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Harness the Power of Doubts about Christianity, Part II
In part I we noted that if you sometimes or are currently experiencing doubts about Christianity, the Bible, or other faith matters—you are in exceedingly good company. John the Baptist, the 11 disciples still around after the resurrection of the Christ, as well as myself (Stevo) have all struggled with doubt. Doubt is part of the walk—and can result in a stronger faith in the long term. (To see the video of this click here)
You have something. It is a gift. The gift is from God. This gift can empower you to walk in strength, faith, and courage.
This gift can crush your doubts about Christianity.
Yet this gift is challenging to grasp. Failing to grasp this gift of God is at the root of so many fears, doubts, addictions and emotional/spiritual illness.
Let’s see what it is…
Does God Sing Loudly Over You?
When Jesus thinks about you…what is the look on your face? What would he say?
Would he sing? Loudly?
It may sound odd or even impossible—but you should see Him doing this.
You really should.
No really.
If you could accept your Creator singing loudly over you, would that calm your doubts about Christianity?
Have you read the Old Testament book of Zephaniah lately? No? What a surprise!
Zephaniah Could Kill Your Doubts about Christianity!
There is something spectacular in the words of that old prophet that each of us needs to dwell and meditate on. Here it is:
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zep. 3:17)
Just a quick note on Bible interpretation. This specific passage is given from God to Judah through the prophet Zephaniah. It applies specifically to whom it was spoken. This prophet was speaking for God to the people of Judah and their King Josiah—they are the primary “holders” of this spoken word.
Yet there is more to this—because this passage tells us something of the nature of God himself. Malachi 3:16 clearly states, “For I the LORD do not change…”. This is called being “immutable” in theological circles (and we all should be in that circle).
God’s love expressed for Judah is something that flows from who he is, and as God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) this love the LORD is said to demonstrate for Judah is the same love he shows for all of his actual or potential children.
While this verse has a primary message to the precious people of Judah (who were by and large in rebellion to God) in that time—the unchanging (immutable) nature of God imparts to you a particular possession.
God loves you.
In spite of what you may feel about this statement, he actually has a love so strong and otherworldly that he sings over you.
God does More than Just Sing!
But he not only sings over you, he “exults,” which carries the meaning of “spinning around, under the influence of violent emotion, to be joyful, to rejoice” (Strong’s Dictionary of Bible Words)!
Your Creator is not only excitedly spinning around and singing with a violent emotion of love—he is also singing “loud.” Jesus is shouting, crying, or proclaiming his love over you in song.
Wow…just wow!
If you could fully wrap your arms around this, would this calm your doubts about Christianity?
The Singing God and Doubts About Christianity?
It is hard to accept a Creator singing over us, loudly, and spinning around. This is because that is not the way we created beings treat each other. Oh, we might for a while. If you come through for me and show me respect, I’ll likely treat you well and reciprocate.
But if you are going through a rough spell and are negligent of me or let me down, I’ll likely in my human weakness (the flesh) retaliate, or at least, neglect you in return.
This is called being “transactional.”
Think of buying something at the store. You see something you want, and it has a price tag. You give the store the price, you get what you want.
We do that with each other.
But there is someone who does not act that way.
God is Not Transactional
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost.” (1 Tim. 1:15)
When it comes to doubts about Christianity, God is not down on you for your doubt. He came for sinners like you and me. Because he loves us.
He sings over us.
I’ve done a lot of counseling with folks struggling with doubts about Christianity. Doubt is difficult. I share this “singing God” concept with them. If they cannot accept the joy of their Creator over them, they do not get any better or stronger in their faith.
Importantly, they find it easier to conceive of God loving their closest friends, family, children, or spouse. But they see themselves as a special case, and in their mind they are thinking, “Well yes, I know Jesus died for me and that he loves me, but if I would only improve my behavior in this area…”.
In other words, “No one is a bad as I am bad, I am a special case. But I could do better.”
A person who thinks this way is asking, “If I could make myself better (and remove my doubts about Christianity), wouldn’t God love me more?”
The answer to that is “no.”
No.
And, no.
Crushing the Doubts about Christianity
How can we come to embrace the songs of our Creator over us?
First, you need to spend time in the Word, reflecting, meditating, and in full conversation with the God who loves you.
This is hard today because we are so distracted and we have very short attention spans. If you need help getting off your electronic devices and developing a long attention span to empower your God-time, get my book Superhero: Being Who God Says You Are at this link. There is a plan to get control of your electronic devices as well as a path to deep reading. The path to deep reading is the path to a long attention span and contentment.
Oh yes, God intends for you to be transformed into someone who daily is growing into the likeness of his only Son. But that doesn’t happen because you are trying harder—you will begin to change when you finally give up and just listen to and enjoy the loud and emotionally violent singing of your Creator over…little ole’ you.
When you start to genuinely say, “I give up, I can see your great love, Lord,” it is then that he can transform you and wash those doubts away.
But practically, how do you come to accept your Creator’s loudly emotional singing over you—and let that wash your doubt away?
Tune in to Part III for some practical steps.
Also, if you need a greater view of the amazing and transformative love of our Messiah, Yeshua, get my book, First Person Messiah; Transforming Your Life Through Amazing Encounters with Jesus at this link!
Stevo out…
[Image by Fizkes/Shutterstock]
