"God Doesn't Give You More Than You Can Handle"

[Anonymous]

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (New Testament, 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 10)

I think this is a biblical basis for this saying. The idea that struggles imply anything about the sufferer's own inherent strength or weakness is a misinterpretation. Instead, suffering offers a chance to rely on the grace of God. As we draw nearer to Christ, we can be strengthened in Him and borrow His strength to endure our trials with patience and love.

As to the greater discussion, my sect believes that God is NOT omnipotent in the sense of just making up a world and rules for us to follow. He loves us and wants us to be purified and refined that we may dwell with Him and learn about Him, but no unclean thing may dwell with God--we believe that isn't a rule He made up but an irrefutable law inherent in the concept of "goodness" and "God." It is a conundrum any parent can relate to. What He HAS (freedom from sin and misery and sickness and death) He can give us, but what He IS (perfect light and truth) cannot be given, but must be earned. The Garden of Eden offered no sickness or death, no mortal weakness nor temptation. It also offered no freedom to choose. If there is no evil or sin, then there can be no goodness nor righteousness. When Eve partook ofthe Tree of Knowledge, she wasn't punished because God wanted her to suffer for her choice, she was given the inherent consequence of that choice. She introduced into the world the ability to choose, and that means that along with a true understanding of good, we also get evil. The world is no longer static, but mortal. Mortality includes the natural world and all of the sickness, death and decay that are so inherent in that natural order. We are born with a propensity to live as the natural man--selfish, weak, seeking our own gratification and pleasure, but also with The Light of Christ inside each of us and we are given the ability to choose what we become. We can follow Christ and His teachings and our suffering will be sanctified as we are perfected in Him, or we can follow the weakness of men and our suffering will be for nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about flesh eating bacteria? Where is the free will there?

Now, you're being ridiculous. Again, sin compromised EVERYTHING but that will only make sense if you understand and identify with the consequences of sin and its impact on everything and everybody, warping and creating abnormalities.

Again, it's hard to make sense without understanding the biblical references to the impact of sin. If you are not into the Word, then it is and will always make no sense to a non-believer. But even we believers don't understand everything so we walk by faith, not by sight. You have to decide how you will walk and what you believe.

I'm sorry, but you cannot simply say, "It's a faith thing, you wouldn't understand." These things are debatable, and have been debated for centuries. I'll accept whatever you say is based on faith, so you can say that for you, logic is the work of the devil, and that's a fine reason for not engaging in debate. But you should at least admit to what you're basing on faith.

For example, you say that sin compromised everything, so I return to my question above: does that mean it's your view that without original sin, there would be no earthquakes, ebola, or cancer?

Also, a pp points out that Christ died for our sins and redeemed the world. Why do we still have evil then?[/quote

GOD: "Sorry, all this is your fault. Original sin and that. Sure I'm omnipotent, but you brought it on yourself."

So what you're saying is that God is the ultimate dysfunctional parent, then?

No. He gave us Christ to redeem us from the curse of Adam.

[Anonymous]

Neither one of the scriptures you cited stands for the proposition you cited -- that Satan was acting on Job or that that "We" were under a curse in Old Testament.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about flesh eating bacteria? Where is the free will there?

Now, you're being ridiculous. Again, sin compromised EVERYTHING but that will only make sense if you understand and identify with the consequences of sin and its impact on everything and everybody, warping and creating abnormalities.

Again, it's hard to make sense without understanding the biblical references to the impact of sin. If you are not into the Word, then it is and will always make no sense to a non-believer. But even we believers don't understand everything so we walk by faith, not by sight. You have to decide how you will walk and what you believe.

I'm sorry, but you cannot simply say, "It's a faith thing, you wouldn't understand." These things are debatable, and have been debated for centuries. I'll accept whatever you say is based on faith, so you can say that for you, logic is the work of the devil, and that's a fine reason for not engaging in debate. But you should at least admit to what you're basing on faith.

For example, you say that sin compromised everything, so I return to my question above: does that mean it's your view that without original sin, there would be no earthquakes, ebola, or cancer?

Also, a pp points out that Christ died for our sins and redeemed the world. Why do we still have evil then?

