I know a young woman. She is dabbling with the occult, probably Satanism. She says that Christianity is a “cult”. She says that she rejects “religion”. She has been exposed to both ideas. She knows about Christianity because her family has shared it with her. I suspect that her exposure to Satan and the occult is through her friends.
Two diametrically different approaches to life. These two approaches are mutually exclusive. They cannot both be right. They cannot both be true. She is at a decision point. This is the most important decision that she will make in her life. It is important because the ramifications of her decision are eternal.
Christianity promises her an eternity surrounded by love…….an eternity in the presence of the God who created her. This is God’s offer to her…….if she accepts it. If she rejects God’s offer, Christianity also carries the threat of hell…….a place that is separated from God’s love…….a place that redefines pain.
Satanism/occultism promises her fun……right now. It is strangely silent on what kind of eternity awaits her. That alone is a red flag. Curiously, the people promoting the occult……..the people calling Christianity a “cult”…..never call Satanism a “cult”. This is another red flag. Satan never tells us that he loves us. He wants power and control……..but he never offers love.
I once stood at this same decision point. Jesus was either a supernatural being…..God……or he was one of the two greatest con-men of history (the other being Mohammed). God, heaven, hell, and Satan were either true……or a myth. Here is the chain of logic that I followed.
Jesus is an historical figure. He lived, preached, died by crucifixion and was entombed. This is documented in both religious and secular accounts. Jesus endorsed the Old Testament. His disciples endorsed the New Testament.
It all comes down to one question:
“Is the Bible true?”
Notice that the question is not, “do I approve of the Bible”.
When push comes to shove, the validity of the Bible hinges in one thing:
Did the resurrection of Jesus really happen? After all, I think we can agree that resurrection is impossible. If Jesus returned to life after being dead for three days, then he has done something impossible. If the resurrection really happened…….then Jesus is not limited by what is possible……..by the laws of science…..he is supernatural……a good working definition of God.
Jesus, God, the creator says that the Bible is true.
So……did the resurrection actually happen?
This is the most important decision that we will ever make. It is a black and white, yes or no, decision. There is no “in between”. You must answer yes or no. And ignoring the question is a tacit no.
Here is the evidence:
Jesus died…..a Roman soldier speared him with an 18″ iron spear that would have penetrated both lungs and the heart. He received no medical care. This is not a survivable injury. He was entombed.
Three days later he had dinner with his disciples. All but one of them testified to this. All of them died gruesome deaths rather than recant. I cannot believe that 12 grown men would die gruesome deaths to promote what they knew was a lie. I cannot believe that 12 men would accept horrible torture and death to promote a “con” knowing that the author of the con was dead.
Days later, he appeared to 400 eyewitnesses.
That is good enough for me.
Resurrection is impossible.
Jesus did something impossible.
Jesus is supernatural.
Jesus is devine.
Jesus endorses the Bible, heaven, hell, and eternal life.
What I believe……what I approve of…..what I like…..what is fun……is irrelevant.
I have lived 30 years following Jesus. I can promise you that it works.
The Ouija board……..not so much.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Jesus claiming divinity, John 10: 27-30, ESV