This evening I came across a note I had written in a notebook some time earlier this year. I can’t remember what prompted me to write it, and I’m sure the idea wasn’t entirely original, so if anyone knows anything similar, perhaps they would let me know.

It’s a short step from thinking God doesn’t matter, to thinking he doesn’t exist. It may be fashionable to parade one’s atheism in public, but there is a danger for Christian people that we can live as if God didn’t matter, and worse, as if he didn’t exist.

Far from being closer to God in a garden than anywhere else on earth, Eve found it easier to think God didn’t matter when she was in the Garden. It seemed to make so much sense when the idea was suggested to her by a talking snake. Now that ought to have sent alarm bells ringing in her head. It’s one thing to think that God doesn’t matter, but it’s another thing altogether to take advice on theology from a talking snake.

The sobering thing to realise is that we live in what might be termed less than the ideal circumstances of Eden. How much easier to make Eve’s mistake, and be deceived about our Maker. There are still plenty of talking snakes giving advice on theology! But Paul’s advice is still relevant:

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3.

We need to be on our guard against gaining a wrong perspective on life. Both messages today from our pastor stressed this need. This morning we were reminded of just who Jesus really is (from Revelation 1:9-20). He is not the domesticated figure the world likes to portray him as. He is the very God of heaven. No wonder John “fell at his feet as though dead”. This evening we considered true value from Matthew 13:44-46, and once again our thoughts were directed to Christ. The antidote for practical Christian atheism (living as if God didn’t matter, or worse, as if he didn’t exist) is constant consideration of Christ, his value and his worth.