I am not a believer of the Lord. I live in this materialistic world. Through hard work, I have obtained some material satisfaction and physical enjoyment. However, when faced with vexing problems from work stress, family, loved ones, emotions, interpersonal relationships and so on, I often feel helpless, confused and painful at heart. I would like to ask: Can these distress and confusion be resolved by believing in God? Why do people need to believe in God?
1. Can these distress and confusion be resolved by believing in God?
Relevant Bible Verses:
"These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (Jhn 16:33)
"Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Mat 11:28-30)
Relevant Words of God:
"Because man was made by God and the senseless sacrifices and explorations of man can only lead to more distress. Man will exist in a constant state of fear, will not know how to face the future of mankind, or how to face the path that lies ahead. Man will even come to fear science and knowledge, and fear even more the feeling of emptiness within him. In this world, regardless of whether you live in a free country or one without human rights, you are utterly incapable of escaping the fate of mankind. Whether you are the ruler or the ruled, you are utterly incapable of escaping the desire to explore the fate, mysteries, and destination of mankind. Much less are you capable of escaping the bewildering sense of emptiness. Such phenomena, which are common to all of mankind, are called social phenomena by sociologists, yet no great man can come forth to solve such problems. Man, after all, is man. The position and life of God cannot be replaced by any man. Mankind does not just require a fair society in which everyone is well-fed and is equal and free, but the salvation of God and His provision of life to them. Only when man receives the salvation of God and His provision of life to them can the needs, yearning to explore, and spiritual emptiness of man be resolved."
from “God Presides Over the Fate of All Mankind” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
"When one has no God, when one cannot see Him, when one cannot clearly recognize God’s sovereignty, every day is meaningless, worthless, miserable. Wherever one is, whatever one’s job is, one’s means of living and the pursuit of one’s goals bring one nothing but endless heartbreak and irrelievable suffering, such that one cannot bear to look back. Only when one accepts the Creator’s sovereignty, submits to His orchestrations and arrangements, and seeks true human life, will one gradually break free from all heartbreak and suffering, shake off all the emptiness of life."
from “God Himself, the Unique III” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
"Every problem has a way to be solved; for each problem there will always be relevant truth to consult to give you a way forward and enable you to change. Even if the transformation does not happen right away, you can now recognize your situation. If these truths could not solve people’s problems, then wouldn’t God have spoken in vain? Therefore, if you are willing to put the truth into practice, you will always have a way to follow."
from “Those Who Love the Truth Have a Way to Follow” in Records of Christ’s Talks
"When man achieves the true life of man on earth, the entire forces of Satan will be bound, and man will live easily upon earth. Things will not be as complex as they are today: Human relationships, social relationships, complex familial relationships…, they are such bother, so painful! Man’s life here is so miserable! Once man has been conquered, his heart and mind will change: He will have a heart that reveres God and a heart that loves God. Once all those within the universe who seek to love God have been conquered, which is to say, once Satan has been defeated, and once Satan—all the forces of darkness—has been bound, then man’s life on earth will be untroubled, and he will be able to live freely upon earth. If man’s life is without the fleshly relationships, and is without the complexities of the flesh, then it would be so much easier. Man’s relationships of the flesh are too complex, and for man to have such things is proof that he has yet to free himself of the influence of Satan. If you had the same relationship with the brothers and sisters, if you had the same relationship with your regular family, then you would have no concerns, and would not need to worry about anyone. Nothing could be better, and in this way man would be relieved of half of his suffering. Living a normal human life on earth, man will be similar to an angel; though still being of the flesh, he will be much like an angel. This is the final promise, it is the last promise that is bestowed upon man."
