Myths or Personal Experience

2 Peter 1:16
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. (NRSV)

One of the hardest conversations with a nonbeliever, is about why I think there really is a God.  Sometimes people will even concede that there might be some “higher power” but not believe in the God in whom I know and believe.  They think of the biblical stories that I know and love as myths that have no basis in reality.

Peter actually had it easier because he was an eyewitness to all that Jesus said and did.  It was not about relying on secondhand information.  For us, we need to be able to explain why it is we believe as we believe.  It is not enough to say that “the Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it.”  There is a very real need for us to examine our faith if we are going share the Gospel message of Jesus with new generations.  In fact, in Peter’s first letter, he says “…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” (see 1 Peter 3)

For me, the answer always comes down to the change in the disciples that can be historically verified.  This small band of disciples who were so afraid after Jesus’ crucifixion that they hid behind locked doors in the upper room of a house, became the driving power that created a new religious movement that took over the empire of Rome.  That is pretty amazing.  They had to have experienced something real in what they recognized as the resurrection of Jesus.  A made-up story would not have done it.

That same power is also what has caused countless changes in me.  These changes are from personal experiences I have had with Jesus.  I know that I still have a long way to go before I have reached the goal of reflecting the full love and grace of Jesus but, you should have seen me in high school.  There has definitely been some progress.

What is your story?  How do you explain your faith in a God that cannot be physically seen?  Do you rely on “cleverly devised myths”, or have you examined your faith to the point of making known the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ because of your own witness of his majesty in your life?  Can you tell stories of your personal experiences of Jesus?

Pray with me:

God your love never fails me.  I may not have seen you walk this world in the person of Jesus but, you have walked with me in my life and have powerfully changed me.  Continue to work on me, a life in process, that I may continue to tell your story to those who ask.  AMEN.

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