April 17th, 2020

Good day to everyone
When Pam and were baby Christians, the church across the street had a large, well organized women's study.  Pam enjoyed going to that study because the scheduled time was during school hours so there was no issue of child care. The topics were varied. During one study, the subject of the Holy Trinity came up and it was resolved by someone going to the church office and coming back with a large binder that laid out what the church believed and that satisfied those who were asking. That is, except for my bride since she wanted an answer clearly laid out and backed by Biblical references.  Since the study was across the street from our church, after study Pam walked over to our pastor's office, and asked, "Can you clearly explain this whole Trinity thing to me?". Our pastor simply laid his head down on his desk as if to say "oh boy!".

Not every question new believers, and some not so new, cause such dismay in pastors. For the most part, and speaking for myself, they are a joy. The reason they are a joy is because they often require that we recall why we believe what we believe. Many a parent has dealt with the angst generated by the endless "why" of a young child. However, the "why" of a baby Christian requires that thought be given to be able to answer and to do so with more than "this is what the church believes" ; "just trust me"; or "the bible says so". It requires that we examine our answer before speaking. There are many things that Christians believe and hold as truths that have gone unreviewed so long that there are cobwebs hanging off them. Any question that calls on us to remove those cobwebs and ask "why do I believe what I say I believe" should be viewed as a gift because it can shake complacent responses we may have been conditioned to give.

What beliefs do those reading this have that they have not examined in awhile? In His second letter to Timothy, Paul writes in 2Timothy 3:16 [All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof , for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work,]  I would encourage everyone to ask yourself, "Is there a belief I hold I have taken for granted?"  "Where in the Bible does it say that?" And then relive the joy of looking at those texts as though reading them for the first time and marvel at the word of God written for us.
Have a wonderful day digging in the Scriptures,
Vic