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Featured GOD IS ALL WE NEED: Really?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Matt22:37-39, Oct 4, 2012.

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  1. Matt22:37-39

    Matt22:37-39 New Member

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    How many times have you heard this from well meaning Christians, only to find out that their cliché or aphorism often was given without facts or true biblical understanding? Often times this is ones passive way of not having to deal with the real problem. It is their way of saying, I don’t know what to say or what to do….They LACK the ability to show empathy, or compassion and even understanding, so they flippantly throw out a life line that has a very short rope attached to it. They walk away thinking they helped the person, when in fact they did more damage, as the person seeking real guidance and understanding was left KNOWING deep down that the other persons statement isn’t really true…how can it be?

    The problem with clichés or aphorisms is that while they are intended to convey overall truths, many people take them to be gospel truth. “All we need is God” is a popular Christian cliché along with many others. There is a lot of truth to this statement. The truth is yes we need God more than anything else…but let’s look at the word ALL…obviously God is not ALL we need, or we would be home with Him. There are many things we need physically, emotionally, mentally etc….so in that sense the statement would be false. The bible is very clear that we NEED others, Genesis 2:18 says…”Then the LORD God said, It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."….Jesus commanded that we love the Lord God with all our heart soul and mind” but he also went on to say, “and the 2nd commandment is like it, LOVE others as yourself”….He also gave many, many commandments on how to go about doing that….like I said before COMPASSION requires ACTION. Paul talks much about the BODY of Christ and how if one part of the body is hurting then the whole body feels it….Jesus also said to “bear one another’s burdens…to cry when one cries to laugh when one laughs etc” I could go on and on….point being obviously according to God’s word…HE IS NOT ALL WE NEED!

    According to Paul, the bible says, God is our comfort in times of trial… 2 Cor 1:4 “God who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” ….Paul’s advice was never “all you need is God” or “just pray about it.” Paul admonished us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” …Romans 12:15, and to “comfort the discouraged, help the weak” ….1 Thessalonians 5:14. While God alone is sufficient for us, He never intended for us to look only to Him. He intended for us to “bear one another’s burdens” as well. ….Galatians 6:2

    Think about it, studies have shown that a human or mammal baby does not thrive, or even survive if it is ONLY fed, sheltered and cleaned. Obviously God put into them a NEED to have emotional support, to be touched and be talked to etc. I notice all the time the devastating effects a mare, or baby horse has when its mother or friend is separated from them…they go NUTS and cry for days! Are we not much more precious, seeing we were created in God’s image not animals?

    Let’s take the prison system…what is the WORSE PUNISHMENT given to an inmate? ISSOLATION! It is said that people who experience long periods of isolation literally begin to lose their mind. We need people, plain and simple! We are social being…there is a difference between talking to God about one’s problems and concerns and talking to a human being about the same. Each provides us with a different sense of comfort. We are comforted in prayer and reading of God’s word, because we know God is concerned for our well being, hears our prayers, and has the power to provide us with comfort, or a solution to our problem. But God doesn’t usually respond in words, and He cannot hug you. People, however, can. People can listen, empathize, express their love for you, offer words of encouragement, impart wisdom, offer you assurance that you are not alone, and hold you accountable.

    So for those who preach...”GOD IS ALL YOU NEED”…if you really think that is going to EDIFY, ENCOURAGE, MOTIVATE and SUPPORT someone, then you do not have a biblical understanding of how to help FILL ONES CUP, or even your OWN. I want my cup full, if not overflowing, so I can do all the things the bible encourages us to do. I need God and I am very thankful for Him in my life…but I also am not naive enough to think I don’t need others or they don’t need me….just saying…:)
     
    #1 Matt22:37-39, Oct 4, 2012
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    When it comes down to it, God IS all you need. Yes, people are nice but many people have lived fine alone without other people around.

    The real answer to the question comes when everything else is stripped away. Would you give up God just to have friends? How about to have health? What if at the end of your life, you ended up in prison for your faith and there are no people around, your body is shutting down because of neglected medical needs and you are in severe pain. Is God enough for you then? Yes, we need to prepare for that instance. Anything else is gravy but bottom line, the ONLY thing that matters is our relationship with god.
     
    #2 annsni, Oct 4, 2012
  3. Matt22:37-39

    Matt22:37-39 New Member

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    So what you are saying is, that at the end of your life friends and family will not be as important as career and things?

    IDK, seems to me people and relationships are more important or we need to tear a lot of scripture verses out of the bible...we are part of the BODY...I could go on but I'll wait for a reply.
     
    #3 Matt22:37-39, Oct 5, 2012
  4. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    I didn't see anything about career or things. I think she is saying that sometimes God may allow the people around you to not be available for a time, so that we will learn to rely more on him. Of course, in the normal course of life, it IS people who primarily are the way God shows care to us. But there is a danger in relying on people more than God.
     
