Question 1

Atheism: More Reasonable Than Christianity?

Accepted Answer

Many people assert that society is better off without religion, viewing it as degrading and harmful to one's mental health and happiness.

To atheists, belief in the supernatural is absurd.

Christopher Hitchens once asserted that religious belief requires faith, but atheism doesn’t — because it relies primarily on the empirical evidence of science.

Ironically, Albert Einstein, arguably the most influential scientist of the 20th century, stated that the most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is incomprehensible.

Einstein understood a basic *truth* about science: that it relies on certain philosophical assumptions about the natural world — including the existence of a real external world that is orderly and knowable, and the trustworthiness of our minds to grasp that world. Science cannot proceed apart from these assumptions.

This raises a thorny dilemma for atheists: If the human mind developed through the blind, material process of Darwinian evolution, is it trustworthy?

Charles Darwin himself asserted, “The horrid doubt always arises whether the convictions of man’s mind, which has been developed from the mind of lower animals, are of any value or at all trustworthy.”

Atheists place enormous trust in their personal powers of reason. Yet their worldview undermines the basis for such confidence. If Darwinian evolution is true, our cognitive faculties are the result of an unguided, irrational process, which should make us distrust them.

“Science is based on the assumption that the universe is thoroughly rational and logical at every level,” noted prize-winning physicist Paul Davies.

“Atheists claim that the laws [of nature] exist reasonlessly and that the universe is ultimately absurd," he added. "As a scientist, I find this hard to accept. There must be an unchanging rational ground in which the logical, orderly nature of the universe is rooted.”

In her article God Versus Science: Atheists Aren’t as Rational As You Might Think, Lois Lee shares, “The problem that any rational thinker needs to tackle is that the science increasingly shows that atheists are no more rational than theists. Indeed, atheists are just as susceptible as the next person to ‘group-think’ and other non-rational forms of cognition. For example, religious and nonreligious people alike can end up following charismatic individuals without questioning them.”

Questions to Ponder

Does atheism really require no faith?
Are you aware of the biases you bring to religion?
What do you believe that you haven't critically questioned?

Question 2

Don't All Religions Point to the Same God?

Accepted Answer

Many people assume that all faiths are basically talking about the same thing.

“Aren’t all the different religious groups — Christians, Muslims, Mormons, Buddhists, etc. — experiencing the same God, just explaining it in different ways, so they're all true?”

The facts don't support this statement. For instance, Christianity and Islam differ dramatically in their theology.

The Jesus of Christianity died to offer every person the free gift of salvation. You don't have to be "good enough" to get into heaven. We call this gift God's "undeserved grace" toward us.

The Jesus of Islam, on the other hand, is not the Son of God and did not die for the sins of the world. So Muslims must earn their way into paradise, in part by their righteous deeds.

Even if we compare groups that profess to be Christian — Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses, for example — we can see where they've significantly reduced Jesus' authority and supernatural power. A pear can call itself an apple, but that doesn't change the fact that it's actually a pear.

Even Buddhism and Hinduism have significant doctrinal differences from each other and Christianity.

So all religions are not the same. A person can choose to make this claim, but their claim is neither factual nor true.

What sets Christianity apart from ALL other religions is that Jesus died, sacrificially, so that every single person can choose to be in personal relationship with the Creator of the universe. Jesus' selfless sacrifice makes it possible.

Questions to Ponder

What's attractive to you about the "all religions are the same" idea?
How do you view religion, and your need of it?
God wants to be in a personal relationship with you. Does this boggle your mind?

Question 3

Does Archeology Confirm Bible Dates, Places, and People?

Accepted Answer

Archaeology is the study of mankind's debris that has survived over time.

Can archeology prove God's existence?

Most modern scientific methods that recover the remains of the past do so to better understand ancient people and their practices. The Middle East is one area of rich archaeological excavations.

Archaeology, without history, is meaningless. Archaeology can tell us a sequence of cultural development, but it can't give us exact chronology. It is history that supplies the chronology; the events, people, places.

