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Why do you believe?

  • “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

     

         There was a time during a very philosophical conversation with an individual that does not profess to be a Christian asked me the question why do I

    believe in God? I immediately responded because I know God loves me and his son, my Lord and Savior Jesus saved me and because I Love him more

    than anything in this world.


          I have no idea why this person asked me this question but he went on to state that my answer was one of the few that had responded without having

    a close answer to being the same as others. So this striking up my curiosity asked what the most common answer he typically received. He stated most

    people had always said, ‘to go to Heaven’. So in theory, he had come to the conclusion most people believe in God to get something in return so he

    continued to tell me he truly believed I was telling him the truth, thanked me for my answer and went on his way.


          I actually had never thought of this as the reason why I believe in God and sure I would be so blessed when God decides to take me out of this world

    to be allowed to walk with him in Heaven but I am here on this earth and while for the remainder of my time on this earth, I truly want to do what God

    will have me do.


          Sometimes, these things are not what I want to do but in finding this scripture in Romans, I truly believe God does work for the good of those who

    love him and who have been called according to his purpose. When I mentioned my Lord Jesus saved me I was not meaning he ‘saved me’ as what most

    reading this actually may think such as ‘saving me from my sins’. Of course, that is part of it, but I meant it more in a literal sense but I did not elaborate

    it to this individual. For you see, Jesus actually saved me, meaning from the very depths of fear and sadness I have felt for most of my life and for that I

    will be forever thankful.


          I was raised in a Christian home and actually got ‘saved’ when I was 7 years old. My dad being a preacher asked me just a few years ago why I felt

    led to go to the altar that Sunday morning. I guess most people feel convicted is the ‘why’ of getting saved but as for me, I remember very specifically

    the day I went to the altar and the only reason I remember as that small child and still today is because I loved God. That is all I recall I felt that day, I

    just loved God.


          I am far from anyone special or perfect and I have made many mistakes in my life. I have fought with God and I have been angry with God but at

    the end of the day I know God has always been there even when I thought I did not want him there. Today, I know God has a purpose for me and

    because I know he truly loves me unconditionally I will do my very best to love him back and do what he wants me to do. I know I can never love him or

    do for him as he loves and has done for me, but all I can do is my very best. I can honestly say Jesus is my best friend; he helped me more than

    anyone when I was down. He loved me when I could not love myself and will continue to love me always just as he will do for you.


    So now I ask you, why do you believe in God?


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14 comments
  • 3
Linda Darlene Gibson
Linda Darlene Gibson Many thanks to everyone that has responded... It makes my heart smile! :)
April 21, 2017
  • 1
Joe Brown
Joe Brown

I believe in God because of the many times in my life, if it hadn't of been for His love for me and his grace, that I would not be here. I too have made many mistakes and didn't want Him in my life, but He never gave up. I am not here(alive) because of my doing. And Praise Him for that! Thank You, Linda!

 

April 20, 2017
  • 2
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Joe, praise Him!

April 21, 2017
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Linda, again the things you post are just what I need to hear at the moment. I hope you never stop doing what you do. I also remember the day I got saved, I still can tell everyone that I do not know why I went to the alter that morning, I just knew that I had to. It seems to me that when God calls you and you are in a receptive mode, it just happens. God is a loving God and your answer is perfect! You see, I believe because I know that my Redeamer Lives, and I have tried life my way and it did not work. In 1989, He gave me another chance, and I am glad to live His way! 

April 21, 2017
  • 2
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Jim, I believe that as long as we breathe, He is there to give us another chance!

April 21, 2017
  • 3
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

I believe in God because He is my Father and creator. He loves me unconditionally and sent His son, Jesus, to die for me so I could have eternal life in heaven. Thank you for sharing that story Linda. I had varying degrees of closeness to the Lord in my life until I was 30 yrs old when pain drove me to Him to help me through the difficult time. Since then I grow ever close to Him and seek a personal relationship with Jesus. I am grateful for finding RHM and the wonderful church family I have here!

April 21, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

We are truly blessed that you have joined our family, too, Lynn <3!

April 21, 2017
  • 2
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Toddedited: April 21, 2017

There is so much truth here, thank you, Linda! I guess when people are saying that they "believe" so they can go to heaven, they must be thinking of why they choose to follow Jesus. If someone asked me that, I would assume they meant "why do you think He exists?". Not having grown up in church, there are still little phrases I'm not familiar with :).

 

I agree that it does seem strange that people would think that a God who created us for relationship would be happy with people who followed Him for a ticket to heaven. In fact, I remember clearly a time when I was pondering that idea in front of the cafeteria in elementary school (I guess I was odd ;)) and decided I just couldn't be part of such a non-authentic type of relationship. Being just a little kid with no Christian upbringing, it took me years to find that God actually wanted a true, loving relationship with us, from the day we are born, all the way to the end! 

 

So, why do I follow Jesus? There was a preacher that I read once who said that life was good without Jesus, but with Him, life is great! He loves me just as I am, and whenever He corrects me, it's with love and kindness. I think I can accurately say that I've never had a question I cared about that He hasn't been there to answer (there are a lot of questions I don't have the answers to, but He seems to know what's important to me, and what's my business to know - I may or may not get answers to other people's questions ;)). If you have someone in your life who loves you with eternal depth, who sacrificed everything for you, who cares about everything about you, and knows what's best in every single thing, why would anyone not follow who believed the same? 

