Knowing What We Believe and Why: A Call to Christian Confidence Ep:14

A Call to Arms by Battle Armor

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In a world increasingly hostile to faith and biblical truth, Christians must not only know what we believe but also why we believe it. Peter’s admonition in 1 Peter 3:15 underscores this necessity: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” As followers of Christ, our faith must rest not on blind tradition but on a foundation of truth revealed in Scripture and supported by evidence, reason, and experience.

Let’s explore three fundamental Christian beliefs and the reasons we hold fast to them:

1. The Authority of Scripture

What We Believe:

The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the ultimate authority for faith and practice. As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Why We Believe It:

• Biblical Evidence: The Bible itself claims divine inspiration, consistently pointing to God as its ultimate author (2 Peter 1:21).
• Historical Accuracy: Archaeology and history repeatedly affirm the Bible’s reliability, from the Dead Sea Scrolls to discoveries verifying biblical events.
• Prophecy Fulfilled: The fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies—such as the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—provides unparalleled evidence of the Bible’s divine origin.

Christians believe the Bible is more than a book; it is the voice of God speaking to humanity, providing guidance, truth, and life.

2. The Deity and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

What We Believe:

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human, who lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day. John 1:1 affirms His divinity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” His resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith (1 Corinthians 15:17).

Why We Believe It:

• Eyewitness Testimony: The Gospels are firsthand or closely recorded accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, supported by historical evidence.
• Empty Tomb: Both friend and foe of Christianity agree the tomb was empty. Skeptical theories fail to explain this fact as coherently as the resurrection.
• Transformative Power: The resurrection transformed a group of fearful disciples into bold witnesses who spread Christianity at great personal cost.

The resurrection is not only the ultimate proof of Jesus’ divinity but also the foundation of our hope for eternal life.

3. Salvation by Grace Through Faith

What We Believe:

Salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Why We Believe It:

• God’s Holiness and Our Sinfulness: Scripture shows that no human effort can bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6).
• Christ’s Sacrifice: Jesus bore our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24) and declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), signifying the full payment of our debt.
• Changed Lives: Testimonies of transformed lives through faith in Christ illustrate the reality of salvation by grace.

This belief underscores the gospel’s uniqueness. Unlike other religions that emphasize human effort, Christianity is about God’s pursuit of humanity through grace.

Why This Matters

Knowing what we believe and why is critical for several reasons:

1. To Stand Firm Against False Teachings: We live in a culture rife with deception, including ideologies that distort Scripture. Being grounded in biblical truth protects us from being “tossed back and forth by the waves” (Ephesians 4:14).
2. To Share the Gospel Effectively: A clear understanding of our faith equips us to explain it to others with confidence and clarity.
3. To Deepen Our Relationship with God: The more we understand the foundations of our beliefs, the more we can appreciate and worship God for His truth, love, and grace.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

As Christians, we are called not to blind faith but to an informed, reasoned belief anchored in Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ. Take time to study the Bible, ask hard questions, and seek answers. Surround yourself with mature believers who can guide you. Above all, ask God for wisdom, as James 1:5 promises: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Let us rise to the challenge of knowing what we believe and why we believe it—not for the sake of intellectual pride but to glorify God, grow in faith, and share the good news with a world in desperate need of truth.

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