Disclaimer: I am not about to prove a point.
Just to tell you what I think, and then you can tell me what you think.
I totally think so. I know the Bible says he will have mercy on whom choses to have mercy on, but then it also says, He makes rain fall on the just and unjust abi?
Honestly those answers were not enough for me.
I mean, do I just sit here and hope and pray that he will have mercy on me?
See, I think God is partial to believers over non-believers. I think He was partial to James, Peter and John over the other nine disciples. And of course, how can we forget David, man after Gods own heart?
When Im not being plagued by 'where was Daniel when his friends were being burnt' kinda questions, I am constantly intrigued by the life of David.
I think David's problems began when he took Uriah's wife, and then on top of it killed the man! I can never stop wondering what was going through his head at that point. Then was he trying to cover up by sending the man home? I mean is the power of lust THAT strong?
Well that is another story.
But, God even sent the prophet to point out what he did wrong when david himself couldn't see it.
I thought there was a principle: the higher the esteem you are held in, the greater your punishment.
I guess not.
All Ananias and his wife did was embezzle money and look where it took them! They didn't even get a chance to repent!
Even Solomon received mercy because of his father, David.
I dont know about you, but it looks to me like David had a lot of pull with God. After reading and re-reading on the life of David, I might see why.
First of all, anybody that can stand to a 10-foot tall giant with five stones, and still BELIEVE *insert laughter* that he would conquer him has got to be mad in my books.
But David did, and I cant hep but think that he must have known something about God that we don't no?
Every time I read that story I imagine David literally having conversations with God as he is tending the sheep. As in really 'hanging out' with him. How else would he have gotten to know him?
I mean I know God *scratches head* but when my 5-foot professor was standing in front of me telling me I was not good enough, I cried. At that point God was honestly far from my mind.
But here is this little boy telling this 10-foot giant that his God will deliver the philistine into his hands?
*iLaugh*
And then when he became King, he sought God in E. V. E. R. Y. T. H. I. N. G.
Like ' God should I go battle these people'?
And then God would say 'Yes go ahead, I will give them into your hands'.
Or 'God should I attack these ones?'
And then God would be like ' Nah..go through the back when you hear marching then attack' (or something like that.)
I can definitely see why David was a man after Gods own heart.
And true, God may still chose to whom he shows mercy but as for me sha I want to err on the side of partiality.
Again, I am not proving any point, this is just what I came up with while studying.
So? What do you think?
Is God partial?
xxx
Fabulo-la
6/25/2010 |
Category:
David
|
20
Fabulalalas
Comments (20)
Ok, this is what I think: From the characteristics I have learned about this merciful God, He isn't partial. Let me tell you some reasons why I #think so:
1) He created the entire world, and he gave man dominion. He didn't say only "some" will have dominion, but "all men." It is up to us to take up this dominion. But if we don't know about something, how can we even take it up? If you don't know you're supposed to inherit a property, how would you know to sign the papers in your name?
2) We understand His attributes the closer we get to Him, just like you said here, I'm imagining David gaining more confidence in God as he tended the sheep and tore the bear with his hands to protect the sheep. He knew from whom that power came. He knew it was God. And with that knowledge came a revelation that could not be defied by the looks of any giant. In the same vein, the way we respond to the world's issues stem from what we know about God. It's not about favoritism. If you interviewed these favorites, they would tell you how "normal" (like everyone else) they really are. Of course, we can't interview David cos he's dead.
3) Those folks in the bible, they had a great deal of issues. David had issues. Abraham had issues. Esther had issues. Paul had issues. Peter had issues. Yet, God was still with all of them. Why? Because even when at some point in our lives it feels like we're drowning in water, our confidence & knowledge that God is in our boat will make us float to the top of the water and even walk on water, and then the whole world suddenly does not see those issues anymore. They only see the wings of "favor."
4) He sent His son to die for the world, first the Jews and then the Gentiles. You might ask why He chose Israel? He chose a nation that was capable of fulfilling His word. If you and I were capable, He would have chosen us too. Not to say there weren't better nations, but the fulfillment of every prophecy lay in the land of Israel. He had to choose one location, and His sovereignty and wisdom (which is higher than man's) landed on that part of the map. It wasn't a mini-mini-mani-mo type of thing at all. Still now, we are counted as equals in His sight. No Jew is greater than a gentile.
Do you know one verse that shocks me every time? When Jesus said that John the Baptist will be the least in the kingdom of heaven." He was trying to tell us something. I wonder if I understand that verse still.
Yey!!! Interesting and Healthy topic for discussion.
do you remember that man in the bible whom God sent a prophet to go and tell that he was going to die soon(i forget his name) and then the man cried out and God forgave him and extended his life span?what strikes me most about this particular passage in the Bible is that the man convinced God to let him live by telling God all the good he has done on earth and how he has served God with all hisheart.
i just think God favours those that have tried to be close to him and serve him with all their hearts.my two cents.
Leggy - hezekiah is the dude you're talking about.
I definitely like jaycee's points about knowing and walking in our heritage in God. However, I think that the more you get to know God, the more you realize that while he loves all his children(believer/unbeliever) the same, he doesn't treat them all the same way. God is no respecter of person(s) but he is definitely not fair(not even) in the way he blesses his children. I'm still trying to figure out why that is...so far the only thing I've come up with is that we don't all need the same things. Plus there are numerous 'kingdom principles' in effect esp when it comes to blessings e.g reaping what you sow, generational blessings, type/quality of faith, quality of heart towards promoting and fostering God's kingdom on earth....those are the few I know too.
I've actually thought towards that and people I have asked say yes, that God is partial to some..
All I ever say at such times is that I believe in faith that I am one of them.
I loved this post.. How are you?
