Monday, June 4, 2018
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV84) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
ARE CHRISTIANS SMARTER?
"What makes you think you're so smart? How can you be so sure? Why should I believe you?" Has someone reacted like that after you shared some truth from Scripture? Maybe you told a coworker how God created all things out of nothing in six days simply by His Word. You might have explained to a friend how Jesus is the Son of God who laid down His life in payment for sin and that He is the only Savior from sin and death. Or did you say that no one can make their own "decision" for Christ, since all people are born spiritually dead?
How can we be sure? It's a good question. It is not that we are any smarter than others. It is not that we are better than anyone else. St. Paul reminds us: "There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:22-23 NIV84). Yet regardless of what highly educated scientists or the most intellectually gifted philosophers might argue, we can be absolutely sure of where we stand.
Our certainty is not based on anything in us, but on the unchanging, divine truth of God's Word. We don't have to wonder what's important in life. We don't have to trust the latest trends. We don't have to fear that our trust could be misplaced. God doesn't lie. "He does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17 NIV84). Jesus prayed to the Father: "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:17 NIV84). By Spirit-breathed faith we are sure. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1 NIV84).
