In Defense of Faith

To be questioned about ones religion is the heart and soul of their very being. To be a Christian is to know why and what you believe. Obtaining knowledge is the center core of Gods word and the opposite of that is ignorance which God despises. This is more of a problem then people of faith realize. How will Christians be able to help others if you don’t know what you believe yourself? When you ask someone a question regarding their belief you will find that some don’t even know and will just say, “Oh I don’t know that’s just the way we’ve always done it.” Also some folks will say, “That’s just the way we were raised,” without ever questioning it.

There are some churches that believe it is not the commission of the modern day church to spread or even know the gospel.

In the Bible the early Christians were told to spread the word. They were told to share their faith. In order to do this they would have to hear the gospel. How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard?

And how shall they hear without a preacher? So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:14;17. Another good example of hearing is found in the book of Acts. An angel of the Lord told Philip to arise and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza. Acts 8:26. When he arrived he was met with an Ethiopian who was reading the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading and it was obvious by his remark that he didn’t. The Ethiopian said, “Well how could I unless someone guides me?”

Society runs in circles one preaching this doctrine and someone else another. No one knows what to believe or even if they need a “position” at all. Some just believe what they believe because that’s the way they were brought up or it’s just the popular viewpoint. When questioned or challenged some will even shut down and not have any type of discussion about it at all. Is it because they don’t know or is it possible they just don’t care. Is it important to know what to believe?

The Christians in Berea thought it was important because they examined the scriptures daily to make sure what they were being told was correct. Acts 17:11. In fact they were considered more noble minded then the others. The apostle John told the Christians to test the spirits to see if they were from God. If the Christians didn’t have the knowledge or know what to look for I guess it would be kind of hard to test them. Paul told the young evangelist Timothy that if anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words then that person is conceited and understands nothing. If Timothy didn’t know what the doctrine was to begin with then he wouldn’t know which one was the right one. I Timothy 6:3-4. I believe some get caught in the trap of habit; they just go through the routine and motions of life.

Paul says that we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:14. By now as adults we should know better and understand why we believe what we believe. How else will we be able to fulfill the great commission of the church? Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20. God commands that we have the knowledge that only comes through knowing Him and what is written in the Word. The whole Bible alludes to some type of action against those who are not “in the know.” God’s people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6. It’s more then just the knowledge you possess but the hope, the reason for you. The comfort and love that you can give to another individual because of what you know.

Peter says that Christians are always to be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you. I Peter 3:15.

Christians must be able to defend the faith and they need to possess the knowledge to be able to do that. James commented saying that if anyone lacks wisdom; let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously. He goes on to say to ask in faith, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6. Are Christians being tossed by the waves and wind? Are we able to answer the hope that is within us? Why do you believe what you believe? What is your “position” and what are you going to say in defense of your faith?

C. F. Bettridge is a freelance writer and author. Her latest website is http://givetolive.org/

Read her blog at http://endtimesfact.blogspot.com/ or get her latest book at http://endtimesfact.com/