The avoidance of an atheistic position for those that don’t pursue a relationship with God is a norm today, especially with millennials and gen x’ers . It fits the “whatever, whenever, whoever” times and avoids thinking about the possibility of “His wrath”. Maybe God will let you go un-noticed, but it implies God may also allow you to go un-protected! Having his protection is and has been a big deal in my life. Agnosticism basically boils down to ”I don’t know and I don’t care” because I have more important things to do. Having been well acquainted with the position in my long past I speak from experience.

My agnosticism began crumbling at the edges when a self indulgent lifestyle became less satisfying. The hows and whys of earths creation and man’s purpose on earth invaded me. More haunting was my purpose, who I was, where I was and why I was. How could I continue believing and behaving like this didn’t matter, wasn’t important, or worse, if God was real, what did He think of me? Concluding my agnostic position was not only lame, it was a cop out and bore no commitment to any real position. I have more respect for an atheists’ position than an agnostic one because it is definitive if nothing else.

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God loves each of us, regardless of our position (or lack of one) and will often wait years or decades for us to pursue Him. He never gives up and His desire for your love does not grow weary. God, in His time, delivered a step to being “made Holy as He is holy*” by changing a belief in my heart (see previous “heart” blog) to one of His design. My love for those that don’t know Him is the same as those that do, just as my love for those that are opposite my political beliefs is the same as my political peers. Remnants of my southern upbringing were replaced with equality of love and respect for all races.
* 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:21.

The promises of Scripture are real and obtainable and it is most unfortunate many resist pursuing God because of fears they may have to give up some things. God doesn’t really work like that. As the prizes are unpacked (fruits of the Spirit) our desire increases for His greater gifts as our desires decrease for what once ruled us. This phenomena is quite remarkable in itself.

“Personal holiness is an effect of redemption, not the cause of it. If we place our faith in human goodness we will go under when testing comes.”                     Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

“The person who is comfortable in his own righteousness hasn’t really understood grace, and the person who is unimpressed by God’s grace hasn’t really understood his sin.” Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies

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