from “Restoring the Normal Life of Man and Taking Him to a Wonderful Destination” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
"Only if one c and has the truth does he live in the light; and only when his view of the world and his view of life change does he change fundamentally. When he has a life goal and comports himself according to the truth; when he absolutely submits to God and lives by God’s word; when he feels assured and brightened deep in his soul; when his heart is free of darkness; and when he lives completely freely and unrestrained in God’s presence—only then does he live a true human life and become a person possessing truth. Besides, all the truths you have are from God’s word and from God Himself. The Ruler of the entire universe and all things—God Most High—approves of you, as a real man living the true human life. What could be more meaningful than this? Such is a person who has the truth. … Only God is the truth. God controls the heavens and earth and everything in them and has dominion over all. Not to believe in God, not to submit to God is to be unable to obtain truth. If you live according to God’s word, you will feel a clarity, stability, and incomparable sweetness in the depths of your heart; you will have truly obtained life."
from “How to Know Man’s Nature” in Records of Christ’s Talks
Relevant Fellowship:
Pursuing the truth can solve all difficulties of man. The meaning of pursuing the truth is too profound. It is unfathomable to man. … Look at those people in the world who don’t have the truth. How much suffering do they have in their hearts? There is too much suffering, isn’t it? You need to know the root cause for all the suffering in life—Satan. Without the truth, you are always corrupted by Satan so you suffer. It is caused by the corruption of Satan. If you pursue the truth, you will be able to resolve these corruptions, and be able to sever the root of Satan’s corruption. Eventually, you will be able to shake off Satan, break away from Satan’s influence and receive salvation. Therefore, you can be saved by pursuing the truth. The meaning in it is too profound. You see that when a man has the truth within, he has no difficulties in whatever he sees, whatever he thinks and whatever he encounters. Without difficulties or constraints, everything is simple and easy. He is not distressed or worried because of one thing or another. His mind is emancipated and free. Therefore, there is almost no suffering in any aspect when one pursues the truth. The more he pursues, the brighter he becomes within.
from “Only by Obeying God’s Work Can One Be Saved” in Sermons and Fellowship on Entry Into Life (I)
In this era of darkness and evil nowadays, all aspects of human life are full of crisis. If you have the truth, you have real faith. With faith, you can live in equanimity. If you don’t have faith, you worry about this and that all day long. Living with such worries is so tiring and miserable. Living without the truth is suffering. What kinds of sufferings do you say there are when people do not have the truth? When the desires of the flesh are not met, such as little money, low status, poor enjoyment, disobedient children, the husband’s failure to provide money, and family discord, they suffer pain and refinement. People have suffered so much in life for not having the truth. They live in a boundless sea of suffering. When you pursue the truth, you live leisurely, easily, peacefully and steadily. When you have the truth, you have happiness. What is true happiness? People who have the truth have happiness. Are rich people happy? Are prestigious people happy? The richest people in the world are not happy, they feel empty. They feel empty in everything. They do not know that when they believe in God and gain the truth, they will no longer be empty. They will live vibrantly.
from “The Significance and Effects of Practicing the Truth and Several Problems that Must be Resolved” in Sermons and Fellowship on Entry Into Life (VI)
Satan’s corruption of mankind is by seducing people with lies and material incentives, and letting people enjoy the benefits of money, fame, status, and material. People feel empty and painful in the end. God saves mankind by using the truth to judge and chastise mankind for his corrupt essence. The purpose is to let people know what mankind’s corrupt essence is, to let people know that living under Satan’s influence and seeking material benefits will only lead to emptiness and depravity, and let people know what the outcomes are for not having the truth and not knowing God. After recognizing this, people begin to feel that life is not empty only if they have the truth. Only by gaining the truth can one have true life. Only by truly knowing God can one’s heart be enriched, comforted, and fulfilled. At this time mankind discovers: It turns out that corrupt mankind pursues the world because he does not have the truth, he worships and follows Satan because he does not have the truth. He is inextricably trapped in the whirlpool of corruption because he does not have the truth.