    #4 12strings, Oct 5, 2012
  5. Matt22:37-39

    Matt22:37-39 New Member

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    OH thank you for explaining that...I agree, there are times like for me that has been true. :thumbs:
     
    #5 Matt22:37-39, Oct 5, 2012
  6. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    Yes, God is all we need.

    When we rely on God, He fulfills our ALL needs in this life and promises eternity with Him. Not necessarily our wants and desires. And, especially when they are counter to His will.

    Even those who don't believe in Him rely on what He has provided, whether it's fan adoration or a pal who lives next door. They put food in their mouths, flip light switches, etc. They partake of His creation. They also carry their burdens alone, even though they may have untold numbers of friends and relatives surrounding them.

    For most people, friends come and go throughout their lifetimes. Best friends can become worst enemies, even to the point of murder. God keeps his promises. Can that be said of even one friend with absolute certainty, regardless of what the future may bring?

    As we draw our last breath, do we need a room full of friends and family or do we need God more? At our last heartbeat, who's arms will be waiting to welcome us?
     
    #6 Oldtimer, Oct 5, 2012
  7. Matt22:37-39

    Matt22:37-39 New Member

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    I can see the idealism in what you are saying, but I am pretty sure a man or woman left to themselves...would WITHER away...very few have the ability to be a JOB...A man might be able to, but a woman whose needs are more relational, might not make it. I'm talking extremes here. We need each other no matter how we try and spiritualist it...one may be alone for a time in the "desert" ....but as God draws that person close to Him, He will eventually have that person around others, so as to be used by God and glorify Him.


    http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-fellowship-21-scripture-quotes/

    ECCLESIASTICS

    9 Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
    10 If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
    But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.
    11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
    12 Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
    A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

    1 John 3:16 ¶ By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
    John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

    Colossians 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,

    Philemon 2:1-2 ¶ So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
     
    #7 Matt22:37-39, Oct 5, 2012
  8. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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    My first thought at the reading of this post was the first line of the Doxology: "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..."
     
    #8 Arbo, Oct 5, 2012
  9. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    No, I'm saying that at the end of my life, things are absolutely not important, my career is absolutely not important, my friends and family are but bottom line, I die, my family and friends don't go with me. God does.
     
    #9 annsni, Oct 5, 2012
  10. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    I understand what you are saying about the need for human relationships. There is much emphasis throughout the Bible that ranges from traditional marriage to a pastor's role as a shepherd. From the very beginning in Genesis, we see this unfold in the parts of His plan that He has revealed to us.

    The bold words in your post, also make my point, I believe. God also doesn't allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. That's the shield He provides so that satan doesn't have complete dominion over us.

    God is all we need. He gives us life. We are as little children, who depend on their father, to supply what we need to bring us into eternity with Him. Family and friends to supply us with nourishment that the food He gives doesn't provide. For those who walk with Him, He is within us to give what no other person on this earth today can give.

    God is all we need. He provides the very air we breathe. He provides companions to share rainbows and sunsets. He provided His only begotten Son.
     
    #10 Oldtimer, Oct 5, 2012
  11. Matt22:37-39

    Matt22:37-39 New Member

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    You say that till God takes away your husband, kids, parents, siblings and friends...when that happens then let me know how you feel?

    I would be VERY careful before telling someone "ALL THEY NEED IS GOD"...you will be doing more damage than good...it's called EMPATHY...:)
     
    #11 Matt22:37-39, Oct 5, 2012
  12. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    To answer the OP, yes really. To say we need more is idolatry. Yes, God gives us much more, but even those things are God's gifts.

    Is God all we need? Yes. Really.
     
    #12 Dale-c, Oct 5, 2012
  13. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    Then instead, tell someone who has lost a husband "God is not enough, you will not survive without your husband, you have lost your husband and now you are doomed"

    Yeah, that is really comforting.
     
    #13 Dale-c, Oct 5, 2012
  14. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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    Been there, and I've come to realize (and am still learning) that if I cannot trust My Lord to do what is right and to see me through, He is not my God. Omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent.
     
    #14 Arbo, Oct 5, 2012
  15. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    God has taken away loved ones. I'm the oldest person in my large extended family of my generation. Everyone one of the prior generation is gone. And a number of my generation, as well. The most recent one was a sister-n-law who was a dear friend. I know the pain as I watched her battle cancer for 5 years.

    Be very careful when telling someone that he or she doesn't understand empathy or that God isn't all they need. You haven't walked in their shoes.
     
    #15 Oldtimer, Oct 5, 2012
  16. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I've been reading about many missionaries recently who have given up everything and went through some really tough times even having every one of their human friends and family taken away. It is in reading about each of these that I can safely say that when it comes down to it, would I give up God just to have people? Never.
     