There would not be natural disasters were it not for original sin,
Christ died for all but only those who accept that sacrifice benefit. It is a free gift but you have to accept that gift. That us what the bible teaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neither one of the scriptures you cited stands for the proposition you cited -- that Satan was acting on Job or that that "We" were under a curse in Old Testament.

Job 1:6-12

6 One day the angels[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan[b] also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God does not bring you misery, so he most certainly is not going to give you 'just enough' of it
I hate that saying.
I think it is most often a perversion (for lack of a better word ) of 2 Corinthians 12:9
9 " But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

Tell that to Job.

1) God allowed Satan to do that -- God did not do it

2) That was the old Testament -- when we were under the curse -- After Christ - we are under the Blood
that was why Christ was sent.
God says 'never to turn my face to you in wrath again

Jewish Person here. Could you identify what part of the "Old Testament" (specifically where it says) "we" were under a curse? Thank you. Because I have read the "Old Testament" many times and I have never seen any such thing said there.

Also, I have never read that God "allowed" Satan to do things to Job (or Noah, or Moses, or anyone else) or that Satan played any role in their travails. That's utter nonsense, made up by you.

See Deuteronomy 28.
Here is a New Testament scripture ( I know you don't believe in the NT)
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as through aone man sin entered into the world, and bdeath through sin, and cso death spread to all men, because all sinned—

You seem desperate. This is pathetically weak and has nothing to do with the proposition you offered. On the basis of logic alone, you fail. It has nothing to do with whether I believe in the NT -- I'm capable of reading the verse and discerning whether it supports the proposition you proposed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about flesh eating bacteria? Where is the free will there?

Now, you're being ridiculous. Again, sin compromised EVERYTHING but that will only make sense if you understand and identify with the consequences of sin and its impact on everything and everybody, warping and creating abnormalities.

Again, it's hard to make sense without understanding the biblical references to the impact of sin. If you are not into the Word, then it is and will always make no sense to a non-believer. But even we believers don't understand everything so we walk by faith, not by sight. You have to decide how you will walk and what you believe.

I'm sorry, but you cannot simply say, "It's a faith thing, you wouldn't understand." These things are debatable, and have been debated for centuries. I'll accept whatever you say is based on faith, so you can say that for you, logic is the work of the devil, and that's a fine reason for not engaging in debate. But you should at least admit to what you're basing on faith.

For example, you say that sin compromised everything, so I return to my question above: does that mean it's your view that without original sin, there would be no earthquakes, ebola, or cancer?

Also, a pp points out that Christ died for our sins and redeemed the world. Why do we still have evil then?

I never post scripture without a biblical reference and sorry when I said we walk by faith, not by sight, I didn't give the biblical references which I have below with a link you might like to read:

2 Corinthians 5:7
http://beliefchangers.com/blog/2011/07/18/the-reason-must-you-walk-by-faith-and-not-by-sight/


For example, you say that sin compromised everything, so I return to my question above: does that mean it's your view that without original sin, there would be no earthquakes, ebola, or cancer?
Yes. It's my opinion based on scripture. Again, I base my opinions based on what I believe and read in scripture, not by my emotions pr feelings (though it's hard sometimes which is why I walk by faith).

I can not emphasize enough that if you are curious why Christians on this thread have consistently referred by back to scripture to support opinion, I strongly suggest you do some biblical reading AND utililze other resources to study. Buddhist, Islam, and other religions would tell you the exact same thing as their opinions are formed by what they believe.

I am a tiny bit concerned that some of the questions I've seen posted could very well have been answered by simply typing in the question on the internet which, most likely, take you to biblical references. Although, I caution that there are charlatans out there so you have to be discriminating which I discovered eons ago when I first started my journey.

I am more than willing to share my biblical accompanist are R. C. Sproul who is quite an intellect and gets very heavy (love him), Tony Campolo, Jack Hayford, Tony Evans. I like it told as it is, no sugar coating. For me, emphasizing for ME, they have provided food for thought and explanation. God is a rewarder of those who genuinely seek him and I'm not talking about the mean green....I'm talking about knowledge and the desire to know.

Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about flesh eating bacteria? Where is the free will there?

Now, you're being ridiculous. Again, sin compromised EVERYTHING but that will only make sense if you understand and identify with the consequences of sin and its impact on everything and everybody, warping and creating abnormalities.

