Comments on: Does God Still Love the Wayward Christian?

By: Polycarp

Polycarp — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:13:20 +0000

Thank you, Deb, for reading and enjoying it. It was a hard road back, that’s for sure, but in the end, it was my choice to leave and to wander around. Life hasn’t always been easy, but at least I have a closeness with God now to carry me through.

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Thanks Polycarp, I needed to hear this one, glad you found your way back to God…

By: Polycarp

Polycarp — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:44:54 +0000

James – here is what I say to those that (ab)use such passages. First,the author of the Psalm had to go to the High Priest, under the Law. We have immediate access to the Father.

Yes, perhaps our prayer are hindered, but that doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love us, or hear us.

And while God may hold our sins against us, I believe that He still loves us.

And you are right – no matter what we do or where we are at, we must continue to pay.

By: James Pate

James Pate — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:41:16 +0000

I hope so. The thing is that there are Christians who are always eager to throw Bible passages that indicate the opposite. There’s that Psalm about God not hearing those who regard iniquity in their hearts. I think one of the books of Peter mentions hindering our prayers when we’re not nice to our wife. Or there’s God not forgiving us if we don’t forgive others. Since forgiveness is supposedly how we access God, what’s that say?

Personally, I pray anyway–even though I’ve not repented of all my sins, or forgiven everyone. There are plenty of passages where God puts up with sinners and even shows them love. But then there are passages that are quite scary.

By: Polycarp

Polycarp — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:17:40 +0000

James, I cannot speak for everyone, of course, but it took me a lot to overcome my bitterness towards Him. In my experience, looking through – from this standpoint – those tough times, I can still see God’s unseen hand. I believe that God does hear His children always.

By: James Pate

James Pate — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:05:41 +0000

I’ve wondered myself about some of the issues you raise in this post, Polycarp. It’s fairly easy to go on with a cheerful agnosticism when things are going well (or at least are fairly predictable), but what if I were overwhelmed by something I could not control and really needed God? Would he hear me then? And would I be able to overcome whatever bitterness I have against him?