In 2005, two researchers coined “moral therapeutic deism” (MTD) as a description for the prevailing religious views of younger Americans. MTD is a constellation of beliefs that can be summed up this way: God exists and provides a moral way of ordering your life so that you can fulfill the ultimate goal of your life—to be happy and feel good about yourself. Although God is mostly removed and uninvolved in your life, He will welcome you to heaven when you die if you’ve been good.
Unfortunately, MTD describes many people’s religious views, not only the younger generation’s. While we may balk at some of the assertions above, practically speaking, many of us grapple with the idea that God is actively present in our lives. Perhaps we’ve prayed desperately for the healing of someone we love, only to find ourselves weeping at a grave. Perhaps we’ve asked God to change a relationship or provide a job or bring justice to the oppressed—only to have loneliness, unemployment, or injustice threaten to overwhelm us in the end.
Scripture promises us, however, that God is near and that He is active in our lives. He’s never far away; He surrounds us. Before Jesus ascended to the Father, He told His bewildered, fearful disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit who would never leave them (John 14:16-17). The Spirit would continue to lead them “into all truth,” the same truth that Jesus brought to us and that He announced on the cross and in His resurrection (John 14:17).
Whatever our experiences—including at times being disappointed or troubled by our inability to understand God’s actions or silence—we have Jesus’ promise that His Spirit is here. God is a very real and present God.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 6:1-38
More:
Read Acts 2:1-21. What strikes you about this story of the arrival of God’s Spirit?
Next:
When have you grappled with questions about God’s nearness and presence? Reflect over the past year or two of your life and identify where you see signs of God’s presence with you. How does this encourage you today?
Gary Shultz on April 15, 2017 at 6:33 am
Hi Winn: Since 2005 I think the rules have even been stretched into a more elastic code. To invent a atmosphere that works well with others, is not too offensive, and one can feel good about themselves, is the deal many are looking for. But as you say, the Holy Spirit did come, He has a different agenda, and that’s dealing with the soul and sin. Each person has to have their “Day of Pentecost”. So we have to move beyond the vanilla smoothie mentality, that all will be well if we fit and feel accepted. We have to deal with the words, work, and offer of Christ, as you know. The Holy Spirit whispers to those souls as well as encouraging ours, and He seems delighted to bring us into God’s presence. To engage the mind, soul, and Spirit in adoration and communication with God, now that’s feeling way down the road better than a passing wave at a feel good attempt to invent (the god we would feel good about). Thanks Winn
Tom Felten on April 15, 2017 at 10:39 am
Winn, on this poignant day—the day between the darkness and death of Good Friday and the light and resurrection of Easter Sunday—it’s good to remember these words from Jesus: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus suffered out of love for us. May we be willing to suffer out of love for Him.