I watched a video recently that depicted people of many different spiritual belief systems. Some were throwing powdered color into the air. Some were chanting. Some were presenting sacrifices. Some were receiving communion. How do we decide what to believe? From belief flows our lives and our destiny, so we need something solid to draw from.
Do we decide based on the community we were raised in? Do we decide based on what feels right in the moment? Do we decide on the basis of historical testimony? What’s solid? What’s central? What’s peripheral? Who decides? Jesus is attested to as an historical person. That is what I go back to when I doubt. Christian belief is based on the testimony of many witnesses to his life, death, and resurrection. I trust the core precepts of the Bible, which was written, Jesus’ friend John says, so that “you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31 I trust “…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 And I trust what I have experienced of his power and love in my own life. (See my memoir Trading Fathers for my spiritual story. Free pdf) From these central beliefs, I have constructed a peaceful fulfilling life. I’ve given my life to believing human testimony about Jesus. I write and act and pray based on what I have chosen to believe. It’s true I won’t know with absolute certainty until I see Him face to face. But given the current fruit of these beliefs, I fully expect to see his smile on the first day of my eternal life. The Lord bless you and keep you all your days.