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Introductions: Why believe in God?

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    I believe in God. I believe he will save us, but... I need a clear explanation. One of my friends is currently asking this, and I can't put it in clear words. Their response merely is "I'll believe in him when I get more proof than a book".

    God bless you all
    • CommentAuthorEmi
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2008
     
    I think "Why believe in God" is slightly different to "Where's the proof". Slightly.
    Both are good/great questions.

    I think that if your friend purely believed in God because a book said to- it would not last too long, or if it did, it would not be very impactful.

    The "proof" and reason i believe in God, is because i have seen what he's done in my life. I've seen him heal others, i've experienced him healing my bones. And i've seen him work through others to tell me things that i keep ignoring him saying. And i've seen him work through me to others.

    What i'm saying is, they need to experience God.
    The hard thing for us is, we can't make them experience God.

    As an encouragement for you... I have a friend who's not a Christian.. she's not sure at all about God, but she's open for consideration. I took her along to church with me (she likes our music) and it was the first time in about 2 or 3 years that she had. And she felt God there. I said nothing to her, i was praying for her though.
    And (she told me this later) she, for some reason unknown to her, decided to pray to God. To this "God" that she isn't even sure exists!! Anyway, first time she'd prayed in 3 years.. and she said that following week, she had the best week she'd had in SOOOO long- and she wanted to come back next week.

    We didn't open a bible, I didn't tell her "this is truth- believe it or else". (She already knew what Christians believe). She's still not made a commitment, but she knows God's real and there now.


    So your friend's right that they need more "proof" than a book. I think that leading by demonstration is important. Inviting them to a youth group, or bible study, or church is a nice door if it's appropriate.

    What do they find the hardest to believe about God?
    Because i think sometimes if you can help to give them some reasons/answers for things they struggle to believe, they can make sense of things alot more.
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    Thank you, so much. It's quite true, God bless you.
    • CommentAuthorRichie
    • CommentTimeApr 22nd 2008
     
    Why not believe?
    • CommentAuthorEmi
    • CommentTimeApr 24th 2008
     
    Some people find it much easier to live believing there is no God (and not trying to find out whether that's true or not).
    They can do what they like, without thinking there will be consequences (other than on Earth).
    They aren't accountable to anyone other than the law/other people. There is less "guilt" from sin (after all, they don't believe in it).
    Others find it a concept that they can't imagine. A powerful being who's always been?
    Others like their lifestyle as it is, and don't want to risk "persecution" from friends.
    It's, in many ways- in the short term, easier to not believe in the western world.

    Currently i'm reading C.S.Lewis' "Mere Christianity". I'd heard alot about it, but never read it. Then i found it on my mum's bookshelf. It's very good. A well argued, clear, logical "journey" of reasons why there is A "God" of some sort. And why the Christian God makes sense/is true.
    (I'm only into the 6th Chapter or something, not far through, and i'm already loving it!)
    I would recommend it as a read if either you are struggling to believe in God, or if you want to learn a solid reasoning of there being a God.
    • CommentAuthorRichie
    • CommentTimeApr 25th 2008
     
    Is that kind of the same as per say a kid is scared he is going to fail his math class so he doesnt do the homework thinking that if he forgets about it it will go away?
    • CommentAuthorEmi
    • CommentTimeApr 25th 2008
     
    Perhaps alittle more similiar if a child doesn't UNDERSTAND his maths (hence he'd fail his class), so he avoids all his maths work (esp. homework) because he doesn't want to face not understanding, and hopes it will all just go away.
    Likewise in both situations, it doesn't go away. It's bites you on the bum.

    But yes, you have the idea of what i mean. (these are only my thoughts though- i am not authority)
    • CommentAuthorawayla
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2008
     
    everyone who says they believe in god might now. how do u know if they r telling the truth?
    • CommentAuthorEmi
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2008
     
    Whether they are telling the truth is between them and God. All we can do is to encourage them to get to know God (and/or continue to) and do what we can to bless them.

    If someone says they believe in God, we cannot ever be sure. And it goes the other way too. If someone says they don't believe in God (perhaps because of social pressure), we cannot be sure they don't either.

    I think we just have to take things as face value- but be smart.
    Often, those who have a great relationship with God, it will show through. It may show through in their personality, their actions, their words, or even just a sense of God when you're in their presence. (This is not because we are must act a certain way to be in a relationship with God. God offers us a relationship whether we do or don't- it's not by works. But it's a natural "produce" of being with God.)

    This is just my thoughts. But i don't think it's important for us to know their level of relationship with God- it's between God and them. Our concern is in getting ours right, and in encouraging others to get to know God.
    • CommentAuthorawayla
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2008
     
    wat if someone is scared to know god?
    • CommentAuthorEmi
    • CommentTimeApr 28th 2008
     
    Then maybe they don't have an accurate picture of God. It would depend on why they are scared.

    If they're scared because they think God will disaprove of them- God already knows everything about you (whether you want Him to or not!)
    If because God may harm them, God could harm you even if you don't know Him. I would also suggest their idea of God may not be accurate. (I DO NOT believe God would harm someone- Jesus has offered himself in our place.)

    Why is/would this person scared to know God? (if i know why, i can give a better answer--- not that my answers are necessarily correct!)
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      CommentAuthorzobawm
    • CommentTime6 days ago
     
    Why believe in God?

    Here is my answer for you guys!!

    Believing in God means believing his power, his healing, his good deeds, his??

    I believe because he is my savior, and he is my only eternal God who can save me from the eternal fire call HELL.

    I do not believe in god who cannot speak, see or talk to his people.

    I do not believe in god who sits somewhere and waited for his children to approach him and give him worship or adoration whatever.

    I do not believe in god who has many hands like an octopus.

    I do not believe in god who slumbers.

    But I believe in God who always listens to the prayer of his children, never sleeps or slumbers.

    I believe in God who saves me from not only HELL but created an ETERNAL HOME for me.

    I believe he will take me someday in the place he created for me

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