It’s been a shock to my system if I’m honest. I’m so entrenched in the message of the Bible that says to love him with all our minds, to test it out and make sure everything is true, and to think. To really think about what we believe.
That’s why it shocks me every time when I read and study a faith where its followers are not allowed to truly ask questions, to dive deep into why they believe, and to get answers. Somehow people are trained into believing that to question and think about their faith is disrespectful to God and dangerous.
Knowing why you believe isn’t disrespectful. If your God cannot handle your questions, then there is a problem. He is likely not the true God.
This isn’t the doubt and questions that are accusations, but the question that wants answers to belief. We will never have answers to everything. God’s ways are higher than our ways. But we can search out why we believe.
The Bible encourages this.
Look at the following texts:
- “Love the Lord your God with all your … mind” (Mark 12:28-34).
- “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11).
- “But in your hearts revere 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” (1 Peter 3:15).
- “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.”
– Isaiah 1:18
When Thomas doubted, he invited him to discover (John 20:24-29). This was after Jesus’ resurrection.
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 2So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Throughout the Bible people are encouraged to seek, understand and know. But there comes a point also where he invites them to believe and to put their faith in Him.
No matter if you are a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu, New Ager, Atheist, etc… search out and know why you believe. Your eternity depends on it. Why would you not?