Hard Questions
What Kind of Faith Do You Have? - Hard Questions
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What kind of faith do you have? Many Christians today have blind faith. In other words, they identify as Christians without reasons to believe. They may identify as a Christian because it’s the faith of their family. They attend church. They thought it sounded like the best option on their Facebook profile. But is a blind faith necessary or even desirable?
The Bible does teach that faith is resting on the promises of God. Consider Hebrews 11:1-6: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
"By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Here in Hebrews 11, the writer uses a key word to describe biblical faith: assurance. Biblical faith isn’t blind. Biblical faith isn't “wishing upon a star.” Biblical faith is based on reason and guarantee.
This is why Peter would say, “Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you, but do so with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Christians are to provide an answer, in other words, reasons or evidence, for the hope we have.
Reflect: Read Jude 3-4. Why is it important for us to contend for the faith? What does our contending for the faith have to do with giving an answer?
Respond: If you are a follower of Christ, what are your reasons for belief? If you aren’t sure yet, what questions would you want to be answered to help decide?
We look forward to your comments and questions below!
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WOW 😳 I feel the same as Trisha. I have been saved for many years and as a new Christ Follower I was so busy ....... taught Sunday school bus ministry in the choir and loved it all but ,here I am now just getting to and wanting the desire to serve Him. I think back then I was a doer of the word ? thank you so much for your ministry and helping others to see it’s ALL About JESUS and not us ❤️🙏🏻
I feel similar to Mark and Lexey who have already commented. I trusted Christ as my Savior as a teenager, but didn't really have Him as Lord. I've been active in church, Bible study, and Christian service for many years trying to serve the Lord and know Him better, but have hit a wall. I wonder now whether the work I did earlier was really serving Him since I'm not closer to Him even though I want to be.
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Thanks, Tricia. Many people feel this way today. It's a process and a journey. Don't give up! God won't give up on you!
I accepted Jesus as my Savior & Lord when I was 25. I allowed him to be my savior , but didn't really live with him as my Lord. I guess I had a poor understanding of what Lord meant. I would sin in many ways especially like it mentions in Jude 3-4. I Have turned from living in ways like Jude says, but I still struggle with sin of many types. I have difficulty hearing God's voice, though once I did feel that I would hear Him speak to me. I don't know what it is that I'm expecting to hear. Can a person start over again and again with The Lord??
Your prayers for me will be appreciated.
Your prayers for me will be appreciated.
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Mark, we all struggle. It is a process. Thankfully He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it!
I absolutely love apologetics although I'm not trained I do understand science does not refute the bible but proves it. Thank you for this series im looking forward to expanding my knowledge of apologetics.
I was saved when i was 20. But for a long time now i have fluxuated from bieng an active christian to not being active. I would read the Word, pray but never hearing God. I am 60 now and need to return to the Lord and stay with Him. No more backsliding! Can i return and begin again. Can i regain the joy and the assurance of my salvation?
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I apologize as I didn't know this comment came in. We all struggle in our walks with God. It's a process that is for sure. God offers us eternal salvation. Not temporary. Not conditional. We cannot lose it. The problem is some people never hear and respond to the true gospel. They get a version of it, but it falls flat, so they never come to saving faith.
How do know if you're saved? Do you recognize Jesus as the only hope for salvation? Do you trust in His death, burial, and resurrection? Do you believe that His salvation is purely a gift and sufficient to save? If so, salvation is yours. The Bible teaches us that when we become saved we receive the Spirit as a seal of our salvation. This is evidence of authentic salvation. He convicts us of our sin. He motivates and empowers us to follow Christ. He helps us interpret Scripture. Do you experience this? Some of these considerations may help you in your evaluation.
How do know if you're saved? Do you recognize Jesus as the only hope for salvation? Do you trust in His death, burial, and resurrection? Do you believe that His salvation is purely a gift and sufficient to save? If so, salvation is yours. The Bible teaches us that when we become saved we receive the Spirit as a seal of our salvation. This is evidence of authentic salvation. He convicts us of our sin. He motivates and empowers us to follow Christ. He helps us interpret Scripture. Do you experience this? Some of these considerations may help you in your evaluation.