From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Are you an atheistic Christian?

(From the Wikipedia encyclopedia, as part of its definition of atheism) "In practical, or pragmatic, atheism, also known as apatheism, individuals live as if there are no gods and explain natural phenomena without resorting to the divine. The existence of gods is not denied, but may be designated unnecessary or useless; gods neither provide purpose to life, nor influence everyday life, according to this view."  That same encyclopedia's definition of "Christian" states "many who use the term "born-again Christians" (John 3:3), believe that a Christian is one who believes and follows Jesus and repents of their sins."

A Christian is one who has believed on Jesus as his Savior, repented of his sins, and follows Jesus.  Do you call yourself a Christian?  Have you called upon Jesus to save you, asked Him to come into you, and believed HE did?  If you have, you are to follow Him in your everyday life.  Jesus said "my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27).  Scripture tells us "Christians" means "belonging to Christ" in its first usage (Acts 11:27).  From our definition in the first paragraph, we see that atheists don't find God to be necessary and don't look to Him to influence their every day lives.  HE also doesn't provide any purpose to their lives.  How is your life?  Do you profess to be a Christian, but live as if God is not really necessary? (except, of course, in emergencies)  Do you profess to follow Him, but live as if HE doesn't influence your every day life?  Does Jesus provide purpose for your life?  If you truthfully look at your life, does it exhibit the hallmarks of a Christian or an atheist?  Are you an atheistic Christian?  Get it straight with God, be one or the other.  Oil and water don't mix, neither do Christianity and atheism.

What are some of the problems that cause a Christian to revert?  One is we tend to operate in the flesh and not the spirit,  We operate by what we see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.  Since we don't really recognize God's Presence through those senses, we tend to forget HE is with us.  Another problem is we have short memories.  We realized at one point that our belief in God had to progress from a head knowledge to a heart knowledge.  We tend to forget that and revert back to the head knowledge only.  If God were to stand in front of you at this moment, don't you think you would be filled with the knowledge of His presence and power and bow down before Him?  Don't you think you would ask Him for His help, guidance, and protection?  Why do we have to see Him?  Don't we know HE is here with us, or do we not really believe that?  His Word says He is with us always.  That's either true or it's a lie.  We believe in the back of our minds that God performed miracles for His people "way back then."  Why do we act as if HE no longer does them?  Why are we afraid to call upon Him and believe HE will respond with great and mighty things?  We seem to have swallowed the lies of this world.  We need to spit them out and swallow His Word.  We need to get back to walking and talking with God.  We need to show the world God is real.  We need to tell them the things we are praying about and then tell them when HE has answered.  We need to quit acting as if God is somewhere in the background of our lives and bring Him back to the forefront.  We need to quit acting like atheists and start acting like Christians.  Right now.

I'm making a statement of my faith in God right now.  I have been off due to an injury for 15 months.  I am being released by the Doctor with some disability that could prevent my being brought back to my job.  The State I work for says if someone won't take me in that capacity, with my disability, then they just cut me loose.  They, unlike most employers, are not obligated to keep me or give me disability wages.  The soul part of me says I need to be out looking for jobs, although I don't know who would hire me for what, being almost 58 years old, with a number of Agent Orange induced physical problems, and a lifetime of working in law enforcement, and unable to do that now with this impairment.  I have prayed a lot about it though, and believe God has told me to "stand still, and see the glory of the Lord."  As long as I believe in my heart that is what HE is telling me, I can not go against His command and go out looking for jobs.  I know my God is God, and I trust Him to provide for and lead me and my wife.  I am standing on His Word and His command.  HE will carry me through.  HE can still part the sea, sustain a few million people in the desert for 40 years, and feed thousands of people with just a few loaves of bread.  I am a Christian, I belong to Jesus the Christ (Messiah) of God.  I believe on and in Him.  He will not fail or forsake me, nor will HE you, if you will trust and obey Him.  Be a Christian and live like one.

Ben