2 Peter 1:16

2 Peter 1:16

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, be we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

As I have been really contemplating the Christian life and the message of the gospel I have to agree that what we believe are not cleverly devised tales by any means. Christianity is ridiculous! Think about it for a second, we believe in a Sovereign God who created everything and He wants to have a personal relationship with each and every man. But this relationship cannot happen because of our sin but when He created us He knew that we would sin so He came up with a plan that would make Him the object of suffering at His own hand! If I was to make up a religion of my own it would not be this! But I can and will attest to the power and coming of Jesus Christ. Christianity stands out in my mind because it is the only religion that is not centered on what we do. Salvation through works is a cornerstone belief of all other religious views. So man in his natural state will immediately pick up on the idea that if we do accept the free gift that is offered then we would be able to live a life of sin without our eternal destination being questioned. Once a person is saved they are sealed into the family and kingdom of God. But Paul addresses this very thing in Romans. We could but may it never be! God wants us to live the abundant life, a life that is focused on two things, God and others. How can we follow a God who was willing to sacrifice Himself on our behalf and not sacrifice ourselves for others? Do You not feel convicted? I know when I think about the truth, the ridiculous truth, I cannot help but be faced with my own horrible selfishness.

I have seen God’s power not only in my life but in the lives of others and I have to admit that part of my faith is based in pragmatism. True Christianity works, Living for God empowers us to be selfless. Our goal as Christians is not to make sense of life but to strive for people to know God in this life. People are always searching for purpose and reasons to exists. Even the atheists come up with some purpose to live. Paul says in Corinthians how foolish the word of God is to those who do not believe. We will be mocked for our standards of sexuality and morality. We will be mocked for opposing homosexuality and for waiting until marriage for sex. We challenge the natural! Challenging the natural can only been seen as absurd to those who do not believe in the supernatural. Why do we deny ourselves the pleasure of the natural? God made men and women to have sex! Why do we as Christians not engage in what feels so right and natural? It is because we have the supernatural in the word of God. I cannot remember what book C.S. Lewis talks about the idea of Christian absurdity but He basically used it as a proof for His faith. Mankind would not have mad this religion and it should not be popular! We are to sacrifice ourselves on this earth to glorify a God and our reward is God! Nirvana is an eternal escape, heaven in Islam is just the selfish pleasures of this earth, Mormonism lets you become God of your own world. Heaven for the Christian in eternity of perfect worship to the One Holy God. Even our heaven is not about us so stop making it out that way! God saves us for His own will! Nothing about being a Christian is about you it is all about God. And God is good. Do you want good in your life? Stop trying to escape the pain of this world, stop searching for comforts, stop living for the pleasures that are so natural and seek God.

I have seen the good that comes from living for God, The joy that is found in people seeing God in my life! That is life! Live in a way that people will know that you are an eyewitness to the power and coming of Jesus Christ our Lord! Stop looking for God and see Him!