In an interesting Wednesday night Bible study on philosophy and ethics tonight, I heard the resounding question that beats in the heart of so many Christians. What do I believe? The Truth Project video quoted a Barna research study that surveyed Americans and their belief systems. According to Barna, only 4% of Americans have a biblical world view, and if you narrow that study to Christians, only 9% have a biblical world view. What do we believe and why is it such a struggle for us to maintain a biblical world view?
What do we believe about the Bible? What do we believe about Jesus? What do we believe about our responsibility to live faithfully to him despite what our government and culture might say to the changing wind? At our core, we struggle with these questions, because they tug at the heart of our free will. If God exists, then I have to either accept that He has power and authority in the world or not. If I accept that He has power and authority in the world, then I have to decide whether I believe in His immutable statutes. If I accept His statutes, then I have to recognize that I don't measure up to them. And, I have to wonder why this is such a difficult task for my free will to obey.
I am sitting here looking down at my 3-month old daughter asking God to help me to live well for her, for her Momma, for Him, and also for me. Tears came to my eyes as I contemplated the depth and seriousness of my calling as a God-follower to live rightly. Can I wholeheartedly serve the God of this universe and go to work each day with the knowledge that I will be tested and often be found wanting? Can I come home each day with the struggle of learning to raise an innocent girl in the grace and knowledge of my Lord? Can I bless and serve my beautiful wife in a way that honors our vows and lifts her up to God as my equal partner? I ponder such things as I think through the daily responsibilities of life.
And yet, there is that resounding question. What do I believe?
I believe in the God of this universe that has captured my heart and my attention with His love and attention to detail. I believe that He maintains the best course for my life and seek to follow it daily. I believe that He gave everything in this world to pursue my love and affection. And, I believe that Jesus, God's son, is my saving grace.
With that in mind, I suppose the rest will be quite simple. I choose to live rightly, because at my core I am a reflection of God's image and His love for humanity. I choose to respond kindly to others, because it bears the mark of Christ. I choose to seek appropriate counsel in tough decisions, because true wisdom comes from God. And, I choose to honor God with my family, because there is no better measure of stewardship than your closest and dearest affections.
The question then goes to you. What do you believe? Your actions will reflect those beliefs.
What do we believe about the Bible? What do we believe about Jesus? What do we believe about our responsibility to live faithfully to him despite what our government and culture might say to the changing wind? At our core, we struggle with these questions, because they tug at the heart of our free will. If God exists, then I have to either accept that He has power and authority in the world or not. If I accept that He has power and authority in the world, then I have to decide whether I believe in His immutable statutes. If I accept His statutes, then I have to recognize that I don't measure up to them. And, I have to wonder why this is such a difficult task for my free will to obey.
I am sitting here looking down at my 3-month old daughter asking God to help me to live well for her, for her Momma, for Him, and also for me. Tears came to my eyes as I contemplated the depth and seriousness of my calling as a God-follower to live rightly. Can I wholeheartedly serve the God of this universe and go to work each day with the knowledge that I will be tested and often be found wanting? Can I come home each day with the struggle of learning to raise an innocent girl in the grace and knowledge of my Lord? Can I bless and serve my beautiful wife in a way that honors our vows and lifts her up to God as my equal partner? I ponder such things as I think through the daily responsibilities of life.
And yet, there is that resounding question. What do I believe?
I believe in the God of this universe that has captured my heart and my attention with His love and attention to detail. I believe that He maintains the best course for my life and seek to follow it daily. I believe that He gave everything in this world to pursue my love and affection. And, I believe that Jesus, God's son, is my saving grace.
With that in mind, I suppose the rest will be quite simple. I choose to live rightly, because at my core I am a reflection of God's image and His love for humanity. I choose to respond kindly to others, because it bears the mark of Christ. I choose to seek appropriate counsel in tough decisions, because true wisdom comes from God. And, I choose to honor God with my family, because there is no better measure of stewardship than your closest and dearest affections.
The question then goes to you. What do you believe? Your actions will reflect those beliefs.
