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.”

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.

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.

Peace

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” I know of no other promise like this. All religions promise that if you do such and so you earn favor with the power that is, but Jesus alone makes this exceptional promise, “I will give you peace.” He doesn’t base this on what we do but on Who He is. He alone claims the power to calm our fears in a way the world cannot. In all the turmoil that surrounds us, Jesus promises peace.

We indeed live in a time of turmoil, the likes of which few of us have ever seen. World events seem to be crashing down upon us with increasing occurrences. Natural catastrophes, economic uncertainty, and political unrest are increasing every day. While such things have always been with us throughout history, it appears that so many things are coming together at one time. The recent events in Japan, the weakening of the U.S. dollar and the political unrest in the Middle East give us a strong sense of uncertainty. Many, and not just the crackpots, are predicting impending doom if things don’t change in a hurry.

In the middle of all this, we must live our daily lives. What are we to do, and where ought we to live, and what jobs ought we to take, to best insulate us from coming current disasters? Even when we follow the best of advice from the best of advisors, we are left with a feeling of uneasiness. Nothing is certain in our uncertain world. This is where Jesus’ words loom so large. “Peace, I give.”

We can follow the best advice experts can give, but we can’t predict what will happen next. However in the middle of it all, Jesus makes this promise to untrouble our troubled hearts. This does not mean that believers in Christ will not have difficulties. Just look around us. The troubling times we live in are indiscriminant. Believers in Christ go through the same difficulties as those who do not accept
His name. However, we have this promise and more. He promises to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and He promises us to make our burden light (Matthew 11:30). In this world of uncertainty, Jesus promises us peace.

This writer has seen enough to be able to testify to the truth of Jesus’ promise. I’ve observed His people in times of trouble. Yet for many, to face their problems without the One Who promises to keep us in His hand, seems so unthinkable. I’ve seen mistakes and wrong decisions, yet Jesus has been there to help pick up the pieces and restore the broken lives of those who turn to Him.

In this world of uncertainty, there is no certainty but this: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (john 3:16).” We can wait until science proves or disproves the existence of God, we can argue which
God is the one to follow , or we can simply put the God of the Bible to the test by receiving Him into our lives, calling on His name and seeing His promise come to pass. Peace.

For God So Loved

In my opinion, this phrase taken from John 3:16 is the key to understanding what the Bible is all about. Here we have the statement that God is, i.e. He exists and is a real person that loves us. Not only does He love us, He desires to have fellowship with us. His desire for fellowship is so much that He sent His only begotten Son to make reconciliation with us and He invites us to have a personal relationship with Him.
In these blogs, I have discussed that there is a difference between having religion by which one attempts to gain favor with God and between having a relationship with God. The Bible states that there is nothing we can do to earn favor with God. “All have sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:23)”. “There is none righteous, no not one (Romans 3:20).” All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).” But God has reached down to us by sending His Son to settle the debt between us and Him. All we have to do is receive.
A religion is a set of manmade rules. A relationship is experiencing the presence of another person. When that other person is God this means I can count on Him no matter what the circumstances. I can bring to Him my every concern and every sorrow. I can ask for wisdom and direction in everything I do. In short, I am never alone. I know of no religion that offers this.
There are those that want scientific proof of all this, but the Bible does not go about to prove God, merely stating His existence as in Genesis 1:1. The proof that God does offer is found in the receiving of Him. John 1:12 states that “As many as received Him to them gave He the power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on His name.” In other words, God calls on us to accept His offer of relationship and has promised not to disappoint.
Science fails us in this area. Hebrews 11:1 and following verses tell us why. Science cannot explain to us things that cannot be seen. However, just because things cannot be seen does not mean they do not exist. Jesus mentioned to Nicodemus in John 3 we don’t deny there is a wind because we cannot see it. Even so we don’t deny God because we don’t see Him, because we can see what He does. Most significantly we see God in the changes He makes in people’s lives as they give themselves over to Him in relationship.
I will not say Science cannot give us any evidences for God’s existence. I don’t believe that in order to receive Christ one has to first commit intellectual suicide. However, even if I could definitively prove scientifically to you that the God of the Bible exists there is still a hurdle you have to overcome before you can enter into a relationship with Him. You have to receive Him; i.e. you have to be willing to admit His existence and His right as Creator to everything you are. You need to be willing to have Him involved in your life. It is not enough to accept His existence. We need to receive Him.
Why should we receive Him? This brings us back to John 3:16. We receive Him because He loves us. It is His love that makes the relationship possible. Romans 10:13 states “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Call on Him, He will not disappoint.

How Much Faith Is Enough?

Recently I commented on pamphlets given to a member of our church. These pamphlets, authored by Harold camping of Family Radio, announce that the world as we know it will end on May 21, 2011. This announcement is bold and striking enough but Camping goes on to warn true believers to withdraw from churches of any kind because according to Camping no church has the Word of salvation and that all churches have false doctrine of which the most offensive is that anyone who
chooses to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ is saved. According to Camping God chooses who will be saved and to say man can choose is in itself sin.

