This is Important – Why Do You Believe what You Believe?
Earlier this week, I tweeted: Don’t be shy. God wants us to ask . . . often. http://snip.ly/7kwl8 8 Steps to an Action Plan for Growing in Wisdom #Faith
And received the following reply: I’m curious how you discovered God wants us to ask things?
Great question? Right?
I answered by saying that Jesus told His followers to ask in the Bible.
And that began a discussion about the truth of the Bible and why I believe what I believe.
When’s the last time someone asked you . . . why do you believe what you believe?
Important question, isn’t it?
I know it’s faith. I know . . . you just believe. I know it’s the power of the Holy Spirit. But how would you answer someone who is seeking and wants to know your why?
Don’t you want to know your why?
I was raised in a Christian home. We went to church every time the doors were open. I went to a Christian college and fell in love with a pre-seminary student. I’m a pastor’s wife. I grew up on the Bible.
But…
That’s not my why?
My why is the following:
I believe Jesus is the Son of God because He said He is.
The Father and I are one. John 10:30
I believe He suffered, died, and rose again because He said He would; and men who ran away when He was arrested, after seeing Him suffer, die, and alive again, willingly suffered and died themselves to share that message with others.
From then on Jesus began to tell His disciples plainly that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem, and that He would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day He would be raised from the dead. Matthew 16:21
I believe I am saved by grace through Jesus’ death and resurrection because no matter how hard I try I fall short of God’s standard but Jesus paid my punishment for me to give me a right relationship with God.
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit, God made Him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. 1 Corinthians 1:30
I believe the Bible is God’s Word because it’s a miracle . . . 66 books, with 40 different writers, over 1500 years all with one central theme. God’s love. His desire to know and be known by the people He created. And the price He willingly paid (through Christ Jesus) to have a personal relationship with each of us.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16
I believe God has the power to change lives through faith in Jesus because I used to be afraid now I’m not. I know God’s peace that passes all understanding.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
That’s faith . . . lives changed by God today and eternally. My life changed. I can’t explain it but I know it’s true.
But what does faith have to do with wisdom?
Faith is the foundation of wisdom.
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Proverbs 3:5
It is my faith that makes me want to live wisely. I want to know what God says is wise and because I believe His ways are best, I want to do what He says is wise solely dependent upon His faithful grace when I fail.
Finally, one last question from my Twitter chat…
What would have to happen to know you were wrong?
Wow, that one made me think. In fact, I’m still thinking about it.
I’m hoping you’ll think about it too. It’s a question you’ll have to answer yourself.
My answer:
There is nothing in this life that could change my mind. I’ve seen God’s grace alive and active in my life and in the lives of others. It’s faith, not pie in the sky by and by, but grounded on the foundation of Jesus, the Word of God and a host of others who have searched, studied, and clung to the evidence that supports the truths of the Bible.
For more information on those who have searched and studied, read Myth and the Claims of the Bible Writers.
I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts below.
Hey Deb, Happy Friday!
Thanks so much for the feature! I totally wasn’t expecting that, but thanks for helping me to get the word out so that other marriages may be blessed. The Lord is so good and patient with us as we round the many learning curves of marriage. Hopefully, this post will help others to round that curve a bit faster than I did. :o)
(I can’t find the link for the blog hop. :o)
Have a blessed weekend!
Tiffiney
You are so right, Deb: this IS important. I believe because nature and the human body could not “just happen.” They testify to the hand and mind of their Creator. I believe because God’s Word shows itself to be true over and over. I believe…but God, help my unbelief.
Deb, this one really does have me thinking. You’re right, we do need to pause and consider our WHY behind what we do. God isn’t looking for blind followers. As a matter of fact He wants me to love Him with all my “mind”. That in itself says a lot.
Wishing you blessings for a beautiful weekend!
This is such a challenging & encouraging post. You ask such great questions – questions we all need to contemplate. We’re told in Scripture to have an answer to those who ask, and yet I’ve never given thought to what my answer would be! Praise God that you were able to minister through Twitter. This post blessed me today. Thanks, Deb. <3
What an important post and question indeed, Deb! I grew up in the church as well but didn’t fully grasp why I believed what I believed until later in life. This is such an important aspect of having faith. Beautifully written!
