How can I know that Christianity is true?

Many who ask this question are not so interested in the hard proofs of Christianity but are really looking for the reason why or how Christianity relates to their lives in a real and genuine way. To this I give the example of my own experiences and some suggestions on how to experience this realization and transformation for one's own self:

How I found God

After years of half-hearted obedience I came to a point where I realized that living incompletely for God would result in my entire life being likewise incomplete. When faced with a future of feeling perpetually dissatisfied and incomplete I decided that even though it would be difficult to maintain, my life would be so much better for serving God as I knew he wanted me to. I knew that it would mean overcoming well-ingrained selfish habits and ways of thinking but the reward would be self-fulfillment and an inner peace that only God could bring into my life.

The incredible part of it all is the peaceful feeling and satisfaction I get when I know I am trying to honor God and the deep feeling of disappointment when I refuse to, yet when I acknowledge the errors of my ways and set my mind on God again then I very quickly feel the reassuring presence of God again. Although my circumstances usually do not suddenly change my attitude toward them changes dramatically. For an example we can all relate to at some time in our lives, I go from being bored "with nothing to do" to recognizing the opportunities (especially to serve others) my free time gives me. I also no longer concern myself with matters beyond my control by understanding that God is using these situations to teach myself or others critical lessons about life, even if it just means learning patience and self-control.

Although I believed in God almost all my life how I really found God was by giving Him a chance and trusting that He would reward my efforts with peace and direction in my confused life. Upon considering the impact it made on me I decided to write down the basic steps I took to truly discover God:

A few easy steps to test for God

1. Find a Bible that is in a translation easily readable to you. Unless you think Shakespeare is fun reading I don't recommend the King James Version but any modern-language translation such as NIV or NASB will probably do just fine. There is also a paraphrased version called "The Message" which is very easy reading and does a good job of faithfully representing the original content. Choose one or more of the following books of the Bible:
   • John, Luke, Mark, or Matthew
     These books are essentially the "authorized biographies" of Jesus. They are very easy reading and will introduce you to the life and teachings of Jesus. Often a historical context of first-century Jewish life and customs is helpful but the observant reader will have no trouble grasping the significance of various events and situations.

   • Romans
     This book is a letter from the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome. It is a book rich with instruction and principles but a little harder to read than the Gospels. Even in modern translations, the grammatical style in Romans can seem a little awkward at times. However, when you come across a sentence that just doesn't seem to make sense simply stop reading, go back a few sentences, and read it again slowly. It will probably make a lot more sense when you take a second look at it. Taking the time to do this will make the difference between realizing the complex concepts being related and wondering why it didn't make any sense in the first place.

2. Set aside any preconceptions you might have about Christianity or the Bible, even your experiences with Christians you have met or conversed with. Remember that in this exercise you are seeking truth about God, not other people. These books have been selected because they are a good introduction to God and Christianity as it is intended to be.

3. This step is optional but I do recommend it if you are willing. Before you begin to read just pause a moment to speak to God. State that you are giving God a chance and ask that He will honor your seeking by revealing Himself to you. I firmly believe that as God wants dearly for every individual to have a personal relationship with Him that he will be faithful to answer your prayer. Do keep in mind that the intention of this exercise is not to experience visions or dramatic emotional outbursts but to feel God fulfilling and challenging you in your heart in a way that will lead you on a path of even further discovery.

4. Read the entire book through. Take your time and read perhaps 5 chapters at a time. Do not speed-read or skim as you would a newspaper or magazine. Read slowly and carefully, as you would an important manual or textbook, so you don't miss out on the finer points of the book. Don't let your understanding be limited by your approach.

5. When you have finished ask yourself these simple self-diagnostic questions:
   • Have you learned more about what Christianity is about? If not, why? If so, has it changed any of your views toward Christianity? In either case, could you learn more from repeating the exercise with a different book?

   • Have you gained a greater understanding of who God is and what He is like? Did you get an idea of what it is God wants from people, especially in terms of their attitudes?

   • Did this exercise make any progress toward a deeper understanding and conviction as described above? Whatever your conclusion is, I'd like to hear of it. Email Ken with your thoughts.

Thoughts...

So you think that just because you are a good person that you will go to Heaven when you die:
Can you just walk into someone's house and expect them to let you live there? No! - Neither can you expect to die and simply be let into Heaven. You have to know God, the owner of the big house above.


A pastor, apparently fed up with all the excuses given over the years to why people don't go to church, included this list in the Sunday bulletin:
Ten reasons why I never wash

1. I was forced to as a child.
2. People who wash are hypocrites - they think they are cleaner than everybody else.
3. There are so many different kinds of soap, I can't decide which is best.
4. I used to wash, but I got bored and stopped.
5. I wash only on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter.
6. None of my friends wash.
7. I'll start washing when I get older and dirtier.
8. I can't spare the time.
9. The bathroom is never warm enough in winter or cool enough in summer.
10. People who make soap are only after your money.

The 5 colors       Thanks to CEF for their help

Selected Bible passages

Eccl 12:13-14     What simpler explanation could you ask for?
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

2 Cor 5:11-20     This is a description of a Christian's purpose in reaching out to others
Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Eccl 11:9-12:1     A message for the young
Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"

Ps 51:10-17     The way of life
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. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Eccl 8:8b     So plain and simple, sad but true
As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

The Ten Commandments

Concisely paraphrased

1. You shall have no other gods before me
2. You shall not make unto me any graven image
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy
5. Honor your father and your mother
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery
8. You shall not steal
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
10. You shall not covet

As found in Exodus 20:3-17

1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand of those who love me and keep my commandments.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.