Do we expect God to actually make a difference, or just make us feel better?

Here’s a transcription of a voice conversation I had with ChatGPT while I was driving the other day. I wanted to see if I could provoke its collective wisdom of the internet into expressing any faith in God. It was worse than I expected…

Me: “Jesus just suffered, and died, and struggled, and persevered. What makes us think that we can live victorious lives in the Kingdom of God here in the present?”

ChatGPT: That’s a thoughtful question. Jesus’s life showed us that even through suffering and struggle, there can be ultimate victory. His perseverance and faithfulness are examples for us to follow. In the kingdom of God, victory often looks different than worldly success. It involves living out love, faith, and hope, trusting in God’s promises, and finding strength in Him.

“That seems a little more like just hanging in there, waiting for heaven, instead of overcoming, or victorious, or triumphant, or any of that stuff.”

I get what you mean. Sometimes, it does feel like we’re just holding on. But remember, the victory in the kingdom of God is often about inner transformation and reflecting God’s love and justice here and now. It’s not just about waiting for heaven but living in a way that brings the kingdom’s values into the present. Even small acts of kindness and perseverance can be part of that victory.

“Even though, like, Satan is ruling down here, and the world’s all going to hell in a handbasket, and we’re all deteriorating in our sinfulness and everything’s just getting worse, but we can feel like we’re victorious if we kind of hold on to some values?”

It can definitely feel that way sometimes. But even in the midst of darkness, living by values like love, compassion, and justice can be powerful acts of resistance and hope. It’s not about ignoring the world’s troubles but finding strength and purpose in the way we respond to them. This can bring a sense of victory and meaning even in difficult times.

“So we can feel victorious, but we’re not actually victorious. We can feel free, but we’re not actually free. We could feel like we’re doing something of significance, but it’s only a personal inner transformation, like what happens to the big world?”

Our personal transformation can indeed impact the bigger world. When we live out values like love and justice, it can inspire and create change around us. Even small actions can ripple outward, contributing to a larger transformation. So, it’s not just about feeling victorious individually but being part of a collective shift towards a better world.

“How is that different than Coca-Cola or Starbucks or any of the other places that hold hands and sing about peace?”

The difference lies in the source and purpose. For followers of Jesus, living out values like love and justice is deeply rooted in spiritual conviction and the example of Jesus. It’s not just about feeling good or promoting a brand but about genuine transformation and a commitment to a higher calling. This kind of change is meant to reflect God’s kingdom, impacting both individuals and communities in a lasting way.

“I’m thinking that sounds like the billboard on our local elementary school.”

I understand how it might come across that way. Sometimes these messages can feel similar on the surface. But for many, faith adds a deeper, personal dimension that goes beyond slogans. It’s about genuine transformation and a relationship that influences how we live and interact with the world. It’s this deeper meaning that often makes the difference for people.

“I think the teachers at my elementary school have the, you know, sincere conviction to operate out of love and kindness and compassion. I’m not sure that what you’re talking about is anything deeper or more meaningful than that.”

It’s great that your teachers operate with such genuine conviction. The deeper meaning I refer to often comes from how faith shapes one’s entire worldview and purpose, beyond just actions. For many, faith provides a foundational sense of meaning, hope, and connection to something greater. That said, genuine love and compassion, whether rooted in faith or not, are always meaningful.

“So the difference is the hope, I think you just mentioned, about going to heaven one day, and is there a difference for right now?”

The hope isn’t just about heaven one day, but also about experiencing transformation and purpose right now. Faith can provide a sense of meaning, strength, and community that shapes how we live in the present. It’s about bringing that hope and transformation into our daily lives and relationships, making a difference here and now.

“I’m thinking the elementary school teachers have purpose and conviction and meaning and all those things, right?”

Absolutely, many elementary school teachers do have a strong sense of purpose, conviction, and meaning in their work. They play an incredibly important role in shaping young lives and contributing to the community. Their dedication is definitely meaningful and valuable.

“What’s the difference?”

The difference often lies in the source of motivation and the ultimate purpose. For many people of faith, their actions are rooted in spiritual beliefs and a relationship with God, which provides a distinct framework and sense of calling. For teachers and others, their motivation might come from different but equally powerful sources, like a passion for education and care for students. Both are meaningful, just grounded in different foundations.

“So it’s just where the motive comes from.”

Yes, exactly. The source of motivation can differ, but the impact and dedication can be equally significant and meaningful.

Yikes! ChatGPT’s massive training set of books, websites and other resources collectively thinks Christianity makes no difference except in how we feel.

That’s ridiculous. We’d never believe that. Or do we?

I was at a prayer meeting where we broke into small groups and chose one person at a time to pray for. First we listened to some scripture to hear what God was saying, and they prayed that for them.

Great exercise, but here’s the problem. Afterwards the leader asked for testimonies of how God spoke to people personally. There were lots of wonderful people in the room and several people beautifully shared how they felt encouraged, but no specific testimonies (except mine: the guy with me picked a verse that nailed the 3 things on my mind that morning). And I’m thinking, “Oh no!” Did they expect to just be encouraged by each other and feel better? Could it be that we are as unaware of God’s presence and power as the world is?

That evening my wife was listening to Lectio Divina and the only verse they read was the one the guy gave me that morning. I’d forgotten all about it by then, feeling like giving the testimony wrapped up the experience. But God was highlighting the verse again as I went to bed. And I’m thinking, “Oh no!” Was I expecting to just feel good about participating well in a listening prayer exercise? Am I at all catching on that the High King of Heaven and Earth went out of his way to speak directly to me about the things most on my heart today?

I’m ridiculous. How could I not believe? What was I expecting?

Lord, have mercy! Open our eyes to see your greatness and closeness, like in Hebrews 12:

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; ¹⁹ to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, ²⁰ because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” ²¹ The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

²² But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? ²⁶ At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” ²⁷ The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”