Christianity: Why I Feel It's True.
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MY CONFESSION
I'm a Christian because I've tried to live my life without God and it doesn't work.
I'm a Christian because in my heart, I feel God's presence, guidance, love, and discipline.
I'm a Christian because coming to faith in the LORD JESUS, actively seeking His will, and wanting to learn from Him as an apprentice has changed my life!
This is all true and I'm living with Him the best I can. But I'm striving for more!
A BRIEF BACKGROUND
Too often, I dismissed the hand of God; completely ignoring His convictions or obeying His ways. The truth is, I'm still broken and always will be.
Not until the day of complete redemption and restoration, as promised through our LORD JESUS, will I be the full person God created from the beginning of time. The lessons I've learned have sometimes been painful, branding me with scars for life. But I needed to learn them. In fact, I'm still learning.
What I don't want to say is this: Since I've placed my trust for eternal salvation in Jesus Christ doesn't mean I have it all together; because I don't.
My road to sanctification is littered with the garbage of my past.
For this I was once ashamed and insecure. But because of Christ, I am now redeemed.
The devil licks his chops (if he even has them) at our shame and insecurity. God wants us to stockpile our trashed-up burdens right where they belong: at the foot of the cross. He wants His son, Jesus, to carry them for us.
I'm a Christian because I'M INCAPABLE of controlling the multitude of sin my heart is capable of. I NEED HELP!
THE PROOF
I can't recall when I heard the following quote, but it's meaning reverberates with truth. Allow me to paraphrase.
"The greatest evidence of the power of God is a changed life." -- (Source unknown)
How true is that? Complete and unalterable.
Before coming to faith in Christ, I was somewhat of a rebel. Not a complete hoodlum constantly dodging authority, but enough of one to give my parents a few restless nights.
I played loud electric guitars, hung out with a few of the "wrong" crowd, dabbled in things I shouldn't have, viewed people in selfish ways, spoke in diminutive language, etc...
The miraculous thing was God was ALWAYS AT WORK with me. I was the clueless one.
Lovingly waiting in the middle of my youthful shenanigans, God was flooding me with common grace while I ignorantly let it flow downstream. For this I am powerfully humbled and eternally indebted.
The power of His grace is insurmountable. The purpose of His will unfathomable.
I'm a Christian because I've tried to live my life without God and it doesn't work.
Looking back, I have a deep reverence for the immutable sovereignty of God. You CANNOT escape it. When He puts His stamp on you, there's no ink remover.
We may try. But the results are typically smeared.
THE FRUIT
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.... (no law basically refers to the Christian not being deterred by man-made law, rather the fear of God)
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5: 22,25 (NASB)
These are some of the most quoted verses in scripture and for good reason: They are the fruit (what others see in us and what we see in ourselves) of the true believer.
Our fruit is something tangible, desirable, and fulfilling.
Often, non-believers will notice the fruit and ask for direction.
"Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words." St. Augustine
I didn't have these things before Christ, nor do I have them all now... some, yes...all, no.
The difference is how I long for them ALL. This is the road to sanctification
- A considerable desire to read His word on a daily basis.
- A desire to want to make a difference in people's lives.
- A desire to pray and develop my relationship with Christ.
- A desire to worship in a way acceptable to God.
- A desire to give back.
- A desire to love my wife with every part of my being.
- A desire to love my children and give them the "food" they need.
- A desire to plant my faith in others.
- A desire to do good work wherever planted...
These are the fruitful desires of my heart... I still have far to go...Only with the Spirit indwelling us can these desires come full circle. Our hearts are too sinful by themselves...
A BRIEF ANALOGY:
A different way to picture this is the analogy of the fence.
On one side of the fence there's green pasture, clean air, and a warm sense of acceptance. On the other side, however, rests pain, abandonment, suffering, and rejection... There is, though, a delicious meal sitting in the midst of the brokenness.
The meal is sin; a temporal pleasure in a broken place. Sure it will taste good for a short time, but that's it; no more. So we continue to go back, and back, and back...
It's as though God is telling us, why do you want all the bad stuff hitching along with the tempting steak and cake.
It's not worth it. Why do you choose the brokenness?
