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Show Notes
Back in episode 4, we talked about one of the ways I know that God is real. In that episode, we mentioned that we are not looking at physical evidence, rather we were looking for relational proofs; since God is a relational God. Would you be interested in knowing that there is another proof? One that Jesus reveals in the Bible? That is what we are going to explore here in episode 13.
My name is Charles, and this is the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. A podcast for those who want a deeper faith, not a confusing one. That is what our name is about, keeping faith in Christ simple enough for a child like me to understand it and yet, not so shallow that when the storms of life hit, our faith runs aground. Here we go.
So, Charles, are you going to share all the passages which talk of the wonders of the universe screaming out God’s glory, or how our being fearfully and wonderfully made is proof of God’s existence? No, for while both nature and the complexity of the machinery in the human cell attest to intelligence that set things in motion, they do indicate a designer; they do not prove who or what that intelligence may be. How can I say that things like the fine-tuning of the universe or the organized machinery in the human cell does not prove who God is?
Primarily, because it is true. Nor does the Bible ever offer them as proofs for God’s existence. They are used to indicate his splendor, power, knowledge, and superiority to the created gods of mankind. But they are never offered as proof of God’s existence; that is always assumed. That is always a given.
If you have listened to episode 4, then you know that one proof I have found, that God is real and who he claims to be, is my growing love and compassion for those who are unlovable (unlovable from my human perspective). It is now time to address an additional proof I have discovered, one that also involves love. Though, this love has nothing to do with me. This is the love that other Christians have for others (both fellow Christians and non-Christians).
It would be one thing if my growing compassion were nothing more than mere sentiment getting the better of me. Yet, it is quite another when the larger body of Christ exhibits this love to others. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know… if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35). Also, see John 17, where Jesus asks the Father that we may be one just as he and the Father are… “That the world will know you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me... That the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:20-26)
Love is of vital importance; it is as we love each other that the world will come to know God. That is, they will believe God to exist, and to be who he reveals himself to be in the Bible, as a direct result of seeing his love demonstrated in and by Christians.
Yes, unfortunately, there are many examples of a lack of this love. This is a very sad truth, and it is no wonder that many reject Christ since they cannot believe what they do not see demonstrated. “How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
Yet, there are many examples of this love. One great example is the Salvation Army. These folks arrive at devastated areas well before the Red Cross. They offer unsolicited aid and ask nothing in return. It is simply what they do. Their love for God compels them. Another example is seen when Christians volunteer their time and money to help those in devastated areas, such as when Hurricane Katrina left many homeless. During this time, many Christians came together from around the country to help those who had lost everything. They took time off work, paid for their own trip and supplies: food, water, and those needed for the rebuilding. And they asked nothing in return.
Yet, as wonderful as these greater displays of compassion are, it is the simple everyday acts of kindness, small acts of compassion, and the rendering of dignity that best offer proof of a relational God. Scripture gives us a good idea of what this looks like. “For I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me…. Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me” (Mt 25:35-40). Or as James puts it, “Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…” (Jas 1:27).
Peter says, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellence of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). And John says, “He has made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father” (Revelation 1:6).
How will others know? They must be told. How will they be told? Someone must tell them. I can hear the objection already, “I am not a preacher!” Nor am I. That is not my lane. Yet, we are both still priests in God’s kingdom. Consider this, there may be more than one way to tell others; that is, to proclaim his excellence. How might this be? “By this, all men will know…” Sound familiar? It should, see above, or go straight to John 13:35.
A smile when heated words are expected, a return of too much change when it is mistakenly given, a good tip for good service, a warm greeting instead of chilly silence, the choice to not react when that idiot cuts you off, or even simply to refrain from all forms of gossip are great places to start. Respect given speaks volumes to the ones it is given to. And according to Jesus, it is the best way to allow him to say, “Hi, I’m here.”
Go on, I dare you. Show God to the world:
Love simply, love wisely, love well.
Well, what do you think? I’d love to hear from you, so please, go to simplenotshallow.com, and under the Simple Not Shallow Podcast section, find this episode, #13, and leave a comment for me there. Also, in the show notes, I’ll list all the verses I referenced, in the order and at the location in the transcript at which I referenced them. That way you can check me out to make sure I’m not totally in left field. Also, please take a second to rate this episode and subscribe to this podcast through iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify… or whichever service you use. Thank you. I’ll catch you next time.
