How to believe?
Sally Wilkins
Jim asks with sincerity:
<<How can real belief be a choice? Either you do or you don't believe. How
can one be self-honest and "choose" not to believe whatthey believe, or to
believe what they don't believe?>> He notes that: <<My fiancee is a
Christian and I made the commitment to seriously look into this several
months ago. The problem I'm having isthat I can't make myself believe and so
far I've no "internal witness",and the evidence seems shakey. >>
Jim--congratulations on having the courage to ask an honest question. I hope
you don't get buried in conflicting replies. I'll share a couple of opening
thoughts, and be happy to discuss this further off-list if you like.
First, real belief *has* to be a choice, because if they evidence were
overpowering there would be no need for faith. Despite the frequently used
example, I do not need faith to sit down in a chair because I can see and
touch the chair and I have a wealth of experience with chairs. God desires
us to enter a relationship with Him freely, therefore He has to be
circumspect because direct contact with Him would be compelling. In fact,
this is what is promised at the end of time: "At the name of Jesus every
knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD"--no longer
by choice but because all doubt has been removed.
Second, and following from the above, doubt is a common, possibly necessary
corollary of faith. Believers struggle with doubt--some frequently, some
rarely, some only when life is burdensome, others on a daily basis. St. John
of the Cross refered to the "dark night of the soul," when God seemed to be
completely absent and his prayers seemed pointless. This time came after
years of faithful living and belief, and John believed it was in fact a test,
so that he would prove to himself that his faith was not based on
consolations. Somewhat like Job. {NB--I know that there are Christians who
would challenge this idea. After years of study and discussion, I think the
notion that a truly "saved" person will never have another doubt is 1) wrong,
2) unbiblical, see not only Job but David, Thomas, and indeed Jesus on the
cross, 3) dangerous because it clearly says to any believer who does
experience doubt "you're not really saved."}
Third, anyone can approach the Lord with no faith, only a sincere desire to
know the Truth. There can be no harm in praying "If you are really there,
grant me the gift of faith." And faith, all faith, is precisely that--a
gift, not a work, "lest any one should boast." (Obviously the ability to pray
this prayer is also a gift, a grace, but this grace is extended to all.)
This is Biblical: "Lord I believe, help Thou my unbelief"
Fourth, while some people do experience a powerful "internal witness" as soon
as they step out in faith, the more common experience is a gradually
developing relationship with the Lord. You could, perhaps, compare this to
falling in love: a few people experience "love at first sight," most get to
know the other person and gradually their love grows stronger.
You may be familiar with Pascal's theory of the gamble: I can't know for
sure whether or not my Faith is correct. If I am wrong, and this life is all
there is, when I die it will be over and I will not know the difference. If
what I believe is true, when I die it will make all the difference. So I
choose to live in faith, "betting" the life I have here against the
possibility of life after death. (I think this is from _Pensees_, no doubt
someone on the list will correct me if I'm wrong.
I would strongly encourage you to read one of the Gospels, possibly John.
Read with an open mind and heart, not expecting to be hit over the head, but
listening for the whisper of the Spirit. I'd also recommend C.S. Lewis' MERE
CHRISTIANITY, and possibly Sheldon VanAuken's A SEVERE MERCY.
We will be praying that you will be surprised by joy! -Sally Wilkins
SEDWi...@aol.com