The bedrock reality is this: Christianity offers me, the broken one who longs for the steak, to eat it yet still come to the other side of the fence where His grace and mercy will keep me (and you).
Greener pastures are waiting. Once we're there, we super glue our placemats.
I'm a Christian because I've tried to live my life without God and it doesn't work!
Period!
A Concluding Thought...
One of the greatest proofs of my faith rests on the fact that even if I'm wrong, and hypothetically there is no god, my conscience is at peace.
Peace knowing I tried to live my life to an ideal fitting for myself and those I interact with.
"Cease striving and know that I am God;" Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
God designed us to have rest. Rest from the burdens of life. Rest in Him. That's where I'd like to be.
It's a tough road pit-marked with obstacles and trials. I try to stay calm, not listen to the negative thoughts that creep into head, and wait... wait for the rest.
"Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS." Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)
This is kingdom rest! Rest the way God designed you, me, and everyone to experience. It's free! It's UNBINDING!
IN FINALE:
By nature, I'm a bit of a gambler. But when it comes to eternity, I'm not gambling. I'm putting my trust in God with all my heart. And allowing Him who is who He says He is, simply: I AM... to guide me.
That's all.
This has been put on my heart to tell. You don't have to believe... I'm not a judge, nor do I wish to throw stones. To do so goes against the essence of God Himself.
For me, no other faith offers true rest like Christianity.
This is not meant to be derogatory. Every person has the right to worship the way their heart moves them.
It's my responsibility as a Christian to offer my testimony and be ready to defend it.
Being a thoughful apprentice of Christ demands such wisdom and winsomeness.
Blessings,
RJ
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Comments
Sorry bout that my computer has a free will & it apparently was time for an update. Midsentence no less. To reiterate Good Hub on a difficult subject as Christianity is a tough nut to crack. You are so right that the power is something that can be witnessed in the changing of a life. With radical religion on the upswing it is good to affirm our belief and take an inventory of our soul. Most if not all social ills in America can be traced to the straying of Christian values. This is problematic from a Christian standpoint for the obvious reasons, but more problematic for our nation which is founded on Christian ideals. The farther we as a nation remove ourselves from our core belief in christianity, the more problems we will experience. Prayer is almost illegal outside of church, In God We Trust is threatened to be removed from our money. All this to appease people of non-christian religions who will hate us no matter how much we try to appease them. In my opinion it is better to stand rigid like an Oak even if we snap, than to bend in the breeze of change like the Willow.
Good hub, Rob.
God, however we picture him, is the beginning of everything. I believe his love shines on all of his children. Whether or not we choose to receive it is up to us because he gave us free will.
We, as humans are a mess! If we were perfect, we wouldn't be here we would be complete and we would reside in a perfect place near to Him. We are here to learn and perfect our souls. We may never be perfected, but we're working on it!
What I don't believe in in hell or the awful devil. The loving God that I believe in is above creating us to punish us! We punish ourselves by not doing the right thing; we know in our heart when we are doing the wrong thing. Like any good parent, God watches our mistakes and lets us learn from them. There certainly is evil in the world, and people with evil in their hearts; there isn't much doubt about that! How we each see evil and the choices we make about it is up to us.
I believe in lots of other things that I won't go into here, but I am a Christian. God sent his son to speak to us. If he sent him again today, it would probably end up the same way as it did over two thousand years ago. I find that incredibly sad.
If any of us is in the mood to pray, please say a prayer for our friend Countrywomen's friend whose husband was killed in a bombing in Inda. He left behind a wife and children.
Also, I have met a very nice lady online on "professorshouse.com" who is losing the only family member she has left, to cancer. She is caring for her dying sister and could use some help and the strength to get through this time and the grieving process, as well.
Thanks for listening and thank you for sharing with us, Rob.
