Yes, God Believes In You

A road trip on the week before Easter in the South is sure to produce a scenic route no matter what route you choose. Dogwoods and azaleas in Mississippi give way to blooming redbuds in Alabama; then on to beautiful palm trees and gardenias in Florida. Amidst all the natural beauty there is also much man-made beauty to observe. Churches seem to be more beautiful than ever this time of year. Flowers are blooming on the well-kept lawns. Many have crosses on display draped with purple commemorating Christ' crucifixion. At the churches with crosses, there are also marquee signs (not always so beautiful) that one can't help reading. It is almost Easter so, on many signs are the words, "Jesus is alive!" or "He is risen, come and see!" One of my favorite messages I read said, "Have you heard? The grave could not hold Him! Come celebrate WITH Jesus here this Sunday."

Along the road I traveled, sign after sign continued to pop up for my reading pleasure, until one popped up that was not so much a pleasure, but one which produced a "What were they thinking" moment. At a small brick denominational church, the message they chose to have all read who passed their way was this, "God does not believe in atheists." I said out loud as if whoever put the letters on the sign might hear me, "YES HE DOES!" What hope is there in that message? Did Christ not die on the cross for all? If I were an atheist passing by in need of some kind of hope in my life, would this sign make me want to go inside in search of the God I had heard about but did not believe in?

Jesus came for all humanity. Jesus said, "I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life no man comes to the Father, but by me." Jesus longs for people to find Him so that they may see God. God provided Jesus as the way to Him. If God did not believe in all sinners, atheist included, He would not have sent His only Son to die on the cross.

Come on people, think about the message you are displaying for all who pass your way to see. God believes in you. It is up to us that the message Christ died for you, be delivered to all man. God is love and wants us to love one another, which by the way includes atheists. Jesus said, "By this will all men know you are my disciples if you have love one for another." There is no love in the message that God does not believe in atheists.

God's not dead! He is ALIVE! Eternal life awaits ALL who accept the salvation that Christ died on the cross for.

Let's celebrate WITH Jesus every day and bring as many as we can with us to the celebration that will be in Heaven one day.

jbp