Do You Refuse to Imitate Your God?
Apr 26, 2020 9:42:27 GMT -5
Post by Radrook Admin on Apr 26, 2020 9:42:27 GMT -5
Do You Refuse to Imitate Your God?
Ephesians 5:1 NIV Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children
New Living Translation
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
However, for those who imagine that God does condemn humans to be roasted alive forever, one would expect that this admonition to imitate him should pose a very serious problem. Why do you ask? Well simple. Because if they imitate this example as parents toward our children, then they would need to use torture in order to punish their misbehavior.
They would, for example, feel obligated to hold their little hands over a flame. Or might stick needles into them and ignore their cries for mercy. Not just for a few fleeting moments, but maybe extend that torture for days. After all, if indeed God does it for eternity, what are a few months or years but an imperfect imitation of such holy behavior? A few extremely dedicated parents might have the holy luxury of keeping their kids in constant agony maybe for years and in that way approximate their God's concept of holiness more. But most would be restricted in their imitation of this god.
Strangely, whenever questioned about following their god's example in this way, such persons have often become offended and respond that they would never do such a thing to their kids. When asked further as to why-they suddenly blurt out that it would be a cruel thing to do. When asked why they then claim that God would do it-they mindlessly respond, that whatever their Lord God does is totally OK by them.
Such a mindless answer indicates feeling terrified of even disagreeing with something they find morally offensive because they morbidly fear that any disagreement-might merit winding up roasting forever while their God ignores their cries for mercy or petitions for a quick death. In short, they do not admire the behavior, find it morally offensive-refuse to imitate it and are thus forced to ignore the inspired biblical exhortation that Christians be imitators of God in every way.
Simultaneously, they will claim that disobedience to any Bible instruction is a sin. Yet they will vehemently refuse to abide by this one. Think about it. When worshipers are forced to contradict themselves in this blatantly desperate manner, then something must be horribly wrong with the doctrine that forces then into such self-contradiction. That in itself clearly proves that the eternal torture concept is seriously morally flawed.
After all, if their concept would not be flawed, then imitation would be acceptable as the Scriptures below make absolutely clear:
Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Philippians 2:15
so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world
Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Philippians 2:15
so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world