Walking the path...

We have just discovered the joys of Skype and have been calling a couple dear friends without fear of phone charges. I spoke with one such dear friend (who probably will read this post) who used to be involved in church but now does not believe in Jesus or the Bible. We spoke of the travesty that 'Christians' often treat those who choose not to believe as though they are bad people or even worse, the enemy.

Every person is responsible for their own path. They are the sole one responsible for what to believe for themselves. I am not saying that all things are truth but rather that each of us must decide for ourselves what we believe to be truth. Truth itself seems to be such an illusive thing and we all must hold our theology humbly in light of this. I am convinced that the path of Jesus and of the Bible is true, this is the path that I have chosen for a multitude of reasons. And as much as I would plead with my friend to walk this path with me, regardless of what I believe the consequences of rejecting Christ are, I cannot make him believe, guilt him to believe, or tell him he is bad. I must respect his choice and support him in what he honestly thinks is the right spiritual path for him. I am responsible for my path as he is responsible for his.

As far as my responsibility to him, it is the same as will all mankind. Jesus said we must LOVE them. We love those who believe AND those who do not. Jesus said in the gospel of John, "love one another, by this the world will know that you are mine, if you love one another" I know there will be people reading this post that will say this passage is talking about loving your brother in the church. I fear that you have missed the point. Regardless of how this particular passage is interpreted, no one can question Jesus' mandate and example to love all people.

Being married for near 10 years and having 4 kids has taught me much of what human love is. Just to sum up such a big topic. I understand it to be that inner motivation for the best of that person. One that desires success for them, growth, happiness... whether it be by my actions or lack there of. It is one of the remaining marks of the image of God on man. The trickiest part of love is doing it in a manner that is understood as love.

Do we love those who question our beliefs? really love them? Do we get defensive because we fear what they are asking? Do we fear not having the answers to give them or not having them to answer ourselves? These bring up questions of faith itself and on what it is based. This is much more of a topic than what I had intended at first. I will probably write more on that some other day but for now it suffices to say, feel free to doubt, ask yourselves the questions you fear and entrust those conversations with other godly people you trust. Be honest with God and yourself knowing that doubt itself is not evil but rather it is a fork in the road to choose Christ or not. Most will say that true love is a decision and Hebrews 11:1 implies a choice to believe the unseen. Our responsibility is to choose well, in whom we put our Faith, what do we Hope for, and will we Love; but the greatest of these is Love and love is from God.

-Eric