4.  From Belief in the God of the Bible to Trust in the God of the Bible.

I appreciate the conversations we have had so far.  I appreciate your openness.  I have tried to be open as I have thought through the God topic for a long time.  Neither of us have all the answers.  I think you would agree so far it has been a heady conversation.   I am not interested in debating ideas or sharing opinions – or changing opinions!  For me it is a quest for the Truth – and God  - and life! 

Right.

Now we are going to talk about actually becoming a Christian.

Whatever that means.

Right.  Tell me – Give me your summary of our conversations so far.

I thought ideas about truth are defined by our perceptions of it.  So everybody has what works for them - what is true for them.  But that begs the question.  Truth…, reality…, may be discovered.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  But I cannot rule it out.    Truths are physical for sure but can also be moral and ethical.

I would add most – not all-  of those who deny “Ultimate” Truth do so because they want to.  They do not want to live with any authority or restrictions or game plan other than their own.  That is what makes evolution attractive.          What else?

The discovery goes to an honest evaluation of the universe.  Does it look like the result of random acts caused by the Big Bang, or does it look like a finely tuned product of a designer?  If it looks like design, believing in God – a first cause – makes sense.  It seems to me the more scientists learn about biology and astronomy, the more amazed they are and the questions are raised about how things got to where they are.  The Design Argument is getting stronger and stronger. 

And I would add, Reason and Understanding are just as important as faith.  God wants faith to make sense.    The Bible presents the God of faith and the God of creation side by side. 

You have said the Bible, like the sciences, welcomes investigation.  It does not just “lay down the law.”  It contains historical and prophetical “evidences” – almost like it is making a case to be believed and followed!  I say it is an old book written for another culture.  You say it has stories and principles for people of all time.  You say Messiah is the main story line.  The Old Testament foretells His coming and prepares for the time of His coming.  The New Testament tells us about Jesus and explains his teachings.  If all of that is true, it is impressive.  I can understand why people would want to live by a better Way – a better philosophy of life than what others propose.  This is why people become Christian.  I confess, I really do not have a problem with that.

Wonderful!  That brings us to today.  God wants us to know He is more than a Designer – Creator.  He wants us to know that he is more than a Lord worthy of our obedience.  He wants us to know that he is a Savior.  For most of us, that is the tough part.

It sounds like the easy part.  I am mortal.  I will die.  Lord, save me.  Grant me eternal life.  Right?

Maybe.

Maybe!?

He does not want you to wing up a prayer, with good intentions, to get on His good side.  He does want you to begin with repentance and faith and begin a journey.

Sure, I want God to lead me.  The  Bible’s message is that God can be trusted.    I will try to live my life His way and He will take care of me.

Nothing against an earnest attempt to live right in God’s sight.  Let’s back up to the matter of knowing  Jesus as Savior.  What do you need to be saved from? 

From death?  From myself?  From my mistakes?

You are getting warm.   A common response in Jesus’ day would be “to be saved by Rome.”  People tend to prefer the problem to be someone or something else.   The angel said to  Mary, “You shall call his name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.  

OK.

Hold on.  What do you think those sins are?

The things we do that are wrong.

What else?

The things I think that are wrong?

Keep going.   ---   The problem is we are separated from God – thoroughly – beyond what we do, beyond what we think because our nature is seperated from God.  Most people are quite accepting of who they are.  In fact, we are loved, specially made in the Creator’s image -  but are seriously unlike God by nature and unfit for a relationship with Him.  By nature we defend ourselves and pass on the blame.  Instead we need to apologize: tell God we are sorry.

But, I am not.

Why not?  Maybe because you do not appreciate God’s perfection.  It can’t be because you hold yourself in high esteem…

Well, a….  No!

At the very beginning of a life with the God of the Bible is forgiveness.  Recognizing the need and wanting it.

Is not forgiveness just one of many virtues.  We all want to be forgiving and serving and caring and industrious.

We are not talking about what you need to be.  It is what you need to receive.  You, me, we are the offenders.  Jesus came not to show us a moral example but to pay a fine.  Sin requires the sentence of death.  Jesus suffered for the crime – so its paid.

One man for all people.

Because Jesus was from God, His death could cover the penalty of an unlimited number of violaters.  It turns out it covers the guilt of all who want to live with God and believe God.

Can’t people worship the God of the Bibled their own way?

Can’t people come to God His way?  It is not that Scipture is unclear.  I need to see my basic need.  I need to be forgiven.  I need to come to God.

And I come to God by….

Faith.  The cord of relationship that connects my heart with that of God is faith: trust, a dedication deeper than doing good work.  Anyone who believes God, who pledges faith in what God says and faith in what Jesus has done, enters through the gate to God. 

What if I just believe and nothing happens.

That never happens when you truly believe.  Look, anyone can talk the talk or shed an emotional tear and be religious while hanging on to their own will. Sometimes its called a false profession of faith; temporary faith.  Believe me, sin is a difficult thing to confess, and then renounce!  Why do you suppose Christ died to save someone like you?

Because he loves me?

Why?

Just because???

It is because He loves you alright and chooses to engage a relationship with you starting now and for all eternity – but not with you in your present state.

You mean I am not good enough?

Exactly.  Look,  its not, “Get your ticket punched for heaven and then go live a good life.”   It is getting on frequency, being sorry for your sin, asking for forgiveness, believing in Jesus death for our sins and then continuing a life of faith and repentance.

I have not seen a big difference between those who attend church and those who don’t.

I know… Don’t be discouraged.  Better to keep the focus on God’s will and what he is doing and doing in our lives.  I hope people can do that rather than find fault in you and me.

Can I really expect God to somehow work supernaturally in me?

Absolutely.  Not that we live by our feelings and expect an emotional rush.  Not that we can understand the meaning of the events of our lives at the time.  That is not important.  You can know that each day as you trust and obey (rhymes) – practice faith and repentance, receiving God’s Word, God will be transforming you.

I am suppose to believe I become a new person???

…Not like anyone else.  You are one of a kind but you will be somewhat like, and more and more like Jesus Himself.  And not because you are trying to make it happen.  The Holy Spirit in you is credited with that job.  My job is to faithful, obedient, in touch, and desirous of His work in me…through me.

Is that it?

That’s it.  You were made first and foremost….to discover God, willing submit to him, which turns out to be a faith relationship, which leads to transformation in you, transformation of our world through you.  You are one grain of salt.  You are one part of the body of Christ with unique gifts and opportunities.  Believe it.

I do.

Really?

Yes, why not?

Indeed, why not? Jesus said,  “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24

I believe.

Trusting  in the God of the Bible.

Isaiah 55:6,7  Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

John 1:12,13   Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,

John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 2:8-10   For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no-one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

Titus 3:4,5  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.