Mark,
I really was not trying to imply anything, other than I could not remember what you said you believed about God from earlier posts. I guess my point was that if you said yes you believe in God, I was gonna ask you why God gave man free will. He must have done so because He allows much suffering on this earth. Does He not?
Jesus had compassion and healed many of various diseases, and the scriptures say He did so that they might believe.
John 21:25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
John 20: 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Paul says this:
(1 Cor 7:17 NIV) Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
(1 Cor 7:18 NIV) Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.
(1 Cor 7:19 NIV) Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts.
(1 Cor 7:20 NIV) Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.
(1 Cor 7:21 NIV) Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you--although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
(1 Cor 7:22 NIV) For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.
(1 Cor 7:23 NIV) You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
(1 Cor 7:24 NIV) Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.
the part I highlighted, is Paul saying to rebel here and run away? No I do not think so, (some others here have more knowledge than me so jump in) I think many of the slaves here were indentured servants and could buy their freedom or become part of the family also by becoming such a good servant(due to the mercy of God) that the masters would see the work and glorify God.
Why is this any more impossible to believe than the fact that God allows rapists, or murderers to roam this earth currently??
What do you think?
dan
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