Truth really can be stranger than fiction.
First Page - Now launched! All the stories are true, or based on real events. Unlimited reading for $4.99 / month. No downloads. Read on your phone, tablet or computer.
La verdad puede ser más extraña que la ficción.
First Page - ¡Ya está en marcha! Todas las historias son verídicas, o están basadas en hechos reales. Lectura ilimitada por $4.99 / mes. No hay que descargar nada. Lea en su teléfono, tableta u ordenador.
Manna Minutes Podcast: Eye-opening Bible study in less than five minutes! Access all episodes here.
Manna Minutes en español:
Estudio bíblico que nos hace abrir los ojos en menos de cinco minutos! Acceda a todos los episodios aquí.
Manna Minutes Podcast auf Deutsch:
Augenöffnendes Bibelstudium in weniger als fünf Minuten! Alle Episoden finden Sie hier.
Was There A Curse On Helen's Romantic Life?
The Third Man by Angela Sheffield is based on a true story. Read chapter one now!
View Content By Specific Category
¿Qué tiene que ver conmigo? por Teófila Gottfried
Lo que leemos en la Biblia tiene que ver con todos los seres humanos, sean cristianos o judíos, ateos o agnósticos, budistas, musulmanes o adherentes a alguna de las filosofías o nuevas religiones que surgen en el mundo. ¿Por qué? Ver mayor información sobre este interesante libro.
Scripture of The Day - St. John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Escritura del día - San Juan 14,6
Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.
Bibelstelle des Tages - Johannes 14,6
Jesus spricht zu ihm: Ich bin der Weg und die Wahrheit und das Leben; niemand kommt zum Vater, denn durch mich!
Maintaining A Right Attitude When Questioning God
It's reasonable to assume that everyone who has read scripture in search of understanding God, or who has simply lived long enough to experience the harshness and mystery of life on planet earth, has questions. Many of the questions that non-Christians pose are the same ones that Christians have, but most believers rarely admit that they don't understand spiritual matters or that they have also been found questioning God. What's worse is that some Christians even criticize unbelievers for questioning God. Instead of criticizing, they should be providing answers to many of the legitimate questions that people have. Unfortunately, they don't have answers or solutions. However, the fact remains that the Bible clearly tells followers of Christ to "...be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15, KJV).
Humbly Questioning God is Evidence of Genuine Interest in Him
How can one truly hope in God if he can't even explain the reason for his hope? According to God's Word, it's neither admirable nor scriptural to place oneself on a pedestal by proudly refraining from asking questions about God's word, thinking that they have attained such holiness that they no longer have questions about God's ways but that they just accept them. Sadly, such individuals deceive others and themselves by doing so. Often, the truth is that they simply don't ever verbalize questions for which they know they have no answers. If one never has questions about God's ways, he probably has never had a genuine interest in serving him. If a student never had questions about the material he studied, his teachers would begin to wonder how it is that he seems to perfectly understand all that is being taught.
Questioning God: A Right And A Wrong Way
The most important thing to keep in mind when questioning God's Word is attitude. Although attitudes toward something or someone are generally unmasked through tone of voice, choice of words, body posture, and facial expressions, there are times when no visible indicators are detected. However, even when all is hidden from the eyes of man, nothing is disguised from God (Hebrews 4:12).
Every aspect of one's relationship with the Lord is to be carefully examined to assure that a proper attitude is maintained when dealing with a God who is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). King David warned, "Kiss the Son (of God), lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little...." (Psalm 2:12).
An Example from God's Word
The Bible is replete with instruction on this topic, but one incident in particular stands out. It involves two people who questioned God's word. Both appear to have questioned in the right attitude, but it was quickly revealed that such was not the case.
Scripture says that when Mary, the mother of Jesus, was informed by an angel of God that she was to conceive and bring forth a son whose name was to be called Jesus, she questioned the word of God sent to her. It's written that she asked the angel, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" (Luke 1:34). The reader of the passage sees God's graciousness in that he answered her genuine, legitimate, and sincere question. Mary is not seen being scolded or criticized for asking a good question. She showed interest in the message her Lord sent to her, desiring to accept it, but not knowing what to think according to her own understanding. The angel patiently explained to her that the Holy Ghost would come over her to supernaturally place the child in her womb.
The mention of another biblical example involving someone else who questioned God's word is in order because a very different response from God is seen. Both people appear to have questioned the Lord in the same manner and spirit, but Mary was rewarded with an answer while the other person received punishment.
Luke 1:13 reads, "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." The angel proceeds to give Zacharias more information about his son that was soon to be born. However, Zacharias reacted by questioning the word of God delivered by the angel. It should be observed that his questions were not really posed to gain understanding as was the case with Mary. This is subtly revealed when he asked the angel in verse 18, "...Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years."
The angel didn't respond with further explanations regarding the birth of John the Baptist; rather he pronounced God's punishment on Zacharias for his unbelief. Luke 1:19–20 records the angel saying, "...I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season."
Mary's question was fueled by genuine confusion, but Zacharias's question came from unbelief.
There are times when it seems impossible to question God's word with pure thoughts, depending on the issue that prompted the question. Nevertheless, God is not unmerciful toward those who are angry with him because they don't understand his silence and/or seeming inactivity in their life. What does this mean for such people with so many questions? It means that even if their desire to experience the love of what appears to be a distant God has been reduced to nothing more than a thread, they are not without hope. The Lord of creation created all of the worlds by nothing but his word; he is more than big enough to create a relationship with every soul who fully surrenders to him. This is his delight and his perfect will (John 3:16). Humbly questioning God leads to understanding God as far as a man can understand him.
© 2008
Edited by Ruth Zetek
Image Credit:
Wikimedia Commons
Maria Krüger
Based on true events, The Third Man by Angela Sheffield, brings the Bible up close and personal as the characters face real issues of life: Betrayal, deceit, romance, bitterness, anger against God, hopelessness, will power, perplexity, triumph, unforgiveness, mental illness, and the "Alcohol made me do it" excuse. Read chapter one FREE now.
Copyright notice: This website and its content is copyright of © Heavenly Manna (HeavenlyManna.net) 2002-2016.
Comments/Comentarios:
Send Comments or a Private Message about One of Our Services / Envíe Comentarios o un Mensaje Privado acerca de nuestros servicios
Once comments reach 10, they close. IF YOU USE PROFANITY, WE WILL REJECT YOUR COMMENT AUTOMATICALLY.
We're a small team, please be patient as we review comments.
©2003 - 2013 Heavenly Manna Ministries
Images: courtesy of Free Digital Photos, openstockphotography.org, FreeFoto.com, Wikimedia Commons. Multiple crosses image - Wikimedia Commons - C.G.P Grey - Animation by Heavenly Manna