My Faith

This ancient Greek maxim has taken many forms over the years. The wisdom is self-evident.  There is just one small problem. It is impossible to accomplish. 

Most Americans believe in the common good of mankind. After all, in our culture, most people don't want to hurt others, and most people try to be decent.  Many American Christians even believe this. The Bible says otherwise. It tells us we were born into sin and that our natural state is evil and not good. Read Jer. 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

And yet, God still gave us free will!  And He has no desire to take over our lives now.  "Who art thou, Oh, vain man who says, Why hast thou made me thus?" We want to believe our struggles are God's fault. But He disagrees. The idea that God made you broken, or WILL make you into something you do not want to be, is a lie that keeps many people chained to a life of desperation.  

When I was a child, I knew the presence of the Lord. Entering 7th grade, I decided to do things my own way. Years later, after a lifetime of drugs, alcohol, and destructive decisions, I determined it was time to get my fire insurance in order. You see, I had gotten married, and things weren't going so well. The Bible says, whatsoever we sow, that shall we reap. 

And so began my journey to secure my place in Heaven, and do better along the way. I would visit church after church, re-committing my life to God, and have lengthy discussions with Pastors, deacons, and concerned church members. They would ask: Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God? Do you believe Jesus died for your sins and rose again? Have you sincerely repented for your sins? Etcetera, etc. Why, brother Lane, they would exclaim - you're saved!  All you need now is more faith. But I knew this wasn't true.

I soon became angry at God. One day, I pulled my car to the side of the road, yelling and cursing at God - "I am a good person!  Why won't you help me? Where are you!?" It was then that God showed me who I really was. I was a liar. I was a thief. I was a cheater.  And I was a fool. God, in His infinite mercy, showed me who I really was. And the shocking thing was - I had known it all along! Just like the old gospel hymn says - "it was Grace that taught my heart to fear... and Grace my fears relieved."  

We are not basically good. When I meet a Christian who believes this, it concerns me. Practice ruthless honesty with yourself and your Creator. Know who you are, what you want, and where you are going. What would you die for and what do you live for?