By Haley Wherry
MSC Missionary (NAMB); Evangelism Catalyst, Holston Baptist Association
For some reason, many Christians are afraid of questions. Yes, many people have a fear of being asked a question about Christianity that they don’t know the answer to, but that’s not the type of questions I’m talking about.
I’m talking about the questions that we, as Christians, have about our faith, God, the Bible, etc. We seem to fear that if we have questions, our faith must not be strong, or that we are doubting God and/or His Word.
There are fun questions like: Did Adam and Eve have belly buttons? Or what color are the streets in heaven? While those are fun to discuss, they don’t have much significance in our daily walk with Christ. It’s the more serious questions that cross our mind that we are afraid of asking.
Let me get one question out of the way. “Am I really saved?” I’ll just share what our pastor told my son, Brock, when he asked that question. Our pastor wisely said, “Lost people don’t know they are lost and therefore don’t question whether they are lost or not. The simple fact that you are asking about your salvation is indication that you are saved.”
Now, what about asking other questions? Is it wrong or bad of us to have questions about the Bible or about God?
Think of it this way. If you are in school or are learning a new job or trade, you want to ask questions, right? Asking questions is a sign that you are hungry for knowledge, that you want to learn and that you are interested in a subject. What if you have just met a new person and want to become their friend? Wouldn’t you ask them a bunch of questions such as “What’s your favorite color?” or “Where were you born?” or “Do you know Jesus?”
It’s when we don’t have questions that we need to take a look at our faith. Having no questions means we are no longer interested in growing closer in our relationship with God.
There is one caution that we must always be aware of. Be sure we seek answers in the right place. Ask the questions of God, not of the world. God is Truth and His Word (the Bible) is where you go for answers, along with your pastor, Christian mentor and other mature believers (as long as their answers are supported by Scripture, too).
Questions are a good thing. Don’t be afraid to ask. Here are just a few that I constantly ask God. Do you share any of them?
- Why do you give me righteous anger over millions of babies murdered in the womb when I have no control over any of their lives?
- Why does my heart ache for people who do not see the Truth when I don’t know the answers myself?
- Why do you put me in a culture that accepts drug use and alcohol abuse when I see them destroying families, lives and children all around me?
- Why do I feel such a burden to defend you and your Word when you do not need defending?
- Why do so many preachers preach prosperity when I find it so hard to just pick up my cross?
- Why do so many people worship dead idols instead of seeking salvation and forgiveness from a Living God?
- Why do so many choose bondage to sin when you offer freedom?
- Why do churches become country clubs instead of rescue missions?
- Why do we Christians sit in our pews instead of storming the gates of hell?
- Why is the world more concerned about the death of a puppy than the murder of a child?
- Why do people invest in things that perish instead of investing into the kingdom?
“If you continue in my Word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32).