from “How to Attain Change in Life Disposition” in Sermons and Fellowship on Entry Into Life (I)
Nowadays, some people who believe in God have experienced that if people do not have the truth in their hearts, if God has no position in their hearts, even if they have millions of dollars and very high statuses in society, it is still empty. Most people see this. What is most advocated by corrupt mankind as a whole? The first is power, and the second is wealth, isn’t it true? What do believers of God like us advocate most? What we advocate most is the truth and the pursuit of real life to become a person who knows God, and to be a witness for God. This is the most glorious life. Today, what people in the world pursue is exactly the opposite of what we believers of God pursue. What do we pursue? What we pursue is the truth, to know God and have a real life. What do people of the world pursue? It is status and money. What people in the world pursue has been proven by thousands of years of human history to be empty and in vain. In the Age of Law, there was a man named Solomon in Israel who was the king of Israel. In terms of status he was the king of the nation of Israel. In terms of his wealth, it was besides the question. He was the richest man in the world. In the course of his later years, he wrote a book, The Book of Ecclesiastes. In the book he wrote, “All the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity.” He had status and was able to say so many proverbs of wisdom. Yet in the end, he said, “All the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity.” What Solomon possessed was status and wealth, but he did not know God, and he did not have the truth. He did not have any real understanding of God. So he did not have satisfaction or fulfillment. So he said everything was empty. In the entire history of mankind, there have been many famous and great men. In the end, they all said that everything was in vain because they did not have the truth, and they only pursued the world. They reached the final conclusion that everything was empty and in vain. If we believe in God without obtaining the truth and really knowing God, it is also in vain. When you have the truth and a real understanding of God, then you will truly be satisfied in the depths of your heart, and you will truly be fulfilled. When you are satisfied in the depths of your heart, then you will have real peace and joy, you will have a sense of fulfillment and enjoyment without living in vain. Therefore, knowing God is too meaningful. Other than knowing God, everything in life is empty and vexation of spirit. Knowing God alone is the most meaningful thing.
from “The Importance of Knowing God and the Way to Know God” in Sermons and Fellowship on Entry Into Life (I)
After being corrupted by Satan, human beings have lived by the flesh. They all live by their knowledge, reason and notions. They are essentially living for the flesh. To put it more clearly, that is, they live for the survival and benefit of the flesh. Externally, they seem to live by knowledge and human reasoning. But in essence, they live for the flesh, for the survival of the flesh, for the interests of the flesh. They live for what to eat and what to enjoy. Such a human being has been corrupted by Satan. He is not much different from animals. Animals live for the flesh, for a mouthful of food. Humans are a bit higher than animals. In addition to living for food, they also live for the enjoyment and interest of their own flesh. In addition, they live for their own status. Whether they live for food or the flesh, for status or enjoyment in life, it is the result of Satan’s corruption. There is no real life. Do this kind of people live with any meaning at all? None. Thus mankind as a whole feels empty and tired. They even feel bored when they are alive. So, some people want to die. There are many cases of suicide. Judging from the corrupt situation of mankind, no matter how knowledgeable human beings are, how long human culture has been, the corrupt situation of mankind is increasingly serious. Human life is increasingly empty and meaningless. Not a single person feels joy and happiness in life. In the end, what is happiness at all is a mystery to this evil mankind. Mankind wants to pursue happiness. In the end, no one finds happiness and no one is happy. This is a fact. People who have money are unhappy, people who have status are unhappy, people who have material enjoyment are unhappy, and people who are suffering are even more unhappy. This is the outcome of the entire mankind because of Satan’s corruption. There is not a whit of happiness. God’s work in the last days reveals this mystery of mankind. It turns out that after being corrupted by Satan, mankind has lived by relying on his knowledge and philosophy. Knowledge and philosophy are not the truth. People have learned a lot of knowledge in various universities and institutes. Why are they not happy at all? Why doesn’t a single person know what real life is? Now we have discovered that human knowledge and learning are not the truth. Therefore, people do not have happiness living by knowledge. Knowledge cannot save mankind. Knowledge cannot bring peace and happiness to mankind. The more knowledge human beings have, the farther they are separated from God, the more rebellious they are to God, and the more seriously they resist God. This is a fact. Therefore, knowledge is not the truth. This conclusion has now been acknowledged by the majority of people. Only Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. After accepting Christ’s judgment and chastisement, we came to understand all the truths expressed by Christ. We began to see the brightness of life and felt peace and joy in the depths of our hearts. We saw the true destination of mankind is to return to God and live by God’s word. Only this is real happiness. Only those who have the truth and worship God are people with real happiness. Only those who have conscience and reason, who can truly love God are people with real happiness. Only those who receive God’s approval and blessings are people with real happiness. How can one receive God’s approval and blessing? Now it is all clear to us that it is to enter all the truths in God’s word.
