Sunday, May 26, 2019 am
LIGHTS IN A DARK WORLD
(19)
PUTTING GOD FIRST IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES (3)
Seeking First His Kingdom (3) – Do I Live Like An Atheist?
We are continuing our study of putting God first in every aspect
of our lives. We are in the
midst of a discussion of our spiritual lives.
Understanding this will impact every aspect of our lives – our
relationships and well as our conduct and attitudes.
We began this section by examining Matthew 6:24-34, and noting
some things involved in seeking first the kingdom of God – asking,
“Where is your treasure?”, “What are you bringing into your life?”, “Who
is your Master?”, and “Who do you trust?”
In other words, is God’s kingdom your priority?
We followed this up with a lesson last week addressing the
subjects of overcoming apathy and pursuing righteousness (being right
with God according to His standard).
a.
What is an atheist? By
definition, one is an atheist if he is
against theism (the belief in God). We are living in times where
atheism is increasing in popularity.
The secular world has done a good job (or horrifying job) to convince
more and more to reject the idea of this world being created by God.
And quite honestly, many professed believers in God have done a
poor job of refuting it. It
is often a product of apathy as we discussed last week.
b.
Certainly, as Christians
we believe in God. And we
understand the foolishness of rejecting God.
Psalm 14:1 tells us, “The fool has said in his heart, there is no
God.”
Psalm 10:4 notes that, The wicked
in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his
thoughts. We see this all
around us today.
Romans 1:20-23 describes the behavior of those who reject God, which
certainly would include the atheist.
Paul notes that they worship and serve the creature (themselves,
i.e. humanism) rather than the Creator.
Paul’s point is that we must NOT be like this.
As Christians, we understand this and hopefully, we would repudiate such
attitudes.
c.
BUT, even though we
believe in God, do we really act like it?
Is our conduct different from the atheist.
One obvious observations about atheists is that if they reject
God, they also reject His word.
Are we “Christian atheists”? While we would never deny the
existence of God, do we sometimes live as if He doesn’t exist?
Do we live our lives as if His word is not important? How does
our actions compare with that of an atheist?
Titus 1:16 – speaks of those who profess to know God, but in works they
deny Him
2 Timothy 3:5-7 – concluding his list of selfishness, Paul describes
them as, “having a form of godliness, but denying its power.”
He further warns, “And from such people turn away.”
1 John 2:4, He who says, “I know
Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is
not in him.
So, while we profess to believe in God, do we live like it?
Let’s consider some examples.
a.
Do we defend our faith?
i.
Atheists do not have a
faith to defend. And, while
many are willing to engage in philosophical debate, IF there is no God,
it really doesn’t matter. So
what?????
Atheists spend most of their time poking holes in the case for God,
rather than making an affirmative case that He doesn’t exist.
That’s because they CANNOT prove it!
But what is interesting is how many atheists are adamant they don’t have
or need faith. I would
debate that! There are
multitudes of things they accept by faith – because naturalism doesn’t
verify them. (E.g. By faith,
they accept no God; that matter is eternal; that live suddenly appeared,
etc.).
ii.
But what about us as
Christians? Do we defend our
faith? Do we defend God?
1 Peter 3:15 calls for us to give a defense for the hope that is in us.
Jude 3 calls for us to CONTEND earnestly for the faith.
But do we? Are we willing to
take the time to learn God’s word well enough that we can answer, at
least in our minds, attacks against the faith?
b.
Do we really trust God?
Do we live our lives with hope?
i.
An atheist doesn’t trust
any god and has no hope beyond this life.
Therefore, he may live however he wants.
He may CHOOSE to be moral and honorable, but it is only because he wants
to, or he sees it for the better good of society (and wants to promote a
better society). But in
reality, how can he question anyone else’s moral decisions?
What right does he have to impose his morality on others?
It is inconsistent.
ii.
As Christians, do we
live our lives with genuine faith?
(cf. Hebrews 11:1, 6, 13-16)
Are we really putting our trust and decisions on the next life?
(Proverbs 3:5-6 – trust in the LORD with all your heart…)
c.
