Are Christians able to flourish outside God?

Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (Full Version)

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SomeFineDay -> Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/8/2008 8:14:11 PM)
What is the nature of the Christian outside of God's will? Three things to ponder; Can a Christian ever be outside God, is it possible that was can go our own way, does going our own way automatically mean that we will be miserable? Since we are bought with a high price, does God consider it allowable that we can go our own way or does he peruse us, even way past the times that we deny his will? Do Christians undergo a fundamental change at Salvation and we really cannot, no matter hard we try, go far away from God, will we ever be able to really run that far away from God. Just stuff I am pondering.

rcjames -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/8/2008 8:36:04 PM)
No one can flourish outside of God. Thanks RC

sparkleingsnow -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/8/2008 9:53:13 PM)
Flourish by earthly standards, yes. Flourish by spirital standards, no. We can get things or do things that will may us feel happy for a time. then we have to move on to something else, trying to feel like that again. But true lasting happyness, peace, and joy can only come from a close relationship with the Lord.

armydude -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/8/2008 11:23:51 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: rcjames No one can flourish outside of God. Amen. Jesus said it best. Just as the branch cannot survive without the vine, we cannot (spiritually) survive outside of God.

Liveloved -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/9/2008 12:01:44 AM)
quote: What is the nature of the Christian outside of God's will? Three things to ponder; Can a Christian ever be outside God, is it possible that was can go our own way, does going our own way automatically mean that we will be miserable? Can a Christian flourish outside of God's will? NO. Will they be miserable? I don't know. If your conscience is seared, I doubt you're miserable; lost but perhaps not miserable. The arrogance of man's heart deceives him so many are deceived and happily (?) so. Since we are bought with a high price, does God consider it allowable that we can go our own way or does he peruse us, even way past the times that we deny his will? Just prayed Psalm 106 this morning. It's the story of Israel's continual rebellion and God's continual deliverances and faithfulness. Do Christians undergo a fundamental change at Salvation and we really cannot, no matter hard we try, go far away from God, will we ever be able to really run that far away from God. I would say yes. But this is the 'fundamental' question that people have been arguing about for almost forever. Someday the argument will end.[:)][/quote]

bob97 -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/9/2008 12:49:01 AM)
God is the air I breath…without Him I would suffocate. Saying one can flourish without God is like saying one can find ecstasy on drugs...it is very fleeting. Bob

Tellzane -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/9/2008 9:34:19 AM)
In regards to your last question.....I think it would be better put as "Does man lose free will when spiritually he returns to god?" In essence yes...... Heaven is the final reward for those who strive to follow god's will. Free will is the greatest gift God gave us....Nothing else compares. But what happens to free will when in the presence of the lord? Would you doubt god to his face? If you did then you are truly beyond salvation.

terryjohn -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/9/2008 1:45:03 PM)
It is hard to imagine were you can go to escape God. Nevertheless, much of the problem stems from the idea that we imagine that somehow we have to be always doing the will of God when the will of God is that we do what we really want to do. Now when that coincides with what God would do, there is much comfort and rejoicing. However, we still get many who end up doing things simply because they think it is the will of God and resent every moment of it. Here I am a firm believer in God loving a cheerful giver and that He will give us the desires of our hearts, so all that we do for God is what actually we want to do and not something we do out of guilt or out of some need to apease the wrath of God. Now there are many who believing they are doing the will of God have secretely been lead astray by the lust and praises of men so much so they stand proclaiming that they are christ. Thus many of the cults rejoice in their success in leading many astray with them. Do they know they are seperated from God? I think they are. Are they decieved or decievers themselves? If they are decievers themsleves then they must also know they are decieved. Having said that, they may well be pleased at what they have been able to achieve for all men who are perishing gloat at what their hands have been able to achieve. Do men who say they are something not know they are nothing? Do the wicked rejoice in this life not knowing they shall burn in the next? The answer must be yes and no for I did and do.

SavedByGraceMD -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/9/2008 2:33:18 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: sparkleingsnow Flourish by earthly standards, yes. Flourish by spirital standards, no. We can get things or do things that will may us feel happy for a time. then we have to move on to something else, trying to feel like that again. But true lasting happyness, peace, and joy can only come from a close relationship with the Lord. I agree, and I would say it depends on what you see as flourishing. Do you mean material wealth, fame, and the likes of these. Or are you asking about spiritually flourishing, which of course is absolutely impossible without God. Like armydude brought up, He is the vine, we are the branches, how can a branch survive without the vine. How can a branch flourish without the vine. That is like planting a flower seed in a pot, and putting it under your bed. Never watering it, and never giving it sunlight. Will it grow, will it flourish. How can a seed grow without knowing of the warmth of the Son. How can a seed grow without the living waters the Son has to offer. It is impossible. So depending on what you mean by flourish, will lead you to the right answer.

SavedByGraceMD -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/9/2008 2:38:33 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: SomeFineDay What is the nature of the Christian outside of God's will? Three things to ponder; Can a Christian ever be outside God, is it possible that was can go our own way, does going our own way automatically mean that we will be miserable? Since we are bought with a high price, does God consider it allowable that we can go our own way or does he peruse us, even way past the times that we deny his will? Do Christians undergo a fundamental change at Salvation and we really cannot, no matter hard we try, go far away from God, will we ever be able to really run that far away from God. Just stuff I am pondering. I would say we most definitely go through a change. I know for me, all I want to do is know Him, love Him, praise Him, and bask in His presence. Why would I want to go away from Him. Why would I want to go back to the miserable, purposeless, meaningless, pursuit of temporary highs(not drugs), time wasting life I used to have. As Peter put it in John 6 " 68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Where would I want to go, He and only He has the words of eternal life. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Do you?

Forever_flying -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/9/2008 8:04:33 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: SomeFineDay What is the nature of the Christian outside of God's will? Three things to ponder; Can a Christian ever be outside God, is it possible that was can go our own way, does going our own way automatically mean that we will be miserable? Yes, we can still make our own choices, and we can do what is not in GOD's will for us. Each and every time I have done so I have been so completely misserable, and I never want to go back to that. quote: Since we are bought with a high price, does God consider it allowable that we can go our own way or does he peruse us, even way past the times that we deny his will? Why would we be misserable if HE didn't pursue us? quote: Do Christians undergo a fundamental change at Salvation and we really cannot, no matter hard we try, go far away from God, will we ever be able to really run that far away from God. We shouldn't want to run that far away from GOD, but eventually I think we realize we just ran in a huge circle and we end up right back at HIS feet. [:)]

jn1010lf -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/10/2008 8:59:45 AM)
Hello SomeFineDay Are you not defining your own spritual condition? If you were walking in the path God has for you, it wouldn't be your concern would it. So, get with God. Study His word. Pray for the purpose of being with Him; no Santa Clause list.

SomeFineDay -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/10/2008 3:02:56 PM)
I was just re-reading Ecclesiastes and thinking about these questions. Christians still have free will, and our growth is never even. Now I know that I am miserable when I go away from God but I still have the free will to try as hard as I desire to do so. In the end though I find that I can only go so far and then I return.

buckifn -> RE: Are Christians able to flourish outside God? (8/10/2008 3:03:29 PM)
quote: Can a Christian ever be outside God, is it possible that was can go our own way, does going our own way automatically mean that we will be miserable? No without God there is no such thing as a Christian and without God there is no life.

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