April 21, 2017
  • 2
Tyler Velau
Tyler Velau

This is a great read and contains real information and shares a personal story with the readers which is something I appreciate. Thank you, Linda for sharing this tale and it brings about the question "Why do you believe?" which is a good one and for some, like me, not an easy one to answer. To me, this is a complicated issue. I was brought up in a non-religious house and raised by non religious parents and even atheist grandparents. There were devout Christians in my family (aunt, uncle and cousins) and I went to church with them a few times and with other people too. But I didn't feel any calling or at home there. I felt as though it wasn't for me. No connections aside from the people I was there with were made. I've always respected God, from what I can remember, though details of that are sketchy. But I have never felt that.... closeness with God that some people have. Even when I tried to go to church recently in the last 2-4 years I still didn't feel...... right there. Felt it was empty, insincere. That was shortly before I discovered RHM and have been a somewhat active member here since, and I am grateful to the Lord for leading me here to this congrigation, to this... church a place of worship that I can really get a sense of realism and truth from. But even though I am quite certain God has saved my life, literally, a couple of times and has done things in my life, I still dont feel....whole....or close. I still feel like something is missing and I have no clue what it is. So "Why do I believe?" is not a question that can be answered easily. But I do think it is more than to simply "Get into Heaven".  It is deeper than that, more involved, but complicated. I haven't been able to sort much of it out yet, but maybe with time and His guidance and aid, I can one day boldly state why I believe and believe in my heart of hearts that it is the truth, my truth and my story that has lead me fully to Him. 

April 21, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Thank you for sharing, Tyler :)! You know, when I first chose Him to be my savior, I didn't initially "feel" any closeness either, not in the way that came later. I can say that I think He had always called to me, but that is not exactly relationship. For me, it was like the little step of faith, much like the invisible bridge you mentioned a while back in the Indy film :). Honestly, I didn't even consider that big of a step, more like "I'm making a choice and let's see how that goes". The journey then, of course, becomes a series of increasing steps of faith :). I suppose it's different for everyone though, and I believe that God will eventually speak in a way that will work for you!

April 23, 2017
  • 1
Tyler Velau
Tyler Velau

Everyone must write their own story, walk their own path wherever that might take them. And each story is different, unique, like snowflakes no two are identical. Some paths may cross or even join others but, in some ways, every path goes its own way. I am writing my story, my journey through this life and its the typical roller coaster that life is for so many of us. Full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and the occasional long straight road through nowhere. But I am slowly learning that I am more passenger than driver, and I hope one day to realize that He, our Lord has been behind the wheel the entire time. But, for the moment, life is like a seedling being planted in the soil, needs water, sunlight and time. Time to grow and develop, time to dig deep in the ground with its roots to find water and nourishment so that it can grow big and strong in the future and bear much fruit. I dont know if I'm in the right place or doing the right things or anything, but I am slowly beginning to trust in Him to take me to where I need to go and to help me find what I need to do. Hope all things are going well with your story, Sylvia. May the Lord bless you and guide you in all things. 

April 23, 2017
  • 2
Tracy Carroll
Tracy Carroll

What a great read & thank you Linda  ;o)  Why do 'I' believe in God?  That's a BIG question!!!  One reason I believe in God is because, never in all of my life have I ever loved myself or found ANY kind of worth or purpose for my being until 1 day, while in a Psych unit, there was a therapy session with a pastor & I went, just out of nothing better to do.  While I sat in that session & listened to other's talk about God, I got very angry & spouted out "Where's GOD for ALL of us in here now" and I stormed out of that session!  Left alone in my room in the psych ward, I sobbed deeply & I began to talk to God out loud & I asked Him all of the WHY's & then that pastor knocked on my door & handed me my first Bible.  I had NO hope, will, life, love, I was empty, I mean EMPTY!!  When I went to bed that night, I said a very lengthy prayer & asked for Salvation, then, I went to sleep & thought nothing more of it.  When I opened my eyes the next morning, I felt 'something' very strange, good, even great, but, strange.  For the 1st time in my life, I felt TRUE JOY!!!  The amazing things I found myself feeling were out of this world & I knew 'it' was God!!  Since that fine day, I have been blessed with SO many positive emotions & happenings in life,,,it was/is a true miracle & today, I love myself, but, God first  :o)

April 22, 2017
  • 2
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembrezaedited: April 22, 2017

Why do I believe in GOD? A question so broad to answer. We were one of the poorest in my counrty (Philippines).  But GOD LOVES US SO MUCH that we did not remain poor forever.  In every step I have, GOD is there with me.  In my younger days, I have commited so much sin against HIM, and yet HE never give up on me.  HE was there along the way with me and my son.  I am a single mother and HE brought us here in CANADA (me and rest of my family).  HE was with me as me and my son( 9 yrs old that time) start a new life. We made it through all the way because HE LOVES US so much.  Everyday I  always give thanks and praise HIM for our TODAY that HE made for us and we will rejoice and be glad in it. And everyday I always tell my son( now 33 yrs old) that GOD LOVES HIM SO MUCH.   Why do I believe in GOD?  Because HE LOVES US ALL SO MUCH 

April 22, 2017
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

That's such a beautiful testimony, Deng, thank you <3!

April 23, 2017