    #16 annsni, Oct 5, 2012
  17. Matt22:37-39

    Matt22:37-39 New Member

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    No, what you do is SHOW them, not TELL them God's love. You don't have to say a word...what I am talking about is the CHURCH is not doing it's job, for the most part...why? Because today's churches are focused not on GOD and PEOPLE, but numbers, money, politics, image, prestige and self. Etc.

    So what does the average Christan do instead of what God would have them do....they throw out a quick cliche as a band-aid....like I said.

    So in that sense we do need people...really try and imagine LOSING everyone....you can walk around and be around people, but there is NO ONE CLOSE...what made me think of this was, I saw Robert Blake being interviewed on a show and he said he had NO ONE at all...but a dog. He said it was hell, it was very hard and yes he doesn't have God, and if he did he would be better off than he was. what I am saying is it is NEVER GODS PLAN FOR US TO BE ALONE and there is no reason for it. We are part of the BODY...

    Gen 2:18 "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
     
    #17 Matt22:37-39, Oct 5, 2012
  18. Matt22:37-39

    Matt22:37-39 New Member

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    wow amazed how my words are being misconstrued.

    I never said "give up God"...where did that come from?

    What I am saying is, before you FLIPPANTLY tell a grieving believer something that isn't relevant to them at that moment, be careful and think.....they already KNOW in their head that God is everything, He is Lord, that isn't the point....the point is they want to SEE and FEEL and EXPERIENCE this truth through YOU.

    Don't walk away and say "I'll pray for you"..."God is all you need"...see how that now sounds?....they need your compassion and mentoring.

    Their head knowledge needs to match their heart, and we are called to do just that, help others hearts reflect God's heart...does that make sense?
     
    #18 Matt22:37-39, Oct 5, 2012
  19. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    Matt, I suspect we're all talking past each other rather than with each other. That's one of the problems with keyboard conversations. Had we been around a kitchen table, suspect this would have gone much differently.

    Next, the premise here is that members of this Baptist board are members of the body of Christ. This virtual kitchen table is for Baptists only. Since our Saviour is the only one who knows what's within each member's heart, we are to take the position, until proved otherwise (fruit they bear), that each walks with the Lord. Just as we are to do, with the gathering of church members, on Sunday morning.

    If I've pieced this together correctly, you opened this thread with an implication that you didn't intend. Title: GOD IS ALL WE NEED: Really? Regardless of what follows in the body of the post, the answer is YES. God is all we need. He supplies everything else.

    From what I gather, you are actually talking about using cliches rather than speaking from the heart. And, yes, some people do that. I'm guilty, too, when I can't find vocalize what's in my heart, even when talking to God. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to be Aaron when I'm Moses and can't understandably utter what I want to pray.

    While it may happen, until I hear it myself, I take the premise that a born again Christian would not "FLIPPANTLY tell a grieving believer something that isn't relevant to them at that moment". As a grieving believer, on more than one occassion, I have heard people awkwardly try to convey their words of comfort and reassurance. Instead of being troubled at their choice of words, which could include cliches, I was gladdened by their presence. Sometimes a hug can speak more than words coming from the mouth. As can a tear shed by a close friend.

    Fairly recently, someone was going with me to visitation at a funeral home. He didn't know the person who had died, nor most of their family members who would be present. He told me "I don't know what to say". I suggested that he simply say "I'm sorry for your loss" as your being there, itself, speaks for you.

    For whatever it's worth, I suspect you've found yourself in the position of trying to preach to the choir. Most here wouldn't "walk away and say "I'll pray for you"..."God is all you need"..." As circumstances warrant they will offer "compassion and mentoring". All can offer compassion. Mentoring, as I define it, can only be done by someone in close contact with the person who needs mentoring.

    Sure, I can give advice via a keyboard. But there's a big difference between that and putting an arm around the shoulder of a friend in a time of need. To be there for them the next time they need a shoulder to cry on. To help them shoulder their load over the course of days and weeks, as they need it.

    In closing, IMO, it is never wrong for a Christian to tell another person that he or she will pray for them. That is if they mean it.
     
    #19 Oldtimer, Oct 6, 2012
  20. IANMO(IAMNTMYOWN)

    IANMO(IAMNTMYOWN) New Member

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    Most of us have heard the rather cliche statement, "Man was created with a God-sized whole in his heart." This is always followed by the concept of how often unsaved individuals will seek to fill that void with every earthly pleasure they can. I do agree that God has created us to be completely fulfilled by Him, nonetheless, we are the body of Christ. Quite literally, we are His hands, His mouth, His feet. We are what He uses to display His attributes. When the world asks what love is? We can always point to God, but he in turn should be able to point to His people. Christ had deep fellowship with his disciples, and had an intense love for all mankind. Even so, when all seemed to leave Him, He called on the Father. We do not depend on people to exist, but we can exist by depending on God and enjoying the sweet fellowship of other believers He has placed in our lives.
     
    #20 IANMO(IAMNTMYOWN), Oct 6, 2012
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