Thanks Deb. I believed as a teenager, but I didn’t really grasp how much He loves me until I got older. The older I get and the more I am into the Word the more I love and know Him and want more.
What a thought-provoking and powerful word, Deb!
To share why you believe what you believe is a great idea!
I’ll be sharing this one today!
Hope you have a great weekend and a happy anniversary~
Melanie
Yes, we all need to be prepared to share with others why we believe as we do. You’ve explained it so wonderfully here, Deb. Thank you for your continued inspiration!
Hello Deb, great post! You truly write like a teacher and make us think. I was not born into a Christian family, in fact I’m the only born again believer in my whole family. They do not believe the Word and they think my beliefs come from a sect. But I know that for God nothing is impossible so
I pray for them and I show them how God is just awesome by my behaviour! God bless you Deb and may He prosper your ministry in Jesus’ name ?
Deb: As always great thought and great answers/comments.
I believe because He lives within my heart. Yes, I too was raised in Church, and my late father was a minister (kind of late in his life). I had strict parents when it came to God things. Belief is something you feel inside I think and is often not easy to explain. You just simply know. Yes, I also went astray after adulthood, but I never lost the “fear of God,” and returned to my Lord and Savior stronger than ever. Meaning I never lost my reverence of The Word, God’s Word, nor the plan of salvation.
Deb, I love it that you got to engage in a little twitter evangelism this week. Praying for your new friend to come to know the Truth that will set him free.
I believe…. such a statement to link our hearts to His with. Jesus said that those who believe because of His Word are blessed. This makes me think of the creeds and the power of studying them, the doctrine and theology behind them and why they were created. We are in a culture where it is easy to get caught up in the spiritual coat-tails that fly a little close to new age-y beliefs and not know the difference. I love that you were able to share Truth, both in your conversation, and of course, here.
Blessings!
Dawn
hi deb, i bumped into your blog and twitter tonite. i see we have a lot in common. i am also a pastor’s wife with grown children and grands.
i enjoyed this post:) so true:) if we don’t know why we believe what we do, it’s a bit of a waste!
blessings:) have a wonderful week!
Wow! That is some heavy stuff, but I love how you you addressed each question and answer. Great topic, excellent post, Deb. Gives me something to think about today.
Deb,
You are correct! We do need to know why we believe what we believe and even what we really do believe. Those of us who grew up going to church take so much for granted.
Currently, I’m in a situation with a friend of nearly twenty years. I’m sensing that now is the time to really pursue sharing more about the Lord with her (it will be cross cultural evangelism). She has dropped hints about being interested but I didn’t pursue it. However, when chatted a couple days ago she said she was interested in watching “War Room”.
Time for me to ponder this question: why do I believe what I believe?
Blessings!
I love thinking and talking about why I believe what I believe. It’s important. This was such an encouraging post to me. Your Twitter friend has some great questions and you had some wonderful answers.
Thank you for linking with Grace and Truth last week. I would like to feature this post tomorrow!
Great Post Deb! I believe knowing our why is so important not only as Christians that blog but as Christians in general. I love all the bible verses in your post but I love the one in 1 Corinthians. What a powerful word from God. I was questioned about I post I had in Google+ last year and I was reminded to be prepared to know your why and why you write about our Amazing God! I feel it is one of the things that makes me a better, more accountable writer. I want everything I say to be based on the truth from God’s word. Thanks for sharing your experience . Have a great weekend and may God bless you and yours!
I just read: Why it’s important to know why I believe in Jesus. I thought this was a very good account and biblically accurate of why you believe in Jesus. There is proof He was here on earth and you stated that along with his own predictions of future facts, also stated and where they are in the Bible. Once we have asked for forgiveness of sins the Holy Spirit comes into your being and helps you see real truth. Thanks for writing this!
Thank you, Christie. For me, it’s been important to know what I believe and why I believe it. I need truth . . . and that keeps me digging through His Word and leaning into His presence. I’m so glad this blessed you!