Simple Faith Isn’t Simple

    I liked the train of thought in Ross’ last post. It makes me wonder how much God wants us to know. I don’t think God created us to simply think about him. He created us to experience his love, and to be in relationship with him. So how much time should we devote to thinking, discussing, and trying to figure out God?

    God obviously created us with an innate curiosity about the world around us. As humans we try to figure things out, categorize them, simplify them. I think that these are gifts and special abilities that God has given out, so we’re obviously meant to use them. I don’t think God calls us to never question Him, never wonder about him. The Bible talks about people being teachers in 1 Corinthians 12, the skill of teaching God requires you to simplify, and categorize. I cannot believe that it is wrong.

    And yet, I don’t believe God wants us to waste all of our time doing that either. When we question God, sometimes we become frustrated that we cannot figure everything out. We will never be able to reason to the extent that we can logically explain him. That’s the point of faith after all. When we rely on our reasoning or our intellect more than our faith, then we have changed our priorities. God says that we cannot understand him in Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways my ways…”

    When Jesus sees children in Mark 10:13-16 he says “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” We need to have faith like a child. But as nice and poetic as this sounds it is not easy. Simple faith sounds easy enough, but the world around it accepts it as madness. If you do not have reasoning behind your beliefs you are a fool in the world’s eyes. I always feel a need to be able to “defend” my faith. To be able to logically explain every nuance of the Christian faith. I am frustrated when I cannot.

    How radical would it be to say to your non-christian friends that you simply believe on faith?

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