Facts or Feelings?
Updated: Dec 4, 2021
As a culture we often use our feelings as a way of gauging our understanding of life.
We buy new cars and we love them because of the feeling that comes with having a new car. That feeling quickly fades as we grow used to it. Marriage can often feel this way. Many people enjoy the thrill of the honeymoon phase only to find that feelings don’t carry you through some of the tough, grittier years of raising children and dealing with everyday life.
Our Explanation of Christianity
Feelings are how we often explain Christianity.
However, the scripture does not promise a feeling attached to the life that Jesus brings us at salvation. Certainly many have had great experiences of feeling something when they receive Christ. The grace of God does produce in us a certain amount of emotion when we understand what it actually is, and what Jesus does for us.
What perspective does the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus offer us on our feelings?
1 John 5:12-13 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Knowing, Not Necessarily Feeling.
The scripture never promises a feeling. It promises a knowing. We can know that God is doing a work in us, and that He will continue that work until our days on earth are done. He is never going to give up on us.
According to 1 John 5:13 I can know I am saved. I do not always have to feel saved.
1 John 5:14-15 (KJV) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
If I ask according to what God wants for me and others I can know he hears my prayers, just like he hears his son’s prayers. This is not a feeling but a knowing.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
I do not need to feel like I am righteous. I know that I am because of what Jesus did for me.
Hebrews 7:19 (KJV)
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
I do not need to feel close to God. I know that I am, no matter what, because I am in Christ and he has made me perfect and complete in Him. The Holy Spirit lives within me. You can’t get much closer than that.
I love the emotions that come with being a Christian, but remember faith is knowing. It is not feeling. Rest on the facts of what The Gospel is and rest in Jesus.