So it is beyond the realm of archaeology to prove that the Bible is the Word of God. At present, archaeology is an improving science, with limited available data.

But even with its limitations, it has been helpful in illustrating that many biblical passages are, indeed, historically accurate. And this is important, because Christianity is a historical faith that claims its records of supernatural events really happened.

If the authors of the Bible have been accurate in their accounts of things that transpired, then it logically follows that the miracles they mention, including seeing Jesus die and then resurrect, needn't be considered farfetched.

It's important that the source is trustworthy, to then believe what the source says. Archeology has helped us to see the Bible authors, including Jesus' disciples, as trustworthy.

Questions to Ponder

Do you need to see artifacts to believe in the past?
Does knowing the Bible has proven trustworthy matter?
What proof are you wanting to believe in the Bible?

Question 4

Is Christianity a Crutch for Weak People?

Accepted Answer

Josh McDowell, back when he was an angry skeptic, asserted, “Christianity is for the weaklings; it's just a crutch.”

Karl Marx opined that “Religion is the opiate of the masses.”

The fact of the matter is that we ALL need support to get by in this world. Deep down we're all in search of something to give us strength and purpose.

So does humanity need Jesus? Or are there adequate substitutes, as skeptics and atheists suggest?

Perhaps money, status, power, "toys," or relationships? Or maybe it's just cold, hard facts, as long as they exclude the possibility of the supernatural or an intelligent Creator?

If money, fame, and power worked as foundations, then rich, powerful, famous people would all be joyful and fulfilled. But they're not.

Jesus provides us with the securest foundation we'll ever know. Because once we understand our value to Him, and the depth of His love for us, nothing and no one can take this assurance from us.

As a light bulb was created to give light when inserted into the socket, our personal relationship with Jesus empowers us.

Life is hard, in part, because it's meant to help us mature us into individuals God can use to do good works in the world. Best crutch, ever!

Questions to Ponder

What "crutches" are in your life now?
If God is a "crutch," is that a bad thing?
Are you confused as to how God "empowers" you?

Question 5

If God is So Good, How Could He Allow Evil?

Accepted Answer

Many make the assumption that the evil in our world disproves God's existence.

Or if He does exist, then God must be an uncaring jerk because He doesn't stop it.

Even writers in the Bible complained about pain and evil. Sample verses:

“Evils have encompassed me without number” (Psalm 40:12).

“Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?” (Jeremiah 15:18).

“The whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now” (Romans 8:22).

The Bible tells us plainly that God didn't create the world in the state as we experience it. Evil became part of our world because humanity chose it.

When Eve chose to bite into the apple, she was saying, "I don't trust God as much I trust this serpent who is telling me that God is withholding good stuff from me."

Some then ask: "But if God is so quick to forgive sin, as you Christians say, why did He make Adam and Eve leave paradise. Why so harsh?"

Perhaps because the Bible story of Adam and Eve doesn't tell us that they were remorseful. Or that they asked for forgiveness. What it does tell us is that they quickly cast blame elsewhere.

Sounds a lot like how we live our lives now, right?

God is holy, not evil. And He does not create evil. You and I do that on our own. But God is willing to forgive our rebellion and sin if we ask — and even created the solution. He took human form, to willingly die a horrific death at our hands. And every drop of His blood flowed with ceaseless love.

We have no right to judge God. As Dorothy Sayers notes:

“For whatever reason God chose to make man as he is — limited and suffering and subject to sorrows and death — He had the honesty and the courage to take His own medicine. Whatever game He is playing with His creation, He has kept His own rules and played fair. He can exact nothing from man that He has not exacted from Himself. He has Himself gone through the whole of human experience, from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair and death. When He was a man, He played the man. He was born in poverty and died in disgrace and thought it well worthwhile.”

The Bible flat out tells us that we often WON'T understand God's motivations and actions. But we can trust in God's ceaseless love. And some day we WILL understand it all.

And we can confidently muddle through, knowing that God is for us, and with us, encouraged in our knowledge that the evil in this world is temporary.

God promises that when we choose to humbly bow to His authority, the joy we'll get to experience in eternal life in His presence will blow our minds!

