01/13/2021
Are you a disbeliever in spiritual things? Do you shun God, and Jesus Christ? Do you lash out at those who do believe in them, and who lead lives of faith? I often asked myself why atheists were not satisfied with simply not believing, but had to enter into a personal war against faith, and people who did believe. Then in the midst of prayer I had an epiphany... their disbelief was fueled by a sense of unworthiness, and the feeling that they could never live a sin free life as God asked; so they struck out at that thing which they felt they couldn’t achieve. The sad truth is that they had no personal hope, or understanding of God’s mercy, and His grace that flows to them through Jesus.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
Men and women living in a physical world, tend to think that they must survive by their own doing. They feel that they must hunt, fish, farm, ranch, or otherwise provide for themselves, and make their own way in the world. They can’t imagine how God could not only exist, but that He could possibly love and provide for them. Yet, when they reach the bounds of their own provision, and understanding, a seed of faith germinates within them. In His ultimate wisdom God planted some spiritual seeds in mankind when He created us... he gave us such seeds as faith, and love. Faith in particular can be seen in the fact that no people, society, or tribe exists anywhere in the world without some god, or spiritual faith that they have come to believe in, or worship. Even when an unknown people are discovered deep in a remote jungle, they worship something. The seed of faith that was planted in them is attempting to grow, even when it hasn’t been exposed to the light that is Jesus.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—”
Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV
So atheists and disbelievers feel that they must stand alone, and that the God of Abraham, and His Son Jesus Christ are far away from them... unreachable in their minds eye. In fact that notion is somewhat true because we can’t reach God on our own, but the wonderful thing is that He loves us, and mercifully reaches out to us; extending His grace to bridge the gap of sin that we can’t cross on our own. Once realized as true, His grace destroys the feeling of their unworthiness and the hopelessness that exists without Him; it germinates the love in those who were once filled with hatred towards Him whom they felt was beyond them.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility”
Ephesians 2:13-14 ESV
As believers we have all heard the stories of people coming to God through Jesus Christ who were once ardent disbelievers, and even enemies of Christ; some, who like the Apostle Paul, had even helped put Christians to death. None of these conversions came as the result of those men and women finding God on their own, but of God’s amazing grace, and by His love, having reached out to them.
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:16-17 ESV
As Christians we are sent into the world to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and focus His light on the seed of faith that lays dormant in those who are in the dark. We are meant to illuminate the grace of God that flows through Christ, and uncover the seeds of hope, love, and faith, so that they might grow as they should. Are we ready to uncover the seeds in those around us?
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
Mark 16:15 ESV
Furthermore, we are also meant to show mercy towards those who have heard, but don’t yet believe. By our efforts towards them through prayer, and by providing a constant gospel reminder, we are to hate, and fear, their sin, but boldly reach out to the sinner ensnared by it... describing God’s love, mercy, and grace as our lives bring hope where there was none.
“And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”
Jude 1:22-23 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the mercy and grace by which you reach out to us, and the germination of hope, and faith we receive from the implement of your love... Jesus Christ. Help us Father to stand before all nations and teach your Word, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Give us courage to face the disbelievers who lash out at us because of our faith, and who would do us harm just as they did our Lord Jesus. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us, and who has made provision for our redemption by your mercy and grace, even before the world was formed. Praised be your name for sending your Son Jesus Christ to live, suffer, die, and be resurrected, that we might be saved, transformed, and have eternal life. Blessed are you Lord for providing us hope where we once had none, and making faith to spring in abundance from the tiny seed you implanted in us long ago. By our belief we pray that you are glorified, and that your name be raised forever above all names. Wash us clean of the sun that we once bore. Let the blood of your Son Jesus cleanse us, and purify us... making us acceptable before you on the day of our judgement. Seat us at your table Father, and give us life everlasting as we worship you and love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Hear our voices as we sing the psalms of old to you our Father, and let new songs of Christ’s victory over the world spring forth from within us in joy and adoration for you forever.
““If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.”
John 15:18-21 ESV
Rich Forbes