Here is a poem I wrote 13 yeasrs ago. It is simply a tesimony of my life put into a poem of how far I have come since 13 years ago:
LIFE'S ENDThere was this road I walked down entitled: LIFE'S END: It branched off in two separate directions. Right was SELF and Left was JESUS. I wanted to first try the JESUS Path because I thought it would be easier than the SELF Path. The JESUS Path led me to pot holes and obstacles. A sign read: HAVE FAITH: It was my only guide. How could Jesus have let His path get so unkempt? It got so bad in fact, that I lost the rest of the trail. So in discouragement I turned around and headed back to the path known as SELF. I didn't stay long enough to notice the Man who stood near where the path started back up again. If only I'd of stayed. He would have shown me the rest of the way. " I love you, " He whispered, as tears ran down from His eyes.On the Path of SELF, it was so pretty and well kept up. I got so engulfed in it that I didn't notice the drop-off. I fell, landing in vines full of thorns. They pierced into my flesh. Shriveled and ugly they were as they held me in their grip. I was in a ravine and couldn't get back up. I cried out in anquish then, and the Lord heard my cry. A warm, soft breeze then blew causing a tree limb to fall to me. I was able to grab hold and climb right out. I went back to the JESUS Path just as fast as my feet would allow. As I walked upon it's old familiar way, I felt a new peace upon my heart. I was able to find this time, where the rest of the path continued. At first I walked upon dirt, but soon it turned to gold. Jesus stood before me then, and He opened His arms wide. He was lovelier than that Path SELF'S fake serenity had ever been. And Jesus walked me home.
Thank you for your comment. Small world: My family (al of my immediate family) recently relocated to Kansas City. I lived there for a few months this summer before moving out to Mass. We are all originally from TX. I just thought that was a funny tie. Have a good day!
Rob, good hub. Testimonies are powerfu. thumbs up ~ eddie
Good article mate
Well God be with you all..and yes we are here to learn obey and trust..one another and in God...When we sin we know we do..when we are dishonest ..we know we are..we are only fools to ourselvs...
Prayer and trust and caring from the heart is what counts...Money...goods..cars,...houses...clothes...it doesn't matter..it just doesn't matter..you can not take it with you..it doesn't make you happy..it is the root of all evil( Money) not saying the way things are set up we don't need it..but share it and be glad you are able to earn it..afford what you need...and is always fun to desire more..but in reality..you need GOD...and trust in yourself...without that there is no Need...God Bless...G-ma :O) HUGS
yes rj...the vast number of christians causes one to want to jump onto the band wagon too, so to speak...but i have questions concerning some of your statements, and i'm afraid to ask them because in the past when i questioned a christian it seems that, more often than not, i was scolded for having a question regarding the matter...is it taboo to have questions...are questions "off limits" regarding the christian belief...???
Wow, I must say I'm a bit humbled by all the positive comments. So to all of you, collectively, a big thank you!
Just so I don't slight anyone, here's a big shout out for Penman, Hoot, Madison, Sciantel, J Leigh, Eddie, Jacob, & Grandma J. You are all a blessing to me and the faith.
Sciantel: I loved your testimony.
And to the most recent comment from commonsense, I welcome any question you may have. Keep in mind I'm not a theologian and most of my faith has been forged through life and trial. I'd love to openly discuss your questions and please do not feel threatened. I will not throw any stones. That's not my job!
Thank you all once again!
Rob, great hub. Thanks for writing it. I admire that you tell your testamony is such a great way. Why Christianity means to me I can sum up in one word: Everything. It's the way l live now in this life, it's the way I will live after I die, it's my life, it's my happiness, it's my comfort, it's everything. There are no words I can think of to sum it up. It's beyond words.
You said that god wanted us to stockpile our trashed-up burdens at the foot of Jesus’ cross…I’m wondering where did he desired Socrates, Homer and all the rest of those wonderful Greeks to stockpile theirs…trashed-up burdens that is? Because, obviously there was no symbolic cross at that time…
Commonsense: That's one of the best theological debates of all time and an excellent question.
In order to do this justice will probably take an entire hub. But it can be done.
Allow me some time to write something up and publish it in this forum.
Hopefully, I can supply an integral answer.
Thanks again for reading.
Well done Rob and thanks for sharing. I appreciate your honesty, transparency and love for Him. I loved Sciantel's contribution and am blessed by her sharing that as well.
now rob, that kind of rethoric is what i'm talking about...i'm not fishing for compiments on my question...like i said before, i think i wanna jump on your ban wagon, but when i try to go through the wagon's door i see so many holes in the floor that i don't believe i can get aboard without falling through one of 'em...i just asked a simplke question and i get a stand off...oh well...i guess thats par for the course...
