Imagin God loves you. Can you?

[antonio]

Thanks to all my time on forums, the answer has revealed itself---it's all about love.
All of what Jesus says in His command about the Law, His preaching and most of the parables are about love. Those that have been called apocalyptic are simply telling us to start loving now. It could all end any time, either with death or the Final Bang. We'll never know when. Jesus is telling us, L’chaim! Life! Live and Love, Now!
It has been there all the time, the Answer, big, obvious and simple. It has become clear to me that God has loved us all the time. Jesus didn't come here to die for our sins but to tell us that God loved us and he was willing to die to preserve that message for all time. So He did die for us but for a differnt reason. All the rest of it, except His word is just a great, bloodthirsty history written by guys who were overwhelmed with needless guilt. They just couldn’t accept that anyone, even God, would give them anything for nothing. From their suspicion, grew ingratitude which turned to fear. Fear drove out love and what was left were altars and sacrifice and bloody violence.
Jesus brought the message. The one we had forgotten—Love. Unfortunately, most humans still refuse to believe that God loves us. He has always loved us and not with that screwy human notion of love that incorporates hate, revenge and retribution. Most humans still fear God and either hide from his view, or want to throw something on a fire as a sacrifice--lambs or virgins-- but some burnt offering. They refuse to release their lack of gratitude to God and their lack of love for everyone.

Ever since He delivered the message, many have tried and still want to obfuscate it with guilt and fear and hate and judgment. They want to define God's love by the pathetic standards of human love, conditional, temporary, easily turned to revenge, hate and anger. But the Word won’t go away. It trickles like water in the cracks of a rock, always getting through. Trickling. Freezing. Growing. Eventually moving mountains.
antonio

[Metatron]

Thanks to all my time on forums, the answer has revealed itself---it's all about love.
All of what Jesus says in His command about the Law, His preaching and most of the parables are about love. Those that have been called apocalyptic are simply telling us to start loving now. It could all end any time, either with death or the Final Bang. We'll never know when. Jesus is telling us, L’chaim! Life! Live and Love, Now!
It has been there all the time, the Answer, big, obvious and simple. It has become clear to me that God has loved us all the time. Jesus didn't come here to die for our sins but to tell us that God loved us and he was willing to die to preserve that message for all time. So He did die for us but for a differnt reason. All the rest of it, except His word is just a great, bloodthirsty history written by guys who were overwhelmed with needless guilt. They just couldn’t accept that anyone, even God, would give them anything for nothing. From their suspicion, grew ingratitude which turned to fear. Fear drove out love and what was left were altars and sacrifice and bloody violence.
Jesus brought the message. The one we had forgotten—Love. Unfortunately, most humans still refuse to believe that God loves us. He has always loved us and not with that screwy human notion of love that incorporates hate, revenge and retribution. Most humans still fear God and either hide from his view, or want to throw something on a fire as a sacrifice--lambs or virgins-- but some burnt offering. They refuse to release their lack of gratitude to God and their lack of love for everyone.

Ever since He delivered the message, many have tried and still want to obfuscate it with guilt and fear and hate and judgment. They want to define God's love by the pathetic standards of human love, conditional, temporary, easily turned to revenge, hate and anger. But the Word won’t go away. It trickles like water in the cracks of a rock, always getting through. Trickling. Freezing. Growing. Eventually moving mountains.
antonio

Is there a question to be debated here?

[antonio]

My purpose wasn't to be the first with something. But I've never heard anyone propose that Jesus didn't die for our sins but rather to convince us to follow the new command, Love as set forth in the Bible and in the thread. If no one disagrees with that I am happy and the thread could be removed. I'm also happy to have found the first place, either forums or in the real world where that has happened.
antonio

[bernee51]

Thanks to all my time on forums, the answer has revealed itself---it's all about love.
All of what Jesus says in His command about the Law, His preaching and most of the parables are about love. Those that have been called apocalyptic are simply telling us to start loving now. It could all end any time, either with death or the Final Bang. We'll never know when. Jesus is telling us, L’chaim! Life! Live and Love, Now!
It has been there all the time, the Answer, big, obvious and simple. It has become clear to me that God has loved us all the time. Jesus didn't come here to die for our sins but to tell us that God loved us and he was willing to die to preserve that message for all time. So He did die for us but for a differnt reason. All the rest of it, except His word is just a great, bloodthirsty history written by guys who were overwhelmed with needless guilt. They just couldn’t accept that anyone, even God, would give them anything for nothing. From their suspicion, grew ingratitude which turned to fear. Fear drove out love and what was left were altars and sacrifice and bloody violence.
Jesus brought the message. The one we had forgotten—Love. Unfortunately, most humans still refuse to believe that God loves us. He has always loved us and not with that screwy human notion of love that incorporates hate, revenge and retribution. Most humans still fear God and either hide from his view, or want to throw something on a fire as a sacrifice--lambs or virgins-- but some burnt offering. They refuse to release their lack of gratitude to God and their lack of love for everyone.

