What Makes This Computer Medic Tick?
Every clock on the planet has something, some force that causes it to tick. Now granted there are some clocks that are silent and some that hum, but all that keep time have something like a spring, a battery, a power cord, weighted chains, or even nuclear power as a source of energy. Something is the driving force that causes the clock to keep time.
This fundamental truth is applied when we ask the question regarding what makes someone tick. By that we may be asking what makes that person get up every morning, what makes him behave a certain way, or what is he passionate about?
I like the word passion. Passion, too, can be a driving force and almost all of us are passionate about something. It could be golfing, fishing, shopping, antiques, chess, etc. For some their passion may involve more noble causes such as: wildlife sanctuaries, animal rescue, green initiatives, feeding the poor and world peace. All of these and more may be worthy of anyone’s passion.
Now, if you were to guess what my passion is or what makes me tick, you might guess it was computer related, right? I certainly spend most of every day immersed in either repairing computers, or in continued education to improve my craft. I will not deny that I have the privilege of serving my customers while doing something that I enjoy. BUT, as surprising as this may seem, it is not my passion. It is not what makes me tick. It is not what gets me out of bed every morning. So what makes me tick?
In answering this question I am keenly aware that even as I begin to do so, some will feel a sense of aversion. I deeply regret this and hope that somehow you will find the virtue to work through that feeling and read on.
What makes me tick is my personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my reason for being. He has placed me here on this earth as one of his many ambassadors. Now see, I told you. I can already sense the repugnance of some of my readers. But still, I implore you to come and let us reason together.
What many people may find astounding is that we actually have more ancient manuscript evidence that proves the existence of Jesus Christ than we have of President George Washington; yet no one questions the validity of Washington’s existence. Now any reasonable person who has explored the evidence as I and others have would wonder why at the mere mention of the name of Jesus Christ in any serious way (as opposed to its use as a profanity) brings about such a visceral reaction in some people? You can mention Buddha, Mohammed, Zoroaster, Baha'u'llah, and even if people reject their claims as false, one never witnesses a visceral reaction. However, at the name of Jesus Christ, many appear to wince in some form of agony. Again, I ask, “Why is this so?”
Perhaps it is because who Jesus Christ claimed to be and what he came to do. The Scriptures tell us that he came to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29); that he was the Son of God (John 1:49); that he, in fact, was God in the flesh (John 1: 1-4, 14). In addition, we are told that if we receive Jesus Christ as Lord that we become the children of God (John 1: 12-13; Romans 10: 9-10). When some of the Jewish people of Jesus day asked Him to be plain about whether he was the long awaited Messiah, they, too,were repulsed by His answer. He, being human, claimed to be God and for that they wanted to stone Him to death (John 10:22-33).
Throughout history there have been many philosophers who, while denying his claims, have tried to maintain that Jesus was a good teacher. In fact, in Jesus own day there were some who called Him just that a “good teacher.” Jesus response is worthy of note. He said, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone,” (Luke 18:18-30). Again, Jesus offers the subtle allusion to His deity. He then commands the young ruler, who asked Him the question, to sell all he had and to come and follow Him. His ultimate reward would be eternal life in the age to come.
The problem of Jesus being a good teacher should be obvious to even those who give a cavalier reading to the Gospels. How could Jesus be a good teacher and make the claims he did? What good teacher would lead His disciples to follow Him even if it meant many of them would die for it? What good person does such a thing? Our conclusions along with C. S Lewis (Mere Christianity) must be obvious. He is either insane, a liar, or he is who he claims to be. Jesus leaves us no middle ground. If he is insane or a liar, he is hardly worthy of the description – good. If he truly is who he claimed to be, then he is worthy of our worship and obedience. For those who truly receive Him as Lord, he also becomes their ultimate delight. No treasure offered by this world even comes close (Philippians 3:8).
The Bible tells us that on a given day Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” They offered him several answers that they heard such as John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, and others. However, when he asked his disciples to answer who he was, the Apostle Peter exclaimed that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus response is also enlightening. He told Peter that he did not come to this truth by his own abilities, but that it was revealed to him by God, alone (Matthew 16:13- 20).
The question Jesus asked of his disciples is one that everyone must answer. Who do you say that Jesus is? Is he a crazy man, a fraud, or the son of God who comes to take away the sin of the world? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No person comes to the Father, but by me, (John 14:6). If Jesus is truly the Messiah, rejecting his Lordship is foolhardy at best.
Since one’s eternity hangs in the balance, would not investigating the claims of Jesus warrant further evaluation? For those who have not received Jesus Christ as Lord, I would ask that you consider reading the Gospel of John at least twice. Read Matthew or Luke and if you come to the conclusion that Jesus is the Christ, the lamb of God who comes to take away the sin of the world, then I would like you to evaluate the following passages of Scripture that will tell you how to begin your relationship with Jesus, the Christ.
Begin by acknowledging:
- All Have Sinned and Fallen Short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:10-11, 23).
- The Penalty for Sin is Death (Romans 6:23).
- Jesus Paid the Penalty (Romans 5:8-9; 8:32).
- You must receive Jesus as Lord (John 1:12-13; Romans 10:9-10).
- Follow the Lord in Baptism (Matthew 28: 18-20; Acts 2:38-41)
Regarding the last step mentioned, I often get asked, “Why must I be baptized?” If you read the associated Scripture passages above, the answer is simple – because Jesus commanded it. It is not as some have held that baptismal waters have any regenerative capacity but rather it is the response of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). If you have genuinely received Jesus Christ as your Lord, it is only reasonable that you would want to demonstrate your allegiance to him in baptism. As Acts 2:38- 41 makes clear, all who were called of God on that day received baptism. They were then added to the church.
There are many good churches in our area that teach the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ and believe that the Bible is what it claims to be – the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). If you’ve received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, why not seek out a good church in your area and become baptized within that church of fellow believers and become an active member in the community of faith?
For those close to Chattanooga, I welcome you to visit my church, Concord Baptist Church on 7025 East Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421. The phone number is 423-892-9313. The Senior Pastor’s name is David King.
So there you have it – what makes this Computer Medic tick. Before I close, however, I’d like to share something I struggle with. If it were feasible, I’d like to speak with each and everyone about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Unfortunately when people have me come to their business or residence, I am allocated with only enough time to assist them with their computer(s) before I have to run and assist the next client, who eagerly waits for me to get there and resolve his issue as well. In the evening and on weekends I am often working on computers that could not be fixed out in the field. Time is not a commodity that I am overly blessed with. Yet, I am keenly aware of my need to share the Gospel of Christ to as many as will listen.
Therefore, I have created this page on my web site to appeal to as many as may peruse it. If you have questions, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to setup a time and discuss the Gospel with you. If you would like to speak with Pastors David King, Aaron Martin, or Drew Scott at Concord Baptist Church you have but to call 423-892-9313 and they, too, will be happy to discuss what it means to have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is one final consideration I ask of my readers. I am keenly aware that there are some who think I shouldn’t mix my faith with my business. There are those who believe that sharing my faith in Jesus Christ will actually cost me business. However, if you were on the top floor of your house that you didn’t initially realize was on fire below, I believe you would want me to do everything within my power to warn you. You wouldn’t care what my line of work was; you’d just want me to save you. I hope all will appreciate that it is with this same type of concern that I share the Gospel of Christ.
