II Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
To many, the life and death of our Savior Jesus Christ is an elaborate ruse, a story to rehearse at Christmas and Easter, a fable to instill in our children in hopes it will produce some good. I am currently in a discussion on Facebook with an atheist who made this statement concerning the difference between our beliefs.
He said, “My belief is based on facts and science, yours is based on faith.” The implication is that faith is inferior to fact and simply resides on oral history of traditions and myths – fables. What my partner doesn’t understand is his facts have changed over time while the facts which underpin my faith have not.
Early in history, the earth was flat. That was considered fact. When someone debunked that fact and called the earth round, he was considered a heretic and crazy. Yet, the fact changed and we now believe the earth to be round. Unfortunately, that immutable fact is changing once again as some are beginning to promote the earth as flat again. I can’t wait to see their eyes when Jesus coming back with the New Heaven and the New Earth!
But what evidence do we have as Christians that we are not lead by fables or tales? Here are just a few facts I’d like to leave with you. It would take me all of eternity to list all the facts.
Fact: I am loved by God. He dances, sings and rejoices over me.
Fact: Jesus was born, died and rose again. His resurrection was seen by hundreds of witnesses. The power of His resurrection opened the graves of many who proceeded into the town of Jerusalem and showed themselves to many.
Fact: I am in Christ, therefore, I am a new creation, old things have passed away, all things have become new.
Fact: I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. All my sins have been washed away, cast as far as the east is from the west, never to be remembered again.
Fact: My God lives within me. In Him, I move and have my being.
Fact: The things of this world are temporal but we have eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Fact: I have accepted Christ Jesus as my personal savior, therefore, my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Fact: The Holy Spirit dwells within me.
Fact: The Holy Spirit has endued me with power and given me a new language that I might communicate with Him more freely and completely.
Fact: Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is the All in All.
These are the facts, folks, and these facts won’t change. Aren’t you glad for that?
Atheists may belief in facts, but Christians believe in the fact maker who never changes.
#offeringthoughts
Copyright © 2017, David A. Zimmer, All Rights Reserved.