Rob,
I am positive that this writing has made you feel good in spirit. It is truly all about The Love. Great to read this and see that your faith keeps you going. You are blessed by knowing, good for you and Thanks for sharing. C.S.
Dear Rob,
It is very well expressed and you did not hide anything but poured out every fibre of your being. Well done, my friend. I am glad to see Christians coming in and agreeing with you that the Lord Jesus is the only way to go.
God bless.
Thank you for writing this Hub. While I am not of a religious faith myself, I enjoy reading about others and their own faiths because I had tried to seek my own place in a world of religions and beliefs, and would go to church all the time with friends and family in order to find it. I'm still not sure it's for me, but reading about your journey was great nonetheless. I'm glad it has brought you such happiness.
Once again a big thank you to all for leaving such encouraging comments. It is one of the purposes of the church to lift up the family of believers. I feel there is a growing family here! I appreciate everybody!
glassvisage: your journey is probably not unlike my own when I was your age. This is true. I grew up in a highly-legalist religious tradition that left me empty.
Only by God's unwavering grace am I where I am today. (And I still have a long way to go). The only advice I can give is this: Stay open to the faith and do not allow yourself to become so calloused that the message will eventually bounce off.
God's timing is NOT our timing. His ways are NOT our ways. The one promise in scripture that ALWAYS rings true for me is this: If you seek God with all you heart, He WILL find you! That's a promise I Know to be solid, solid, solid!
Blessings to you!
You are a real person, humble in Spirit! God is using you in a mighty way!! You are already a blessing to me through your Hubs. I am honored to be your friend and Fan!!!!! I am crying because I feel you. It's really a blessing to know REAL PEOPLE!! Thank you, your sister in CHRIST!! Keep on writing, letting the spirit flow through YOU!
Hi Rob, your spirit and love for Jesus and God shines through this hub. What a lovely way to know your heart. Thank you for the words of inspiration. Yes, in one way or the other, we would try to live without a God and so what a wondrous moment of revelation when we recognize that we can't. And our life is never the same. Keep sharing your light. Blessings be upon you. :)
Great hub page; an even greater witness for His Glory; I look forward to reading more of your pages.
--Joe Breunig
The Beauty of Spritituality is constant. No one no where has ever proven believing in Kingdom Principles is a bad choice for living in the flesh.
Thank you for this hub Rob.
Thank you all for your continued faith! How we look forward to redemption day! Praise be to the ONLY GOD, the father of THE SAVIOR: JESUS!!
THat is one of the most touching hubs that I've read since I joined. I also am christian and I hope that you will continue to publish hubs about faith and salvation and of course JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are many kinds of religion and they are calling themselves christian but to be specific I a believer of catholic faith.
...pls provide scripture in any monotheistic writing that defines this god thing factually. If you cannot, you are but guessing and hoping. To base a "belief" (assured reliance on the character, strength or truth of someone or something) on guess and hope, is absurd.
Snoopy... thanks for stopping by. Tell your dad to get to writing LOL!
Ladyvenus: To call yourself Catholic is to be a Christian. Although the tenets may be different, the One True God is the same.
Qwark: To begin with, I appreciate you taking the time to read what is obviously an alternative view for you. I have read your hubs and know where you stand. Personally, we all are allowed to think for ourselves and I am not the type to attempt to sway any other person toward a faith or belief they are not open to, unless so prompted. Faith is just that: Belief in something that you physically cannot see or touch, but can feel. You are where you are and I am where I am. So the best I can say is that we will agree to disagree. I do wish you all the best in your endeavors as it is obvious you have the gift of analysis and deep-thought. That's really all I have. Thanks again for commenting on this hub.
Bless you Rob.
PenmanZee says:
15 months ago
You have presented your case for the faith very well Rob and you are right, the proof that Christianity works is a changed life. People beat up on Christians forgetting that these same Christians probably used to beat up on Christians. Our very own Paul the Apostle is evidence ot the change that can take place and testifies to the power of our faith.
Obviously we are a work in progress since not everything changes in an instant but as long as we stick with the journey, we will enjoy the peace that comes from knowing the one we have chosen to follow. Thanks again Rob.