Could There Be Would Have Been?

I hear this argument all the time and I heard it the other day. “If you had been born in a different country, you wouldn’t believe what you do.”

The same logic gets applied in many different scenarios. The idea of “would have been” is quite popular to many people. It’s the “if only” philosophy.

If only I had gone to college I would have a better job now. If only I had been born with better parents I wouldn’t be as angry as I am. If only I had stayed a virgin I wouldn’t be stuck with a kid now. If only the other kids hadn’t picked on me in school. If only I hadn’t lost my sight. If only I could walk again. If only there were such a thing as would have been.

It wrenches the heart to consider some of these realities. In some cases the “if only” wished for is something the speaker had complete control over, it was their own choice. In other cases it was something done to them. They couldn’t have helped it if they tried.

The problem is there is literally no way of knowing if the second half of any “if only” statement is even remotely true. No one can know if you would actually have a better job if you had gone to college. No one can know if you would be less angry being born with different parents. No one can know if you would or would not be responsible for a child right now had you remained a virgin.

Maybe you’re right, but prove it.

I mean this in the most loving way possible, but there is no way to know what would have been and it does absolutely no good to dwell on it. There’s no such thing as would have been.

What Does it Mean to BE Gay?

Let me be clear up front. NONE OF MY STATEMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTLY APPLIED TO THOSE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH. This is all that non-Christians need to read: You still have an old nature and need to hear the gospel (the good news) that Jesus died to take away the penalty of your sins and bring you eternal life. Jesus died because He loves you. God the Father sent God the Son to save you from the penalty of your sins because He loves you. Yes. You’re a sinner, and God loves you anyway.

Stop Inviting Your Friends to Church

           

Christians and Coffee

        

   I’m going to make quite a few enemies with this post, I know.

               I don’t drink much coffee. Let’s get that out of the way now. I don’t like the taste of it. When I do have the occasional cup I put so much cream and sugar in it that the progression of changing color reminds one of certain thrilling pop-singers.

I’m not addicted to the stuff. But some people out there are. In fact, most of those people wouldn’t even deny it! On the contrary, they are the first to boast about their addiction. (in a joking tone of course.) Phrases like, “I’m not myself til my first dose!” and “Cup number four is when I really settle in for the day” are common to the morning shift at the office.

               Let’s narrow the field now. How many Christians do you know who fit into this category? My answer: Too many.