Do we pray as we should?
i.
Atheists have no one to
pray to. Their only source
of comfort is whoever they have in this life.
Facing death and its
uncertainties, who are they going to turn to?
ii.
Christians, have the
blessing and privilege of prayer – 1 John 5:14-15, Hebrews 4:14-16.
But how often do we pray?
How openly do we pray?
Do we pray with the promised hope of His word? 1 John 3:21-22, James 1:6
d.
Are we worldly minded?
i.
Obviously, atheists can
be as worldly as they want to be.
Any moral restraints they exercise are purely by choice.
Not as a result of some moral accountability.
How many today live selfishly and without restraint, because they don’t
believe or CARE whether or not there is a God?
That is one point of Romans 1:20ff.
ii.
But what about
Christians? We are reminded that we CANNOT love the world and the things
in the world (1 John 2:15-16).
We are to be content – 1 Timothy 6:6, Philippians 4:11.
We are to be other worldly (Colossians 3:2, etc.)
Proverbs 30:8-9 - Remove falsehood
and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with
the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is
the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.
iii.
But do we find ourselves
engaging in worldly and sinful behaviors? Do we live in pursuit of
worldly things? Enough on
that!
e.
Do we respect God’s word
in the way we live? Or do we
dismiss it?
i.
Clearly, the atheist
rejects God’s word. He may
study it, but only to find faults and criticisms (though depending on
how honest he is, he MAY be converted).
Many times, the arguments atheists will make point to hypocrisies
of Christians, or teachings he interprets to be immoral and out
of touch (e.g. political correctness).
They do NOT respect God’s word and many mock those who do.
ii.
Obviously, God’s word
must be important to us as Christians – Romans 1:16-17, 2 Timothy
3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13 – we must welcome it as the word of God
which effectively works in you who believe, etc.
iii.
BUT, how many Christians show little regard for God’s word in the way they
live and the way they use it? We find compromise and the justification
of immoral practices, sometimes using the same arguments atheists would
use.
Furthermore, many may teach they truth, but they JUST DON’T LIVE IT!
Notice 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8,
For God did not call us
to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not
reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
Note again 1
John 2:4 – to profess to know Him
and not keep His commandments is to be a liar.
Romans 1:18, the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…
When one changes God’s word, is he guilty of suppressing the
truth?
Luke 6:46 – why do you call me
Lord and no not the things that I say?
f.
Finally,
do we live with a view toward
eternity?
i.
Atheists, as already
noted, live only for this life.
There is no eternity.
Only our present existence.
How tragic to live knowing that such is all there is.
Some are more reckless than others because they don’t care.
ii.
Christians ought to live
like the Lord may return soon or this may be our last chance to make
things right with Him? 2
Corinthians 5:9-10, Hebrews 9:27, etc.
But do we? 2 Peter 3:3-4 -
Do we live like we have all the time in the world?
Do we live like all there is to worry about is this life?
If so, how are we any different than the atheist?
g.
Could it be that many of
these examples are because many professed believers are just that –
PROFESSED believers? We
can’t be just a professed believer.
We have to live as a genuine believer looking to heaven.
That needs to be important to us and others ought to see and know
that. But do they?
NOTE: It is my hope that no one here is an atheist, or even doubters of
His existence. But this
lesson is designed to provoke each of us to THINK as to whether or not
our actions betray our claims.
Recall the challenge of Paul to the Corinthians, “Examine
yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you
not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are
disqualified.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
These are a few things Christians need to consider as we think about
letting our lights shine spiritually.
Are we seeking first the kingdom of God? (Matthew 6:33) And is
that impacting our behavior in everything we do?
May we resolve that such will be the case.
Think about it.
One
final thought – God desires to save the atheist (Acts 14:17, 2 Peter
3:9, etc.), just like everyone else.
But He will not force them or ANYONE to obey Him.
But consider this, if you are not ready to stand before God, and
that day of judgment comes, you will not be any better off than the
atheist. He will bow on that
occasion, but it will be too late.
Don’t spend eternity with those who reject God in this life.
Make yourself spiritually whole.
Think about it.