Over the years I have been amazed at things people chose to believe based upon “what if” scenarios. Problematically, this creates a foundation for doctrines based upon what one does not know rather than what one does know. For example, people have come to my door asking “What if Adam and Eve had not sinned?”  My reply is always, “They did sin,” (Gen. 3:1-8). The point of their question is to make assumptions about what would have happened if Adam and Eve did not. Why speculate when we know it happened?

Truthfully, many religious groups use similar logic. Some reject baptism by asking “What if someone wants to become a Christian and there is no water?”  Where can people live without any water? What person that desired baptism for the remission of sin (Acts 2:38), would get in a car, ride a horse, or even walk to a place that had no water? I have studied with many people who, upon wanting to become a Christian, required us to travel to where there was water.

I was once asked, “What if God decides to save everyone at the end of time?” This seems like a nice thought initially. However, we do not need to wonder about this. Everyone will not be saved at the end of time (Matt. 7:13-14). My faith is in the Lord. I would much rather just accept what He says than speculate about things He did not say!

I have had people ask, “What if you are wrong?” This question is also easy to answer Biblically. If I am wrong, then I am believing and teaching error. I will lose my soul if I do not change (John 8:32; Luke 13:3). However, the Lord gave us His word, and it is understandable (Eph. 3:4). I can be tested by others, and I can test myself (I John 4:1; James 1:25; II Cor. 13:5). Just because I could be wrong does not mean that I am. We can have assurance that what we follow is correct (II Tim. 1:12). At the same time, we should always be studying to show ourselves approved.

                                                                                            Chuck

Nothing can be more frustrating and confusing to a Christian than when bad things happen and they want to know why. They might wonder if God is trying to teach them something.

• Is our God responsible for everything in our lives?
• Is there a reason for everything?
• Has everything been predetermined?

Let’s see what answers God’s word contains about these ideas.

Consider what Jesus said in Luke 13:4. “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?”  The Savior brought this up because some incorrectly argued that the tower fell on certain people as a punishment for their actions. That was not the case, and accidents can happen.

Let’s stop and think about the families of those eighteen that died. Imagine their hardships. What if they held to the same notions as those Jesus was talking to? They would be trying to find a deeper meaning to this event and might wonder why God did it to them.

However, our Father is not responsible for any temptations that we face. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone,” (James 1:13). However, this does not mean that our Creator is not in control. Because God has total control, he can allow certain things to happen. Jesus’ earthly life is the best example of this.

Jesus told Pilate that he could do nothing unless it had been given to Him from above (John 19:11). So was the Father responsible for the death of His Son? Of course not. There is a big difference in what God allows and what He approves of or makes happen.

Our world includes elements of chance. For example, tornados sometimes occur due to weather patterns. If a family loses a loved one, it was not anyone’s fault. It certainly was not God’s fault either – sometimes things just happen. Consider also when people sin and face hardships because of it. If a man loses his job because of a drinking problem, he might also lose his home. His family might even fall apart. Whose fault is it? We could say it was the result of someone sinning.  If he is married and has children, they should not say, “Why is God doing this to us?” God did not do anything to them.

This leads us to a very important lesson: God can help us cope with any and every temptation that comes our way. As Paul told the Corinthians, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it,” (I Cor. 10:13).

To be clear, this passage is not teaching that God will take away the pain and hardships. The “escape” that was mentioned is God providing a way to not to give in to the temptation. Therefore, it is not a sin to suffer or hurt (unless you are guilty of sinning). If someone uses drugs, is arrested and is put in jail, they are suffering due to their own sinful actions. If that person turns to the Lord while in prison, the Lord can help that person stay the course.

Still, hardship are not immovable. Our adversary (I Pet. 5:8) will continually try to get us to resist God, but those who draw near to God can resist the devil (James. 4:7-8). God’s people can pray for help (James 5:16). By trusting in the providence of God and allowing His will to be done (Matt. 26:39), we can know that the Lord will help us handle whatever comes our way (Phil. 4:13).

Chuck                                                                                      

Do you trust what was written?

