Conversations About Things That Matter To God

By Raymond Cooper


Humans more often than not are conscious that there is a supreme being. The concept of some sort of god is found in most cultures, although more modern philosophies may be dedicated to the idea of a godless universe governed by chance. However, anyone having conversations about things that matter to God has presumably accepted that God is an entity mindful of man and the things of the earth. So, the question to start with is perhaps: what does matter to God?

There are a couple of ways to narrow this down. One is to look inside oneself and find what makes sense, what feels right. This is probably a universal trait, anyway; people tend to make everything subjective to a degree. However, some people are more comfortable with a belief system of their own making. They accept what they like about ancient teachings and philosophy and discard the rest.

The existence of hell is a good example of something many people reject, even if they are okay with other tenets of Christianity. Those who want to think of the Lord as a loving creator may not accept His role as judge and condemner. The fact that this viewpoint dilutes the value of the crucifixion and weakens standards of right and wrong is not enough to make them acknowledge a loving spirit who also demands atonement before deserved punishment can be averted.

You can see why some common ground is necessary before conversation can be meaningful. If sin matters to God as much as the Bible says it does, conduct will be an important topic. Those who choose to believe that the Lord of the Bible has defined Himself will base their arguments on scripture. Others may choose to believe what they are comfortable with, what makes sense to them, what makes them feel good.

There are many who point to archaeological proof for the Bible as history and it's preservation as witness to it's special character. Others are skeptical that anything made by man can meet this standard. There is a wide division between those who stand on scripture and those who find it irrelevant. This can spark great discussions if people can 'keep their cool'.

When two or more get together to talk about spiritual matters, some common ground is needed. Two Christians can converse easily, and two of different faiths who both acknowledge a supreme being interested in human affairs can also enjoy debate. Someone who looks for help and guidance in crystals, for example, would probably find such conversation pointless.

For those who take the Bible as a reliable guide, helping the poor is a priority. Discussions about that can lead to the formation of plans, agencies, or crusades to accomplish this goal. Evangelists hope to win converts, so their discourse is aimed at explaining the relationship between the Lord and man. Leading a godly life is a topic of endless interest to anyone who wants to truly imitate Christ. Talk radio is a wonderful resource for those who are isolated.

In the Bible, believers are encouraged to speak of the things of the Lord. The Book of Ephesians is particularly rich in guidance about avoiding loose or evil speech and focusing on what is pure and right. Discussing righteous actions unites believers, encourages them, and promotes the work of the kingdom.




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