by Jerry Senn
An atheist is a person who denies by word and deed that a personal God exists. We often wonder how a person could possibly deny such an obvious truth after being presented with logical and trustworthy evidence.
However, our profession of faith in God may not always be demonstrated by the way we live. It’s possible to claim with our mouths one thing but deny that it’s genuine by our lives.
The tongue should demonstrate our faith and dependence on God. Our prayer life may be an empty ritual practiced without honest awareness of His presence or that he really hears and cares.
We may slip into the mind set that says: “if I do what good church members are doing, I don’t need to trouble myself with having a genuine, intimate relationship with the God I profess to believe.” This is dangerous thinking.
Faith (believing) in God must go much deeper if it is worthy of favor with Him. In fact, in real terms it may be, for all practical purposes, “atheism!” Faith must change us, shaping not just our thoughts but our lives.
There’s a popular concept of faith which thinks that simply holding a point of view that this equates to genuine faith. But, this concept of faith is “dead” rather than “living.” According to James. “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Jas 2:17).
Now, the “works” he mentions only demonstrate real faith if motivated by a deep and passionate desire to please our Father in heaven. Otherwise, we will falsely assume our efforts mean we’re genuine believers in God.
Practical atheism may be more widespread than we could imagine. So, as the Hebrew writer says,
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you
are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not
realize this about yourselves,
that Jesus Christ is in you? —
unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”
(2 Cor 13:5-6).
This is a matter we all must constantly embrace to remain true believers.