Little Green Men - Is God Limited?

[blondeambition3]

So are you saying the God does not have free will but we do? Did he/she give us something that he/she was incapable of? Never thought of it that way but it is very interesting to ponder.

Excellent and intelligent questions to ponder.... Well, this isn't simple to explain, that's for sure.. because our 'understanding' of GOD is so 'limited'... let me try to explain the almost explainable according to MY limited understanding....

Scripture states;

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. 9"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.… Isaiah 58:8-9

God is a Creator Being, without beginning and without end, (such as we are), so I believe it's 'possible' that GOD made us like Him, but gave us the 'ability' to choose to love Him, (as an option, not a mandate or automatically hard-wire us with no other option, if this makes sense)....

consider this verse;

Ecclesiastes 11:5
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

We are 'works' of God... and I really just don't think GOD is capable of Sin, therefore unable to exercise free will in that area... so while yes, He created us with 'free will'... something He possesses in all likelihood, but unlike us, CAN NOT exercise due to His incomprehensible (to us!) perfect Sinless Nature and Character.

Scriptures say what I'm unable to articulate best;

Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

Job 22:12
"Is not God in the heights of heaven? And see how lofty are the highest stars!

Job 33:12
"But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than any mortal.

Job 36:26
How great is God--beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.

Job 37:5
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

Job 37:23
The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.

Psalm 145:3
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

 

[Saintscruiser]

Cuz, you expressed that great! What do you mean you don't have the ability to explain yourself! Phishaw!!

PT, that is a very good question that I hadn't thought about, per se. God's character cannot sin, no more than we can look at the sun. There is a Scripture:

Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:47-48

Matthew 6
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.


Very plainly does this mention that God is the Father in which Jesus was talking about, plus praying to. To me, that is male.

God expresses the ultimate in free will by giving us free will. To not have free will means to be under a form of slavery or bondage and God is no slave or under bondage to anyone. He is the epitome in self discipline. Self discipline is another form of free will. Think about this and we can talk further, if you would like! P.S. He gave all the angels free will as well.

 

[blondeambition3]

God is a Creator Being, without beginning and without end, (such as we are),

(such as SHOULD have read, UNLIKE we are!



Yeah, I express myself SO well sometimes!

 

[pt91]

Good reply.
If we are made in God's image and he is perfect and gave us more than he was capable of maybe he gave us too much. If God doesn't have freewill but God gave us that gift then how can we be less unless it was a bad decision or we weren't capable of handling free will. I struggle with these thoughts a lot.

Excellent and intelligent questions to ponder.... Well, this isn't simple to explain, that's for sure.. because our 'understanding' of GOD is so 'limited'... let me try to explain the almost explainable according to MY limited understanding....

Scripture states;



God is a Creator Being, without beginning and without end, (such as we are), so I believe it's 'possible' that GOD made us like Him, but gave us the 'ability' to choose to love Him, (as an option, not a mandate or automatically hard-wire us with no other option, if this makes sense)....

consider this verse;



We are 'works' of God... and I really just don't think GOD is capable of Sin, therefore unable to exercise free will in that area... so while yes, He created us with 'free will'... something He possesses in all likelihood, but unlike us, CAN NOT exercise due to His incomprehensible (to us!) perfect Sinless Nature and Character.

Scriptures say what I'm unable to articulate best;

 

[mightymen]

I really just don't think GOD is capable of Sin, therefore unable to exercise free will in that area... so while yes, He created us with 'free will'... something He possesses in all likelihood, but unlike us, CAN NOT exercise due to His incomprehensible (to us!) perfect Sinless Nature and Character.

I like to address this part "therefore unable to exercise free will"

IMO - Scripture teachers us in the GENESIS 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and earth" This was obvious an act of God's Free Will, showing us God has Free Will and uses it.


I like to address this also "perfect Sinless Nature and Character"

IMO: There is no ruler that God can be measured by, He is DIVINE, He is the only GOD therefore it's is impossible for Him to commit a transgression or offense; transgress; offend; sin against another, He is not accountable to anyone or anything "IN THE BEGINNING WAS GOD" for what ever God does is Righteous and Good there by God is sinless always. We can't put God in a box that will allow us to measure Him with our understanding it's not possible.

God is Right because there is no other God and there is no way to measure God there by giving Him a sinless nature and what ever God does is right.

God excises His Free Will with every Spoken Word or Thought and Action He does, there is no measuring stick we can hold God accountable to His nature is sinless and perfect.

Like I said this is only my opinion and personal revelation on God and how is He Righteous, Sinless and Perfect this makes God Holy and Devine and makes everything from God Divine quality and Holy quality there by showing us, He's perfect in all things.

 

[Rodeorat]

Hi all,
1st time poster here. Tried to be a bystander and lighten up, after a couple ill-timed ventures into the "OUTSIDE" forum (think I'm done with that).

As Mightymen so eloquently demonstrated, of course God has free will. He cannot give what he doesn't possess.
Does that mean he's capable of sin? In our understanding of sin, YES he can, from a logical perspective.

