The Christian Atheist

I read a book recently and it's titled: The Christian Atheist. And I would like to just share some things from the book that I have learnt or am reminded of with you. And i do encourage and recommend that you grab your copy too because I'm sure that this book would get you thinking about many aspects of your life and also challenge you to live more christ-like.

Chapter 1 : When you believe in God but don’t really know Him

Pg 43-44

”Getting to know God is not difficult, and it isn’t a bunch of rules. Yes, God wants your obedience, but He wants your heart even more. He says over and over again that if you seek Him, you will find Him (Deut 4:29; Jer 29:13; Matt 7:7-8; Acts 17:27). You can find Him by reading the bible; He’s been there all along. And when you begin to seek Him, you’ll find that He’s already running toward you, His beloved child. Get to know Him and allow His presence to impact every area of your life, everyday.

As you get to know Him better, you will change. A vibrant and intimate relationship with God will empower you to heal from the hurts from your past, forgive what seems unforgivable, and change what seems unchangeable about yourself. Walking with God will break the power of materialism in you life and lead you to a radically generous life. Instead of living for yourself and for the moment, you’ll live for Christ and for eternity. Your heart will begin to break for the reasons and of his bride, the church. Instead of living in torment from worry and fear, you’ll learn to experience peace, grace and trust……

Get to know God. When you do, you will never be the same.”

Chapter 2: When you believe in God but are ashamed of your past

Pg 52-53

“Psalm 51 records the beautiful repentance of a fallen king: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin… Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me  a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Ps. 51:1-2,10-12)

Chapter 3: When you believe in God but aren’t sure He loves you

Pg 66

“But don’t forget the truth of 1 Peter 4:8 “Love covers over multitude of sins.” No matter what you’ve done, God’s love and forgiveness are bigger than your biggest sin.”

Chapter 4: When you believe in God but not in prayer

Pg 82

“First Thessalonians 5:17-18 tells us to “pray continually… for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

PUSH: Pray Until Something Happens

Chapter 5: When you believe in God but don’t think He’s fair

Pg 105-106

“Bad things do happen to good people. But Jesus’ story is the ultimate good news story. Bad things happened to Him so that good things could happen to us. I’m usually quick to ask why something bad happens. Rarely do I stop to ask why God might bless me with something good. The truth is, good things happen to people like you and me, people who are sinful and deserve death.”

“…but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3)

Chapter 6: When you believe in God but won’t forgive

Pg 118

“In Luke 6:28, Jesus teaches us to “bless those who curse you, pray for those those who mistreats you.”

Chapter 7: When you believe in God but don’t think you can change

Pg 140

“Although I certainly haven’t arrived, everyone around me will tell you that God has changed me. I am different because of His power.”

Chapter 8: When you believe in God but still worry all the time

Pg 149

“In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells us not to be anxious about anything. Romans 14:23 says, “Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” … Worry is the opposite of faith; therefore, it’s sin.”

Pg 158-159

“In Matthew 6:33-34, Jesus says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

“Listen to His promise: “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11)”

“Proverbs 3: 5-6 says it this way: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Chapter 9: When you believe in God but pursue happiness at any cost

Pg 173

“Earth is not heaven. It was never meant to be. That’s why no amount of money, new house, new living room furniture, new kitchen appliances, new clothes, new hair, new baby, new vacation, new job, new income, new husband or new anything will ever satisfy us, because we were not made for the things of this world.

As psalm 97:12 says, “May all who are godly be happy in the Lord and praise His holy name!” Real happiness is found only in the Lord, and when we find it we’ll understand, perhaps for the first time, how blessed we are.”

Chapter 10: When you believe in God but trust more in money

Pg181- 183

“First Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Luke 16:13)

“I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for  camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom” (vv. 23-24)

Pg 188

“…We’re putting God first in our lives, even above our finances. Tithing forces us to have faith, and we get to be faithful in our giving.”

Chapter 11: When you believe in God but don’t share your faith

Pg 200

“If we truly understood what hell was like, we’d be much more motivated to help people avoid going there. Hell us a place of unspeakable suffering. Jesus says in Matthew 5:29, “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Can you imagine gouging out your own eye? According to Jesus himself, as horrible as it would be, digging your eye out would be far better than being punished for your sins in hell.”

Pg 204

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ask you to give the reason for the hope you have” (1 Peter 3:15)

Chapter 12: When you believe in God but not in His church

Pg 221

“God is not calling us to go to church; he is calling us to be his church, the hope of the world.”

Pg 224

“Belonging to a local church also provides accountability, where wiser and more mature Christians can regularly counsel us, mentor us, comfort us, and help us heal. We can confess to God for forgiveness (see 1 John 1:9), but that’s only half of the equation. We also need to confess to other Christians to help us ultimately overcome our sinful habits. James 5:16 says “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

What I've shared is just a glimpse of the book so do get yours too if you wanna read in detail about the topics covered in each chapter! That's all for now. Thanks for reading! God bless :)