Christian, tell me why...?
Why do you believe the things you believe?
Why do you say the things you say?
Why do you behave the way you do?
Most of all, why do you choose to be a Christian?
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Cursed Fig Tree
Christian, tell me why did Jesus curse an innocent fig tree just for not having fruit when it wasn’t in season? That seems like a petty tantrum!
Because… I believe that the Bible is telling the absolute, literal truth. What it says about God, mankind, and the relationship between us is the way things really are…and that is good news!
Some of the things the Bible says include…
He really exists, and has His own real character, independently of what any of us think.
Scripture references: Exodus 3:13-14, Hebrews 11:6
He created us for a specific purpose. We can do nothing without Him, and to even try is to attempt to escape our own reason for being.
Scripture references: Genesis 1:1, John 1:3, Genesis 1:27, Jeremiah 1:5a , Psalm 139:16
As the Westminster Catechism says “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.”
Loving God necessarily includes obeying Him. That is because love for an all-powerful God who created and loves us naturally includes trust that whatever He wants is always right.
Scripture references: Deuteronomy 6:5, John 14:15
We have tried to avoid God’s claim on us, and have tried to run our own lives. Instead of trusting and obeying Him, we think we can do better our way.
The Bible’s most common term for this rebellion is “sin”. The word literally means “missing the mark” as in failing to hit a target or meet a goal. In this case, the target or goal is God’s purpose for our best good.
Scripture references: Romans 3:23, Psalm 14:2-3
That relationship cannot be restored as long as the rebellion remains. But, we are helpless to stop rebelling; we can’t completely submit to having anyone else, even God, with that absolute authority over us. Even if we could, the offense of our prior rebellion would still stand between us and God.
Scripture references: Romans 6:23a, Romans 7:18b-19
God desperately wants the relationship to be fixed. He wants it so much that He came in person to cover the cost that makes reconciliation possible.
The historical man Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem of Judea about 4 B.C. and executed in Jerusalem about 30 A.D., was and still is God himself. He proved that by not remaining dead after he was executed, by being literally resurrected and walking the earth again. He is the source and the ultimate ruler over everything that will ever exist.
Jesus’ perfect life (with no rebellion) and sacrificial death was the price needed to pay for our rebellion. No other payment is sufficient; no other is necessary. We are not able to fix the problem ourselves, so Jesus fixed it for us.
Scripture references: Isaiah 53:5-6, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Ephesians 2:4-5a, Colossians 1:19-20a
There are no boxes to check, no hoops to jump through. Just:
“Yes, I’m a rebel and need help.”
“I’m sorry. I want to quit rebelling and return to you. Please forgive me.”
“Thank you for your gift.”
“I trust you to make me right.”.
Scripture references: John 3:16, Romans 10:9, Acts 16:30b-31a, Revelation 3:20
In effect, it’s a trade: We are considered as righteous as He is, because He was considered to be as rebellious as we are and paid the price for it. A quote says “He lived the life we should have lived, and died the death we should have died.”
Scripture references: 1 Peter 2:24-25, Mark 10:45, Romans 5:19
We can have God’s presence in our everyday lives. We can have His guidance as we make choices. We can have His comfort in the inevitable problems and sorrows.
And, we can look forward to an eternal future where the entire world is restored and nothing wrong is even possible.
Scripture references: John 5:24, John 14:1-3, Revelation 21:1-4
Recent Posts (of 210 total)
Narrow vs. Wide Way
Christian, tell me why did Jesus talk about a “narrow way” and a “wide way”? What did He mean?
Give Thanks to God
Don’t let family, food, and football crowd out the true thanksgiving that God deserves.
Why Bother?
Christian, tell me why do you bother to pray? Think of all the times that you haven’t been answered, like when you ask for healing but the person dies anyway. What happened to “Ask, and you shall receive”?
Armor of God
Christian, tell me why do you talk about the “armor of God”? Do you think you are a medieval knight headed off to battle or something?
Give Thanks to God
Don’t let family, food, and football crowd out the true thanksgiving that God deserves.
Why Bother?
Christian, tell me why do you bother to pray? Think of all the times that you haven’t been answered, like when you ask for healing but the person dies anyway. What happened to “Ask, and you shall receive”?
Armor of God
Christian, tell me why do you talk about the “armor of God”? Do you think you are a medieval knight headed off to battle or something?
Sin: Missing the Mark
Christian, tell me why do you keep saying that people are all sinners? Sure, there are plenty of sins, but not everyone commits them.
Christianity’s Jewish Heritage
Christian, tell me why do you appropriate all of the Old Testament promises to Israel as applying to you also? You’re not Jewish!
To Judge, or Not To Judge?
Christian, tell me why are you so judgmental? Doesn’t the Bible tell you not to judge others?
God Became Man
Christian, tell me why do you think it’s important that God became man? That’s an old fairy tale: The gods in mythology became human all the time.
Christianity’s Jewish Heritage
Christian, tell me why do you appropriate all of the Old Testament promises to Israel as applying to you also? You’re not Jewish!
To Judge, or Not To Judge?
Christian, tell me why are you so judgmental? Doesn’t the Bible tell you not to judge others?
God Became Man
Christian, tell me why do you think it’s important that God became man? That’s an old fairy tale: The gods in mythology became human all the time.
Judges – Abimelech through Samson
“In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”
Judges – Deborah and Gideon
“In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”
Judges – Abimelech through Samson
“In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”
Judges – Deborah and Gideon
“In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”