Again, it's hard to make sense without understanding the biblical references to the impact of sin. If you are not into the Word, then it is and will always make no sense to a non-believer. But even we believers don't understand everything so we walk by faith, not by sight. You have to decide how you will walk and what you believe.

I'm sorry, but you cannot simply say, "It's a faith thing, you wouldn't understand." These things are debatable, and have been debated for centuries. I'll accept whatever you say is based on faith, so you can say that for you, logic is the work of the devil, and that's a fine reason for not engaging in debate. But you should at least admit to what you're basing on faith.

For example, you say that sin compromised everything, so I return to my question above: does that mean it's your view that without original sin, there would be no earthquakes, ebola, or cancer?

Also, a pp points out that Christ died for our sins and redeemed the world. Why do we still have evil then?[/quote

GOD: "Sorry, all this is your fault. Original sin and that. Sure I'm omnipotent, but you brought it on yourself."

So what you're saying is that God is the ultimate dysfunctional parent, then?

You ask excellent questions; however, I don't sense you've done any reading on your own. You make out God to be this bully that sits on the throne. Please study. You will still have questions but there will get a better understanding of who He is whether you go your way or His. God loves people like you, believe it or not. I was you at one time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about flesh eating bacteria? Where is the free will there?

Now, you're being ridiculous. Again, sin compromised EVERYTHING but that will only make sense if you understand and identify with the consequences of sin and its impact on everything and everybody, warping and creating abnormalities.

Again, it's hard to make sense without understanding the biblical references to the impact of sin. If you are not into the Word, then it is and will always make no sense to a non-believer. But even we believers don't understand everything so we walk by faith, not by sight. You have to decide how you will walk and what you believe.

I'm sorry, but you cannot simply say, "It's a faith thing, you wouldn't understand." These things are debatable, and have been debated for centuries. I'll accept whatever you say is based on faith, so you can say that for you, logic is the work of the devil, and that's a fine reason for not engaging in debate. But you should at least admit to what you're basing on faith.

For example, you say that sin compromised everything, so I return to my question above: does that mean it's your view that without original sin, there would be no earthquakes, ebola, or cancer?

Also, a pp points out that Christ died for our sins and redeemed the world. Why do we still have evil then?

There would not be natural disasters were it not for original sin,
Christ died for all but only those who accept that sacrifice benefit. It is a free gift but you have to accept that gift. That us what the bible teaches.

Because there were no tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes or floods before people rode onto the scene on their tamed dinosaurs. Gotcha.

[Anonymous]

New poster. You really can't use scripture to justify scripture, and you can't respond to legitimate questions/concerns/criticisms by telling people platitudes like "God loves you" or just study the bible. That's really condescending. It's why fundamentalist Christians get a bad name. Take debate seriously, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about flesh eating bacteria? Where is the free will there?

Now, you're being ridiculous. Again, sin compromised EVERYTHING but that will only make sense if you understand and identify with the consequences of sin and its impact on everything and everybody, warping and creating abnormalities.

Again, it's hard to make sense without understanding the biblical references to the impact of sin. If you are not into the Word, then it is and will always make no sense to a non-believer. But even we believers don't understand everything so we walk by faith, not by sight. You have to decide how you will walk and what you believe.

I'm sorry, but you cannot simply say, "It's a faith thing, you wouldn't understand." These things are debatable, and have been debated for centuries. I'll accept whatever you say is based on faith, so you can say that for you, logic is the work of the devil, and that's a fine reason for not engaging in debate. But you should at least admit to what you're basing on faith.

For example, you say that sin compromised everything, so I return to my question above: does that mean it's your view that without original sin, there would be no earthquakes, ebola, or cancer?

Also, a pp points out that Christ died for our sins and redeemed the world. Why do we still have evil then?

There would not be natural disasters were it not for original sin,
Christ died for all but only those who accept that sacrifice benefit. It is a free gift but you have to accept that gift. That us what the bible teaches.

But those who accept the gift still get cancer. WTF God?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God does not bring you misery, so he most certainly is not going to give you 'just enough' of it
I hate that saying.
I think it is most often a perversion (for lack of a better word ) of 2 Corinthians 12:9
9 " But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

Tell that to Job.

1) God allowed Satan to do that -- God did not do it

2) That was the old Testament -- when we were under the curse -- After Christ - we are under the Blood
that was why Christ was sent.
God says 'never to turn my face to you in wrath again

And pray, where did Satan come from?

