Faith is probably the most important part of my life right now and to the day I die. It is where I put my life actually, so faith isn't part of living, but instead living is part of faith. I have found this sort of chasm exists in my life, one that has only been filled quite recently by something good. I've really dealt with a lot of bad things in my life; like my parents divorce, guilt, premarital sex, lustful envy, greed, materialism, idolatry, and most of all pride. I have tried to use girls to fill that lonely spot that I hold in my heart, the chasm that often goes unfilled, but it would never work. The chasm that was left behind by my dad when he was no longer a real part of my life. The chasm that exists from the need to constantly prove myself to the world. Only one thing was lacking from my life and that was God. No girl, father, or satisfaction could ever fill that chasm, because it was all the same chasm. My God died on the cross for me, not only that, but he gave me a place in his kingdom with no expectation of me to be anything than what he made me to be. I do not need to be perfect, just his and that is enough.
It is only through my faith in God that my life is rectified, that I am justified, that I find a peace like no other in the world. It is in prayer that I can ask for anything, learn anything, and know truthfully what is my purpose. Direct communication that was cemented when Jesus died for my sins, the bridge that allows me into God's world; an unworthy sinner turned into a son. If you asked me why my faith is important or how I know that it is truth I would have to respond in a few ways.
Firstly - my faith is the most important thing in the world. It is what keeps me stable when life is unstable and what allows me to rejoice even in my darkest hour. It is sort of like this; Say I have a day where nothing goes right - I get into a car accident, I get a ticket for parking without a pass at school, I get an F on a term paper, and I end up getting scorned by a girl or friend; well normally this day would reduce anyone to tears and I am not exempt, but the difference between my tears and theirs is that while I cry I pray. Once my prayer is done, I know that it will be answered, and my heart soars; I could dance and be happy because the day may be over, but my life is not and I can still be with my God. If you have God in your life, you will never be at want because eventually you realize that he is all you need. Yes, Faith is that powerful; just look at Paul if you don't know who he is, check out all of the letters he wrote in the new testament.
Secondly - I know this is truth; the Gospel is something that is different than anything else ever felt or heard in all of history. In any culture there is the idea of someone dying for someone else and it is regarded as a good act; but there has never been a story like that of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of God, like I am now - the difference is that Without Jesus(who is God) I could not be a Son. He had to be the Son first, and he had to die as the Son to allow me to be like him in the eyes of God. Now consider this; Jesus was blameless and perfect(not like human anyone knows) and he was also God(the king of kings). He preformed miracles and did other acts that showed his true origins, but that wasn't what made his story so amazing; and it isn't what showed his love. God is the King correct? Yes. We are sinners correct? Yes. By the custom of the time that means that we would go to hell because we could not live up to the Laws of God our king? Yes. Then why did God the perfect king choose to come down and save us the lowly criminals of the earth? Because he loved us. Jesus had come to earth and because he was God he upheld the laws laid by God in the old testament making him not a criminal and worthy of the kingdom of God. He had to stand in our place, and die upon the cross so that we, the unworthy sinners; might have a chance to be with God. No king in history has ever stood in the place of a criminal and died so that they might live, and No king could ever set us free spiritually. Jesus did; and that is why I know this is the Truth. Nothing on earth rings truer than this, and nothing on earth has ever had as much of an impact as Jesus did.
What God did showed his love for us, and what Jesus did allowed us to become children of God even though we do not deserve it. It is for this simple fact that I follow Jesus, and give my life to him. For what point is there to living a life without the satisfaction of knowing that I might be able to love my God as he has loved me. This is why I believe, and this is why I am who I am; lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
-David
