This may sound absolutely crazy to you. But that is most likely because we live in an easily insulted world. Communication has gotten harder and harder as people have begun to hear things with different meanings. Taking offense before understanding why someone is making a statement. The truth is the most loving thing another Christian can do is question your faith.
The frightening truth is that hell is real and waiting for those who don’t live for God. Those who live a sinful lifestyle with no care for God. Even for people who once lived for God but have turned away to go their own way. Only those who believe and live according to God’s word will escape this fate. When someone questions your faith, they are not trying to condemn, insult, or upset you. The truth is they are worried and want to save you. Because of the love they have for you.
1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Revelation 21:8 (ESV)
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Ezekiel 18:26 (ESV)
26 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die.
If someone begins to ask if you are doing alright, still going to church, reading the Bible, praying, or even if you still place your faith in God. Those are not mean spirited questions asked in judgment. They are loving questions asked in a spirit of love but also of fear. Because they don’t want to see you miss eternal life in Heaven to suffer the perils the Bible describes of hell.
The Bible talks about bringing back a wandering believer. An act that every Christian should be willing to do. Even if we only think they may be wandering but aren’t sure. With any issue of salvation, it is better to be safe than sorry. The way we do that is often going to require a conversation that in some way questions the other’s faith.
James 5:19–20 (ESV)
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
If someone thought you were about to walk off a cliff, wouldn’t you want them to warn you? Or would you prefer they don’t insult you and let you keep going your own way? I know that I would rather have my path questioned than potentially step into danger. Even if I wasn’t actually headed to the edge. Because then at least I know that my brother or sister in faith loves me and doesn’t want to see any harm come my way.
Could people question your faith in a nicer way? Of course! But the truth is we could all says things in a nicer way. James wrote of the difficulty of taming the tong. Ultimately concluding that it is a task that no human has ever successfully accomplished.
James 3:2 (ESV)
2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
James 3:7 (ESV)
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
People may say things that offend you but that doesn’t mean their heart is in the wrong place. So don’t get upset if someone questions your faith in a seemingly rude way. Instead, follow the teaching of scripture and be slow to anger and slow to respond. Hear them out and see what they are really trying to say to you. Look past their words to the motive of their heart because they are more than likely speaking to you in love.
James 1:19 (ESV)
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
As Christians, our faith is the most important attribute of our lives. It is what defines us. So it only stands to reason that we would get upset when someone questions our faith. But as God’s people, we should do our best to not allow words to adversely affect us. Choosing instead to try and understand what the other person is saying.
Having your faith questioned while it can come across the wrong way truly is a loving act. The person asking only wants to ensure you are still on the path headed toward salvation. If you see someone doing something that could indicate they are wandering from God then you should be willing to question their actions out of love. It at least gives the other person the opportunity to explain and ease the worry in your heart. A simple question of faith could be the very thing that saves a soul.
Having your faith questioned in our society today really is a blessing. Due to the sad fact that many choose to gossip about fellow believers instead of speaking to the person directly. A wicked act that shows a lack of love or care about a soul. Christians should not be gossipers but should act in love and share any concerns only with the person they apply too. Only bringing in others when they don’t feel like they have been heard. But never in a way that counts as talking about someone behind their back.
Matthew 18:15–17 (ESV)
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Proverbs 20:19 (ESV)
19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
Titus 3:2 (ESV)
2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Proverbs 11:13 (ESV)
13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
Satan wants you to believe that other Christians are judging you or are out to get you. He wants to sow discord in your life and cause you to separate from the church body. All so he can slowly lure you away from serving God. Don’t allow him to manipulate your life. Instead, know that those who question your faith are acting in love. They only want the best for you. Otherwise, if they didn’t love you they would just talk about you behind your back. But because they came to you first you can know it was only meant in a loving way.
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