If you’re a regular reader to Making Him Known, you know that the devotionals posted on Thursdays always have a playlist at the end of them. If you didn’t know, now you do ?. As an avid listener to music, I encourage you to peruse the playlists, usually, each list is about three songs, that I feel somehow connect with what was written. However, this week is a little unique in that there is one song and it directly started me down the path for this devotional.
“What If” by Nichole Nordeman.
As I listened to the lyrics, I wondered about the million-dollar question being asked, and thought to myself, now that’s a question! Essentially, it’s “What if I go through my life believing and following the Bible and Jesus, and the Bible is just a made-up story and Jesus was just some nice guy who did good things?”
Let’s truly ponder that for a minute or two… What if? What if it’s all a made-up story, what have I lost?
I asked four friends the exact same question, all of whom are faithful believers in Christ, wondering if how they answered would be similar to my own and to hopefully ensure the message would hit home with those of you reading this.
Want to know their “the million-dollar” answers? Well, it was surprising, two answered “Everything.” And two answered “Nothing.” It all comes down to how you perceive the question.
The everything pair answered it with a loss of the Holy Spirit, who is a guide to us in this world, loss of eternal life, and the lost promise of more beyond this world without pain and tears.
The nothing pair answered with their belief they still have had joy and peace while on earth, their belief has enhanced their ability to handle trials of this life and more importantly being a reflection of that belief hopefully helped others.
After reading their responses maybe the more important question is “What if I’m right? What will those who don’t truly believe and know Jesus have lost?”
For those of us who are believers in the Living Word of the Bible and Jesus Christ’s, life, death, and resurrection, we ultimately will be raptured and spend eternity in the presence of God. For those who don’t believe, the sad truth is they don’t get that same promise.
- “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
- “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” John 3:36
As believers, our whole spiritual life depends on what and who we believe. We must believe that Jesus’ testimony is trustworthy, understanding that when we believe who Jesus is, we are compelled to believe what he said.
This is equally true today as it was when Jesus walked the earth. Satan is getting more intentional and direct in his assault against people. Evil is mixed in with our everyday culture. He knows time is running out, and he unfortunately is trying to take many with him. This is spiritual warfare, it is all around us, and as Christians, we should be fighting harder for those that are lost. This isn’t some Shahla-ism, trust me I’m not that wise or that holy. This is direct instruction from the Bible.
- “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
- “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
1 John 2:17
So, if you listen to the song from today’s devotional and find yourself asking the question, “What if?”, and you’re struggling with belief, or have questions, please reach out to us at Making Him Known. We might not have all the answers to your questions, but we know the One who does.
Lord, thank you for who you are, trustworthy, all-knowing, and full of grace. Thank you for being open to our questions and providing guidance through your written word and the Holy Spirit. Father, today I pray for the lost, that they would come to know you and believe your life to be true. For those that have questions and uncertainty help guide them towards the truth. Keep me accountable, representing you to the lost so that my words and life speak to belonging to You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
This week’s playlist:
Nicole Nordeman – What If – YouTube