Questions to Ponder

Are you judging God for evil in the world?
Can you view yourself as a co-creator of the world's evil?
Does hearing that God paid so dearly to be in relationship with you matter to you?

Question 6

Isn't the Bible Full of Contradictions?

Accepted Answer

This often-asked question contains the assumption that the Bible is filled with obvious discrepancies that make it impossible to believe its divine origin.

It's a popular idea to main that the Bible disagrees with itself. It is very easy to accuse the Bible of inaccuracies, but it's quite another matter to prove it.

Some want to employ a different set of rules when it comes to examining the Bible. But it's only fair to use the same standard used for non-Christian documents.

So, what constitutes a contradiction?

The law of non-contradiction, the basis of all logical thinking, states that a thing cannot be both a and non-a at the same time. In other words, it cannot be both raining and not raining at the same time. So someone has to demonstrate a violation of this principle when examining the Bible, to prove a contradiction.

For example, if the Bible were to have said that Jesus died by crucifixion at Jerusalem AND at Nazareth, that would be a provable error.

When evaluating possible contradictions, we must keep in mind that two statements may differ, yet still not be contradictory. Some fail to make the distinction between "contradiction" and "difference."

As an example, let's consider the Bible story of the blind men at Jericho. The disciple Matthew relates that two blind men met Jesus. But in their Gospels, Mark and Luke mention only one blind man. But these statements don't deny the other. Accurate study shows that they are complementary.

Consider this: Suppose you were talking to the mayor of your city and the chief of police at city hall. Later, you see your friend, Jim, and tell him you talked to the mayor. An hour later, you see your friend, John, and tell him you talked to both the mayor and the chief of police.

When your friends compare notes, there is a seeming contradiction. But you would have had to tell Jim that you talked only to the mayor, to have a contradiction. The statements you made to Jim and John were different, yes, but not contradictory.

Stories in the Bible sometimes evidence this pattern. Many are quick to call out supposed errors that are not, in fact, actually errors.

Just one example: In the Book of Judges we learn of the death of Sisera, at the hands of Jael. The question arises as to whether Jael struck Sisera as he slept, or as he drank milk. Clearly, she couldn't have done both. A closer reading of Judges 5:25–27 reveals that it is not stated that Sisera was drinking milk at the moment of impact, and the potential discrepancy disappears.

Sometimes two passages appear to be contradictory simply because the translation in question is not as accurate as it could be. Knowledge of Greek and Hebrew can often quickly clear up the confusion.

An example is the details around Paul’s conversion, as recorded in the Book of Acts. Acts 9:7 states, “The men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.” But Acts 22:9 reads, “And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of Him that spake to me.”

These statements do seem contradictory. Did Paul's companions hear a voice or not? Again, mastery of Greek clears this up. W. F. Arndt, a Greek scholar, explains:

“The construction of the verb ‘to hear’ (akouo) is not the same in both accounts. In Acts 9:7 it is used with the genitive, in Acts 22:9 with the accusative. The construction with the genitive simply expresses that something is being heard or that certain sounds reach the ear; nothing is indicated as to whether a person understands what he hears or not. The construction with the accusative, however, describes a hearing which includes mental apprehension of the message spoken. From this it becomes evident that the two passages are not contradictory."

Acts 22:9 does not deny that the associates of Paul heard certain sounds; it simply declares that they did not hear in such a way as to understand what was being said.

Lastly, let's remember that sometimes it's our own inadequate knowledge of circumstances — our own ignorance — that causes us to believe we've found an error. We run into this issue often in our own lives, right?

Questions to Ponder

Does human error make the Bible unreliable?
Would you hold that same standard for your own writing?
Are you willing to forgo your biases and study Scripture with an open mind?

Question 7

Science Has Disproved God's Existance ... Right?

Accepted Answer

Josh McDowell notes that when speaking to a philosophy or history class, someone in the audience often tossed out this challenge: "Can you prove Jesus' resurrection scientifically?"

