Episode 27: Jesus Stinks!

"What will people think when they hear that I'm a Jesus freak?/What will people do when they find that it's true?/I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak/there ain't no disguising the truth."

                                                   -DC Talk, "Jesus Freak"

2 Corinthians 2:16 (NLT): "To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?"

Matthew 10:16 (NIV): "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

     As Christians, we are told to not be ashamed of the Gospel. We are told to believe and hold onto our faith no matter what the world says, no matter how much we're tested. I will admit that I have not lived my life free of doubt. I think every Christian has had a period, however long or brief, where they doubted God. Doubted His capability, His love, or even His existence. But it is the rebound from that doubt that solidifies our faith. Makes us into stronger soldiers of God so that doubt can't pierce our armor as hard ever again. And I think that works the same way with our human relationships. I think the strongest friendships are those that have been through a major fight/drift and made up on the other side. If you haven't come out of adversity, how can you prove that your relationship is strong?

The Stench of Death

   I made the title shocking on purpose. Those who know me personally know that I'm a Christian, and know that I would never actually insult Jesus. But, I will say that He stinks. Because the Bible itself says He does. If you actually read that first verse I included, you've seen that. 

   Jesus doesn't stink because He needs a shower or because He just went for a run and forgot to put on deodorant. He stinks in that the belief in Him makes others shun those who believe. 

   The song "Thoughts Of A Dying Atheist" by Muse chronicles the thoughts of a man on his death bed, a man who has spent his life denying the existence of God. It was so easy to do when his life was guaranteed, but now that it's fading away, he is terrified. The chorus opines, "it scares the hell out of me, and the end is all I can see." When I'm dying, I don't want to be scared. And because of God, I don't have to be. The end won't be all I can see, because I know there's eternal life after this earthly end. I won't be terrified of eternal torture, either, because I know my belief in Christ has saved me from that.

     Atheists are often like vegans. Many of them are very proud of their atheism and they don't shut up about it. Many of them look down on those who believe in a God, especially on Christians for some reason. God warned us about this. Our belief is a stench to them. It angers them. It angers them because it ignites their fear within them, reminding them that, in their vision, they are headed nowhere but a hole in the ground while we, in our vision, know that we are headed to eternity in paradise.

     And look, I know that not all atheists are like this. If you simply don't believe in a God but respect the beliefs of those who do, good for you. I hope you find God, but I respect you for treating me kindly and I will do the same to you. I should also add that I know not all vegans are like that.

    I went into this blog thinking it was gonna be a whole super-long thing, but I think I said all that I need to say. So, as always,

See you next week!