I will start by saying that all belief systems are there because we do not know. When you know something, belief becomes unnecessary. You only believe something because you don't know.
I've spoken with many Christians and have done a lot of reading. I'll come across articles by apologetics titled along the lines of '10 signs of proof that God exists' or 'evidence of Jesus' resurrection'.
Now my question is, if there is SO much 'overwhelming evidence' and so much 'proof', why is belief still necessary? Christians clearly consider themselves to be believers in the very end, not knowers. That means they truly don't know, they are simply believing.
I don't believe in believing. I either know or admit I don't know at all. Beliefs are always going to be open to scrutiny and doubt, it is so much work trying to hold onto a belief. The way I see it is that if you just admit you do not know, then that's humility. That's innocence.
Believing begins with knowing.
You can't believe in something without knowing anything about it.
As you read the Bible you see that the principles are true. We habe all experienced them in our lives.
You know that lying, stealing, murder, coveting, commiting adultery, dishonoring your parents is wrong. It doesn't work for the better. You know that and believe that, you have experienced the consequences when you do those things. Our actions have consequences. You know and believe that if you rob a bank, you might get caught. If you believe you won't, that is not based on facts.
We believe in the principle that "What you sow is what you reap". Why? We know and have seen it play out in our lives and in others throughout history. You sow good things, you reap good things. "Give and it shall be given to you." We know that works, we test it and see. We see happy people. Why are they happy? They are not selfish, they are givers. We know that. If you don't, you will learn someday. Miserable a d depressed people are too focused on themselves _ "What's in it for me" attitude.
So as we read the principles of the Bible we see reality, not fantasy or far-fetched myths.
Jesus' words penetrate and are life changing. He says, "Love one another" even "Love your enemies". That is real, tangible, it is good - we know it is and works, which is why we believe it.
Jesus says, "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you". Don't you treat others like you want to be treated? Isn't that fair? Yeah, we know it is and believe that it is the right way to live.
Thousands of people witnessed His miracles and they believed. He rose from the dead and 500 people saw Him ascend into heaven. Eye witness testimonies are documented by prophets amd disciples who saw, knew and believed in Christ and were willing to be tortured and killed for their belief. Who is willing to sacrifice his life for a lie, a myth - unless you are crazy. All the
disciples were willing to die for their beliefs. I am too.
Honestly, my testimony of my divine appointment with God is composed of a series of
events and people that came into my life that was without a doubt, orchestrated by God. It was at the right time and everything came together that could not be passed off as chance circumstances. Chance is nothing. It has no power or influence, no direction..and when you get to know God you will realize that the significant events in your life have nothing to do with chance.
Did I say I know God? Yep, I know God, He dwells in me and I have a real relationship with Him. I believe because I know and I know because He has revealed Himself to me. Faith is a gift, but it is not blind. With it comes knowledge, truth and life. We experience His love and peace. The peace that Jesus gives is not the peace that the world gives - it is eternal. Peace that you find in the world without God is at best temporal and can disappear in a second.