Living Out Your Beliefs
My son Daniel is taking a worldview class at our homeschool co-op this year. Recently, his teacher tasked him with interviewing somebody whose view of the world differed substantially from his own.
For a 13-year-old boy living in the Bible belt whose primary circle of friends includes his brothers and sisters plus friends from church and a Christian co-op, this assignment presented a bit of a challenge.
However, we do happen to have a dear family friend who is an atheist. She lives and works on the other side of the world, so Daniel sent the interview questions to her in an email.
And she graciously answered.
How my atheist friend fails to live out to her professed beliefs
She believes God is a figment of our imagination, credits the formation of life as we know it to evolution, and denies there is anything special about humans. According to her, humans are nothing more than soulless animals “with an unusual propensity for cruelty.”
“Making others happy is the height of goodness,” she postulates. “Making others unhappy is the height of evil.”
While her answers prompted a lot of discussion, they didn’t really surprise us. What did surprise us was how much of a disconnect there seems to be between what our friend says she believes and how she actually lives her life.
- She claims humans are just animals. But she is rightly appalled when they act that way.
- She thinks it’s evil to make others unhappy. Yet she considers herself a good person, despite the fact that her strongly-held opinions make those who disagree with her bristle.
- She defines reality as “what we experience with our five senses, what we’ve learned, and what our brains tell us.” Unless, of course, our experience, education, or personal convictions point to the existence of God. In which case it’s just a bunch of nonsense and isn’t real at all.
Is there a similar disconnect between my worldview and my actions?
Noting the inconsistencies between our friend’s professed beliefs and her actual behavior prompted some self-reflection. Have I ever been guilty of the same thing? Am I consistently living out my beliefs? That’s a valid question for everyone to consider.
- Do I believe, as the Bible teaches, that mankind is made in the image of God? Then I should treat others with dignity and respect in every interaction.
- Do I affirm that God is sovereign and trust Him to work all things together for the good of those who love Him? Then I should never lose sleep worrying about my problems.
- Do I trust that God uses life’s trials to make me more like Christ? Then I should bear up under hardships with patience and joy.
- Do I accept the fact that Christ’s death freed me from the power of sin? Then I shouldn’t live as if I were still enslaved to my appetites and vices.
- Am I convinced that hell is real and awaits the unrepentant? Then my love and compassion for the lost should motivate me to point them to Jesus every chance I get.
If you’ve never tried this exercise, I’d highly recommend it. Give some thought to your own most deeply held convictions. Are you consistently living out your beliefs? Ask yourself: After observing my behavior, would people be surprised to learn I believe as I do? What affect does my worldview have – if any – on the way I conduct myself from day to day?
Your blog is a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom. I always leave feeling more centered and enlightened.
Praise God, David. I’m glad to hear it.
Hello!
Thanks for a really good message.
This morning, at breakfast, this note paper was right in front of me above my cereal bowl.
I remember writing it yesterday while reading Matthew, and then placing it there knowing it was important.
“And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10: 28)
That scripture spoke to my heart yesterday and today, and I want to ‘stay with it’ on the depths of it.
“….abide in Me, and My words abide in you…”
Shalom, shalom,
Elsie
That’s such an important verse for Christians to understand and internalize, Elsie. Thanks for sharing. Good to hear from you again. It’s been awhile!
So much here for thought. As a Christian taking care of a non-compliant, delusional, unappreciative relative, I find your post amidst my frustration, anger and dislike of this person. I find that love seems to be through Christ only to her in the constant caring for this relative.
Galatians 5:22-23 says it is by God’s grace may we care for people with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
And, my daughter was here who is not a Christian… listened to me complain. I apologized to her and she gave me a sweet hug before she left. Thank you for your Christ-driven site and this beautiful post and for putting my family in your prayers.
I’m so glad to think these thoughts ministered to you. I know how difficult it can be to keep serving and loving and helping when the person who benefits from your sacrifice is obstinate, selfish, and ungrateful. But infinitely more, Jesus knows what that is like, for He routinely experiences it with us!
I am praying this morning that God will strengthen you for the task He’s given you to do. That even when you feel weary and alone, He will help you see the ones you serve through His eyes. That He will reassure you of His constant presence. That He will remind you that by serving them, you are serving Him. That your heart will be filled with love and compassion and forgiveness toward the ones in your care, so that the burden becomes lighter than you ever imagined possible.
And I pray that your unbelieving daughter will notice the change in your attitude and will see the joy in your heart and will know that the God who gave it to you can work the same kind of miracle in her life if only she will turn it completely over to Him.
God bless you, sweet sister. Keep on keeping on!
Amen
Thank you for your spiritual wisdom and love in Christ.
Thanks so much for posting! You and your son are amazing to live out your beliefs in such a bold way, as Jesus commands us to do!! Such a wonderful role model for each of us who are believers in the One True God, JESUS, our Lord and Savior.
I appreciate the encouragement, RoseAnn. That’s all any of us can do — attempt through God’s empowering grace to faithfully and authentically live out our faith moment by moment.