      There is no question that the Bible is rejected by the majority of this word. Even religious people are questioning the inspiration of the scriptures. In many circles, what is written does not have the final say. Reason being, there are numerous people who have said that God has spoken to them personally, separate from the Bible. I have been told this, personally, many times. 

The scriptures are either inspired, or they are not (II Tim. 3:16). You simply can’t have the word of God that was written down, support the idea that God speaks to man directly today. Why not? Because the Lord told us He wouldn’t (Heb. 1:1-2). So did God lie when He gave us His inspired word? If He did, then how can you trust what He tells someone directly today? Think about it.

It is strange to me when people say that God spoke directly to them, that they experienced something that Christ’s own apostles didn’t experience. God did not speak directly to the apostles. It was Jesus who promised the Holy Spirit to come upon them to guide them into all truth (Jn. 16:13; Acts 2:1-4). After all, this was going to be a message that was for all people. So why would God talk directly to someone today?

Here are two questions that I ask people who say God spoke to them. First: Did God say something different than what you read in the Bible? If their message contradicts anything that He already said, then it will make God a liar – and it is impossible for God to lie (Titus 1:2). Second: Did God say something that He already revealed in His written message – the Bible? If they say yes, I think to myself, why did God have it recorded if He is just going ahead and talking to people personally? Not only that, if he doesn’t speak to everyone, is He playing favorites? He already revealed He is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).

I don’t claim to know what people think they heard. I am not calling them a liar. I believe they believe it was God. But for me to believe it was God I would have to reject His written word, which we should never do!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Chuck                                  

Defending the truth

As I write this bulletin, there are plans for me to meet with a local religious leader and one of their members to talk about the Bible. The member just wants the religious leader and I to present what the Bible teaches about salvation so she can determine who is telling the truth.  I think open discussions are great and would be thrilled if more people could listen. When I present from the Bible though, I need to remember the points our Lord makes about defending our faith.

Consider the event in Matthew 21:23-27. Jesus was in the temple teaching when the elders and chief priest confronted Him. They wanted to talk about the idea of authority and asked Jesus a couple of questions. Let’s break down this encounter to learn how to stand up for what we believe.

Have a willingness to talk

The first thing that we notice from our Savior is that He didn’t run away. He actually welcomed the opportunity to have a discussion openly.  Christ didn’t say he would talk about this later, privately, when no one else is around. As a matter of fact, it was while He was in front of those people, whom He was teaching, that he agreed to talk (verse 24).  There is something seriously wrong with any religious teacher who would refuse to talk about what he believes openly.

Establish that it goes both ways

Nobody wants to participate in a discussion where someone is on the defensive all the time. It is never fair to force one person to defend what they believe while the other person just asks further questions.  These situations are never profitable for people who are genuinely seeking the truth. When Jesus was asked questions (verse 23), He also stated that he would gladly answer their questions if they would answer His (verse 24).  If both parties state and defend what they believe, listeners can decide for themselves. If someone refuses to state what they believe or will not defend it, we should be concerned.

Focus on facts, not personalities

All-knowing Jesus could have easily belittled or made fun of the religious leaders who confronted Him. He could have brought up past events or, knowing their hearts, even challenged their motives. Notice that He did not though. Truth and true motives will surface during the discussion. Jesus asked them a simple question, and they refused to answer (verse 25-27). I recognize that focusing on Biblical facts will anger some people, but this just reveals that they are more interested in “winning” the argument rather than sharing Biblical truth. Truth does not need to be defended with name-calling, belittling, yelling or lost tempers.

Do not be afraid to expose error

The short confrontation between Jesus and the leaders of the synagogue ended when Jesus told them that because they would not answer His question, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things,” (verse 27). If someone wants to talk about the word of God, they need to be prepared to face the consequences. Jesus was not going to apologize, nor did He need to. By refusing to answer questions from Jesus, these men demonstrated that they could not refute His teachings. This is evidence that Jesus was right.

We do not need to sugarcoat our faith to defend it.  We must be willing to state that if “2 + 2 is 4”, than any other answer is wrong. We cannot be for something without being against something contrary.  This requires courage. Remember, the only thing that suffer from sound investigation is error. Let us all be willing to give an answer for the hope that is within us (I Pet. 3:15).

                                                                                                   Chuck