For Our Monday: Reminding Ourselves What We Really Believe

This is what I believe —

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth — and Maker of me.

I believe in God, not because I can see Him — but because of the overwhelming evidence that His hands have caressed the world.

I believe that a Divine Maker, who gives attention to wildflowers and sparrows and bubbling brooks and the darkest corners of unseen caves, will surely attend to me.

I believe that I am stubbornly, irrevocably loved.

And I believe that this unfathomable love was pre-meditated.

Before the foundations of the world, He loved us.
Before the fall of Eden, He loved us.
Before He sent His son splitting through the cosmos of this world, He loved us.
Before He died upon the cross, He loved us.
When He rose from the grave, He loved us.
(And He’s coming back again, because He loves us.)
When we took our first breath, He loved us.
When we take our last, He’ll love us.
He loves, and He likes us, and He gave His life for us.

God is the only god in the history of forever who willingly died for sinners. He loved us to death, and He loves us to life.

I believe that being a Christian isn’t a thing we do only on Sundays, and that church isn’t something that just happens at the altar, and that grace abounds everywhere – sometimes where we least expect it.

I believe that I cannot do this on my own, and that I would be hopelessly lost with Way, the Truth, and the Life.

I believe that God takes me as as I am — but promises never to leave me that way.

God is not irritated by my weakness,
surprised by my mistakes,
impressed by my goodness,
or shocked at my overwhelming need for His grace.

I believe in a God so extravagant with grace that he irritates every legalist, while outshining a whole room full of Mother Teresa’s. This same God is so holy that His presence will compel both the proud and the humble to fall their knees.

I believe in a Savior who died for the outcast, the popular kid, the preacher, the doubter, the rude waitress, the junkie and the guy who cut me off in traffic. I believe in a Savior who died even for the likes of me.

I believe that even if people make fun of you – even if your own Christian community rolls its eyes at you – it’s still OK to be “on fire for Jesus,” to wear a Christian T-shirt, to call yourself a Jesus Freak and to raise your hands in church. And I also think it’s OK if you don’t.

I believe that every moment is an opportunity to spy grace, to offer love and to find a way to forgive. I believe all those things can happen anywhere: in funeral homes, in subway stations and in the sandbox at the park right after a mean kid throws sand in your toddler’s eye.

I also believe this: I am saved but still a sinner.

I believe in scandalous grace, and that the cross is the most priceless and costly gift the world has ever seen. I believe that it really is all because of Jesus.

I believe that Christ Jesus is more than a wise teacher, a fine philosopher or a miracle worker. I believe that He is God, the living Word, who became flesh. I believe He voluntarily atoned for my sin by dying on the cross. I believe He rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.

I believe the Holy Spirit is a divine Person.

I believe that the same Spirit who hovered over the waters and who inspired the prophets and who fell upon the first believers, is the very same Spirit who guides and empowers believers today.

I believe that salvation is a work of God’s free grace and is not the result of human works, “being good” or taking part in religious ceremonies.

I believe that God exists, yes … And I also know that He does. I talked to Him a few moments ago.

All people matter to God, and they matter to me.

I believe in miracles; I am one.

I mess up. And because of that, I believe I will always need forgiveness, until the last light of this life fades.

I believe that Jesus Christ is coming again.

And I believe that this is not the end,
and that there is hope for all people,
and that Love came to rescue the weak and
the broken and
the helpless and …
me.

And I — sinner falling now at His feet — believe that I will live with Him forever.

Your Turn: Do you have a faith statement? Who is God to you today?