from “What Is Entry Into Life and the Path for Entry Into Life?” in Sermons and Fellowship on Entry Into Life (II)
2. Why do people need to believe in God?
Relevant Bible Verses:
"I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes on me should not abide in darkness. "(Jhn 12:46)
"And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst. "(Jhn 6:35)
Relevant Words of God:
"God created this world and brought man, a living being unto which He bestowed life, into it. In turn, man came to have parents and kin and was no longer alone. Ever since man first laid eyes on this material world, he was destined to exist within the ordination of God. It is the breath of life from God that supports each living being throughout his growth into adulthood. During this process, none believe that man lives and grows up under the care of God. Rather, they hold that man grows up under the love and care of his parents, and that his growth is governed by the instinct of life. This is because man knows not who bestowed life or from whence it came, much less how the instinct of life creates miracles. Man knows only that food is the basis of the continuation of life, that perseverance is the source of existence of life, and that the belief in his mind is the wealth of his survival. Man does not feel the grace and provision from God. Man then squanders the life bestowed upon him by God…. Not one man whom God looks upon day and night takes the initiative to worship Him. God continues to work as He has planned on man for whom He holds no expectations. He does so in the hope that one day, man will awaken from his dream and suddenly comprehend the value and purpose of life, understand the cost at which God has given man everything, and know how fervently God longs for man to turn back to Him."
from “God Presides Over the Fate of All Mankind” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
"God created this world, He created this mankind, and moreover He was the architect of ancient Greek culture and human civilization. Only God consoles this mankind, and only God cares for this mankind night and day. Human development and progress is inseparable from the sovereignty of God, and the history and future of mankind are inextricable from the designs of God. If you are a true Christian, then you will surely believe that the rise and fall of any country or nation occurs according to the designs of God. God alone knows the fate of a country or nation, and God alone controls the course of this mankind. If mankind wishes to have a good fate, if a country wishes to have a good fate, then man must bow down to God in worship, repent and confess before God, or else the fate and destination of man will unavoidably end in catastrophe."
"Look back to the time of Noah’s ark: Mankind was deeply corrupt, had strayed from the blessing of God, was no longer cared for by God, and had lost the promises of God. They lived in darkness, without the light of God. Thus they became licentious by nature, abandoned themselves to hideous depravity. Such men could no longer receive the promise of God; they were unfit to witness the face of God, nor to hear the voice of God, for they had abandoned God, had cast aside all that He had bestowed upon them, and had forgotten the teachings of God. Their heart strayed farther and farther from God, and as it did, they became depraved beyond all reason and humanity, and became increasingly evil. Thus they came ever closer to death, and fell under the wrath and punishment of God. Only Noah worshiped God and shunned evil, and so he was able to hear the voice of God, and hear the instructions of God. He built the ark according to the instructions of God’s word, and assembled all manner of living creatures. And in this way, once everything had been prepared, God unleashed His destruction upon the world. Only Noah and the seven members of his family survived the destruction, for Noah worshiped Jehovah and shunned evil."
from “God Presides Over the Fate of All Mankind” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
"Only through God can you walk the bright, right road through life; only through God can you know the meaning of life, only through God can you live out a real life, possess the truth, know the truth, and only through God can you obtain life from the truth. Only God Himself can help you shun evil and deliver you from the harm and control of Satan. Besides God, no one and nothing can save you from the sea of suffering so that you suffer no longer: This is determined by the essence of God. Only God Himself saves you so selflessly, only God is ultimately responsible for your future, for your destiny and for your life, and He arranges all things for you. This is something that nothing created or non-created can achieve. Because nothing created or non-created possesses an essence of God such as this, no person or thing has the ability to save you or to lead you. This is the importance of God’s essence to man."
from “God Himself, the Unique VI” in The Word Appears in the Flesh
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