Why are we and God the way we are.

[joer]

I have a friend, A Christian, who used to post on this site and was the one who led me here. He so like his discussions with QED and others.

He posted this yesterday on another site, after a long absence, and after being requested too by someone via a PM.

It seems to me he has captured an excellent understanding of God and the reason for our creation by God and why we are like we are. I “get� what he’s saying if anyone would like me to explain anything I’d be glad too. Here’s his post:

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Being human, when we go searching for guidance, We are wont to focus our attention externally. We look for authoritative sources like pastors, or gurus, or even the good old Urantia Book! The fact is, Father has sprinkled shards of truth so generously, that inquisitive minds can be tantalized from literally anywhere the search begins.

The “larger� truth seems often to escape us, and that is our uniqueness. So, let me begin right there.

God, as First Source and Center, is of course infinite, and unlimited. But even being “unlimited� has its limit; you cannot experience growth. The UB tells us, God devised a plan for escaping the “prison� of absoluteness. That plan was us. God’s plan was to create children who, though created from perfection, with inherited perfection potentials, were given an even more precious gift IMPERFECTION!

Whoa! How can that be? You ask. Well, since God’s only true limitation is being able to experience growth, his gift of imperfection opens up the possibility to share in that growth. And, being a free will system, God assures that his kids, in their search for Him, ultimately find Him because of Love, not duty.

… The UB tells us about the circles, to give us a sort of terrain map. Our exact location on this map is not so important as how we make our plans to traverse it. Remember, the only gift we have to give to God, is our growth experience that we share with Him. We’ve started as far from Perfection as is possible, while still retaining the possibility of eventually attaining that goal. Each stumbling journey strengthens our stride, and enhances our skills. All our mini-struggles are summed in God the Supreme, and ultimately in the First Source and Center. So, taking a “shortcut�, only would limit our growth, and therefore our gift.

This also helps clarify another of our misconceptions. Some of us are born rich, some poor. Some have vigorous health, some suffer from birth. How is that in any way fair?

Once again, imperfection is the gift. Those who apparently given the least, in reality have the most to give back, while those who appear to have been born into the privilege of wealth and even mental brilliance, enjoy but a limited opportunity. Those who seem most gifted, are usually the most limited by their material focus and attachments. They see themselves as smarter, and of greater importance, and may tend to be more complacent and less introspective than those who look for spiritual answers instead.

Would it not be the ultimate in unfairness, if finding God was based on how smart, or how rich we are? Thankfully, the playing field is level, and God has made sure we each have our own unique path back to our Source.

So, let’s walk that path, and join hands with our Divine Partner to get us over or around the obstacles while maintaining our balance.
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I think my brother's explanation is insightful and moving. My question to all the believers here is:

Why are we and God the way we are?

[otseng]

I'm going to move this to the HHR for now. If it turns into a debate, then I'll move it to the open debate areas.

[joer]

OK Osteng! Thank You!

[justifyothers]

Why are we and God the way we are?


Hi Joer!!
Interesting thoughts from your friend. I enjoyed his perspective and, for the most part, feel the same way.

To attempt to answer your question:
I can’t say why God is the way He is, but I can try to say why I might be the way I am. As each of us go through this life, we encounter situations that can lead to questioning and growth. I agree that a perfect life here would offer us nothing. Growing and changing my perspective has been the most rewarding thing I’ve experienced.
Though it may not always seem enjoyable at the time, the new ideas and thoughts that spring from these situations can be life-changing.

Nobody else is me. This allows me to be helpful to some that others can’t help. Through the culmination of my own thoughts and experiences alone, can some benefit. Just as certain people have enriched my life in ways that have not been equaled by others.

So, we each have our little group of those around us that we are meant to touch, and we each have our group of those placed here to touch our lives. The uniqueness of each of us is important in this light.

I am just thankful that not screwing up is not a prerequisite. Humility does wonders in enriching our capacity for compassion and acceptance.

Anyway, I’m glad YOU are YOU

[joer]

Hey Justify, thank You. That was a great post. I like your perspective, like about the uniqueness of each of us and the progress and growth from meeting and dealing with life's challenges. It sounds right to me also.

God Bless You Justified.

I love Skler's posts over on the Evidence of Christianity thread. And ChristianGuy's science and religion type post also. Even if some non-believers go to some lengths to disrupt or disprove his ideas. They are the kind of ideas that when worked through do lead to growth and progress in understanding how God Science and Religion are all interrelated.

[TrueValues]

It does not make total sense to me but im 95 percent there so voted yes anyway, the post is well put though.


