So my LifeGroup started The Case for Christ yesterday... a book examining what we believe, why we believe it, and whether we can ever really prove it factually. I think it's always good to ask questions and to be prepared to defend our faith and explain why we believe. But for me (and maybe it's a woman thing - because Lee Strobel's wife seemed to feel the same way), it is something that can't be fully explained or proven -- that's where faith comes in -- and the main way we can KNOW that what we believe is true, in my opinion, is through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I get it that saying "it's just a feeling and I know it in my spirit" will not convince most unbelievers to be saved. But in my opinion, giving them a fact sheet about the historical accuracy of my favorite book won't suddenly convince them either. The body of Christ walking in love, telling them what is on our heart, showing them by example how Jesus has transformed our lives, and making it clear that we believe Jesus loves them deeply and cares about every detail of every day of their lives -- that is what people need to see and hear. Sure, there are some arrogant, over-intellectual thinkers who would love nothing more than to debate a Christian and try to trip them up or prove the Bible false... but those people are not typically seeking the truth so much as they're seeking to discredit anyone "naiive enough" to live by faith. They are living by their mind and what they can fully prove, very detached from their heart, which is where the Holy Spirit speaks to us... which is tragic. But the best thing we can do there is to walk in love and pray that the eyes of their heart will be opened.
Okay, I'm jumping around, but I'm finally getting to my point here (and again, this dissection idea came from John Eldredge's Desire). We can learn all sorts of things about the anatomy of a cat when we put it on the table to dissect it. Anything we want to know about the cat's muscles, bones, heart, weight, how the internal organs all work and fit together, etc. What we won't know, what is obviously missing, is the LIFE -- the hilariously snobby but lovable little personality and the little quirks and funny stories that make it actually mean something to us.
That, SADLY, is what many people do with God - make Him a list of facts and rules and information, sucking the life and heart and passion right out of Christianity. Sure, I can tell you several facts about God -- God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and unchanging. There. Now don't you feel closer to Him??
OR, I can tell you from the depths of my heart that the God I know and love is loving and faithful. He created everything you see, and He loves every person with an undying passion! He desires for each of us to really KNOW Him and be close to Him, but the choice is ours to make. He is forgiving and patient, and He will not ever abandon or reject those who believe in Him. His love has changed my heart and transformed the way I live and what I consider valuable. He gives me peace and comfort when I'm going through hard times, and strength and power when I'm afraid to step out. Jesus was a very real person who lived a powerful life and then died and rose from the grave. I know this to be true because I've spoken with Him, and I can personally promise you that He is everything He claims to be. When you choose to trust Him and make Him your Lord, it will change your life in more ways than you can imagine. Some days, it will be hard, but knowing Him is worth any sacrifice! The greatest part is, because He already conquered death itself, when I die, I get to be with Him forever!!! He is preparing a place for me in heaven that is beyond anything in my wildest imagination. I do not always represent Him well, and I'm genuinely sorry for that. But His Spirit is with me and helping me to think and live the right way, leading me and showing me the truth. There is another spiritual force, the devil, who is working hard every day to kill and destroy everything that God loves, including me and you. He (Satan) is the source of all the evil and suffering in our world today, but please know that God takes it seriously when someone messes with His children. He is a holy and righteous judge, He WILL get the last word, and you can rest assured that He sees everything including our motives and thoughts, and He will bring full justice in eternity!!
Now, I can say without hesitation or doubt that I firmly believe "All Scripture is inspired by God" and "every word out of the mouth of God proves true," that there are NO "gray areas" in the Bible. For any number of reasons (the main one being that Christians don't represent Christ well), people can and do convince themselves that Christianity is a total fraud. But try as they might, God's Word has never been (and will never be) proven wrong. For those who are truly seeking with all their heart to find TRUTH, for those who are hurting and seeking unfailing love, they will certainly find it in the HEART and stories found in the Word of God -- not a boring book filled with historical facts and information -- but a powerful and life-changing book which is, indeed, "full of LIVING power!"
...Amen! =)
Preach it sister!!! That was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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