I was thinking today about the creed I am writing on my What I Believe page and while I was jotting down some notes about God and Jesus and whatnot, the thought hit me: “So what?” I’m writing down all these ideas that are somewhat Christian but include ideas from other religions and I say that I’m trying to figure out what I believe but so far they are just ideas … thoughts. I don’t really believe these things because I don’t see them impacting my life. And I think that is the criteria for real belief — John 3:16 style belief.
If I really, truly believe something then that belief will be evident in what I do in my day to day life. If I really, truly believe in the sanctity of marriage then I will not have an affair no matter what opportunities present themselves. If I really, truly believe that by eating right and exercising daily I will feel better, look better, and live longer then I will eat right and exercise daily.
But I can “think” or “know” something without it impacting my life — and this is not, in my opinion, John 3:16 style belief. For example, I do not actually eat as well as I could (although I don’t eat poorly) and I don’t actually exercise very often even though I sometimes wish I had more energy and was a little thinner. So I can think or know that exercise has benefits but I really don’t believe it; otherwise I’d be on the cross trainer instead if sitting on my ass writing this.
So you say that you believe in God and Jesus and yada yada yada. But how does this belief impact your life? What do you do — every day — because of this belief? You say you believe in the virgin birth and in Jesus’ resurrection and that the Bible is the Word of God. But unless this belief affects the way you live your life every day, it’s merely intellectual knowledge like knowing the capital of Montana is Helena.
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