wrestling with faith in christ

The building manager smiled and said he wanted to show me something, but I had to promise not to tell anyone. I agreed and he led me down a maze of hallways and down a steep flight of stairs.

Pushing a large steel door open, we walked into something that looked like a cross between a basement and an underground parking garage. After walking a short way he turned towards me, smiled, and pointed to the far end of the large room.

Two cars were parked at the bottom of what looked like a ramp. A door on one of the cars opened and one of the biggest men I had ever seen got out. Then a door on the other car opened and an equally large man stepped out.

It was Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper of professional wrestling fame.

They had laid down on the backseats of their respective cars and entered the building secretly. It seems they wanted to practice for their upcoming match without anyone knowing it.

That’s right, they came to practice for their upcoming match. Can I be blunt? If the fact that professional wrestling is fake shocks you, you don’t get out enough.

While I suppose there may be some fans of professional wrestling that are under the illusion that it’s spontaneous and the real deal, my hunch is even the most avid of fans know—deep down—that it’s merely an elaborate show, pure entertainment.

And even though they know the reality, they still play along.

That may be fine when it comes to the world of wrestling, but that’s not fine when it comes to the Christian faith.

As Christmas approaches and people whom I haven’t seen for the last 12 months show up for church, I can’t help but feel sad. Sad because I’m so concerned about their spiritual health.

Are they really followers of Jesus? And if they are, why don’t they hunger and thirst for biblical teaching, corporate worship of the Lord, and fellowship with others believers?

On the other hand, if they’re not really followers of Jesus, why do they bother to play the game? Why do they bother to show up and get all dressed up, sing the songs, follow along in their bibles, say “Amen!” and then disappear for another 12 months?

I mean, until I began following Jesus at the age of 35 I didn’t go near a church. No way. You couldn’t drag me. Didn’t believe and wasn’t interested in even pretending to believe.

Forgive me if I’m not supposed to talk about these things, but I truly do get sad and concerned about many people’s walk with the Lord. Or lack of walk with the Lord.

And—may I be blunt again? If you’re feeling uncomfortable right now and maybe even angry, does that tell you something? If you’re ticked off that I’m expressing concern about the spiritual health of those who rarely if ever go to church, why is that?

If I’ve gone too far and been too bold, please forgive me. It’s just that I’m really and truly concerned about people. I want them to open their eyes as I did 20-plus years ago and commit their lives to loving, serving and worshipping our great God.

Professional wrestling may be fake, but God’s love for you is not.

"For God so loved (YOU!) that he gave his one and only Son, that (if you believe) in him (you) shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.”1

1  John 3:16-18

"the word of god"

My favorite Bible verses? That’s easy. Leviticus 13:9-11.

"When anyone has an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to the priest. The priest is to examine him, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white and if there is raw flesh in the swelling, it is a chronic skin disease and the priest shall pronounce him unclean.”1

Just kidding.

Even though the above verses, in context, show the Lord’s detailed concern for His covenant people, the Jews, let’s be honest: There really isn’t any practical application for those of us here in the 21^st century. Thus, they probably aren’t on anyone’s list of favorite Scriptures.

But now that I have your attention, what do you think God’s favorite verse or verses are? I know, I know, I’m asking you to speculate, but what do you think? Of all the Bible passages, which is closest to His heart?

For what it’s worth, here’s my best guess:

“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”2

In this verse the Apostle Paul praises the Lord because the believers to whom he’s writing accepted and believed what they had been told, “not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God.”

If this isn’t the Lord’s favorite Bible verse it has to be one of His top three. And why? Because of the urgency for people to believe that Scripture is, indeed, the very words of God. When and if people believe that they’re convicted of their sin and discover how to avoid being judged in the life to come: Put their faith in Christ.

So, it’s gut-check time. Do you believe in the Christian Bible, “not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God”?

If your answer is “No,” I totally understand—I wasn’t convinced until the age of 35. But when I examined the evidence—really examined the evidence—the conclusion became obvious to me. If you’re not convinced but consider yourself open-minded, please read more about the Bible at http://windowtotheword.com/bible.asp. The article may address some of the concerns that you have.

In the meantime, if you do believe the Bible is “the word of God” I think I speak for the Lord when I say that He’s thrilled.

Before you congratulate yourself, however, here’s a follow-up question for you: Since you believe the Bible is the “word of God,” do you read it, study it and obey it? After all, it is the “word of God.”

A little squirmy, are we?

If it’s any consolation, I don’t always do such a good job in terms of reading, studying and obeying either. And I’m preacher boy.

But let’s make a pact, just between you and me. Since we both believe the Bible is the “word of God,” let’s actually show some interest in it. Let’s read it, study it, and obey it.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”3

1  Leviticus 13:9-11

2  1 Thessalonians 2:13

3  2 Timothy 3:16-17