@TheBenevolentDictatorship

6 years ago

I was raised by atheist parents, and remained an atheist for much of my life. More than this, I was a vitriolic anti-Theist and hateful opponent of the faith. It is in His infinite wisdom that He has used such a sinner as myself to proclaim the Gospel to unbelievers who, in their spiritual wickedness, suppress the Truth within themselves, for they are lovers of self and insolent towards God.

I hated the very idea of God and of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is for His glory in opening my eyes and giving me a heart of flesh that I share these words of mine, which I wrote formerly in ignorance:

"To believe in a personal God who intervenes in human affairs, and all the while having a divine plan in order--of which war, disease, famine, poverty and general suffering throughout all of human history--seemingly to incur the wrath, and with so much treachery having a role in divinity--to see incessant human tragedy, and still thank God for His blessings--this is the nature of faith; this is the nature of insanity. When one abandons logic and reason in the name of faith, there is no evil that cannot be justified in having God on one's side. Religion is the greatest scourge upon civilization, and humanity would be far better off with its absolute non-existence."

-Me June 2013

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.“

(1 Timothy 1:12-17)

I am here to testify that Jesus is the Truth, the Way, and the Life, and that while I once proceeded in darkness and all manners of wickedness, God, by His Grace, saved me, and brought light into my life, that I may be a light unto others. Do not be deceived by the ways of this world, and the lies of natural men, for "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.’For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.’"

(1Corinthians 2:14-16)

There’s is nothing I or anyone can say or show you, unbeliever, which will bring you into the peace and joy of our Lord through repentance, for as Jesus teaches, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44) It is for this reason that we understand the saying to be true: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

God has made Himself known to men, but men suppress the truth about God due in no small part to spiritual wickedness, both within themselves, and from forces residing in the realms unseen. Turn. Seek the Lord in all sincerity; yearn for truth, which the Holy Spirit of God gives freely to those who love and seek Him with all of their heart. We are all held accountable, without excuse.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

(Romans 1:18-21)

I pray that God may use this to bring those He foreknew into repentance, so that they may have abundant life through Jesus Christ; indeed, a relationship with the living God. The power and glory are His forever. Amen.

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