By Norm Fields
Minister, Church of Christ Northside

We all believe things and the question of why we believe those things is very important. It is especially important when we’re talking about things pertaining to religion. What we believe religiously will not only affect the way we live but where we will spend eternity. That’s important stuff.

I like to ask people, why do you believe? You can fill in that blank with just about anything. If someone says they don’t believe in God then I will ask them why?

If someone tells me they are Baptist, or Methodist, or [fill in your own preference here], I will ask why? If someone can clearly and intelligently articulate to me why they believe what they believe then I know they really believe that. Sadly, that is somewhat rare when talking to people about what they believe.

Many times people don’t really know why they believe what they believe. They will say that they believe something because it is what their parents believed or what they were taught. Just because my parents believed something doesn’t make it right.

Peter explicitly states that we are not redeemed by the traditions of our fathers (1 Peter 1:18). If I believe I’m redeemed by the blood of Christ because I did what my parents did, then what if my parents were wrong? I can’t prove that what I believe is correct just by saying it’s what my parents believed. That doesn’t prove anything.

Paul said “Prove all things, hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). If what my parents believed cannot be proved — that is, tested and found true according to Scripture — then I should not hold fast to it. I’m only supposed to hold fast to what is good, that is what can be tested and found true according to Scripture.

When it comes that what we believe in religion, the only way to really know that we believe is true is if we can prove it from Scripture.

Of course, that would presuppose that we’re handling the word of God rightly (2 Timothy 2:15). If I were to ask you why, would you be able to show from scripture why you believe what you believe?

I’m always available to study the Bible with you. Through the study of God’s word we are able to prove that what we believe is the good word of God and should be held fast to.

We have free DVDs of our recent Gospel Meeting with James Rogers. The theme of the meeting was “Truth.” There are six lessons on the DVD: “Obligations To Truth” (parts 1 and 2), and “Have You Considered These Four Truths?” (parts 1-4).

They are free for the asking.