For me, I always think about the end result. When I build something, I think about what it should look like, (having a plan) before I start the process of construction. I also ask lots of questions to get to the heart of a matter. It’s the old who, what, where, why, when, and how series that seem to get the information I need about a matter. Well, the same is true about our faith. What is the end result of believing in God? Is it only to grow in the knowledge of God, or is there more to the process of faith? I think the end result is twofold:
1. Continually grow in loving God.
2. Continually grow in loving others.
Growing in loving God is a personal pursuit of God that is always in play, but loving others takes on a significant task we often call ministry. For example, most Christians spend time with other Christians, which makes perfect sense because like-mindedness begets like-mindedness. Yet, loving others also includes people outside of the fold of belief. In fact, we should develop more time and energy toward non-Christians as we do toward Christians. The problem is that most of us are weak in knowing how to develop non-Christian relationships. Often, it is awkward around people who do not share the same values as we do, and so we avoid spending too much time in those relationships. Yet, the Bible calls us a Kingdom of priests, and priests are the messengers of what God wants people to know and practice. Often, we define this priesthood of believers as only functional in the Church, but I would propose to you that it probably is more appropriate to be a priest in those relationships where there is no faith. A priest is the person between God and His audience that He most likely wants to address. So, the big question is always … where do you start? There are many ways this can be accomplished and many techniques one can learn, but let me share what I call, the story of God for the unconvinced. I don’t want you to think this is like the four spiritual laws, because it is not. It is a framework by which you can explain who the God of the Bible is in five easy points. Here are five descriptions of the God in the Bible:
1. He wants no one to perish. (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. Others will say to use the word perish instead of destroying, but the thought is the same. God is not about the destruction of a person … He is in the business of saving. Jesus told us this in John 3:17. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. God is about giving life and not creating death for anyone.
2. He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. (Ezekiel 18:23) Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. Again, the God of the Bible does not want people to fail to know about Him. His promises are forever, and no one needs to fail in receiving them, but we must be open to accepting them.
3. He is gracious, full of mercy, and compassionate. (Psalm 145:8-9) The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. God’s characteristics are what we would expect when we want to be loved. He is gracious, He is merciful, always offering beyond measure. The God of the Bible is a God who offers you His best, He is never mediocre, slow to show you love, or indifferent when it comes to you.
4. He has made everlasting promises to us. (John 14:1-3) Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in My Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am. God wants you to live with Him forever, which is His pleasure, but it is up to you to decide if you want to live with Him forever. God will always give you the choice, He has made the offer of His promise and offers you the choice to make.
5. He offers you His forgiveness for your sin. (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Here is the greatest statement ever made to mankind. Nothing has ever had more power or more promise than this statement. No other religion on earth can stand up to this statement … it shows the mercy and compassion of a God who is willing to give you His best. Nothing can match this God who is described in the Bible.
There it is, a revealing of the God of the Bible. Everything God has done or is doing is for you to come and trust in Him. That is why the angels in heaven rejoice beyond measure when someone on earth takes God at His word and accepts Him as Lord and Savior.
This little exercise is a non-religious way to showcase who God is and start a conversation about the character of God.
Challenging the Culture with Truth … Larry Kutzler
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