DARE YOU DOUBT?

Out of concern, John Lennon once lamented that with American Youth that The Beatles had become more popular than Jesus Christ and the world (especially the American “church”) erupted into mass hysteria. I doubt that many would argue with that observation today. Predictably without examining the intent of his observation, the church had reacted. Years later, not being able to separate his understanding of religion from God, the disillusioned songwriter wrote, the song “God” in which he summarized;

God is a concept,
By which we can measure, Our pain,
I'll say it again, God is a concept,
By which we can measure, Our pain,
I don't believe in magic,
I don't believe in I-ching, I don't believe in bible,
I don't believe in tarot, I don't believe in Hitler,
I don't believe in Jesus, I don't believe in Kennedy,
I don't believe in Buddha, I don't believe in mantra,
I don't believe in Gita, I don't believe in yoga,
I don't believe in kings, I don't believe in Elvis,
I don't believe in Zimmerman, I don't believe in Beatles,
I just believe in me, Yoko and me, And that's reality.
The dream is over, What can I say?
The dream is over, Yesterday,
I was dreamweaver, But now I'm reborn,
I was the walrus, But now I'm John,
And so dear friends, You just have to carry on,
The dream is over.

Within months of penning those words the only relationship which he professed to believe in nearly completely dissolved. Yoko sent him off to live with a younger woman for what became known as ”the lost weekend”, which was in fact two years of excessive living and debauchery. The end result was a “prodigal son’s” return home accompanied by sincere questioning of the mysteries of life and by many accounts his conversion to Christianity, which he held onto and is reflected in several songs written toward the end of his life.

Whether or not the later songs really do expose a sincere conversion, they certainly demonstrate a changed attitude and wiliness to examine much of what he had routinely dismissed earlier in life.

My point is, before you can sincerely know what you believe in, you must first know what it is that you do not believe in.

Never questioning translates into one’s believing what others have instructed you to believe without examination.

One confidence in another’s convictions can never be as strong as one’s own personal convictions.

For example, I don’t believe in this fallen world, I don’t believe in politics to better this world for mankind, I don’t believe in my own goodness, I don’t believe in the institutional church as it has evolved, I don’t believe in manipulation is from God, not even when practiced by Preachers, I don’t believe the church ought to be a begging-institution, but rather a giving-family, I don’t believe we ought to be about the business of imitating the world; knowing these things, I can now sincerely ask what do I believe?

I believe in the Kingdom of God which transcends our world. I believe men are corruptible and given power, men are easily corrupted, whether in politics or ministry. I believe we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. I believe Christ provides mercy and grace and salvation for those who seek Him. I believe in the New Testament Church as the New Testament Church existed. I believe as Billy Graham said, “If I can talk you into it, someone else can talk you out of It”; I believe, I am not The Holy Spirit, therefore I should not try to do His job. I believe the “Church” is God’s people and God’s people ought to be the most generous, unconditional givers on earth, not expecting anything as a condition to their wiliness to give. I don’t believe the Church is to be an Organization, but rather a living organism, which reflects the image of God.
God said “I PREFER OBEDIANCE OVER SACRIFICE”. If I pray three times a day because it is recommended by my Pastor, I may be cultivating a great religious habit, but if I pray without ceasing, because I long for the pretence of God in my life, I will, like Christ, despise religion.

What do you believe? Why do you believe it? Do not be afraid to question, but don’t be too stubborn that when you see the truth, to embrace the truth. Amen!