Drew,

I take your point about a God who can create the world from nothing can do astonishing things like see how many animals will fit into a boat and make animals talk. The only time I heard an animal talk was the old goat of a history teacher we had at school and it was a miracle we all passed our exams. These miracles in the Bible happened centuries ago. Do miracles happen today? Have you ever witnessed a miracle, apart from the beauty of creation etc?

The book sounds interesting. I shall look out for it. I have heard some fanatical atheists who spend much time and energy trying to prove that God doesn’t exist and tearing apart religion as though they had some compulsion driving them on. They didn’t convince me. But I don’t seem to be able to believe in God like you and others do. Drew, what’s wrong with me? I heard someone talk once about predestination. Maybe I just wasn’t predestined to believe? Do you think there are some people who are not meant to believe?

Jack

By way of introduction, let’s jump right in. First, I would agree that there are some who are not meant to believe. Who are those people? Those people are everyone. Everyone without the help and inworking of God will not believe on Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. God draws people to Jesus and works in them. Without this work of God in our hearts, no one would believe. We would not believe because we are content in our sins. We like being in control. We like being our own masters.

Just yesterday I was at Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina with my wife Emily and my sister-in-law Hannah. I’ve never been a huge fan of going to the beach. I mean, the idea of going to the beach sounds good; maybe because it’s rather hyped up. So, we were at the beach and we sunbathed for the first hour we were there, just reading and eating Xplosive Pizza flavored Goldfish. Anyways, the time came when we three wanted to get into the water (it was real hot). And as you approach the water the first feeling of the ocean you get is the waves at your feet. And let me you: it was cold. Real cold. And just the thought of having that real cold all over my body made it hard to breath. Nonetheless, gradually and slowly I made my way into the water until I was swimming in it, having a gay ol’ time.

I tell you all this to say that becoming a Christian is a lot like getting into the ocean when the water is at a substantially lower temperature than your body. How is it like it? Getting into the water is like getting saved in that at first your not too sure if you really want to. It requires change and feels different big time. Also, they are similar because once you are in, you have loads of fun. Of course not everything’s easier or perfect–you have to keep swimming–but it’s fun and feels right. The analogy of course breaks down because you eventually have to get out of the water, but the main point is there: it’s a little awkward at first, but once you’re in, you love it.

Now, meanwhile back at Predestination Ranch. We are content in our sins and unless something happens in our hearts we will not believe. In fact, you asked if miracles happened today. The answer to that is a definitive yes. The very act of salvation in the hearts of sinners is a miracle. It is a miracle that anyone is saved at all. Salvation is wholly dependent on God’s mercy and grace, both of which he was/is no obligation to give to us, rebellious sinners.

So what should you do if you feel like you cannot believe? Pray and read the Bible. The Apostle sent a letter to the church in Rome about 2,000 years ago telling them that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). The Spirit of God works through the word(s) of Christ–the Gospels, the Bible–to bring about faith. For this reason, I would encourage you to read the Bible, specifically start by reading the Gospel of John. Check out what John says to us, his readers, in the 20th chapter of his book:

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The very words contained in the Bible were written so that you and I would believe that Jesus is indeed more than just a man and that he rose from the dead, proving to be God. Faith comes from hearing the words of Christ. These eye-witness accounts were written so that we might believe.

Secondly, I would encourage you to pray. Prayer, like we talked about, is talking to God. Ask God to work in your heart. Recognize your inability. Luckily for us, the only requirements for becoming a Christian are repentance and faith; not understanding every single facet of the Christian faith; because truly if we believe it to be the following of God, then, because God is mysterious and beyond are complete comprehension, so too, will there be mystery in our faith.

A favorite passage of mine in the Bible is where one guy confesses that he has a problem with unbelief, something I can readily identify with. The story is found in Mark 9 and goes a little something like this: there’s a little debacle going on with this father of a son who was possessed by a spirit and had bad seizures. Some of the followers of Jesus had tried to “drive out the spirit, but they could not.” Jesus’ reply? “‘O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.’” He seems a little bit peeved by their unbelief.

But he gets right in there. So, they bring him the kid. The kid goes crazy with convulsions and foaming at the mouth (maybe he had rabies, too). The father, not really thinking Jesus could do much, says, “if you can do anything, help us and kick out this spirit.” Jesus repeats what the dad had said, semi-scoffingly, “‘If I can do anything?’” [Of course, Jesus can do something, he’s God.] Here’s word-for-word Mark’s account of what was said and happened next:

[Jesus talking] “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

This father needed help from Jesus to believe. You can throw me in the same boat. Don’t be afraid to be in the boat with us.