Photo by Donna Kay Johnson
What do you believe? Do you know? Could you defend or explain it if asked? 1 Peter 3:15 says,
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
With everything going on in our world today, it is important to know what you believe. You can’t cling to what your parents or grandparents believe, or even what your pastor or best friend believes. You have to know what you believe and why you believe it. Otherwise, you will be easily swayed one way or another, thus truly believing in nothing.
1 John 4:1 give us this warning,
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
When I was a sponsor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA, I would tell the students to sift everything they heard or read through the Word of God. If it stuck, then it was a truth they could cling to and if not, they should cast it aside. I went so far as to tell them not to believe me or their parents or even the pastors we’d bring in to teach. Why? Because we are all human and we are all able to either knowingly or unknowingly lead others astray.
Just this week, I have been sent two video clips to watch about truth. One was from a very famous church in Texas where a pastor’s wife stood up and said God really wants us to be happy.
When we obey God, we’re not doing it for God, we’re doing it for ourselves……… Do good cause God wants you to be happy… when you come to church to worship Him you’re not doing it for God you’re doing it for yourselves because that’s what makes God happy.”
Now I mean no ill will towards this lady, but I haven’t read anywhere in the Bible that says God wants to make me happy. In fact, Matthew 22:35-40 says,
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
God comes first, then others. They should be our top priority, not our own happiness. Romans 12:3 goes on to say,
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”
Contrary to what some people say or even believe, it’s not about you. It never has been. It’s all about Him. His plan, His purpose, for His glory!
The second video that was sent to me was of a young man who was raised Muslim and took his faith seriously. As God would have it, he went to a debate (I’m not sure if it was through his college or civic group) and was assigned a room with a Christian. His roommate didn’t try to debate faith. In fact, he simply lived his.
When he pulled his Bible out at night to read, the Muslim boy saw it and began to challenge him on it. This Christian young man was ready for the task at hand. He was as ready as 1 Peter 3:15 challenges us to be. Through calm, quiet conversation, bathed in love, he shared his beliefs and was able to defend them which ultimately caused the young Muslim man to question, seek and eventually give his life to Jesus.
There is turmoil going on all around the world today. If you look at the news, it would be easy to be despaired. However, the turmoil we’re living in is causing people to question their beliefs and seek truth.
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few [Matthew 9:37-38]. Are you ready to go into the fields and reap the harvest? Do you know what you believe?
Leave A Comment