However, what is sin? Straying from a standard or law, yes? Who is that standard or law? God is a being of the highest order and full authority over creation. Therefore his acts of will are not sin as we understand it. Rather his actions are the standard, by which our actions are measured against. Any action or will that is not aligned to his own is sin. Therefore, God's own actions or free will cannot be regarded as sin, as all authority is his.

 

[blondeambition3]

Hi all,
1st time poster here. Tried to be a bystander and lighten up, after a couple ill-timed ventures into the "OUTSIDE" forum (think I'm done with that).

As Mightymen so eloquently demonstrated, of course God has free will. He cannot give what he doesn't possess.
Does that mean he's capable of sin? In our understanding of sin, YES he can, from a logical perspective.

However, what is sin? Straying from a standard or law, yes? Who is that standard or law? God is a being of the highest order and full authority over creation. Therefore his acts of will are not sin as we understand it. Rather his actions are the standard, by which our actions are measured against. Any action or will that is not aligned to his own is sin. Therefore, God's own actions or free will cannot be regarded as sin, as all authority is his.

Wow! That's the closest to PERFECT as I believe any answer's going to get.

Well said Rodeorat.

... and AMEN!!!!!

PS - I was so awed and impressed with this post that I forgot to WELCOME you to the Christian Vaper's Forum Rodeorat! I know I, for one, will be anxiously awaiting your future posts and getting to fellowship alongside you.

 

[mightymen]

Hi all,
1st time poster here. Tried to be a bystander and lighten up, after a couple ill-timed ventures into the "OUTSIDE" forum (think I'm done with that).

As Mightymen so eloquently demonstrated, of course God has free will. He cannot give what he doesn't possess.
Does that mean he's capable of sin? In our understanding of sin, YES he can, from a logical perspective.

However, what is sin? Straying from a standard or law, yes? Who is that standard or law? God is a being of the highest order and full authority over creation. Therefore his acts of will are not sin as we understand it. Rather his actions are the standard, by which our actions are measured against. Any action or will that is not aligned to his own is sin. Therefore, God's own actions or free will cannot be regarded as sin, as all authority is his.

Yes the outside is a ugly place, for some strange reason I've been drawn there, maybe you've recognize me from my black and blues.

Welcome Rodeorat, your post makes perfect sense.

 

[Rodeorat]

Yes the outside is a ugly place, for some strange reason I've been drawn there, maybe you've recognize me from my black and blues.

Welcome Rodeorat, your post makes perfect sense.

Well it should make sense; its basically what you said, but I was less poetic.

I do recognize the avatar, I think from the "jesus camp" thread. I just dont have the stamina to spin in circles with those who really aren't open to debate and have it all figured out.

In any case, nice to meet you all. I look forward to sharing.

 

[Saintscruiser]

WELCOME RODEORAT!!!!! I am the moderator and would love it if you hung around! You can hang your hat on our coat rack!

OUTSIDE............... oh my!!!!!! I left that area not long after I began posting there. They can be vicious. I left after I made one of the main posters so mad I could only imagine that he was spewing lava. They don't like the truth in that part of the board. I have no desire to go back. I was tempted recently, but said, "nah!" If they wish to think Mississippi is right next door to another 3rd world nation, then let them think it. Nothing I can say would change their minds.

Anyway, again, a most hardy welcome!

 

[Rodeorat]

WELCOME RODEORAT!!!!! I am the moderator and would love it if you hung around! You can hang your hat on our coat rack!

OUTSIDE............... oh my!!!!!! I left that area not long after I began posting there. They can be vicious. I left after I made one of the main posters so mad I could only imagine that he was spewing lava. They don't like the truth in that part of the board. I have no desire to go back. I was tempted recently, but said, "nah!" If they wish to think Mississippi is right next door to another 3rd world nation, then let them think it. Nothing I can say would change their minds.

Anyway, again, a most hardy welcome!

Thanks SaintsCruiser. Where in MS are ya? We spent nearly 3 years there between 05 and 08, in Ripley, then in Jackson for a while, before moving back to TX. Fond memories. My son is the music minister up in Germantown Baptist, opening for big Christian bands now.
I know Germantown is in TN, just over the boarder though. He still resides down Ripley finishing school.

 

[Rodeorat]

oh and sorry......didn't mean to hijack the thread. Maybe I'll type up some kinda intro of myself in the morning.

 

[Saintscruiser]

oh and sorry......didn't mean to hijack the thread. Maybe I'll type up some kinda intro of myself in the morning.

Meridian, which is 90 miles east of Jackson......straight shot. We are located on I20 and I59 which is a south central shipping hub route......home of Peavey Electronics, 1 Miss America, Sela Ward....and Moi.

 

[pt91]

Yes the outside is a ugly place, for some strange reason I've been drawn there, maybe you've recognize me from my black and blues.

Welcome Rodeorat, your post makes perfect sense.

The outside is not ugly and neither is this place if we keep an open mind. No harm intended.

 

[Saintscruiser]

PT, the Outside tried to chew me up, spit me out, and every other part was shredded into pieces....to be chewed up and spit out. I couldn't compete with their style of debate. But, there are many people who love that kind of debate and think it's a cool portion of this board. I wish them well. But it's not for me. I'm glad you enjoy it! But don't forget about us, too!