In a pamphlet entitled “I Hope God Will Save Me”, Camping further explains his ideas concerning salvation. Since God chooses who will be saved, Jesus did not die for all mankind and “whosoever” means only those who come with all their heart, soul, strength and mind which is evidenced by a faith that God gives to those who He chooses to save, whether or not they want to be saved. Anyone who desires to be saved cannot unless God chooses him. All he can do is “cry, beg, and beseech God that maybe they too might become saved” (“No Man Knows The Hour”). Thus Camping reduces the promise of God given to us in Romans 10:13 (Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved”) to an uncertain hope that if someone repents long enough, prays hard enough and does the right things (such as withdraw from church), maybe, just maybe, God will, in His mercy, give him salvation. Consequently, Camping has reduced the promise of salvation to a vague hope based on works.

Camping explains the promise given in Romans 10:13 as meaning that those who believe with all their heart, soul, strength and mind will be saved. Such perfect faith only comes as a gift from God as he saves an individual that He chooses to save. Those who desire to come to God are not saved unless He chooses to give them that perfect faith. The problem with this is how can anyone, even Camping, be sure that he has such faith? How much faith is enough?

When Camping says “all your heart, soul and mind”, one can only assume he is referring back to the Law of the Old Testament as mentioned in Luke chapter ten. A lawyer tested Jesus asking what was needed to inherit eternal life. Jesus in return asked the lawyer what the Law said, to which came the reply, “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus replied that what the man said was accurate as far as the Law was conerned. However, no man has ever been saved by the Law which can only condemn. No man  has lived up to this standard? It is precisely because we cannot that Jesus died on the Cross to bring us forgiveness for our shortcomings.

Consider believers in the Bible. Did they have perfect faith? Hebrews mentions Gideon, Barak, Samson and David, all of which showed by their actions that they had anything but perfect faith. Consider also that while God pronounced that Abraham’s faith was accounted to him as righteousness in Genesis 15:6, in the following chapter Abraham committed an act of unbelief by which Ishmael was born. Paul mentioned in Romans 7:15 that he too would sometimes do what he would not do. 1 John 1:8, written to believers, indicates we all still sin. Doesn’t sin indicate we do not have perfect faith and that we do not love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength and mind?

Jesus invites all who labor and are heavy laden to come. It is an open invitation. Would it have been fair of Him to invite those that had no possibility of coming and still invite, “All” to come? Who then are those God has given? Who are those God has called? The simple answer is the “whosoevers” of this world. We don’t have to make it complicated. God said in John 3:16 “whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus), shall have everlasting life.” Does it have to be a perfect faith? Can it be a perfect faith this side of eternity?

Jesus said if we have the faith of a mustard seed we could remove mountains (Matthew 17:20). What bigger mountain is there than our debt to sin? In Mark nine, Jesus honored the faith of a father who said, “I believe, help thou my unbelief.” The point is not the amount of faith, but the object. Ephesians 2:8,9 says, “By Grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast”. Even our faith comes from God, in this Camping is correct. However, He gives it to the “Whosoevers” who will come. Is it wrong to take God at His promise? I come even though my faith is not perfect. He only asks me to receive (John 1:12, I Corinthians 15:1-2). He gives all I need to do so. To believe less is to doubt His Word and that is sin.

Religion or Relationship

 

The popular consensus is that all religions are equal. Each individual is entitled to seek God in his own way. All ways lead to God even when each religion gives Him a different name. It then is seen as prejudice to state that one way is better than another, and that religions other than one’s own will lead to eternal damnation. The truth of the matter is that all religions are not the same.

Consider this fact: the gods named in the various religions are not the same, so how then can the religions be the same? For example some religions maintain there is a personal god, i.e., a god who is a person and has a personality (Christianity, Islam, Judaism) as opposed to a god who is a Force who is present in all of nature (Eastern Mysticism, New Age beliefs). Hinduism has many gods and Humanism purports that Man is his own god. So if all these gods are different, how can the ways to approach them be the same? In some religions man is always trying to appease his god while in other religions man is trying to bring out his godhead from within himself.

If religion is “the recognition of and belief in a superhuman power or powers to whom obedience, reverence, and worship are due (Thorndike and Barnhart Dictionary)” and religious duties are those things an individual does to gain acceptance with this power or powers, how one gains this acceptance is affected by how he or she perceives God to be. In other words, all religions are not the same. Some  religions teach the goodness of all men. Some religions teach strict rules and rituals. Some treligions teach definite principles of right and wrong and still some teach that all is relative with no set principles of right and wrong at all.

True Christianity is different in that it does not follow the definition of religion set above. Where religion is Man’s efforts to reach out to God, Whoever or Whatever that may be, biblical Christianity describes God’s efforts to reach out to Man. Biblical Christianity is a love story. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish have
everlasting life.” God created Man to have fellowship with Himself. But Man has gone his own way resulting in separation from God. The Bible is God’s love letter to us explaining how God is seeking to reconcile with us.

God doesn't desier religion. He wants a relationship with us. He doesn’t require a complicated system of obedience, reverence and worship, He seeks to restore a relationship and obedience, reverence and worship will follow. God never pretends that Man can earn His way back into this relationship. True love is not earned. It is just received. The simple truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is this: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).” This has resulted in separation from God. “But God commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).” This is the reconciliation. Christ died for our sins. He took our place on the Cross of punishment.

This was God’s plan all along. He revealed it long before Christ was born. It is written in Jewish Scripture. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).” In short, God loved us so much that
He sent Jesus to die for our sins. He doesn’t expect us to do anything, but receive. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:12).” The question that comes to each of us is this, "In light of God’s love will you
choose to love God?"