I do however believe its a hard task to define the nature of God and his thinkings, so it was a very good try, better than my limited vocab can muster anyway.

I like the interactions between God and the Angels in relation to making us, from a Biblical standpoint it offers the best examples of Gods thought process imho.

[joer]

It does not make total sense to me but im 95 percent there so voted yes anyway, the post is well put though.


I do however believe its a hard task to define the nature of God and his thinkings, so it was a very good try, better than my limited vocab can muster anyway.

I like the interactions between God and the Angels in relation to making us, from a Biblical standpoint it offers the best examples of Gods thought process imho.

Hi True Values good to see you. I hope your are enjoying your pasage here. You wrote:

I do however believe its a hard task to define the nature of God and his thinkings

I think this is true. But I did like the contemplative value of my friends thinking about God. The idea of escaping the “prison� of absoluteness by creating "other" and making other SO FAR from your divine Personality that you would have an eternity of experiencing "diverse" reality of SELF (God's Self") in the sense of the ever expanding Supreme Being, created from All the Free Will choices who chose to do God's Will and thus continue on the journey of coming back home to the Oneness of the creator of your "being".

I don't know True Value. Did I make any sense?

God's Peace be with you True and All here.

[Eph]

I think my brother's explanation is insightful and moving. My question to all the believers here is:

Why are we and God the way we are?

I found the explanation similar to that of my own belief. I would normally cite a few scriptures, but you didn't, so neither will I. Although I will say that who God is, as described in the scriptures, is directly related to our standing before him.

Having said that, I believe that God's purpose for man is to progress. I'd say that the gift of God is not imperfection, rather opportunity and free agency. We are all placed on earth, we are all different, we all can make choices that can impact ourselves and those around us.

The greatest metaphor in life that exemplifies this is in family relationships. Like God, I can exist with the a degree of intelligence and ability independent of whether I have children or not. I have decided to have children and I can maintain my intelligence and ability. The only difference is that my life is truly magnified by helping my children grow and develop from a state of imperfection to a state of understanding and contribution. By being their parent, I try and give them the best opportunities that I can give to them. I get more out of life through their progress.

In this way, I believe God gives us the opportunity to live and breathe, create and destroy, be selfish or giving. Since he has everything, then his glory rests in the progression of his children - through their ability to make choices and touch the lives of others. Because love is the noblest of qualities, it would make sense that God, as our Father, loves his children enough to provide an earth life to progress and return home to him, clean, glorified and crowned with eternal life.

[joer]

I think my brother's explanation is insightful and moving. My question to all the believers here is:

Why are we and God the way we are?

I found the explanation similar to that of my own belief. I would normally cite a few scriptures, but you didn't, so neither will I. Although I will say that who God is, as described in the scriptures, is directly related to our standing before him.

Having said that, I believe that God's purpose for man is to progress. I'd say that the gift of God is not imperfection, rather opportunity and free agency. We are all placed on earth, we are all different, we all can make choices that can impact ourselves and those around us.

The greatest metaphor in life that exemplifies this is in family relationships. Like God, I can exist with the a degree of intelligence and ability independent of whether I have children or not. I have decided to have children and I can maintain my intelligence and ability. The only difference is that my life is truly magnified by helping my children grow and develop from a state of imperfection to a state of understanding and contribution. By being their parent, I try and give them the best opportunities that I can give to them. I get more out of life through their progress.

In this way, I believe God gives us the opportunity to live and breathe, create and destroy, be selfish or giving. Since he has everything, then his glory rests in the progression of his children - through their ability to make choices and touch the lives of others. Because love is the noblest of qualities, it would make sense that God, as our Father, loves his children enough to provide an earth life to progress and return home to him, clean, glorified and crowned with eternal life.

This is an excellent post Eph. It makes a lot of sense and is touchingly related to Our Experience here on earth and how us being in that position to experience life here is a wonderful gift for us.

I like your ideas of relationships,

"The greatest metaphor in life that exemplifies this is in family relationships."

and sharing in God's creative potential by being given these capacities:

"I believe God gives us the opportunity to live and breathe, create and destroy, be selfish or giving."

In these ways I believe we are created in God's image. For as God is co-creative sharing His Oneness and creativeness among three persons. And as such fostering divine relationships. And He has given us "as humans" the capacity to do the same in our realm.

If we treat all our relationship as if they are divine relationships between divine personalities, imagine how cherished they could be come. No more taking for granted. All aspects of a relationship being honored.

And as co-creators of reality our divine like relationship would be integral to what we created. Imagine in creating Home Life, Children, Education, Livelihood honoring our interactions as if they were a divine gift from God. Which they are.

Peace be with you Eph! God's Love.