My Answer

 

October 11, 2017



Don’t allow evil to cloud your perception of God

Q. I have a friend who likes to ask me hard questions about the Bible (since he knows I’m a Christian). But even if I find an answer, he just comes up with another question. Sometimes I think he just likes to argue. Should I give up on him?

A: No, don’t give up on him; even if he’s asking questions just to keep from facing his own spiritual need, God is able to break through the hard shell he seems to have built around his heart and mind.

Do you remember Saul of Tarsus? He was convinced that Christians were not only misguided, but that their faith in Jesus was dangerous and needed to be stamped out. As a result, he violently lashed out at them and did everything he could to convince them they were wrong. Later he wrote that “(I) do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Corinthians 15:9).

But God intervened, dramatically convicting Saul of his sin and convincing him of the truth of the Gospel. As a result, Saul’s life was changed—and he became Paul the Apostle, whose missionary efforts touched the whole Roman Empire. No wonder Paul could say, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Pray for your friend, that God will work in his heart and show him his need for Christ. Pray too that God will give you an opportunity to confront him and ask him why he seems to be pushing God away. Ask God as well to help you be a witness to him, not only by your words but by your life. He may dismiss what you say, but he can’t dismiss the reality of a Christ-like life.

Q. How can I get started reading the Bible? I actually made a New Year’s resolution to read the Bible every day (like my grandmother did), but I got bogged down and finally gave up. Maybe you could give me some pointers.

A: I’m thankful for your grandmother’s example; even if she didn’t realize it, she was showing you what is really important in life: living by God’s Word. She knew the truth of the Psalmist’s words: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Let me suggest three things to help you get started with your reading of the Bible. First, use a modern translation you can understand; if you don’t already have one, your pastor or local Christian bookseller can give you suggestions. Be sure also it has type that’s easy to read. (My wife used to say that the devil liked nothing better than a Bible with print that was too small to read!)

Second, start with one of the Gospels in the New Testament (I often suggest John). The reason is because the whole Bible points to Jesus Christ—and the Gospels tell us about Him. Later you’ll want to turn to the Old Testament (perhaps Psalms or Proverbs at first), but start with the Bible’s center: Jesus Christ.

Finally, ask God to guide you as you read. Ask Him to help you understand what the passage is all about, and ask Him also to help you apply it to your life. Even if you only read a paragraph or two at a time, God can use it to tell you of His love, and teach you how to live. Let the Psalmist’s prayer become yours: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18)..

 
 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024