Recently, while watching television, I saw a commercial that made me chuckle. It was an Edward Jones Financial Services commercial featuring a father and son duo who were visiting with a financial advisor. As the son observed the interaction between the advisor and his dad, he seemed a bit perplexed.
Upon exiting the advisor’s office, the son began to ask the father a series of questions about the visit. When the father would answer each question, the son would immediately follow up with the infamous one-word question…Why? The father kept trying to answer all of the son’s why’s, until eventually he reached a dead end. The commercial ended with the father environed in a state of confusion having never pondered the questions that came so easily through his son.
As Christians, what do you say when you’re confronted with the question-Why?
Do you believe in God? Why?
Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Why?
1 Peter 3:15, admonishes us to always be ready to answer those who question the hope that is in us; the very hope that defines and frames our faith. This scripture brings to life one simple truth…People are watching you. They watch how you live, interact with others, and manage life in general. Sadly, the vast majority of church laity, and leadership for that matter, cannot fluently explain why they believe what they do.
If we are people of faith, why is it acceptable to be so lackadaisical in our pursuit of the deep, inner-workings of faith? The question begs to be asked, what happens when we are required to defend our faith? Furthermore, some may ask, should faith be defended at all. According to 1 Peter 3:15, it should; and the onus falls on us. So where does that leave the Body of Christ?
Traditionally, Christians have been deemed brute in intellect, and lack the ability to handle heavy truths. The predilection for emotional exhuberance has often trumped the desire to sit down and learn. As you are reading this post, there is a paradigm shift taking place in the atheist community. According to a recent lecture given by Alain de Botton on the new atheism (Atheism 2.0), there is an intense need for connection and ritualism that is now being sparsely acknowledged on the part of atheists. I feel like this opens evangelistic opportunities if only we are wise in our conceits. Even though modern atheism is still steeped in an existential intellectualism void of a belief in God, I believe the stage is being set for major inroads into the atheist community if we tread wisely. But we must arm ourselves with the proper knowledge and skills necessary to win souls.
It’s time for a paradigm shift of our own in the Body of Christ. We must equip ourselves with the necessary tools necessary for defending our faith. Wisdom is paramount. We must invest in our spiritual intellect. God takes knowledge very seriously. Hosea 4:6, tells us that the lack of knowledge preceeds destruction.
What would happen if we studied the Bible with the same vigor that we study sports statistics? What if we minimized watching reality TV, and made communion with God our reality? What if our curiosity about the Father drove us to dig in the scriptures, and tap into the refreshing springs of the Spirit, thereby releasing living water from our lives to a thirsty nation?
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,” (John 7:38 KJV).
Let’s talk:
Are you a Christian? Why?
When you read the Bible, do you believe what you read? Why?
I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to join the conversation in the “Reply” section below.
As always, thanks for visiting Wisdom’s Quill. See you soon.
BE
Editor: Jaime Evans
Wisdom's Quill 