Why I Believe in God
Posted in The Historical Faith and tagged with Cross, Evil, God, Jesus Christ on June 2, 2009Recently, a friend asked me why I believe in God. So much of what I write here has that as a base assumption, but I shouldn’t assume everyone thinks on the subject of God’s existance, because I know many of you don’t. Here’s my answer, only slightly edited:
You asked me why do I believe in God, and as I said, it’s two-fold. First, it logically makes sense…though I grew up with many of the same truths that I hold today, by and large, they aren’t unquestioned. I’ve studied, compared, and pondered and while I by no means have everything figured out, I’ve never found anything that is uncompatability within my worldview and how it relates to the real world (or when I have, I’ve changed it). I think that my worldview will continue to be refined for the rest of my life, or as long as I commit to seeking truth.
Secondly, and the part that is way more than academic (and because of that seems more “real”), is the emotional/spiritual side, whatever you want to call it. I’ve had too many situations that may be explained away as coincidences by some, but I can’t logically believe that I’ve had so many fortuitous coincidences…the simpler explanation to me is that there is a God who is working in my life and the lives of those around me. One example is that in last Friday’s mail I received the exact sum (from 3 different people) needed to make my first Turkey payment due two days later. Repeat this type of occurance over and over, and you have a good idea why I believe that these things are answers to prayers, not cosmic accidents.
But then there’s the bad stuff. As you know, I’ve had very little evil in my life and I can only 
thank God that He spared me, because there’s so much out there. Even in the little hardship I’ve faced (like the fire, or my ongoing, rather unwanted singleness), the good that came from it was quite apparent. I don’t mean to intimate that this is always the case. You’ve already faced more evil and hardship than I’m likely to ever see God-forbid. I don’t think that I have all the answers to this, but rest assured that because the greatest evil ever done was our putting Jesus Christ, our innocent Lord, to death with our sins, God understands and has purposes far larger than we can see. My biggest question for God is why did He ever create man in the first place knowing that we would be such wretched messes?
I don’t expect you to go, “by jolly, I’ve got it!” when you read this, but I do hope that it was helpful, if only to understand me a bit better. I know there’s nothing I can say to convince you, nor would I want to. I’d seriously love to hear your thoughts on this.
And that goes for all of you as well, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!
Photo by lfar
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:01 am
What an awesome post! I hope you don’t mind me stopping by. I was blog hopping around tonight and stumbled across this site. It really touched me. I too am a believer in God. I recently read a great book titled, “The Missing Link” by
Drs. Richard & Phylli Arno and feel as though my testimony has strengthened considerably. I honestly learned how I could bring glory to His name. All of my relationships changed for the better after I understood how I was created to be. The best thing of all was that my relationship with God was revolutionized! I never dreamed that I could be this close to my Heavenly Father!
June 2nd, 2009 at 3:43 am
Ronnica,
I think you did a very good job of laying out the case for God. And I don’t think it’s your job to convince anyone–as believers, I think we should share our faith and leave it to the Holy Spirit to convict.
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:21 am
Faith is an individual thing and I think you did a great job of expressing yours. I once had a well-respected psychology professor tell our class of 100+ students that he didn’t understand how anyone could NOT believe in God (or a higher power). He knew that just the small glimpse into the mechanics of the human brain he had had over the years proved that something bigger was behind all of us. I think that struck a lot of the kids as odd — that a man of science was giving credit to God for the world.
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:38 am
This is great, Ronnica! I agree with Debra, faith is an individual thing. I think that is why I left the Baptist faith because the Baptist church we were going to at that time was very cult-like and group-think in their beliefs. Everyone had to believe and think the exact same way the preacher did, or you were ostracized. If you questioned anything the preacher did or said, you were kicked out. And we were, along with several other people, because we started questioning the finances of the church.
Even though I believe everyone has a free will and can choose to believe in whatever they want, I have a hard time understanding how people can go about not believing in God. I look around me at the world, and I just can’t believe that it all come into existence via a big bang. Something had to be the catalyst, and that only thing is God.
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:06 am
Great insight… & what a great question for God…. thats just brought up like 100 questions in my own mind now!
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:29 am
The only answer I can come up with for your question as to why God would create man if He knew before creation that man would fall is that God wanted to demonstrate His glory. The glory of His grace and power and love and mercy. It was all about Him, that He could take a wretched, fallen man, offer Him grace in the form of His own death on a cross, and then make him righteous through His personal, holy sacrifice. Justification, sanctification, glorification… all for the sake of His name and His glory. I love it!
