in tongues that we should be mature in our thinking?

i considered this instruction to be more broadly applicable.

And yet, Paul does not mention this broadening view towards any other aspect, but that of Tongues. Most likely, since he was aware from Christ, that Tongues would be a hot topic until the end of time (there are several threads in this forum concerning Tongues).

 

[Hevosmies]

Mark 7:18
"Are you so dull?" He asked.

Matthew 15:16
"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them.

what's Christ talking about here?
seems like it is implied that we ought to be bright in our thinking and sharp in our understanding.

I know reading the news was dull!

 

[RickyZ]

The best example of this is Noah:
Noah didnt prove his message was from God through any miracles like the Apostles did. Yet Noah was right, he was the man of God.

So my question is: WHY does God use humans? Wouldn't it be much more effective to just appear to everyone in Noah's day and send them an angel or appearing from God, a supernatural encounter telling them "HEY, Repent or a floods coming". Most people would heed that warning.

If Jesus came to me right now and said "build a boat" I'd start building right away, "Yes, Lord". BUT, if some human came to me and said: "You need to build a boat or else" i'd tell him "you're crazy! leave me alone!"

No doubt I would of drowned in Noah's day lol.

Why does God use humans, instead of appearing to the people directly, does the Bible answer this question?

Since God chooses to not use this human, I couldn't say.

 

[pottersclay]

So length of days plays no role when it comes to 'opportunity to repent'?

Not when you know the end from the beginning.

 

[tourist]

Since God chooses to not use this human, I couldn't say.

We all have our part to play. There is a difference between not being of use and being prepared for a great use. You are of the latter.

 

[posthuman]

And yet, Paul does not mention this broadening view towards any other aspect, but that of Tongues. Most likely, since he was aware from Christ, that Tongues would be a hot topic until the end of time (there are several threads in this forum concerning Tongues).

hmm if i go back a chapter..

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. ​

When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ​

(1 Corinthians 13:11)​

what's this context?

 

[crossnote]

Not when you know the end from the beginning.

I'm not sure I get the connection between'length of days', 'opportunity to repent' and God's omniscience.

 

[pottersclay]

I'm not sure I get the connection between'length of days', 'opportunity to repent' and God's omniscience.

Imo the length of years is not so much a factor as to what those years were filled with.
If one had a life of ease with very few challenges and lived to be 100 compared to another who had many struggles and short comings and lived to be 50 which one would be more inclined to seek truth?

 

[pottersclay]

I'm not sure I get the connection between'length of days', 'opportunity to repent' and God's omniscience.

God knowing the end from the beginning knows when the fruit ripe and when it is spoiled.

 

[RickyZ]

We all have our part to play. There is a difference between not being of use and being prepared for a great use. You are of the latter.

That seems to be the consensus, but exactly where in the Bible does it say being prepared for a greater use precludes the command to be generous and a good steward of your time? The last command we have is to go forth. It never specified ANY exemptions.

satan ran thru my life like a wildfire last year. SOLELY because idle hands are his work.

I'm sorry, I'm not buying the 'it's not my time' thing. It's NOT scriptural.

 

[RickyZ]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but honestly, this is life or death for me here. I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines watching people suffer when God has given me the talents and means to mitigate that. If God doesn't have any use for me, then I'll find something else to do.

 

[crossnote]

Imo the length of years is not so much a factor as to what those years were filled with.
If one had a life of ease with very few challenges and lived to be 100 compared to another who had many struggles and short comings and lived to be 50 which one would be more inclined to seek truth?

I still don't see how "Not when you know the end from the beginning." fits into that scheme of things.

 

[Journeyman]

But what caused Frank to repent? Surely not Frank!

Frank repented due to some situation God put him in to humble him. That's the way God works. In my last post I made a typo. I meant to say, Its never God's way for people to perish without warning.

Romans 2:4 (KJV) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Rom.2:4 shows this truth. By God's patience and working, it is Frank's responsibility to recognize Gods love and repent.