Be an Example to Unbelievers
By: Michelle Lazurek
Bible Reading:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” - 1 Corinthians 1:18
Eric Dane, an actor best known for his role as Dr. McSteamy on Grey’s Anatomy, in a special for Netflix called Famous Last Words, said this when asked to expand on his “controversial relationship with the universe right now”:
“I think when the lights go out, it’s over. I don’t believe that there is another place for our souls to go. I think people believe that stuff because it provides them a lot of comfort. But I’ve really come to grips with it, and I think once the lights go out, out with the old, in with the new.” He continued, “I do believe when we go to sleep, or however we go, we are just gone, and we live on in the memories of the people that will miss us.”
For many, the concept of God is foreign. Some people, who have been through extensive church hurt, have difficulty believing in God. Not only do they have difficulty believing in God because His existence is hard to prove, but also because God doesn't always meet our expectations. When God doesn't act like the genie in the bottle we want him to be, it's easy to push him aside and pretend he doesn't exist.
But as the above verse tells us, the moment we believe in God is when we are regenerated. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” It's exciting news to know that, no matter what we have done in the past, Christ's death on the cross can make us new people if only we choose to believe in him. However, for those who are perishing, and for whose wages of sin is truly death, the Bible and God's existence are nothing more than foolishness.
As Christians, we can expect to be mocked by unbelievers. Those who are frustrated by God and his unpredictability will choose to mock and ridicule us for believing in something that cannot be proven tangibly here on earth. However, for those of us who have experienced intimate encounters with God, we know that science alone is not the only way to prove God's existence.
God calls us to share our testimony with the world. The more people we can share our story with, the more we can help unbelievers become believers. Even as droves of people leave the church each year for a myriad of reasons, those who withstand the ridicule and mockery and stay true to his word know there is a heavenly reward waiting for them.
Although Eric Dane had the world, he did not have the one thing he sought: unconditional love. Eric Dane, who was formerly married to Rebecca Gayheart, had two daughters with her. At the end of the special, he looks into the camera and tells his daughters a few things he wants them to remember as he passes. He never remarried after their divorce, and states that his children are the main reason why he is alive today.
While children can be a reason to live, Christians understand that there is more to life than simply living for family. For us, God's presence is not foolishness. In fact, it is a way of life that, when neglected, will cause huge deprivations emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. We will not know how to cope without it.
Father, let us be people known not only for believing but also for trusting in God's power. Let us be an example to the unbelievers, of which God's presence is foolishness to them. Let us convince them not with our knowledge of the Bible, but with our actions. Most importantly, let us be known for our love. Let us get to know people so intimately that we can't help but point them to God at every opportunity. Amen.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you someone who loves others unconditionally, especially unbelievers? Who might God be calling you to be a witness to today?
Further Reading:
Psalm 14:1
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