"I usually said, ‘Well, no, I’m not a scientist,’" shares Josh. "Then I heard the class chuckling and the students say things like, ‘Then don’t talk to me about it,’ or ‘So I’m supposed to take it on faith?’ Their response made ME chuckle!”

science disprove Christ

Science is great when it stays in its lane. But it oversteps its authority when it chooses to make claims it hasn't (and can't) actually prove. Like whether Jesus resurrected.

The students were missing this key point: Science can only prove what it can repeat in a controlled environment. Yet the scientific community is guilty of asserting theory as fact.

When studying historical events or people, we can't actually turn to science. But we CAN use a tool called legal-historical proof, which looks at available evidence to discern answers.

Legal-historical proof incorporates three sources: oral testimony, written testimony, and exhibits, which could be any physical item. Using this tool, an inquiry into whether you watched TV or ate lunch might begin with these questions: Was someone with you? Did an eyewitness observe you? Is there a restaurant receipt? What’s in your trash can?

= Did George Washington chop down a cherry tree? Science can’t say.

= Was Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights leader? Science can’t say.

= Did Jesus live, die, and resurrect? Science can’t say.

And yet the scientific community is quick to suggest that the miraculous doesn't happen, because their facts can't prove it.

What a silly ... if not ignorant ... claim to make.

Questions to Ponder

Do you believe only what science proves?
Okay, then what about intangibles, like love?
So when something unbelievable happens to you, do you call it "luck"?

Question 8

Because God is a personal Spirit…

Accepted Answer

I will seek intimate fellowship with Him.

“I reach out for You. I thirst for You as parched land thirsts for rain.” (Psalm 143.6)

Our awesome God is gloriously incomprehensible. The following are four of the many ways He is beyond our understanding.

God is infinite.
Unlike us, God has no limits or boundaries. He is not confined to the dimension of space. His love, holiness, mercy and all His other qualities are unlimited in their scope and expression.

God is self-existent.
Unlike everything else in the entire universe, He had no beginning. Because He is the Creator, He is the only One who exists outside of the created order.

God is eternal.
He is not bound by the dimension of time. He created time as a temporary context for His creation. With God, everything that has ever happened or will ever happen has already occurred within His awareness. God encompasses all of eternity!

God is self-sufficient.
All creation relies on God for existence, but He has no need for anything. He does not need our help. He only offers us the privilege of being involved with Him in the fulfillment of His purposes.

God is gloriously incomprehensible, but He is also a personal Spirit. Through His infinite love and goodness, He has provided a way for us to have an authentic, personal relationship with Him.

First, God revealed Himself to us in His Word, the Bible. The Scriptures provide us with a clear description of what God is like and what is important to Him.

Second, God came down from heaven to live on earth. For 33 years, human beings could observe the incarnate God through their senses as they walked and talked with His Son, Jesus.

Third, God destroyed the barrier of sin and self-centeredness that separated us from our holy God. His perfect Son, Jesus, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.

Fourth, God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in Christians with His presence.

Our Creator God did all this so we could go beyond just knowing about Him. We can actually enter into a warm friendship and intimate family relationship with Him. What a gracious offer and an awesome privilege!

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13, New International Version)

Question 9

Because God is all-powerful...

Accepted Answer

He can help me with anything.

“O Sovereign LORD! You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power. Nothing is too hard for You!” (Jeremiah 32:17)

God merely spoke the universe into being — a universe that astronomers estimate contains more than 100 billion galaxies. But all the power contained in this entire universe is but a small representation of the unlimited power of God. The combined energy of all earth’s storms, winds, ocean waves and other forces of nature do not equal even a fraction of God’s almighty power.

God’s power is inherent in His nature. All power has always been His and will continue to be His for all eternity. Any power that we have is given to us by God.

Because God is all-powerful, He has the ability and strength to do whatever He pleases. His power is not restrained or inhibited by any of His created beings. People and nations are powerless when confronted by His might.

Our amazing God is capable of doing anything — as long as it does not violate any of His other attributes. No task is too big for Him. He never fails. And He is never tired, frustrated or discouraged.

Yet our all-powerful Creator cares for us, and He longs to exhibit His power in our lives.

