How to find peace?

[arunangelo]

We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and have his spirit imprinted on our heart (Ezekiel 36:27). Therefore, we will find peace only when our spirit resonates in unison with His spirit and we live a life that is attuned to His life (which is a life of selflessness and sacrifice). When we do not live His life or are not in unison with Him, we are like fish out of water; because, then, we are not what we are created to be. This suffocates our spirit and deprives us of peace. To live a life attuned to His life we must have faith in Him. If we have faith in Him we will obey His commandments. He commands us to forgive without any limit (Matthew 18:22) and love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). He loved us by forgiving us and compensating for the offenses we committed against Him. He compensated for our offenses by sacrificing Hs life. It is difficult for us to forgive like God does; but if we have faith in Him, we will obey Him.

[McCulloch]

We are made in the image of God

God is eternal, humans are temporal. God is all powerful, humans have limited power. God is all knowing, humans have limited knowledge. God is good, humans are fallen. God is everywhere, humans have physical limitations. God is one, humans are many. God cannot be seen or even proven to exist, humans are visible and evidently existent.

Does the Bible give any insight into what it means by the paradoxical statement that we are made in the image of God, seeing that on just about every aspect, we differ?

He commands us to forgive without any limit (Matthew 18:22) and love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). He loved us by forgiving us and compensating for the offenses we committed against Him.

And yet, Christian tell me that I am not forgiven. Should we love one another as God is said to love us? I'll forgive you and I've made a big sacrifice for you, but my forgiveness is conditional on you believing in me and obeying my commandments. And if you do not obey me, I will see to it that you are not forgiven and will suffer as much torment as I can send your way. Love like your Heavenly Father loves.

He compensated for our offenses by sacrificing Hs life.

He did not sacrifice his life. He experienced one very bad weekend.

[Murad]

He did not sacrifice his life. He experienced one very bad weekend.

i agree with you McCulloch the concept does not make sense

Who was "God" sacrificed to? Himself? oh no, christians will tell you died for your sins

[JoeyKnothead]

From the OP:

I have challenged these many claims the OP presents here.

Let's see if these claims can withstand scrutiny, and specifically let's see if the original claimant can support them, or is even willing to attempt support.

[tar2]

joeyknuccione,

I would like to see the OP's response as well.

But consider this. We, as adult humans have a capacity to put ourselves in other people's shoes. And an area in our brains that allows us to conceive of unseen others. For instance, we can think of an absent friend or a departed loved one, and consider their thoughts and desires. If we, as atheists or theists consider the universe that we are part of as an unseen other, in this manner, we can attribute characteristics to it, listen to it, love it, hate it, submit to it, fight it, or engage it in any or all the ways that we engage the image of the unseen friend.

Regards, TAR

[Micah]

I think the bottom line is that we need to accept responsibility for our own actions and allow others the space to find their own way and take responsibility for their actions. Judging and condemning others just so we can forgive them isn't love. So many people think it's helpful to point out every mistake or "sin" someone commits. My girlfriend does this. This ritual isn't helpful. It just alienates people by making them think you're holier than thou.