Jump Start # 921

2 Timothy 2:24-26 “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

Paul’s words to Timothy remind us that our attitudes are as important in teaching others as is the what we teach them. A discussion can be killed because of attitudes. Quarreling, impatience, rudeness, roughness and arrogance smoother the truth and stifles any good that can come from a discussion.

Recently I had a discussion with a guy who claims to be an atheist. He went to church as a child. He doesn’t now. We met for a long while. He was pleasant. He had several serious questions.

• He has problems fitting science in with the Bible.
• He read a passage in Exodus 33 where God talked to Moses, face to face as to a friend. Later, in the same chapter the text says no one ever saw God’s face. How does that fit?

Good questions. Good discussion. We hope to meet again. It was pleasant. I left him with some things to think about. He left me with some homework that I have to do for some of his questions.

Before we left, he asked me what my life would be like if I was sitting in his chair. What would my life be like if I didn’t believe? I haven’t given that much thought, mostly because I believe. Once I crossed the bridge with Jesus, I have not had second thoughts. I never had “buyer’s remorse.” There has not been a tug on my heart to leave Jesus and return to the world. Intellectually, Biblically, and faith tells me that is foolish. That is a dead end road. That is a losers bet.

But he asked me. In a fair, honest and open discussion, I wanted to answer him. I have given that question more thought since then. What would my life be like if I was sitting in the chair of one who did not believe?

I think for most believers we have a hard time going there. It is such an impossibility with us that we can’t relate and as a result, we can’t relate. The nonbeliever can’t understand us because we can’t understand him. This question, this thought isn’t off the charts. John Lennon made a hit song singing that very concept, “Imagine.” Imagine there’s no Heaven, his song begins.

Many are so busy with the now, that they don’t think of the eternal. Many are busy with kids, schedules, vacations, taking care of the place, watching TV and dealing with life, that days pass…weeks pass…months pass…and eventually a lifetime passes with just existing here. One can get used to not thinking about God. Some feel that introducing God into their lives only adds more guilt and they already have enough of that.

It seems that there are more practical atheists than pronounced atheists. The practical branch lives for the here and now. They are busy, productive, happy and just not thinking about the spiritual. That’s where I would be if I didn’t believe. In some ways, Christians can walk step in step with the practical atheist. In theory we disagree with them. In reality, we do the same that they are doing. Too busy for prayers…too busy for reflection…too busy for worship…too busy for God. How is that any different than the guy who doesn’t believe? I don’t think I would be into drugs, running guns, laundering money, arrogant, cussing with every breath. There are those like that, but not many. Many folks who do not believe, are good people. They don’t see God. They don’t see the answers to their questions. They don’t see reasons to believe. They are not obnoxious or rude, they simply do not believe.

The image of atheism that too many believers have is a twisted soul that has drunk so heavily from the cistern of sin that he is dark through and through. They perceive him as evil, nasty and violent. They would never assume that the sweet grandma down the street doesn’t believe, or the hair dresser doesn’t believe, or the friendly co-worker doesn’t believe. They don’t fit in the image of atheism. It may be that our image is off. It may be that we need to give some thought to where I would be if I didn’t believe. It may be that no one has ever sat down with them and answered their questions, or taken time to listen, or taken time to see what life is like from their perspective.

What would life be like if we weren’t believers? You ought to see a huge hole in your heart. Something big is missing. Sure, you’d have cars and a house and careers and kids, and hobbies and vacations and family—but what was missing is something you can’t see. What’s missing is that anchor that holds you in storms. What’s missing is that rock that is Jesus Christ. What’s missing is that hope that drives you. What’s missing is that perfect example that you follow. What’s missing is that peace and joy that comes from walking with God. Sundays would be different without God. Choices would be different without God. Raising kids would be different without God. Viewing death would be different without God.

Be kind when you talk with others who are different than you. Listen. Consider. Help.

Roger