I want to start my first real post with a quote from C. S. Lewis. This is the first quote in the journal I've been keeping and it really sums up how I feel about Christianity and its effect on world view.
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." - C. S. Lewis in Is Theology Poetry?
The sun is essential for sight. Lewis' Christianity affects his sight, and gives him a lens with which he views the world. The sun provides the perfect example for this. The sun is essential to sight, and we see not only the sun, but also the things it illuminates. In this way God should be essential to my own sight. I should not only believe in him, but see everything else in my life through the truth of what he has done for me. "Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." I want to see everything else with the light that Jesus gives me.
This idea which is, admittedly, floating around in my head largely half formed leads me to another quote. And I should probably take this time to note, that I truly love quotes. You will see a great deal of them in this blog. This mindset that C. S. Lewis mentions, the one I want to incorporate into my life, is a good deal more difficult that it seems. I think it represents the Christian ideal. Truly giving your life to God and letting him influence and color every aspect of your life. So the quote that this leads me to is one by G. K. Chesterton.
"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried." G. K. Chesterton
I have to admit I have found this to be true. This Christian ideal, this Godly way of living is hard, and it is something I struggle with. Living life in the way that Jesus dictates is essential for a relationship with him is hard. However, it is worth it. What he gives in return for my life is unquestionably the most valuable thing I can receive. It is essential to my life because of what he gave to make me new. What he did so I could be forgiven.
So one of the first things I have to do if I am going to live my life by the light of God, letting myself see everything by him, is figure out who this God is. The Bible says that God is who he says he is. So I need to dig up who he says he is.
Who God is...
1. He is the one true God. (Deuteronomy 4:39, Isaiah 45:5-6, Exodus 34:14)
Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.
Deuteronomy 4:39
2. He is immutable, He never changes. ( Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6, James 1:17)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
3. He is omniscient. ( Psalms 139: 2-4, Hebrews 4:13, 1 John 3:20)
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
Psalm 139:2-4
I am understood? by Relient K is a wonderful musical representation of this idea.
[to listen to the link w/o leaving the blog right click and select open in new tab. :) ]
4. He is omnipotent. (Jeremiah 32:17, Psalm 33:9, Matthew 19:26)
Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Jeremiah 32:17
5. He is personal. (Deuteronomy 4:7, Genesis 5:24, James 2:23)
What other nation is go great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?
Deuteronomy 4:7
6. He is independent. (Psalm 90:2, Exodus 3:14, Acts 17:24-25)
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalm 90:2
7. He is omnipresent. (Psalm 139:7-10, Jeremiah 23:23-24)
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:7-10
8. He is all wise. (Psalm 18:30, 1 Corinthians 1:20, 25, Isaiah 40:13)
As for God, his way is perfect:
The LORDS's word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 18:30
9. He is truthful. (Titus 1:2, Psalm 31:5, John 14:6, John 17:17)
in the hope of eternal life which God who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
Titus 1:2
10. He is good. (Nahum 1:7, Psalm 25:8)
The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
Nahum 1:7
- Psalm 25:8 gets to the heart of my aforementioned quotes.
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
Psalm 25:8
Our God leads us by example. In his guiding light we see the way we should strive to live.
11. He is loving. (1 John 4:8, John 3:16, Romans 5:8)
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8
12. He is faithful. (Deuteronomy 7:9, 2 Timothy 2:13)
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9
13. He is righteous. (1 John 1:9, Isaiah 5:16)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
14. He is merciful. (Exodus 34:6, Ephesians 2:8)
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "the LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,"
Exodus 34:6
15. He is peaceful, he is separate from confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33, 2 Thessalonians 3:16)
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace - as in all the congregations of the Lord's people.
1 Corinthians 14:33
16. He is perfect. (Psalm 18:30, Deuteronomy 32:4, Matthew 5:48)
As for God, his way is perfect:
The LORD's word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 18:30
There. 16 things the Bible tells us about God. I find it comforting to look at this list, to see a small sampling of what my God is. To see all the ways that he is equipped to love and protect me. He is truly an awesome God.
I would like to end this post with an explanation of the URL. This blog is heansweredme.blogspot.com. I was sitting in church one day when my pastor said something I will never forget. He said, "The gospel can be summed up in three words: he answered me." This blew me away in both its simplicity and its truth. So I leave you with that idea. What God is telling you over and over again is that he will answer your cries. He will answer you. Every time. It may not be in the way you imagined, but he will answer you.
All the best,
Kearstin H. Sale
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