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Today I’m going to do something a little different- Relating the Bible to the Script. It’ll make sense in a minute, I promise! Below is their video and lyrics. If you want to go straight to how we know the Bible is true, you can scroll down.
Lyrics
I’m still alive but I’m barely breathin’
Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in
‘Cause I got time while she got freedom
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even
Her best days will be some of my worst
She finally met a man that’s gonna put her first
While I’m wide awake, she’s no trouble sleepin’
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even, even, no
What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces
They say bad things happen for a reason
But no wise words gonna stop the bleedin’
‘Cause she’s moved on while I’m still grievin’
And when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even, even, no
And what am I going to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(One still in love while the other one’s leavin’)
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even)
Oh, you got his heart and my heart and none of the pain
You took your suitcase, I took the blame
Now I’m tryna make sense of what little remains, oh
‘Cause you left me with no love and no love to my name
I’m still alive but I’m barely breathin’
Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in
‘Cause I got time while she got freedom
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break
No, it don’t break, no, it don’t break even, no
What am I gonna do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
(Oh, that you’re okay now)
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces (oh, I’m fallin’, fallin’) yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(One still in love while the other one’s leavin’)
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even)
Oh, it don’t break even, no
Oh, it don’t break even, no
Oh, it don’t break even, no
***************************************************************************************************************
What can we learn about the Script and this song?
Well it may sound relatable and romantic on the surface. Many people have been through hard breakups. However, much of what he says is concerning. Lets look at it.
I’m still alive but barely breathing– Breakups are hard. And there should be heartache and grief in the moment. However, is his trust in God?- He (God) has worked out everything for good (Romans 8:29-20). It’s as if everything he desired and lived for was for her. While that might sound romantic on the surface, I’d have a lot of questions. Where are his friends? Is he investing into other people? Does He love others? Does he have a support network? If your whole world collapses because of a breakup, that could be a red flag.
Just prayed to a God I don’t believe in- Probably the most concerning aspect of this whole song. People come to God in trials. They treat God like a magical genie that they will go to that will fix their problems. But once the pain resides, their “God” is forgotten. So is the culture. We live in a world of Nominal Christians who don’t believe in God.
Her best days will be some of my worst
She finally met a man that’s gonna put her first – Understandable. People don’t want others to be happy when they are so sad. But what has happened has happened. We should hope for the best in other people’s lives for their good.
Just Prayed to a God I don’t believe in
This is so relatable to the culture and should push us to Evangelize. According to one Barna survey, just 6% of the adult population considers themselves to be Evangelical Christians. We live in a culture where an overwhelming number of people profess to be Christian but don’t believe in the essentials of the faith. Salvation is Doctrinal.
Now if you’ve ever been consistent in Evangelism, you know that everyone is professing Christianity but don’t adhere to the basics of the Christian faith. Obviously, 65% of America is not Christian. We live in a Spiritual Crisis. Isn’t America a Christian nation? How in the World did we get here?
Historically, there has been a Battle for the Bible. For Sola Scripture, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, and Sola de la gloria.
Well part of how America has fallen has to do with different ideologies and the Age of Enlightenment. It was the intellectual and Philosophical movement that occurred in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. Who were the proponents of these ideas and what did they teach?
Rene Descartes
Rene Descartes taught that reality can be understood through reason (Rationalism). One of his most famous lines was “I think, therefore I am” He doubted and therefore was a thinking human being.
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon was a philosopher of science. He was a proponent of the scientific method and gathered data and strictly analyzed it. People started to see the world through the lends of Science and Reason.
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Jean was the father of Romanticism. Romanticism is all about self-fulfillment. There was an emphasis on literature, the arts, imagination, and the emotions.
We see many different Ideas emerging. The Westminster confession of faith states that the chief end of man is to Glorify God. The Declaration of Independence states that the people are endowed with unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Romanticism says that our purpose is to self fulfill ourselves with literature and the arts. Many different ideologies on the purpose of man.
