Thursday, April 21, 2011

Why I Believe

As a four year old I bowed my head and asked Jesus into my heart. I do not have a clear memory of this and so I go on what others told me. So is this enough on which to base a life of belief? What did I know at the age of four and what did I believe? Was I merely accepting what was being taught by
those close to me? Was it their faith or did I truly have faith of my own?
However, I am no longer four years old. I have continued in that belief I expressed so many years ago. While it may be that my early belief began as an acceptance of my parents' belief, somewhere along the line that belief changed to a belief of my own. My faith has been challenged over the
years, and I no longer believe because of what others have said, but because I have reasons of my own to believe. So why do I believe in the God of the Bible? Why should any educated person of reason believe the God of the Bible is true?
The first reason I believe in the God of the Bible is that there is no reason not to. While there have been attempts to discredit the Bible with all its claims concerning God, all such attempts have fallen short. True Science, by that I mean what can actually be proven and not hypotheses and conjectures, is not in conflict with the Bible. As I say this, I realize there are those who will say, “But what about…?” and will talk about some apparent contradiction between Science and the Bible. My answer is this. Science is an ongoing thing. All the evidence is not in. As more evidence is received, time and time again, the conflict between Science and the Bible recedes. More often than not, it is the conjectures that get in the way. It is my observance that when the assumption that there is no God is put aside, there is no real reason to deduce from the evidence that He does not exist.
A second reason I believe in the God of the Bible is where else can I go? As Peter said to Jesus “Who else has the words of eternal life?”, I consider the same. Who else has the solutions to this world’s problems? Who else has the answers to the evil caused by man’s sinful nature? Who else brings
forgiveness? All efforts to solve these issues are a band aid approach at best. They only cover up the real issue which is man’s separation from God. Only the God of the Bible sent His Son to be a propitiation for our sins. Only God can reconcile us to Himself. Only God can give us everlasting peace.
A third reason I believe in the God of the Bible is that I have seen answers to prayer. God makes promises in His words—promises He intends to complete. Over and over, God answers the prayers of those who have received Him and are prepared to put Him to the test by trusting Him to keep His Word. Over and over we have seen the words of prophecy come true in our time. God answers prayer and watches over His children.
A fourth reason I believe in the God of the Bible is changed lives. People are changed when they trust in Him. It’s not a matter of trying to do better only to fail, but a change from within. Those who were once headed in one way now walk totally different. Those suffering all sorts of physical difficulties still have that smile--that joy in their heart. God changes lives.
And then there is that still small voice. It is hard to explain this to those who don’t believe in the God of the Bible, however the Bible promises God’s presence with all who have received Him. He indwells
through the Holy Spirit. I can’t see Him, or hear Him audibly, but He makes His presence known when I allow myself to be quiet before Him.
And so you can see. My faith is still there. As a child I did not question it. As an adult, it has been questioned, but still stands. My invitation to anyone who reads this is, “Come, see that the Lord is good.”

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Two Dogs

For a long time I have described the struggle in the Christian life to the struggle between two dogs. I’m sure you have heard this illustration in one form or other. It all comes down with someone (usually an old Indian) having two dogs that would fight. An onlooker asks which dog usually wins, to which the owner of the dogs replies, “The one I feed the most.” The spiritual application is usually then made that we have two natures in us and that the one that we feed the most is the one that wins. I'm not sure I’m ready to entirely put this illustration aside, I do realize it is just that, an illustration, and not Scripture, and as such, imperfect at best. I do, however, want to consider this idea of two dogs.
We have in our extended family two dogs. Poodles who belongs (she thinks we belong to her) to my wife and I and Newfy who belongs to my eldest daughter and family (the names od the dogs have been changed to protect their identities on the internet). Poodles is a Poodle—Jack Russell mix and grew from puppyhood under the watchful eye of a German Shepherd. Consequently, we describe Poodles as a Jack-a-Poo with a German Shepherd attitude. Newfy is a Newfoundland mix who is gentle despite her size. We often have the two dogs together at our house and the result is almost comical.  Poodles, the older of the two, makes it clear she quite disapproves of our allowing Newfy into our home which she considers to be her territory exclusively. Consequently, all 13 pounds of her, will charge  at  90 pound Newfy whenever Newfy comes close to something Poodles considers to be hers. The usual result  is that Newfy initially backs away, but eventually ends up with the bone Poodles is protecting. Newfy’s size ultimately wins out. Despite her determination, Poodles is no match for Newfy’s size. No matter how much we feed Poodles she can never stand successfully up to Newfy when Newfy decides to take a stand. The only way Poodles could consistently defeat Newfy is for Poodles die and to be reborn as a dog the size of Newfy.
Colossians 3: 9-10 says this: Lie not one to another seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man after the image of him who created him. These verses are often taken to mean that when we are in Christ we have two natures and whichever one we feed the most, that is the one that will have the most influence in our lives. However, note that this passage is saying to Christians that we have put off the old man. It is an accomplished fact. This has happened when we received Christ. In Romans 6 we see reference to this for it states that we have been buried with Christ and have risen to new life. The old man is dead. It is not for me to strengthen the new nature over the old, but to live in the new nature
We struggle in the Christian life, so often being defeated because we are trying to strengthen ourselves spiritually rather than trusting in God to do the work within us. Paul said it this way: For
that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me
(Romans 7:15-20).  Paul is sharing his personal struggle with sin. He is  admitting to having the same frustration most believers in Christ have. He relates how he wants to live the Christian life, but finds that the more he tries to do so, he messes up. While he has the will to do right, but he finds no ability in himself to do so. The key to Paul’s dilemma is the words in the flesh. Paul is saying that in his own strength and power neither he, nor anyone else, can expect to live a life that is victorious over sin. 
In a world where the word sin is taboo, and to talk about sin even from the pulpit, is considered archaic, to suggest that we ought to and can live life in a changed way seems out of place. Why should we avoid sin? Why should we live in a way other than in our flesh? After all, God gave us all things to enjoy. Why should we impose archaic values on ourselves? But when we consider that sin is doing things our way instead of God’s way, and that the ways of sin is destruction, we want to avoid it in any way we can. But how can we defeat sin in our lives if we are as weak as Paul says?
Paul tells us the answer in Ephesians 2. By grace are ye saved, he says, through faith and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). So we cannot be saved by our own strength, i.e. our flesh and are saved only through God's grace which is His free gift to us. But wait, there is more. In the next verse Paul says this: We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). We have been saved by grace, and we have been created in Christ to live by grace. It is not a matter of feeding my new nature, but to live in my new nature—by grace. 
To live by grace is to live according to the new relationship we have with God when we trust in Him. We draw closer to Him as we read His Word and talk with Him. We learn to trust Him and enjoy His love. We recognize our constant need for Him and let Him do His work in us by stepping aside and letting Him be God and recognizing that we are not god. We come to the end of our efforts in the flesh and realize the only way to victory is to let Him have full reign in us. In other words, feeding Poodles extra does nothing. It only makes her fat. I need to be Newfy. That happens only by grace.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Is Anybody There?

