When we choose to live our lives without Jesus, we conform to the ebbs and tides of this world. Jesus told Nicodemus that the only way we can change this cycle and see the kingdom of God is to be reborn, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jn 3:3. Nicodemus was very confused, “Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?” Jn 3:4. Jesus was telling Nicodemus that we can only see the temptations and struggles we face daily in this world. When we are reborn of the spirit, we see past those obstacles and can understand the kingdom of God and recognize the changes that will occur in our own lives when we do.
Once we believe, we are then able to see the Bible for what it is, an instruction manual, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:16-17. So, how do we learn to believe? It took me 14 years of wrestling with His Word to see the kingdom of God. A kingdom where everyone is loved and life is always joyful, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 Jn 4:7-8 & “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:4. I am grateful to the many guides I have had along the way, pastors, godly people living godly lives, and the Word itself, which I often tested during those 14 years. What will it take for you to believe? “And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Lk 16:31.
For me, it began with a large number of witnesses to Jesus’ life and miracles, His resurrection, and His ascension, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 & “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 2 Pet 1:16-17 & “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” Jn 20:19-20 & “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mk 16:14-15 & “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:” Lk 24:51-52. Once I realized I would not have given up everything to follow Jesus unless I truly believed He was the Son of God, my journey began in earnest. Those who followed Jesus received no immediate benefit from following Him, and in fact, they all sacrificed the rest of their lives spreading the truth and suffered horrible deaths rather than renounce Him, “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:57-60. Stephen was the first to die for his faith. However, millions have followed the same path. The sad fact is many today are still facing the same fate. Why? Because others who refuse to believe are choosing to do whatever it takes to keep the rest of us away from the truth of Jesus.
Once I had absorbed that Jesus left us so many witnesses who dedicated their lives to him after they observed Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, I decided it was time to test His Law of Love for myself, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jn 14:6 & “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.”2 Jn 5 & “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom 12:17-19 & “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt 25:35-36, 40 & “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Gal 5:22-23 & “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil 2:3-4 & “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Eph 4:32 & “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Rom 12:10-11 & “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” 1 Pet 2:16 & “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35. I have found living the life Jesus calls us to is the best life possible. One without fear, with a purpose worth living for, and one where everyone one of us makes life better for everyone we come into contact with. Those who choose this life are not perfect. They are just doing their best to love everyone.
In this life the devil calls us to; lying, stealing, hurting other people, surrendering our lives to drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, the pursuit of power, fame, or popularity, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;” 2 Tim 3:2-4. Can we not see this playing out daily in our world?
I now dedicate my life to answering questions, to help others resolve the doubts keeping them from accepting Jesus and the eternity He has promised. So, please ask me questions, tell me about your concerns, and let God’s Word prove itself to you.
Email your questions to: bill@reasoningwithgod.com