Friedrich Schleiermacher
Then you have Frederich Schleirmacher- The Father of Modern Liberal Theology who grew up in a Pastor’s home. And he has a crisis of faith and abandons Christianity. Here it is-
Tenderly beloved Father,
Barby, 21st January, 1787.
Though tardily expressed, my wishes for you in the New Year are not, therefore, the less sincere or the less fervent. The older we grow, dear father, the longer we witness the course of events in the world, the more persuaded we become, that neither for ourselves nor for others ought we to wish any of those things which are generally the object of desire, lest we should in reality be wishing for evil. Everything is, under some circumstances, happiness, and under others, unhappiness, except peace, tranquility of mind, and submissiveness of heart; and this is what I wish for you, in addition to that which must be most valued by a father, well-founded joy in your children. The more I, as your son, wish you this from the bottom of my filial heart, the more it costs me, the more it pains me in the depth of my soul, that I must now announce to you something which will cause your hope, in the fulfillment of this wish, to waver.
I confessed to you, in my last letter, my dissatisfaction with the limited scope of my position here, and pointed out how easily, under such circumstances, religious doubts may, in our times, arise among young people. I thus endeavored to prepare you for the intelligence that these doubts have been awakened in me, but I did not attain my object. You believed that your answer had set me at rest; and for six whole months I most unjustifiably remained silent, because I could not find it in my heart to destroy this illusion.
Faith is the regalia of the Godhead, you say. Alas! dearest father, if you believe that, without this faith, no one can attain to salvation in the next world, nor to tranquility in this—and such, I know, is your belief—oh! then, pray to God to grant it to me, for to me it is now lost. I cannot believe that He, who called Himself the Son of Man, was the true, eternal God : I cannot believe that His death was a vicarious atonement, because He never expressly said so Himself; and I cannot believe it to have been necessary, because God, who evidently did not create men for perfection, but for the pursuit of it, cannot possibly intend to punish them eternally, because they have not attained it.
Alas! best of fathers, the deep and acute suffering which I endure while writing this letter, prevents me from giving you in detail the history of my soul as regards my opinions, or all my strong reasons for entertaining them ; but I implore you, do not look upon them as merely transient views, without deep roots. During almost a whole year they have had a hold upon me, and it is long and earnest reflection that has determined me to adopt them. I entreat you not to keep back from me your strongest counter-reasons; but I candidly confess that I do not think you will succeed in convincing me at present, for I hold firmly by my convictions. And now are told these tidings which must be so terribly startling to you ! Try to enter entirely into my feelings, and you will, perhaps, be able in some measure to understand what it must have cost me to write these lines, devoted to you as I am, my good father, with such tender filial affection, acknowledging as I do your great love for me, and being conscious that I owe everything to you; for that I entertain these feelings, I can aver with a good conscience, and I am sure that you also are persuaded of it. They have been written with trembling hand and with many tears ; but even now I would not send them forth, had not my superiors encouraged me ; and even in a manner charged me to write to you. Comfort yourself, dear father, for I know you were long in the same state that I am now. Doubts assailed you at one time as they now do me, and yet you have become what you now are. Think, hope, believe, that the same may be the case with me ; and be assured that, although I may not be of the same faith as you, I will, nevertheless, ever strive to become an honorable, upright, and useful man ; and, after all, that is the most essential thing.
