Category: Faith

Easter is Over but not its Message

On By Steven BB SmithIn FaithLeave a comment

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Easter is over but I decided to write about it anyway.
You’re probably thinking I’m only doing that because I have serious issues with procrastination. You’re thinking that I meant to write about Easter a couple of weeks ago but kept putting if off.

The truth is, you’re partially correct. In any case, I now wish to use my procrastination to make a legitimate point about the gospel. Easter of course is largely about chocolate eggs and a large bunny whom nobody ever sees.

But it’s also a time when we supposedly remember the death of Jesus on the cross and His subsequent resurrection on the third day. Good Friday is good because it’s the day when we remember that Jesus died for our sins. Easter Sunday is good too because on that day Christ rose from the dead. It’s the gospel in a chocolate covered nutshell.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

We sometimes say it’s not enough to believe. I’ve even said it myself. But I’m starting to see things a little differently. My new motto is this: “It is enough to believe if you really believe”. It’s easy to say we believe the gospel. It’s easy to say a lot of things in life. It’s easier to say “I love you,” then it is to actually love somebody. It’s easier to say “I believe in Jesus” than it is to actually believe in Him.

Please allow me to propose this question and I sincerely ask that you refrain from the temptation to stone me. My question is this. If a person really believed in the message of Easter would they only show up to church once or twice a year? Or would they show up more often? I would even dare to say that it’s not altogether outside the realm of possibility that a true believer would find themselves making a monthly or even weekly pilgrimage to a place of worship.

Of course, this is not to say that weekly church attendance is the only mark of a true believer. Nor is it to suggest that all true believers would be so radical as to attend church every week. There are other marks of true faith in Christ. Some true believers have been known to develop habits of prayer and bible reading. Some have become better people as a result of their faith in Christ.

Some have found freedom from various addictions such as drugs and alcohol. Yes, believing is indeed enough if you really believe. What does it mean to really believe? I don’t presume to have fully answered the question in this one little blog. But it’s a good question. We’d all do well to ponder it.

The Inner Sense

On By Steven BB SmithIn Faith, UncategorizedLeave a comment

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I’ve always been facinated with the brain.
​Not my own in particular, but brains in general. How they function. What they’re made of. Why they stop operating properly when you need them most.

I was reading a story recently that spoke of our brain’s built-in ability to recognize the existence of God (see link to full story below). According to scientific research, the tendency to believe in God is no accident. It’s hard-wired into our brains.

We can’t help ourselves. Scientists say even children left to their own devices, with no prior teaching, still have some conception of God. I believe Romans 1 has something to say about this.. Verse 19 says, “…what may be known of God is manifest in them (people), for God has shown it to them.”

Yes, the inner sense is in all of us, telling us there has to be something more to life than the things we see around us. So if this “inner sense” is in all of us how do we explain the tendency toward atheism? I would propose that even atheists have the inner sense. It hasn’t left them. It doesn’t really leave anybody. It may get smothered under layers of hurt, pain, wrong teaching, pride, and deception but it doesn’t really leave.

Perhaps, the inner sense is the very thing that causes some atheists to fight so ardently against belief in God. Deep down, they know He’s real. They just don’t like Him very much. Please understand, I’m not judging atheists. I know some atheists personally and I like them. They’re great people. There’s a variety of reasons why people come to a place of unbelief.

​But I do believe that all atheism involves some form of denial. Obviously, there’s a denial of the facts of scripture. But also there’s denial both of the inner sense mentioned above and the witness of creation. Romans speaks further about this. Verse 20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

Ouch. “They are without excuse.” That part scares me a little, for the sake of those who have chosen unbelief. Ultimately, whatever reasons a person has to deny the reality of God, there’s really no valid excuse for doing so.

On a lighter note, the research also found that prayer helps people overcome anxiety, depression and high blood pressure. Apparently, the positive affects of prayer are impossible to overestimate. Who knew?

Of course, prayer is much more effective when you know the God you’re praying too. If you know His Son then there’s really no limit to what your prayers can accomplish. If your inner sense of God has come alive through the Holy Spirit then you carry the potential of being a powerful prayer warrior. If you don’t know what a prayer warrior is then I encourage you to watch the movie War Room.

READ THE STORY ABOUT THE INNER SENSE @ CHARISMA.COM