What if I'm still not sure?
What if I’m still not sure?
The Question
Suppose there is a person who has thoughtfully considered the claims of Christianity, but they still have doubts. Should that person wait until they are absolutely certain that Christianity is true before becoming a Christian?
The Answer
Since becoming a follower of Christ is a life changing commitment, it is necessary to use careful consideration before taking that step. Jesus himself insisted on this when he warned would-be followers about the potential cost of following Him. Christianity is not to be entered into lightly.
That being said, is it necessary to have every question about Christianity answered before committing to Christ? No. In life, we make all sorts of good decisions based on probability rather than absolute certainty.
Whether we are walking down the sidewalk or eating a slice of pizza, we are acting as if the sidewalk won’t collapse beneath our feet and the pizza is not poisoned. Do we know this for certain? No. But, in the absence of legitimate suspicion, such events are so unlikely that we’d be foolish to live in fear.
Responding to the Gospel does not require absolute certainty that Christianity is true, and it will not necessarily erase all doubts. Some people, just because of their personality type, will always have doubts enter their mind. It is completely legitimate to express these doubts to God. The opposite of faith is not doubt, but disobedience.
One Bible story describes a man who had substantial doubts, but he also had a growing belief that Jesus was who he claimed to be. When he finally met with Jesus, he honestly stated “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” We can be honest to God about our doubts even as we grow in our faith.
The Question
Suppose there is a person who has thoughtfully considered the claims of Christianity, but they still have doubts. Should that person wait until they are absolutely certain that Christianity is true before becoming a Christian?
The Answer
Since becoming a follower of Christ is a life changing commitment, it is necessary to use careful consideration before taking that step. Jesus himself insisted on this when he warned would-be followers about the potential cost of following Him. Christianity is not to be entered into lightly.
That being said, is it necessary to have every question about Christianity answered before committing to Christ? No. In life, we make all sorts of good decisions based on probability rather than absolute certainty.
Whether we are walking down the sidewalk or eating a slice of pizza, we are acting as if the sidewalk won’t collapse beneath our feet and the pizza is not poisoned. Do we know this for certain? No. But, in the absence of legitimate suspicion, such events are so unlikely that we’d be foolish to live in fear.
Responding to the Gospel does not require absolute certainty that Christianity is true, and it will not necessarily erase all doubts. Some people, just because of their personality type, will always have doubts enter their mind. It is completely legitimate to express these doubts to God. The opposite of faith is not doubt, but disobedience.
One Bible story describes a man who had substantial doubts, but he also had a growing belief that Jesus was who he claimed to be. When he finally met with Jesus, he honestly stated “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” We can be honest to God about our doubts even as we grow in our faith.
posted by matthew at 2:03 PM
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