I have openly laid my thoughts before my present superiors, and, upon the whole, I have been treated very kindly. They have told me that they would wait some time to see whether a happy change might not take place ; but, at the same time, they have given me frequently and distinctly to understand, which is indeed a matter of course, that I must not look forward to obtaining even the most insignificant office in the community, until my convictions have undergone this change. I know, dear father, that however great may be the pain which I am now causing you, you will not withdraw from me your fatherly love and care. You will see, without my suggesting it, that it will be necessary even in case it cannot soon be realized — which, alas ! I am convinced it cannot be — that measures should at once be taken to enable me to become a useful man beyond the limits of the community, as within it I cannot at present be so. If your circumstances will at all admit of it, pray, allow me to go to Halle, if only for two years. You must see that my success in life depends upon, this. I can hardly believe that you will give your consent to my continuing my theological studies there, for you will not be willing to add one more to the heterodox teachers of our country. However, if you can do so with a good conscience, as I would at all events probably devote myself to a scholastic career, it will suit me much the best, for I am better prepared herein than in other sciences, and my inclination also lies this way. There, also, I would be more likely to change my views than by continued study in the congregation, for I would have more opportunities of testing every diversity of opinion, and would, perhaps, learn to see that many reasons are on one side not so strong, and on the other, stronger than I at present conceive. However, I leave it entirely to you to determine what I shall study. In regard to law there is this objection, that a jurist belonging to the burgher class rarely obtains an appointment ; and in regard to medicine there is this other objection, that on account of my deficiency in preliminary knowledge, I would require two years more, while at the same time, the lectures are much more expensive. Perhaps uncle can give me free lodgings or free board in his house ; or, perhaps, I might obtain free board elsewhere, or even a small stipend. Six young members of the Brotherhood are already studying law in Halle, and these, together with my old friend W[…], from Breslau, and Mr. S[…], would be sufficient society for me ; so that from this side you would not have reason to fear the corruption of the university, besides which, my time would be fully occupied with study, and I would live quietly under the guardianship of my uncle.
If you would communicate with the Brethren in Herrnhut upon the subject, and represent the matter to them, you might, perhaps, succeed in obtaining their consent to my going to Halle, in which case should I hereafter change my convictions, I would be at liberty to return to the community. The Brethren will no doubt understand that this diversion of my thoughts to quite different subjects would be the most likely means gradually to effect the desired change. However, should this even for a time entirely separate me from the congregation, it will, nevertheless, be better than that I should remain in the community with unaltered convictions, leading an inactive and discontented life. On the other hand, should I change in Halle, it is not impossible that I might return to the Brethren.
You will perceive in reading this letter, dear father, how hard it has been to me to write it. May God give you strength to receive the intelligence without injury to your health, with out too great pain, and without suffering it to impair your fatherly love for me. He knows best what it has cost me to impart it to you.
And now, one request more only : make up your mind as quickly as possible. After Easter begin all the courses in Halle, and of what use would it be that I should remain an other half-year here, consuming a great deal of money, and yet at last have to go ?
In sorrow, dear father, I kiss your hands, and entreat you to look at everything from the most favorable side, and to consider well, and to bestow upon me in future, also, as far as it is possible, that fatherly affection which is so indescribably valued by
Your distressed and most dutiful Son.
So What are the implications? We now have professing “Christians” that don’t believe in the Bible. Thoughts and feelings are based on Romanticism, Reason, and science- Anything but a Biblical Worldview. Thus starts the fight for the Bible between the fundamentalists and fathers of the Enlightments.
The fundamentalists held to the fundamentals of the Bible. Nowadays, fundamentalism has a different meaning. But back then, this is what it meant. Dwight Moody and Billy Sunday are two examples of the fundamentalists. What key doctrines were being attacked?
Inerrancy
Virgin Birth and the deity of Christ
Christ and the atonement
The resurrection of Christ
The authenticity of Christ’s Miracles.
Now all the mainline denominations are going liberal. The Fundamentalists started new denominations, new schools, and new churches. Fuller seminary started out as Fundamental and had a high standard for Academics. However, they began to hedge on their fundamental values and started making academics a higher priority.
What 3 Pillars do we need to stand on?
We need to stand on the Word of God as the Final authority.
The work of God by grace through Faith
The Worship of God in Spirit and truth.
We need a Biblical Worldview on how we think and How we live.
In light of these truths, how are we to act?
Be prepared to make a defense for the faith; in this case the Bible.
1 Peter 3:15- but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
With this historical background in mind, how would you answer the pervading question of the hour?
Well many people think they can reason their way to the Bible or reason their way to faith- Just like the main figures of the Enlightenment. Are Christians just smarter than other people? Do they have special access?
Martin Luther- “The Bible can’t be understood simply by study and talent. You must count on the influence of the Holy Spirit.”
Calvin- “The Word of God is believed when God regenerates the heart.
