There have been occasions when I was involved in discussion with a (secular) set of friends on some burning issue, say sexual morality, and some of them completely disagree with my views. Now whatever argument I put forward to them, either they have a counter-argument, or they simply disagree. Most of the time it boils down to the same question - "Who decides/defines what is right and wrong?"
Have you ever been in such a situation? If so, I don’t know how you must have handled the situation. But I have mixed success in conveying my views. I notice one thing in general. Without bringing God into any discussion on moral issues, the arguments look weak and empty according to me. Had there been no God, many things I consider illegitimate today could be considered legitimate, and many values I stand for would be absolutely foolish. And it's very difficult to prove to an atheist that God exists, no matter how logical my attempt is in putting my views.
I used to wonder why is it that God who is so real and present to me is a matter of foolishness for others. Well the answer is very clear. Even I did not come to faith because I heard someone explaining about God logically (though today I realize that all logic applied objectively and in unbiased manner proves the existence of God). Yeah… I have heard people sharing about God, and his unfathomable and unconditional love. I have heard them sharing their testimonies of how God shows his providence in their daily life. I have witnessed the power of God working through them, when the cancers and AIDS get healed, blind people see, the deaf ones hear, and the lame walk. Their sharings and witnessing life have invited me to try this faith myself, when I could myself truly experience that awesome love that transformed my whole life. I have experienced the hand of God working on me for the past 11 years. Instead of sharing experiences, if they had tried to convince me with logical conclusions, I don’t think I could have ever experienced God and his love.
So… it requires experience to believe in God. And one can experience God only when He reveals himself to him or her. Bible says – "Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him." (Wisdom 1:2)
What makes someone seek God? Well, every man experiences in his soul, a deep craving for God. He can sense it, but may not understand what this craving is for, or may not acknowledge it. It usually happens that the soul is unable to find God, and his pride may tend to give up this search after some time. Pride works, saying – "I will not accept anyone or any idea which I could not experience in my whole life." A theist (a person who believes that God exists) may not necessarily have experienced God. If his soul manages to triumph over pride, and accepts that there could be many things that is beyond its understanding, and hopes that the One whom it craves for really exists. And when it ultimately experiences God personally and intimately, faith is built up on the experience, and not on logical explanations.
The state of a soul that has not experienced God is like a man who is shut in a big dark room for years, and craves for freedom. One day he hears someone shouting from outside the room that the door is unlocked and it opens to outside world where he will find freedom and light. He is filled with hope, but he suddenly experieces the presence of a tall dark creature beside him, saying that the messenger is trying to fool him, and it’s better not to reach to the door and try to open it, for the fear of disappointment.
Here, the captive man is the soul of the person, the dark creature is his pride, and the messenger is a person who had experienced God and shares his testimony with him. The soul will be naturally drawn to God and respond to Him. To reach to the door of faith and to open it, one has to defeat his pride. But it is always wise according to me, to do so by hope, even if you are not so sure whether the door will open. For you have nothing to lose. If the door will not open, you may get disappointed, that’s all. Nothing worse will happen, and you are losing nothing. But if it does open, you have used your only option to see freedom and light.
Paul says in the letter to Romans chapter 8
- For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God;
- for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope
- that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
- We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
- and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
My dear friend, in Jesus' never-failing name I invite you his beautiful kingdom, and I can assure you that you will not get disappointed. He is the answer to all our needs - spiritual, psychological, physical, material. He is a loving Father, who sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ into this world to wash our sins with his precious blood, so that we may be worthy to enter the Kingdom of God, where we will live forever. I know what I am saying, if you are feeling right now how crazy I am. He is the One whom your soul craves for. He knows the deepest desires of your heart. He is Love Unlimited, and for a seeking heart, He is just a simple prayer away.
For the scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." (Romans 10:11)
God bless you!!!
