Posted by James 5:16 on April 07, 2001 at 20:05:27:
In Reply to: There is a God ... and you're not him posted by Chris on April 05, 2001 at 11:20:30:
For all intents and purposes, we should all be glad that we do not bear the burden of being Him. We are in a situation where we do not have the responsibility of being God. Fundamentally however, from the Christian point of view, we all accept that there is another presence, rather another entity, sharing our lives. The Holy Spirit.
Paul, in the his letter to the church in Rome, deeply dwells on the fact that we are not in this life alone. We are given the gift of the Holy Spirit to intercede between us and the Father. Not that we could not have direct contact, for nothing is impossible with God, but the Holy Spirit acts as a messenger, translator, and well, mailman if you will.
So, we CAN say, as you so wisely posted, that we cannot be Him. However, He can be with us from now until forevermore. In each segment of time, (namely when we are on Earth and when we are in Heaven)God can speak to us. He can relate to us. Love us. And partner with us.
Christians DO NOT have a God that died on the Cross, was resurrected, ascended into Heaven, and then left us to our own devices. God left a part of Himself so that we may become closer to Him. So that He may build us from the broken, stained and hollow people that we were born as, to become the people that He cares to share Eternity with.
Perfection is not a one time thing that is GOING to occur after judgement. Not at all. Perfection is an ALL TIME THING that God wants us to pursue with great effort and vigilance. We are called to be seeking that PERFECTION, that closeness to Him, even though we are aware that we, by ourselves, cannot achieve it.
Yes, we MUST be aware that God does exist AND that we are NOT Him. However, Christianity brings with it several gifts, the greatest of which is the eternal communion with Him. We can NEVER BE God. That was elloquently stated. However, we as believers, will always be WITH Him. Henceforth and forevermore.
To suppose that we are God is very arrogant. All people, Christian or not, believers or not, shoould guard themselves from such an assumption.
Thanks for reading.
James 5:16