It is the testimony of the Holy Spirit which enlightens our hearts and gives us the ability to understand the scriptures. The same spirit that convicts us that we are children of God. Romans 8:16- The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. Remember, the Gospel comes in Power
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
Knowing, brothers beloved by God, your election, for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and with the Holy Spirit and with full assurance, just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
Remember, we totally rely on the spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
And my word and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that your faith would not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
The only people that believe the Word of God are those that God has chosen. Remember the Parables? God chose a select number of people to hear his Word. Others didn’t have the privilege of understanding it.
Why don’t we understand? Why don’t we believe the Bible or embrace God’s truth? God has to open up your eyes. It is Satan that blinds the minds of unbelievers.
2 Corinthians 4:3- And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Satan is blinded the minds of unbelievers. Notice what this is about-Glory.
God expects us to be convinced of his glory and his revelation in nature. People are without excuse if they don’t glorify hm and thank him. Just like in Romans:1, we are expected to see God’s glory not only in the world as creator but in the very Word of God. It is the same glory he enables us to see.
Romans 1:18-32
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen; being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the likeness of corruptible man and of birds and four footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the males abandoned the natural function of the female and burned in their desire toward on another, males with males committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, violent, arrogant, boastful inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the righteous requirement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
We are expected to give glory without excuse; we see that He is creator of all things. The world is too complex to not have a creator. The Holy Spirit enables us to give him glory in creation and give the Word of God glory as well. (2 Corinthians 4:3)
Conclusion- Why a sunset of a couple?
I could have given you a whole bunch of reasons of why the Bible is true. I could have gone in depth on the prophecies, archaeological evidence, the history, etc. But I didn’t. Why? Because I don’t believe reason alone can convince anyone’s heart of the truth of the Bible. You could see Christ physically rise from the dead and still not believe. Historically, there has always been a battle for the Bible and truth as we saw from the Enlightenment and Fundamentalists. People have died and are still dying for the truth that is in their hearts. How do we know the Bible is true? By the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God that someone is saved and enlightened to the truths of scripture. It is the testimony of those who are saved. It is the responsibility of man to behold the glory of God in creation and behold the glory of God in the Word. The lyrics of the Script one more time-
I’m still alive but I’m barely breathin’
Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in
‘Cause I got time while she got freedom
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even
Her best days will be some of my worst
She finally met a man that’s gonna put her first
While I’m wide awake, she’s no trouble sleepin’
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even, even, no
What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces
They say bad things happen for a reason
But no wise words gonna stop the bleedin’
‘Cause she’s moved on while I’m still grievin’
And when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even, even, no
And what am I going to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(One still in love while the other one’s leavin’)
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even)
Oh, you got his heart and my heart and none of the pain
You took your suitcase, I took the blame
Now I’m tryna make sense of what little remains, oh
‘Cause you left me with no love and no love to my name
I’m still alive but I’m barely breathin’
Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in
‘Cause I got time while she got freedom
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break
No, it don’t break, no, it don’t break even, no
What am I gonna do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
(Oh, that you’re okay now)
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces (oh, I’m fallin’, fallin’) yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(One still in love while the other one’s leavin’)
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even)
Oh, it don’t break even, no
Oh, it don’t break even, no
Oh, it don’t break even, no
Maybe this is you. Maybe you are alive and barely breathin because of a trial in your life. Maybe you are praying to a God you don’t believe in. But there is hope through the power of the Word of God.
Romans 10:17- So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
What will you choose? Will you choose to live life praying to a God you don’t believe in only when trials arise? Or will you embrace the Word of God and be saved by believing and repenting? Check your heart to see if you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) We have too many “Christians” praying to a God they don’t believe in. Believe and Repent today for today is the day of salvation. The couple in the picture may look happy walking into the sunset. But true happiness comes from living for the creator and His purposes. Let our lives not be about a warm sunset, cute girlfriend, and comfortability ultimately. But in the true God of the Bible. Contend for the faith and live in light of eternity. Live in the truth.
–https://forhisglory.net/2018/06/28/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-christian/
References
John Macarthur media
John Piper Desiring God
Nathan B Sermon Grace Community Church
A life well Spent 