Be Prepared

Christianity is the largest religion in the world with over 2.4 billion followers. People willingly dedicate their lives to a God who the world rejects, and suffer persecution for His sake. Why? What would make all of those people believe what they believe? And how do they know it is true? Why are you a Christian?

      “Many people who ask Christians about their faith are genuinely seeking the truth rather than trying to interrogate them or trip them up,” said Luke Davis, Biblical Ethics teacher. “Knowing what you believe can rescue Christianity from misunderstanding. A lot of people hate the religion simply because they do not understand it for what it is,” said Davis.

      Dr. Ray Bohlin, the Vice President of Vision Outreach at Probe Ministries, writes to prepare Christian youth for challenges they will face and questions they will receive in the world today. In his many years of teaching, he has found that to many, having their beliefs questioned comes as a “surprise and a shock.”

      The apostle Peter warns Christians to be prepared to defend their faith. Preparing answers will require believers to stop and think about what they believe and why they believe it. Additionally, the Gospel can be more effectively delivered when Christians already know it to be true.

      “Why do you believe there is a God?” This is one of the first questions people will ask because of the brokenness around them that seems to be getting worse each day. The United States moves further and further away from the “Christian” standards it used to have, and people want nothing to do with God. They see that the world is inbalanced and full of injustice. Innocent people suffer while others seem to live perfect lives. Now is a time especially when Christians will be asked how they can even believe that a God exists. And if He does, how can He be a God of love?

      “Why do you believe Jesus is God?” There are a myriad of other religions whose followers are convinced that their god is the one and only. Christians will be asked why their religion is any different. To answer this question, one can point out that Christianity is the only religion where you do not have to work your way to God because Jesus came to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. One could also say that in the Bible, it is written that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God.

    Naturally, people will then ask, “Well, how can you trust that the Bible is true?” Today, the Bible is viewed by many as nothing more than fables or advice. Christians must be prepared to share how they know that the Bible is the living and breathing Word of God.

      One thing to keep in mind is that Christians are a representation of God on Earth. The whole world is watching to see if Christians really are who they say they are. “When holding conversations on these topics, it is of utmost importance to respond in a civil manner,” said Davis.