What I Believe

One of the benefits of this blog is...  I talk so much more about God and Christ to those around me.  And, while I know not everyone believes the same that I do, what I love is that we are able to have really great conversations. 

During one such conversation recently, I found myself rambling on about what I believe and why I believe it.  And I realized, I don't have a good answer.  See, as a Christian, I would love to be able to answer, in a few sentences, why I believe in Christ.  If I ramble on for 10 minutes, I will likely lose the people I am so trying to share God's Word with.

So, bare with me as I think this out through this blog.  I promise to try to come up with the few sentences by the end.  So, if you would rather skip to the end, please do so :).

What I believe:

1.  I believe that God created EVERYTHING (Genesis 1:1-31)
Even as a person of Science, I believe that God created EVERYTHING.  And, let's say that I believe in the Big Bang Theory - that a bunch of gases happened to be in the same place in the atmosphere at the same time and caused a combustion that created the planets, here's my question - who put all of those gases there??  

For some reason, it is easier to believe in Primordial Soup and Evolution than Creation.  That a little amoeba came out of the water, morphed, and became an insect, animal, person, etc.  

Let's say both seem far fetched.  So, it's up to us to make our own choice.

2.  I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent down to Earth to SAVE EACH of US 
John 3:16 (GNB) - For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life

When you read the old testament, the way that God forgave those for their sins was for them to offer a sacrifice in repentance for their sins.  Let's take it one step further.  In Genesis 22:1-13, God asks Abraham if he is willing to sacrifice Isaac, his only son from Sarah, the one God promised to make his descendants as many as the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5).  

I believe that - and I believe that this was foreboding of the very fact that God, would send down His Only Son, as the perfect sacrifice - to end all living sacrifices - and to allow for each person who believes in Him to have eternal life in Heaven.

3.  I believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus

I think this is one of the toughest ones for us to really believe in.  So, you're telling me, that a woman who never "knew" a man on Earth, found out from an Angel that she was pregnant with the Son of God.  And, Joseph, who knew he didn't "know her" that way, stayed with her believing this whole story... 

I know it might sound weird, but I do believe that.  So, if I believe that there is a God that can create EVERYTHING from nothing, why would it be so hard for me to believe that he put a child in Mary's womb.  I believe that He created each of my children - the three with us and the two in Heaven.  He did that.  So, why couldn't He put Jesus in Mary's womb.  Seems pretty easy to believe now.

And, Jesus needed to be perfect.  The Only One that would EVER be perfect on Earth.

Why?

4.  I believe that there is NOTHING we can do on this Earth to "earn" our way into Heaven

John 14:6 (GNB):  Jesus answered him, "I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life; no one goes to The Father except by me."

What I mean by what I wrote is that, I can't donate enough, pray enough, do enough good works to EARN my way into Heaven.  Jesus paid that price for me.  For each and every person, individually, who believes in Him.  

That's the sticking point of being a Christian versus being of other faiths.  I believe in Christ - all the parts of Him.  How He came into this world, what He did when He was here, and where He sits now, at the right hand of the Father, waiting for the day when He will come back.

So, here's the last part...  Why do bad things happen?

5.  I believe that God is in control and there is a purpose.

Please let me explain, because that is a tough one to put into one sentence.  Here is an example:

Let's say a child has a rare disease, and the doctors cannot save the child.  That is awful.  And, that child's parents are a mess.  The entire family is a mess.  Why couldn't that baby be saved?  Where was God?

I believe that there has to be a purpose in everything.  Again, these are just my beliefs.  It helps me to make order in this world of chaos.  So, here is what I believe.

What if your child had that same disease?  And, what if that doctor who couldn't save the other child, learned something that allowed him to try something new that saved your child?  

See, I've written before that I believe that we are all here for a purpose.  I believe that before I was born, God knew me, and knew the number of days I am for this Earth - until the day He calls me home.  So, I have that number of days to learn, grow, develop, and prepare for His purpose.  And, then it will be my time to go home.  And, I have no idea when that will be, or what my purpose is.

I was reading a book that recounted a story about a man who was drowning.  There were people on the beach praying for his safety.  When he was brought to the beach and revived, some people were praising God and were sharing how God is faithful.  Someone on the beach reminded everyone - even if we weren't able to save that man, God is still always faithful.  

It's a lot to think about. And, these are just my views.  It's a way for me to somewhat "justify" what I deem to be unjustifiable.  Who am I to justify anyway???  That being said, it is my way to say - "Ok, God.  I know you are at work here.  And, while I do not see the purpose in this, I know You have one. So, I will remain faithful."

IN SUMMARY (For those of you who skipped to the end - this is it):

I believe that God created EVERYTHING.  

I believe that God sent His Only Son to Earth to save each one of us 

I believe that if God can create EVERYTHING, including my child, He could put Jesus in Mary's womb - just like He put my children in mine.

I believe that I cannot "earn" my way into Heaven - that is what Jesus did for me

And, while bad things happen, I do believe God has a purpose.  And, something beautiful will come out of that bad - we just need to keep our eyes open to see it.

And, let's say I was still questioning what I believed.  Here are my thoughts.  I would much rather go through life believing in God & Jesus and find out on my deathbed that I was wrong than the opposite.