Faith can’t be put in a philosophical box because it isn’t a theory. It demands more then just a thought experiment. It requires a decision and demands a reaction from your heart. I think it is why I butted heads in my classess so much. The idea of God can’t simply sit in a box. The creator of the universe can not be discussed out of existence it just doesn’t work. To believe in a God means that the God by definition can not exist based on your idea of Him. If he depended on us to believe for Him to exist, then He wouldn’t be a powerful being. If your idea of God exists this way I am sorry to tell you that, that isn’t a god at all.
I sat in logic classes and seminars where we discussed what-ifs and theorys about what could be. The problem with this though is that our lives are flesh and blood, they don’t exist in theory. (This is not the Matrix) We are living, loving breathing beings. Life demands decisions and choices. It demands a reaction, existence demands a choice.
For there to be meaning or purpose, life demands one, regardless of what you have chosen, there is an effect to those choices. This is the reason that my philosophy classes drove me crazy, this is the reason I choose the path I did. You can’t live life with your heart shut off. It does not work, it is also why I was not the world’s best philosopher. I can direct thoughts and opinions and facts while seeing if they are true or logical but I also knew that theory can not be the basis for life.
It’s like saying that intentions over actions are more important. I’m not saying that the heart behind something isn’t important but there comes a point where if someone is saying something but repeatedly doing the opposite it is clear that they have not changed their actions to match their theory of what they would like to do. In theory what they are saying is nice and the right thing but they are not living it out.
Life is action. For example a lot of people in my life have been starting to take actual steps towards healthy living. I can see the tangible changes. They took their theories about taking better care of themselves and put it into practice. Living out their conviction and making decisions that have changed their lives for the better. It has been encouraging and convicting to watch them change for the better and made me evaluate what I want out of my physical body and taking some of my theories to heart.
Faith is one of those things that can change a person as well as the people around them. When you act on your faith it becomes more then just an idea of God. When we pray for something or someone and watch God work in situations. When people read their Bibles and act on what it says the world is changed. When people take the thought of what Love looks like and puts it in action it has the power to change a life.
Building a life on faith takes something from you but it also gives you so much. It might take you from people you love but it will bring you into the lives of people who need to be loved. It might cost you a coffee or a fancy car but it will bless you by being able to feed those who don’t have food and give you resources to help those who can’t afford to get to school or the doctor. It might cost your pride or high paying American dream job but it will fulfill you in a way that prosperity and worldly success never will.
Faith is not a theory and those walking it out are not hypocrits. The gospel points from broken people to an amazing God. If you put stock in Christians we will fail you everytime, but if you put faith in God it will change your world. Theories can not do this, arguments can’t change hearts, life is hard. People can’t put hope in theories, but they can put faith in Jesus. Live out your faith, be bold for God. He has such amazing things in store for you. Take the steps He has placed on your hearts. Reach out to the lonely, spend time with those forgotten, love the people He has put in front of you and you will never be disappointed.
Take Care friends!!!!
Much love from Thailand!