Without being disrespectful, have you ever read the bible with the description of the battle in the heavens with Lucifer and God? Lucifer was the most beautiful and awesome of angels until he decided he was bigger and badder than the One who created him.

Isaiah 14:12-15
The Fall of Lucifer

12 “How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer,[a] son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.

Of course. But God is all powerful and all knowing. So he knew, when he created Lucifer, what would happen. Just as he knew, when he created Eve, what would happen. If God did not want evil in the world, he should never have created a tree of knowledge of good and evil in the first place.

I never lean on my own understanding which is why I lean on scripture.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Most of us have a desperate desire to understand, but in so many areas we must acknowledge that we cannot understand. We must approve of God’s ways, even when we can’t comprehend them. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us why we often don't understand what God is doing: "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" God sees the whole picture, while we only see our tiny corner of it. To trust in the Lord with all our heart means we can't place our own right to understand above His right to direct our lives the way He sees fit. When we insist on God always making sense to our finite minds, we are setting ourselves up for spiritual trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster. You really can't use scripture to justify scripture, and you can't respond to legitimate questions/concerns/criticisms by telling people platitudes like "God loves you" or just study the bible. That's really condescending. It's why fundamentalist Christians get a bad name. Take debate seriously, please.

Tell that to Jesus Christ who repeatedly said, "it is written" when referring to the laws and commands of God. However, you ask us to toss our beliefs while you want to debate with your beliefs. Respectfully, it doesn't work that way.

There is absolutely nothing condescending about asking anyone to read the bible or any other religions book so you can debate and challenge our beliefs. Going by just emotion is not enough just as you wouldn't debate a historical or mathematical point without reading up on it. If you believe that Columbus sailed the ocean blue, you will also know it happened in 1492 to support your comment. No different what Christians do with scripture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster. You really can't use scripture to justify scripture, and you can't respond to legitimate questions/concerns/criticisms by telling people platitudes like "God loves you" or just study the bible. That's really condescending. It's why fundamentalist Christians get a bad name. Take debate seriously, please.

I have to agree with this. There are some good questions here. The response of "read the bible" or "if you believed.." does nothing. It's actually very condescending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about flesh eating bacteria? Where is the free will there?

Now, you're being ridiculous. Again, sin compromised EVERYTHING but that will only make sense if you understand and identify with the consequences of sin and its impact on everything and everybody, warping and creating abnormalities.

Again, it's hard to make sense without understanding the biblical references to the impact of sin. If you are not into the Word, then it is and will always make no sense to a non-believer. But even we believers don't understand everything so we walk by faith, not by sight. You have to decide how you will walk and what you believe.

I'm sorry, but you cannot simply say, "It's a faith thing, you wouldn't understand." These things are debatable, and have been debated for centuries. I'll accept whatever you say is based on faith, so you can say that for you, logic is the work of the devil, and that's a fine reason for not engaging in debate. But you should at least admit to what you're basing on faith.

For example, you say that sin compromised everything, so I return to my question above: does that mean it's your view that without original sin, there would be no earthquakes, ebola, or cancer?

Also, a pp points out that Christ died for our sins and redeemed the world. Why do we still have evil then?

There would not be natural disasters were it not for original sin,
Christ died for all but only those who accept that sacrifice benefit. It is a free gift but you have to accept that gift. That us what the bible teaches.

Because there were no tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes or floods before people rode onto the scene on their tamed dinosaurs. Gotcha.

How do you know there were no tonadoes, hurricanes, floods, etc, before we rode on the scene? I would hazard a guess that dinosaurs were created when all other animals were created but reception on my crystal ball goes in and out at times. Interesting and thought provoking below:

How do we know what God was doing before creation? Time is actually a created entity. The first verse of the Bible reads: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

A study of this verse reveals that God created time, space, and matter on the first day of Creation Week. No one of these can have a meaningful existence without the others. God created the space-mass-time universe. Space and matter must exist in time, and time requires space and matter. Time is only meaningful if physical entities exist and events transpire during time.

“In the beginning . . .” is when time began! There was no time before time was created! Whether hurricanes, earthquakes, etc, existed before people, I can't answer that but this guarantees that God is a God of logic and science. Sorry for deviating on your point. I just can't help myself!