Ever since He delivered the message, many have tried and still want to obfuscate it with guilt and fear and hate and judgment. They want to define God's love by the pathetic standards of human love, conditional, temporary, easily turned to revenge, hate and anger. But the Word won’t go away. It trickles like water in the cracks of a rock, always getting through. Trickling. Freezing. Growing. Eventually moving mountains.
antonio

Imagine god doen't exist...can you?

Imagine having to love humanity yourself...can you?

[antonio]

I have imagined that Heaven doesn't exist. In fact, more than that, I accept that Heaven may not exist. I am grateful for my life, the wonderful time Iim having, my family, my lover my son, my work. I did nothing to earn or deserve any of this. So why should I get more rewards. If I do, great but If I only got one day, a great bowl of noodles, sailing off Patalla , Chan and little antonio, even that one day would be enough to be grateful for.
So yes, I can love all humanity even if I never see God and do--or at least try to.
antonio

[bernee51]

I have imagined that Heaven doesn't exist. In fact, more than that, I accept that Heaven may not exist. I am grateful for my life, the wonderful time Iim having, my family, my lover my son, my work. I did nothing to earn or deserve any of this. So why should I get more rewards. If I do, great but If I only got one day, a great bowl of noodles, sailing off Patalla , Chan and little antonio, even that one day would be enough to be grateful for.
So yes, I can love all humanity even if I never see God and do--or at least try to.
antonio

So why believe in god? Why is there a need for god?

[McCulloch]

I once imagined that God loved me. I believed it. On closer investigation, it turned out to be only wishful thinking. What's your point?

[melikio]

So why believe in god? Why is there a need for god?

Some people believe, because they simply do. Some human beings are about "faith"; that is what they want and that is what they (individuals) need.

As far as a need for God; I really don't know who could answer that one. IF there is a God (to me He hasn't been disproven), then I think/believe no individual can really "define" His purpose.

Not everyone can (or should have to) live without faith (in whatever or whom); humans tend to want/need that; still some DO NOT. Another thing, is that many who do believe in God, see Him in different ways (his role, origin and overall influence); additionally, the fact that those who DO NOT believe in "God" (or any god) see the descriptions or concepts of a higher power uniquely, tends to make that answer so complex that any real understanding or consensus would be illusive. Nevertheless, I would agree that debating over such a question could be helpful, being used as a springboard for different thoughts or concepts.

-Mel-

[melikio]

Jesus brought the message. The one we had forgotten—Love.

Antonio, I read the whole post, and realize you NAILED the SPIRIT of what I believe (and have for most of my years of living).

It would be easier to debate if you posed it as a question, but I still appreciate what you've shared from your heart.

The spirit of what you said is (to me) on the mark. It is the kind of idea you emphasize, is the kind of spirituality that WOULD help to improve/heal the world. I know I've seen individuals go from bad to blessed, by embracing the concepts you just shared above.

Don't be discouraged by the religious legalists in all of this, for as you implied, it seems that some cannot accept so great a gift as Jesus represents. So, without compulsion, please continue to spread the message (of LOVE) in the spirit you've illustrated here. The world needs it more than I will ever be able to express.

Peace,

-Mel-

[twobitsmedia]

Thanks to all my time on forums, the answer has revealed itself---it's all about love.
All of what Jesus says in His command about the Law, His preaching and most of the parables are about love. Those that have been called apocalyptic are simply telling us to start loving now. It could all end any time, either with death or the Final Bang. We'll never know when. Jesus is telling us, L’chaim! Life! Live and Love, Now!
It has been there all the time, the Answer, big, obvious and simple. It has become clear to me that God has loved us all the time. Jesus didn't come here to die for our sins but to tell us that God loved us and he was willing to die to preserve that message for all time. So He did die for us but for a differnt reason. All the rest of it, except His word is just a great, bloodthirsty history written by guys who were overwhelmed with needless guilt. They just couldn’t accept that anyone, even God, would give them anything for nothing. From their suspicion, grew ingratitude which turned to fear. Fear drove out love and what was left were altars and sacrifice and bloody violence.
Jesus brought the message. The one we had forgotten—Love. Unfortunately, most humans still refuse to believe that God loves us. He has always loved us and not with that screwy human notion of love that incorporates hate, revenge and retribution. Most humans still fear God and either hide from his view, or want to throw something on a fire as a sacrifice--lambs or virgins-- but some burnt offering. They refuse to release their lack of gratitude to God and their lack of love for everyone.

Ever since He delivered the message, many have tried and still want to obfuscate it with guilt and fear and hate and judgment. They want to define God's love by the pathetic standards of human love, conditional, temporary, easily turned to revenge, hate and anger. But the Word won’t go away. It trickles like water in the cracks of a rock, always getting through. Trickling. Freezing. Growing. Eventually moving mountains.
antonio

I have heard this kind of "theology" before. It is also referred to as "sloppy agape" or an extreme example of "antinomianism." I do not refute that you believe it, it is just not "biblical" christianity. But, since you never claimed it was...then more power to you. This kind of theology picks out all the "love" verses and discards the rest of the Bible.