You Need To Answer The Most Important Question About Faith

Last week, my friend, Beth, at Messy Marriage, shared my post – 5 Things Found in a Heart Being Changed by God on Twitter.

In response, someone who self-identified as an atheist tweeted a list of hashtags to both Beth and myself with the following … #ChristianFairyTale #Indoctrination#BlindFaith#Delusion#ImmoralBible#ChildishNonsense

In a later tweet, this person wrote the following…

> Calling you out is an attempt to allow you to question what you’ve been taught, an invitation to reject the fairy tales and join the real world. You can do it. I know you can.

Since it seems that more and more people feel justified and almost self-righteous, if you will, in attacking those who have placed their faith in Jesus; and because I also feel like everyone from politicians to pastors are telling people what they want to hear and preaching a non-Biblical view of Christianity … I felt it might be time to rerun an older post that encourages all of us, Christians and non-Christians alike, to question what we believe.

I replied to the “atheist” on Twitter with a link to the post. You may have someone you would like to invite to stop, read this, and answer the question as well.

I’ve asked God again and again if I’m really the person He wants to write these words.

It’s much easier to write feel-good grace-filled posts that remind us of God’s abundant goodness and mercy.

But the Lord just kept prompting me … so, I finally gave in.

And with His help:

I’m writing this for the person who wants to know what they believe and why they believe it.

I’m also writing it for the person who finds it easy to ridicule and mock those who (like me) have surrendered their lives to God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

And I’m writing it for:

* The person who has rejected the “crutch” of Christianity.
* The person who has decided Jesus is one of the countless ways to God.
* The person who believes there is no hell.
* The person who is self-sufficient and too strong to need God.
* The person who is too busy and doesn’t have time for God.
* The person who puts their political views ahead of God’s Word.
* The person who believes “good people” will go to heaven.
* The person who believes this life is all there is.

So, to everyone listed above … I’d like to challenge you with a question about faith.

A question I hope will make you stop and think — and pray. One that will invite you to keep SEEKing until you know the answer.

So, here it is…

The Most Important Question
When it comes to what you believe…

What if I’m wrong about Jesus?

What if Jesus really is the Way, the Truth, the Life, and no one comes to God, the Father, except through Him? John 14:6

What if there is life after death? John 3:16

What if both heaven and hell are very real places? Revelations 20:12,15

What if I will have to stand before a holy and righteous God at the time of my death to give an account for the way I lived? Matthew 12:36

What if my good isn’t good enough? Ephesians 2:8–9

What if Jesus really is the only way to heaven? John 3:36

What if?

These questions are more important than where you’ll go to school or who you’ll marry, where you’ll live or what you’ll do.

Those questions are important … they’re just not the most important.

Why? Because the way you and I answer them determines our today, our tomorrow, and our forever.

Here is my answer to – When it comes to what I believe … what if I’m wrong?
Let me start by telling you what I believe.

I believe the Bible.
I believe in the Triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit … Creator, Savior, and Comforter.
I believe I am a sinner.
I believe Jesus, the Son of God … lived, died, and rose again to live forever.
I believe through faith in Jesus – I am forgiven and promised the gift of life forever in heaven with Him.
I believe God wants me to love and trust Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And I believe He wants me to love others in ways that show them how much He loves them.
I believe Jesus will return to judge everyone.

And I asked myself … what if I’m wrong?

What if there is no God. No Creator. No Resurrected Savior. No Comforting Holy Spirit. No life after death.

And my answer…

If I’m wrong and there is no God. If I’m wrong and Jesus isn’t the Way, Truth, and Life … I wouldn’t change a thing.

My life has been full of hope, unexpected joy, impossible to understand peace, indescribable strength when I needed it most, and miraculous healing.

And if I get to the end of my life and discover there is no life after this one … I can’t imagine having lived my life any other way. The things I chose to sacrifice out of obedience to the God of the Bible, protected me from so many problems and potential consequences … I don’t believe I missed out on a thing.

Have you ever stopped to think about that?

When I listen to people who believe followers of Jesus are weak, foolish, believe a “faith” tale, or even border on “mental illness,” I can’t help but notice how miserable and angry many of them seem.

So, whatever you believe, and everyone believes something—I’m inviting you to ask…

What if I’m wrong?
Consider what the Bible says about the “what if” questions I asked above.

What if there is life after death?

> For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:23
> Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:43
What if both heaven and hell are very real places?

> “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13–14
What if you and I will have to stand before a holy and righteous God at the time of death to give an account for our lives?

> I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.

Anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:12,15
What if my good isn’t good enough?

> “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (Jesus to religious leaders)

Matthew 12:36–37
What if Jesus really is the only way to heaven?

> Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (to His disciples)

John 14:6
One more word from Jesus…
Jesus told a story of The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus. You can read it here.

One of the most moving parts of this story is when the rich man pleads with Abraham to allow Lazarus to return from the dead to warn His family…

> “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.”

Luke 17:27–28
So, I’m inviting you to consider one more important question…

What if my loved ones – children, parents, siblings …. my relatives and friends are being influenced for eternity because of my beliefs?

So, please ask yourself…
What if I’m wrong?
And if it makes you stop and think for just moment or two, if you’re not sure about your relationship with God through Jesus, and wonder about your life today, tomorrow, and eternally…

Please seek the truth!

Ask questions. Pray. Ask God to reveal the truth to you. Talk to people who have placed their trust in Jesus. Don’t quit until you have answers.

I’ve never known anyone who sought the truth, who didn’t realize the only truth that matters is Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that God is who He says He is in the Bible.

And…

> This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone.

1 Timothy 2:3–6
God loves you so much, He sent Jesus to pay the price for every wrong you have ever done, every thoughtless or cruel word you have ever spoken, every single foolish mistake you’ve made.

You can trust Him. Nothing you have ever done can make Him love you less. He wants to cover you with His grace and mercy sacrificed in and through Jesus on the cross.

He loves us so much, He used 40 writers (prophets, priests, and kings; a fisherman, a doctor, and a tentmaker), taking over 1500 years, to write 66 books full of history, poems, letters, and prophecies all pointing to His plan to save sinners through Jesus.

I’d like to challenge you to read the Bible with an open heart and mind, asking God to reveal Himself to you through its pages.

Because I promise you…

There is no better way to live than faithfully trusting God’s promises.

Because even if I’m wrong and I don’t believe I am.

I wouldn’t change a thing!

We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…

and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.

Never Miss an Update
Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…