Legit Bumper Sticker

Ever since I was a wee lil one, I've been drinking the bumper sticker haterade. I mean really, I don't care to know that you OBX, put hope in YES WE CAN OBAMA 2008, have a BABY ON BOARD, think you're funny- I SEE DEAF PEOPLE, would RATHER BE RUNNING, are PRO-CHOICE, care to STOP GLOBAL WARMING, take pride in the fact that MY KID CAN BEAT UP YOUR HONOR ROLL STUDENT, support anything Bob Barker does- DON'T LITTER: SPAY OR NEUTER, are too lazy to remove your old stickers- GORE/LIEBERMAN '01, or perhaps worst state the obvious- MEAN PEOPLE SUCK. It wasn't until last Wednesday, at the Sunoco on Glebe in Arlington that I actually saw a bumper sticker I loved. The 2005 black VW GTI was sporting a sticker in the rear windshield that read " Don't be a Fool! 1 Corinthians 1:18". Not knowing what this verse said, Kristen and I looked it up in her car Bible:

^“ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

WOW. This is legit. There really are 2 groups of people. Those that think the message of Christianity is utter rubbish and foolishness, and those that think the message of Christianity is live saving. Which camp do you belong to? Do you truly believe there is a God, that he came to earth in the form of a man (Jesus), led a perfect life, was crucified on a cross to take on the punishment we deserve for our sins, and rose from the dead 3 days later so that we could be reconciled to God, forgiven, and granted eternal life? OR do you hold the complete opposite view, thinking the above claims are absolute garbage and a crutch that weak people use to deal with their pathetic life? If you still aren't certain, take a look at the 2 views from a more in-depth perspective:

WORLD VIEW

I will live my life according to these beliefs.

God does NOT exist.

It’s just foolish to think that there is an all knowing God with a cosmic plan.

That an all powerful God brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world is a comforting thought.

HOWEVER, it is only wishful thinking.

People can do as they please WITHOUT eternal consequences.

The idea that I am deserving of hell because of sin, IS A LIE meant to make me a slave to those in power.

“The more you have, the happier you’ll be.”

Our existence has NO GRAND MEANING OR PURPOSE.

In a world with no God, there is freedom to be who I want to be.

But WITH God, life is an ENDLESS cycle of GUILT and SHAME.

WITHOUT God , everything is fine, It is RIDICULOUS to think I am lost and in need of saving.

*******Now, completely reverse this thinking, literally, and you have*******

CHRISTIAN VIEW:

I am LOST and in NEED of saving.

It is ridiculous to think, everything is fine.

WITHOUT God , Life is an endless cycle of guilt and shame.

But WITH God, there is FREEDOM to be who I want to be.

In a world with No God, our existence has no grand meaning or purpose.

“The more you have, the happier you’ll be”, IS A LIE meant to make me a slave to those in power.

Because of sin, I am DESERVING of hell.

The idea that people can do as they please WITHOUT eternal consequences is only WISHFUL thinking.

It Is comforting though, however ,that an ALL POWERFUL God brings PURPOSE to the PAIN and SUFFERING in the world, That there is an ALL KNOWING God with a cosmic PLAN.

It’s just foolish to think God does NOT exist.

I will live my life according to these beliefs.

So now, we all likely have a good idea of what set of beliefs we align with....but let me ask you this: How did you arrive at your decision for your belief system? Did you gain your beliefs by trusting what your gut was telling you ? Accepting what your parents/friends/significant other told you to be the truth? Having life circumstances turn out in a way that you didn't like or understand? Reading the Bible? Going to church? Studying science? Having a bad experience with a so called "Christian"? Using logic and common sense? I'd like to challenge anyone who reads this to put in time, challenge your beliefs, do research, and seek out the Truth. If you are willing to put in multiple hours to research your next car purchase, (which will only last you 5-10 years), how much time would you be willing to put in to research the possibility of life after death, which would last for all of eternity?


EPILOGUE: The Reverse Thinking power featured above is courtesy of author David D. Dietrich. ( thank you Jayne for sending this to me :) ). Additionally, Jason, the owner of the VW with the sticker, was gracious enough to send me 10+ bumper stickers. If anyone would like one for their room, car, office desk, etc let me know and I'll be sure to get it to you! Finally, I asked some of the women in my Bible study and Kristen what kind of biblical bumper sticker they would have, if forced by gunpoint to sport one. They listed the following:

Wake up!
Romans 13:11

What is truth?
John 18:37

Keep on Keepin' on!
2 Cor 4:18