The most important decision you will ever make

Being a Christian is about a relationship, not a religion. I use this cliché all the time, but it is a powerful, true statement. Many people who oppose Christianity ask me and others to prove to them that God exists. This is theoretically impossible. There is no finite way to prove that God exists. To the agnostic or atheist, this seems like a victory against Christianity, but often the same argument can be turned around. How many atheists can prove that God does not exist?

This is not an attack against those who do not believe in God, because I realize that people out there are genuinely searching for answers and for a reason to believe what they believe. This is where the relationship aspect comes into play. I was challenged by an associate pastor candidate who spoke in my church this past Sunday who was formerly battling the same questions of God's existence. He was struggling with suicidal thoughts almost constantly as a teenager. He was challenged by a priest to let God prove Himself to him instead of seeking proof through other people. Consequently, God worked in that situation and made Himself easily visible in the man's life.

Many people leave or avoid Christianity because they do not buy the rituals, the seemingly meaningless traditions, and the dogma that so often creeps into American churches. It is important to realize that God wants an intimate relationship with us (religious practice is beneficial in furthering this), and until someone seeks this kind of relationship in God, they cannot truly say that they have given God a fair chance.

Developing a relationship with God is similar in many ways to our relationships to friends or family. The more time and effort we put in, the more benefit we receive. So often people constantly complain that God is not doing right by them or bringing unnecessary suffering. How often do these same people forget to thank God for the many blessings of life? How often do they go to God before making major (or even minor) decisions? I often think that Satan uses aspects of society to directly interfere with a person's relationship with God. I can see this in my own life. Certainly in our fast-paced, hyper-sexual, tolerant world, it is hard to spend time with God and see God work in our lives if we let our world consume us while putting God on our "back burner."

Again, I was challenged by Sunday's sermon to develop a personal relationship with God in which every decision (major or minor) is brought before him, a relationship in which my schedule is planned around my time with God instead of the other way around, a relationship where I completely trust His leading in my life - no matter how irrational His guidance may seem by human standards.

I have recently witnessed the death of an 11-year old (Christian) friend. Life can be short. I have witnessed the saving grace of God in a friend who genuinely came to know Christ after years of pretending. Do not assume that someone is saved. I have witnessed several friends realizing that their walk with God has become stagnant, and a spiritual fire has been lit under them. Complacency is dangerous. Do not put off a decision any longer - tomorrow may not be available. Do not take salvation for granted, even in those who seem heaven-bound. Do not let Satan and the sin-filled world bring you down, but rather look to God in every (yes, every) aspect of life.

If you would like to begin your relationship with God or re-commit to growing in the relationship you have with God, you must believe that Jesus truly did die on the cross for your sins (meditate on this thought for a moment - the cross is now a sacred symbol, but it was once the bloodied torture device that Jesus bore our sins on), admit that you are a sinner (have done wrong at some point in your life - everyone is guilty of something, and if you do not think you are, then you are guilty of lying), and accept Him into your life (acknowledge that you want a life led by God in which God plays an active role in everything). You too can live a life for Christ and receive his blessings. Nobody else can prove to you that God exists. You must find out for yourself, and speaking from years of experience, the journey is absolutely worth it and God absolutely exists and intervenes in our lives (again, assuming we do our part!). I'd be more than willing to answer any questions you may have concerning this topic, as it is literally a life or death decision. Now is the time to make that decision.