Dear Sean:
I will make some COMMENTS in your email.......................
> Hi Ray,
> I am a big fan of your site. You have got it right on i think, so
> i was wondering your thoughts/opinions on a few things, if you have
> time to answer.
>
> Since God planned everything and is all powerful, all knowing, and all
> good, would you agree that all the experiences we have in life are
> absolutely the best things that could possibly happen
> to us? So that when Hitler commited his terrible sins, somehow, these
> events occuring were a good thing in the grand scheme of things?
COMMENT: Yes. God's plan is the best possible plan. Albeit it does
not always appear as such to us, as we do not as yet have the full mind of God.
> I have read that we are to become perfect as our father in heaven is
> perfect. But surely this doesn't mean that we are as good as God at
> some point? Because then how could we even retain our individual
> personalities? Because the differences between us are our varying
> levels of virtuousity and insight into truth, right? I had therefore
> previously believed that we would never attain perfection, but are
> always getting closer to the perfection that God has.
COMMENT: Personality has little to do with "insight into truth."
Character has to do with insight into truth. We will achieve perfection
as we are God's achievement, not our own (Eph. 2:8-10).
> Isn't it true that the only reason God will punish anybody is for the
> purpose of correction? And therfore we should not fear sinning
> because God would punish us for it, but rather we should avoid sin
> because in sinning we are not doing the thing that will cause us to be
> maximally happy/joyful?
COMMENT: "Punishment" is only used with reference to sinners one
time in the New Testament (Heb. 10:29). The 11 beatitudes list 9 ways
in which we can be made happy (Matt. 5:2-12). Proverbs lists more.
>
> You recently responded to someones question about the verse
> "Yet Jacob I have loved; But Esau I have hated." by saying
> "Hate" can mean "to love less by comparison."
> Just to clarify, God doesn't love some people more than others right?
> So when God said this, it really just meant he treated Esau worse
> then Jacob by comparison at the time right?
COMMENT: No, it means He treated Jacob better at the time. Esau
was, however, also blessed, and all humanity will be eventually blessed
by the One Seed (Jesus Christ) of Abraham.
>
> God has told us we are worth more than many sparrows. Has he told the
> sparrows this? LOL!
COMMENT: Bird do not listen when they are spoken to--they are like cats.
God be with you,
Ray
> Thanks so much,
> Sean