You might be thinking that from this title I am wondering if anyone is reading these blogs. And you would be right. I know I haven’t been consistent in writing a blog each week, nor even each month. Sometimes I wait until I have an inspiration concerning a topic I think is of great importance.
Sometimes I am waiting for the time to write. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is reading this anyway. All of these things become excuses not to write regularly and as such don’t encourage a regular readership, because if I am not writing regularly why should anyone check regularly to see if there is something new?                                                                                                                                  
Seriously, I invite those of you who read these blogs to give me feedback. The site itself makes provision for comments and I would welcome yours. Even just a few words are fine. Also, should you think that the topic is a good one, pass it on to others, letting them know what you think. This
writer’s goal is to write things that are relevant to people in the society in which we live, encouraging them to place their faith and trust in the God of the Bible and to encourage believers to strengthen their walk with Him. But as I write, is anyone there?
But apart from myself and these blogs, there is another sense to this same question, “Is anybody there?” We live our lives with all kinds of deep and meaningful questions. We live and work and do and wonder what it is all about. Is there any meaning, any purpose, to what we do? Does anybody
really care? Our lives pass on in such a short span of time, will anybody remember? Is there any lasting significance to what we do? Is there Anybody there?
History books are full of people who have attempted great things to leave their mark on this world. Some have been successful and some have not. Some are known for good some for evil. We hear rumors about those currently who behind the scenes are attempting to manipulate the
political and economic scene to make a society that conforms to their ideals. Sometime is appears that chaos is just around the bend. And so things continue, this search for significance. And all the while we see a world in turmoil with events happening so quickly that things seem on the verge of getting completely out of hand. And we ask, “Is Anybody there? Does Anybody see?”
I know that this blog so far is very pessimistic. In fact, if from what you have read so far you may be wondering how this writer even bothered to get up this morning and why he bothers to write. You may even be wondering why you are bothering to read all this. But, there is a reason to keep on doing the things we do. There is hope for this world. There is Somebody there.
There is a Book that tells us of this Somebody. It begins with, “In the beginning God…” As written so many time before in these blogs, there is no attempt to prove God’s existence. This book just states it. That’s how it is with us. We need to start somewhere. Will we trust the God of the Bible or not? If we do He gives us a sense of significances we do not know otherwise. He is not only there, but He cares about us He sent His Son to take our place on a cruel Cross of execution, to pay our debts, so we can be reconciled to Him (John 3:16).
I've heard it said, "How can an intelligent thinking person believe in God?" To this I respond, "How can an intelligent thinking person not take God up on His challenge to prove that He is by taking Him up on His promises (Malachi 3:10). God has promised to make you a child of His if you will only receive Him (John 1:12). The only way to know for sure is to take Him at His word. Ask Him into your life. When you do so you'll know the answer to the question, "Is anybody there?"
With all the happenings we see around us, with all the horrifying things we see in this world, we understand, God is there. He sees. He cares. He cares about me. He even invites me into a personal relationship with Him where He adopts me as His child . All is not futile. There is a reason to get up in the morning. God is there.