You may enjoy reading “Love, The Ultimate Apologetic” by Art Lindsley, if you’re at all interested in learning more about the apologetics of Christianity and belief in God.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 am
@Becky: Of course you’re welcome to stop by!
@Lillie: Exactly. I hate for someone to say, “Well, you’ve convinced me, I’ll believe.” It’s not my job to convince, as it’s the Holy Spirit’s role to convict.
@Debra: While we may think of science and religion as opposed today, scientific discovery (and not just technological advances) sprang from a desire of Christians (or at least those within a Christian worldview) to understand the world God created. The more I study science, the more in awe of God and convinced I am that no other explaination is adequate.
@Jacki: Yes, something had to be the catalyst (in the least).
@Rebecca Jo: Thanks. I have other questions too, but that’s the biggest for me.
@Liz: I just don’t think that He NEEDED us to demonstrate His glory, though I imagine that might be part of the answer. I guess we won’t know much more until heaven, and then, only know in part!
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June 2nd, 2009 at 10:40 am
Because I believe, I find it hard that anyone CAN’T believe He exists. But I suppose if I had never heard of Him, was going through a really tough time in my life, and no one loved me – I can understand how the cynic could sneak in.
I think this is why we have to share our personal testimonies. Our ‘job’ is just to get the word out there. As y’all have said before – it’s for the Holy Spirit to make it happen.
On a side note, since being in my chemistry class, I have to say that our God is a truly marvelous God. What He does on the molecular level is *AWESOME*!
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 am
I have never been able to fully express why I believe and that makes me feel rather ignorant. The only way I can verbally express why I believe always seems to come down to “Because I do”. It is a totally faith based statement. I hope that by letting my children make the decision for themselves, they will be able to have that complete and unquestioning faith, rather than feeling like they should believe because their mom does and expects them too also.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 am
@Iva: Yes, He is AWEsome!
@Michelle: There IS a level where all I can say is “because I do” because it all boils down to faith. It’s just that it’s not a blind, ignorant, or unreasonable faith.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 am
As always, a heart-felt post that touches others… beautiful!
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
You know I’m loving this! I, too, have had too many divine coincidences to be so arrogant as to call them chance.
I guess I’m on the other end of the second half of your testimony though. I am one who has strived to serve God every day, yet has been exposed to much evil (not by my own doing, but by those I love), and have experienced much trial. I can only attribute it to God seeing something faboulous in me that he wants me to see for myself, and it seems to be something that I can achieve only by refining. I have just come to accept that as long as I am living my faith and honoring Him each day by keeping his commandments, that I shouldn’t complain about any trial that are brought to pass–because they’ve been divinely sanctioned, as it were, for my growth and experience. “All these things shall be but for a moment, and if thou endurest them well, God shall exalt thee on high”.
And that’s the truth.
THanks for this great post Ronnica, and the chance to share why I believe—and continue to believe no matter what.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I think this is a good question to ask ourselves periodically. The question creates a good exercise and opportunity for affirmation of our faith and belief.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
@Jennifer P: I don’t think that I have what it takes to endure hardship…but I know one who is. “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” Through the tough times God has shown me my MANY weaknesses.
@Carrie: Yes, it’s definitely a good thing to think through. Though we walk by faith and not by sight, our faith does not have to be blind.
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:16 pm
That was such a great post! Thanks so much for sharing and for your sweet comments on my blog. I think my issue is that I am just so burned out of everything right now, passion isn’t there. But I know I just need to keep turning to God and it will be back!
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Thank you Ronnica!
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:11 am
@Kristen: I’ve totally been there. This too shall pass.
@Becky: You’re welcome!
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:11 pm
i don’t agree with trying to convert people or push their religion at you. not saying that you did this, but that i appreciate how you explain your views here in a non-aggressive way. i find it interesting that you say it logically makes sense. just based on my *own* experiences/personal journey i find the opposite to be true! this fascinates me. i can’t say i believe in god.. because i don’t think it’s something people can either prove or disprove.. but i’m open to the possibility. thanks for sharing.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:48 am
@Floreta: When I say it logically makes sense, I’m saying that I have fewer and less important questions when considering the system as a whole than I do when I consider an atheistic worldview. Thanks for commenting!