The Path To Truth
What is the path to truth? Wendy walks us along the path and answers some of the questions that atheists might have. She discovered that God’s love is a reliable path to truth. Love is why she believes.
Path to Truth
Recently an atheist asked me a tough question. And that question inspired today’s post.
I love engaging with other Christians on Twitter, so when an atheist initiated a conversation with me there, I didn’t jump up and down with glee. I’m lousy at logic and reason. But in 1 Peter 3:15 it says:
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for your hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
I Peter 3:15
So… I tried as best as I could to answer a question he asked me about my hope. We commented back and forth while I answered more questions. He was polite and articulate; therefore, I didn’t mind taking the time. But I do have writing deadlines and limited hours of the day to meet them, so when he asked me a deep question, I didn’t give a detailed answer. Instead, I directed him to the first podcast I produced for HopeStreamRadio.com which is called: Rescued from the Deep.
Does God Exist?
I’m already engaged in frequent discussions with an atheist I have regular contact with. He and I get into some convoluted conversations about whether God exists and whether the Bible is true or not.
It’s a stretch for me to have empathy for atheists because I’ve never been one. I’m a saved by grace sinner—for sure. But for some reason I’ve always believed God existed and never gave the whole evolution topic much thought—except to think it seems to have a big hole in it: How does everything come from nothing?
But I won’t get into a debate here because I’m not gifted or passionate about debating evolution versus creation. I usually point to Hank Hanegraaff, of the Christian Research Institute, when I’m over my head in theological stuff. All I know is that once I was lost in my sin; once I was drowning in my eating disorders; and then I was found, rescued, and healed. To tell me Jesus isn’t real would be synonymous to telling me I’m still swinging between starving and bingeing—and it just isn’t so.
Jesus found me, Jesus fixed me. This I know.
Is Faith A Reliable Path To Truth?
When the atheist asked me when the moment was that I truly believed, that’s when I pointed to my post about my recovery story: Rescued from the Deep. He said he read it, and he said he was glad I’d recovered, but then he asked me: “How is faith a reliable path to truth?”
Huh?
I’m not a faith worshipper. My salvation train is pulled by fact (The Word of God). Fact leads, faith follows the facts, and feelings are the caboose. I believe that Jesus is the Living Word of God because the Bible says He is. I believe the Bible is true. I believe Jesus is the Living Truth. Jesus also said He was according to John 14:6:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…”
I understand that my answer here isn’t going to be convincing to most atheists. For I believe it is God who draws and saves souls. I’m just little old me—a flawed woman who trusts in a perfect Savior. John 8:47 says:
He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.
Jesus said those words to some religious people who didn’t believe He was the Son of God. It reminds me that even the credit for believing what God says belongs to God. I believe because He chose me. And thankfully, when I exercised my freewill, I placed my trust in Jesus. Because even though the devil knows God exists, he still rejected Him as Lord.
Love Is Why I Believe
I know an atheist who describes me as “lost to Jesus”. When he shared that with me, I wasn’t hurt like a friend of his had warned him I’d be. I’m honored to be dismissed as dead but alive in Christ. Bring it on. Because when my shell breaks, I’ll fly away to be with Jesus.
I found it interesting that my verse of the day, on the day the atheist asked me those questions, was Psalm 149:1 NIV which says:
Sing to the LORD a new song…
I can’t sing any better than I can debate, but I did make up a new song as I thought about my conversation with the atheist on Twitter:
I’m a sinner with a Savior
I’m no saint from above
But I believe in the Jesus
Who rescued me with Love.
A Simple Song
I sang this simple song as I walked around my kitchen. And that’s just it; it’s simple. The Gospel is simple. John 3:16 says:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
Love motivated God to send His Son. Love motivated His Son to obey. Love drew me to God, and love has motivated me to care about the atheists I come in contact with.
Love is why I believe. Love.
God’s Love Is A Reliable Path To Truth
1 John 4:10 says:
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10
Love wooed me, love welcomed me, and love washed me. I’m thankful to have faith in a reliable Savior. I’m thankful to be on the path to Heaven. I’m thankful that Jesus is the Truth, the Way, and the Life.
May God grant the dear atheists in my life eyes to see and ears to hear how much God loves them. For God is love.
So what’s the reliable path to truth?
God’s love.
P.S. The articulate atheist returned to ask me another question. This time I sent him a link to Lee Strobel’s website. Mr. Strobel is a former atheist; I’m sure he’ll have plenty of genuine empathy and wisdom to share with my Twitter acquaintance. In the meantime I’ll pray.
What do you think happens after we die? Does God’s truth give us the answers? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Wendy Macdonald
Wendy L. Macdonald is a Canadian, inspirational writer/blogger who also loves to photograph nature. When she’s not writing, drawing, gardening, or sewing, she enjoys hiking, with her husband, in the beautiful parks of the Comox Valley. She home-schooled her children and believes all those years of reading wonderful classics aloud helped develop her love of storytelling and writing.
Wendy’s show, “Walking With Hope” airs on HopeStreamRadio, providing observations and insights from both her life experience, and her knowledge of God.
Read and hear more from Wendy L. Macdonald on the contributor’s page or on her personal website.
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