Searcher,
The answer was in direct correlation to the question posted by Flash below. It dealt with the selectivity of whom God makes Himself known to. There was nothing medical about it in my estimation. Such was my return.
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<HR><FONT SIZE="1">His children...you mean the ones who follow him? How is it if one does not believe that he would make himself known? There are some out here on this board who are searching for truth..if God/Jesus was the only way to truth..then why have they not made themselves known? Why is your God so selective in whom he chooses?<FONT><HR></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></CENTER>
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<HR><FONT SIZE="1">I'm sorry to have confused you with my analogy. I suppose I was making somewhat of a quantum leap here. You were talking about God healing his children, and you later clarified this by explaining that his children are the ones who who are playing his game and following his rules. Those who are not following his rules are impure, and your God doesn't stain himself with impurity.</FONT><HR></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></CENTER>
O.K., that works for me. I think you have that part well enough to get by.
Your question:
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<HR><FONT SIZE="1">So if my son gets sick, but he hasn't been a good boy, I shouldn't take him to the doctor because he didn't follow my rules? Is that how a loving (did I mention mature?) parent takes care of his/her children? </FONT><HR></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></CENTER>
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<HR><FONT SIZE="1">I took that a bit farther and suggested, using the same logic, that if my son doesn't follow my rules, then I shouldn't take him to a doctor to be healed (following the example of your God). My point being that a mature and loving parent does take care of their child regardless of whether or not he's broken the rules. Discipline can come later - a parent should take care of their child when sick or hurt. Your God simply disowns his children when they are disobedient. How touching!</FONT><HR></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></CENTER>
Here's where you lose it. Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to take blood even when it is clear that death is imminent. Does that have any baring on the caring of the doctors? Not at all. They will respect the person's free will though in pain from having to watch the person die. Likewise, if you have a child that is out in the world living on his own and he becomes hooked on drugs, no matter how many times he comes within an inch of death, because of his habit, you can't force him to change. Moreover, if you take responsibility for the other aspects of his life, like where he'll live and get food from, he'll never get the help he needs. Proverbs 26:11 <FONT COLOR="BLUE">As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.</FONT> Proverbs also tells us that if you rescue a man who has not paid the price, you will have to rescue him again. Is it the uncaring parent that will let the child face their own choices? Do your children have dominion in your house? Do they tell you what they will and will not have? There is no choice for those not mature enough to make one. God does not hold them accountable. Likewise, in the example of the drug addict, there is one with choice. His choice may well take him to his death. Yet, the good parent, all the while calling him away from the wrong choice, will respect his free will to choose to go the other way. That parent will grieve no less in the child's death. God will grieve more! He has lost a child for eternity. I also suggest that you read the posts under the string "I belive".
truestory,
Wise as ever Sister!
Jesus can bring peace in every area of your life,
ISDAMan
<FONT SIZE="1">Excerpted from The Complete Multimedia BibleKing James Version
Copyright (c) 1994 Compton's NewMedia, Inc.</FONT>
[This message has been edited by ISDAMan (edited December 23, 1999).]