God says this, and God says that

Hi guys. First of all, I have just read this post for the first time from start to finish. To the current post -- this fits with Hebrews 12 -- punishment for sons that he loves. Just remember that God uses *all things* for the good of those who love him, even their own sins. He allows us our mistakes because his first goal is our salvation and our condition in the next life, not necessarily this one. Funkmaster, your addictions may look like failures in one sense but as far as I can see they were blessings, because they brought you to him.Funkmasterfreaky, you are a real encouragement to my faith and a solid voice of wisdom (also some other folks here too, but I was struck by your story). Not a drug addict myself but as a physician I have seen a lot of struggles and I don't think many things speak as clearly of God's power as an addict who has been lifted up out of the sewer, shaken clean, and set walking on his/her feet with *dignity*.The problem I see over the last few hundred posts is that this is futile. John, you are not looking to know God. I have a relationship with God that is real, and that is something that you lack, even if you refuse to acknowledge that such a relationship can exist. That is the ultimate point that cannot be gotten over or argued.John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he sent his only son, so that whoever [even me, even you] believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." That is the root of the Good News, John -- God offers us a relationship now and later, eternal life with him and you have to say Yes or No, knowing that your decision will be taken so seriously by God that he will allow you to choose eternity apart from him.If you say Yes, even if you don't know how to believe but want to believe that there is something more to life, he will find you where you are (with all the baggage, self-loathing, old mistakes and embarrassments, vices, failures, physical imperfections, and personality flaws) and help you grow into who you were meant to be. If you continue to say No he will continue to seek you out and call to you (wake up John, he is calling to you *now*), but the call will grow fainter.That said, this thread now serves no purpose that I can see. Maybe it is time to shake the dust off your sandals, Gentlemen.

When you have been taught all your life how to avoid belief by avoiding God, how to be cynical, belief in God *can* be very difficult. Eyes clouded and hearts hardened by years of misuse or abuse may not see, feel, or hear clearly enough to believe right away. Part of this is because belief can be very painful -- think of all the years of walled-up pride that must come down for some. How to start believing when your whole ego is built on self-pride and disbelief?Mostly, this back-and-forth reminds me of the scene in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle, in which a group of dwarves trapped in a stable are confronted by Aslan. He sets before them a sumptuous feast, but they, who have been blinded and deceived by a false god, taste only straw.

Forgive me if I came across that way. No, all people are prideful, including me. To acknowledge someone greater than myself in every possible way is to put self-pride to death. And that can be painful if that has been (as it was and in some ways still is) the basis of my life. That is why I have found being a Christian is incredibly difficult and is a life-long struggle with which I rely on God's help every day.I do not condescend; I include myself in this category. That is why I can speak of how difficult it can be -- every day, even (and especially) for a Christian.True Christians are "gentle and humble of heart" just like Christ, not arrogant. I don't have all the answers; I'm sad that your experience with Christians has been as you say. Examine Christ's teachings and decide for yourself what he stands for. Chances are there are Christians out there who act more like him than the folks that you've run across.