Take care
Fabulola when I say I love you, I really do. In a platonic sense of course :). On the real though I had this thought myself whilst doing my devotions, why did God love David so much? I realised though after much reflection that David actually had a lot of faith, more faith than most people in the Bible and presently. As for God being partial, when good things happen to bad people how can we explain that? Is God partial to the bad as opposed to the good? Difficult question, basically I think it is all summed up by your first statement about he will have mercy on whom he'll have mercy. After all its part of love, we should just have perfect trust that there is a reason for anything and everything God does...something David did. Lastly, I always wondered too where Daniel was when his friends were in the furnace lol...i mean we all know he wouldn't have bowed down so how come he wasnt with them.
Lol im glad to know that im not the only one thinking all the thoughts you outlined.
I am of the opinion that God is partial even though Jaycee's points are very valid too.
Yup just did a post on this called Favored/Unfavored. I am inclined to lean towards the partial side. What I don't know is why. I have so many reasons so many things and it still doesn't answer it. I am especially baffled by the generational curse one.
interesting topic!!
I'll have to agree with Jaycee
I have actually come to this road when i look at some of my 'unbelieving' friends who prosper like crazy vs 'believing' friends who have to fast and pray to get ha;f the leverage and come to the conclusion that God isnt partial.
He blesses and favours in the measure that we need, the measure that He knows is good for us
as an example when I was 14 I got offers to do bill boards in Lagos, but my mother would let me, was the bill board a blessing, heck ye, would it have helped the line I wanted to go into yea! but I didnt get it, after I prayed n fasted n all,to cut the story short, now that I am older I am grateful that God didnt let me, I wouldnt be 'me' today, id have been rude, thick headed, n proud to say the least
I heard a preacher once say that the reason God was 'kinder' with Davis was because he was one who recognizes his errors and was genuinely apologetic for them and repented, ananais n his wife prob werent, prob planned to lie thru n thru
great post!
really got me thinking and thanks 4 stirring up my spirit in terms of the need to always want to knw God better.
When I read your post, I thought I had answers... but now that I think about it, I need to go further into the word. Love how you compared Goliath to your 5 foot professor. To sum up my two cents, I'd say God ultimately brings about situations in which his name will be glorified. And generally, the way God is portrayed in the New Testament makes him see his more compassionate and forgiving side compared to the Old Testament.
NO, God is not partial. I am going to agree with the points made by Jaycee as well. Yes, the word says He makes rain fall on the just and unjust, and yet, the same word says that He keeps the path of the blameless straight. Throughout the Bible, time and time again, God promised the Israelites that as along as they worshipped him with all their heart and put him first, all would be well. His one desire is to have fellowship with us, the point of our creation. As long as we fulfill that fellowship, it is the sweetest aroma to both Him and us, and thus, all obstacles we overcome begin to look like outright favoritism and as you put it - partiality. So no, I don't think He is partial. For whoever draws close to Him, He draws close to them in return as well :)
God is never partial..
The human nature in us make us think he is..
He is a supernatural being and not human.
We dont think and reason alike remember his thoughts are not ours neither is his ways like ours...so he is never partial but at times it appears as if he is...
i dont think he is, i just think its getting to know him better and understanding what makes him tick...
For instance, he is a covenant keeping God, since i dicovered that, its been like God has been partial to me, all i need to do if i want something from him, is to go into covenant with him and keep my own end of the bargain...he always keeps his.
LOL Fabulola you're funny, you know that? Cuz you present a gordian knot of sorts and then you slash it with Hannibal's sword.
It is simple (as with most things in the bible). There's somewhere it says, "Draw nigh unto me, and I will draw nigh onto you"
Oh yeah and when it came to David, God was very very very dispassionate about somethings e.g. Remember the Uriah thing? David still chopped his cane very well - Absalom, his beloved son slept with his wife at the pinnacle of some place IN PUBLIC for the whole kingdom to see...Ofcourse the first child Bath-sheba conceived from that lustful tryst DIED...and this was after David mourned, moaned and begged God for three days without food or water.
So yeah my point is, loving God dearly pushes him to love you dearly too. It doesn't change that he'll still be God and a Judge when need be. BUt that gives you the inside info on a whole lot of stuff and backstage pass to the biggest parties in the whole of eternity and time put together...
Great! Now I sound like a tele-evangelist. *Donning bad-boy coat again*
I have always had that thought that God is partial, but now am really confused, even the Holy books have not helped matters
Very interesting topic...I'm not going to even try and say whether He is partial or not...I still need to think long and hard about that; but what I do know is that His mercies never end, they are new every morning...and even with our/my sins He still finds a way to favor me and I tap into unmerited favor (Grace) *sigh*
I think He is...at least in the human sense. There is probably some spiritual explanation for what we consider partiality.
i mean, how can you explain Him loving me and me being better off than other 'holier' people i know.
as for David, i feel he just knew how to rub God's right side...although he was always favoured.
Mehn, matters of the bible, the more you try to reason them out, the more confusing they get.
p.s. Thanks muchos for checking up on me. im grand...i hope
Ahh...I loved this post. And the conversation that it sparked. And all of this on my very first visit to your blog!
I'm going to chime in here, although I'm a newbie (I hope you don't mind), and say that I don't believe God is partial. God is our parent and I believe it's important to remember that. Just as human parents cannot raise two of their earthly children exactly the same, God knows exactly what we need to become all that God intends for us to be. Some of us resist, some of us don't. Each of us has a unique personality and sometimes we need a time out, sometimes we need a special reminder of how much we are loved, and sometimes we just need time alone. But, just as an earthly parent doesn't (usually) love one child more than another, I don't believe God does, either.
Thanks for letting me join in! Keep writing and searching and asking and watching as treasures unfold before you!
He is just. I wouldn't exactly say partial sha...
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