David writes, “When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers — the moon and the stars You have set in place — what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4, NLT).

No matter what you might be facing, God can help you. Nothing is too hard for Him. No need is too great for Him to meet. No problem is too complicated for Him to solve. No foe is too strong for Him to conquer. No prayer is too difficult for Him to answer.

The Bible promises, “By His mighty power at work within us [He] is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream” (Ephesians 3:20, Living Bible).

If our hearts and motives are pure and we truly seek to do God’s will, then there is nothing too difficult for us as we depend on His strength.

“I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13, NLT)

God has the power to create anything from nothing (Ps. 33:6-9)
God has power to deliver (Exod. 13:3)
God’s creative power is beyond our comprehension (Job 38:1-11)
God speaks and things happen (Ps. 29:3-9)
His resurrection power is immeasurably great (E. 1:19-20)
His creation reflects His power (Ps. 19:1-4)
His powerful word sustains everything (Heb. 1:3)
He has power over death (Rev. 1:18)
No one can challenge what God does (Dan. 4:35)
Reveals Himself as the almighty God (Gen. 17:1)

Question 10

Because God is ever-present...

Accepted Answer

He is always with me.

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You. , (Psalms 139:7-12)

God is always with us. Because He is an infinite Spirit, He is not restricted to being in one location at a time. He fills every inch of space throughout the universe with all His wonderful personal attributes. Although God is distinct from His creation, all His creation exists within Him. In Acts 17:28 we are told, “In Him we live and move and exist” (New Living Translation).

We live in His glorious presence every moment of every day. When we are alone, God watches what we do. When we do something good that nobody else knows about, God sees it and will reward us accordingly.

He also sees the bad things we do in secret. Hebrews 4:13 states, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable” (NLT).

We actually have the presence of Almighty God living inside us. The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, NIV).

God wants us to “consciously” live in His presence each day. His ever-presence makes it possible for us to be in constant communication with Him and to depend on Him in every situation. But often we ignore His presence because we are so preoccupied with our lives. Sometimes we even forget He is with us while we are busy serving Him.

Yet God’s magnificent presence is all we need for any challenge that may come our way. No person or circumstance can ever remove us from the presence of our loving God. He is always with us, hearing our cries for help. He is always with us, protecting us from danger. He is always with us, watching what we do. He is our ever-present God, Savior, Lord and Master — our dearest friend.

[Jesus said,] “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20, NIV)

all creation is dependent upon His presence (Col. 1:17)
God’s continual presence brings contentment (Heb. 13:5)
God is everywhere and no one can escape Him (Ps. 139:7-12)
no task is too large or too difficult for Him (Jer. 32:17, 27)
One cannot hide from God (Jer. 23:23-24)

Question 11

Because God knows everything...

Accepted Answer

I will go to Him with all my questions and concerns.

“He determines the course of world events; He removes kings and sets others on the throne. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.” (Daniel 2:21)

Our magnificent Creator God knows everything and is the source of all true knowledge, understanding and wisdom. His knowledge is undefiled by any distortions or wrong perspectives. It is totally true and accurate.

God knows the answers to all of life’s questions. Unlike us, God is never surprised or bewildered, because He is always completely aware of all events past, present and future.

He also knows everything about you — your desires, motives and thoughts. God knows more about you than you will ever know about yourself.

King David writes, “O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” (Psalm 139:1-6, New Living Translation).

When you face challenges or difficulties, you can be encouraged that God understands what you are going through. He knows about your pressures and problems, and He also knows the purpose for your trials. God promises, “I know the plans I have for you… They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT).

Whatever your circumstances, whatever your need, God has the answer. He knows everything about your situation and wants to help you.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:5-6, New International Version)

Question 12

Because God is sovereign...

Accepted Answer

I will joyfully submit to His will.

“All the people of the earth are nothing compared to Him. He has the power to do as He pleases among the angels of heaven and with those who live on earth. No one can stop Him or challenge Him, saying, ‘What do You mean by doing these things?”‘ (Daniel 4:35)

God is the sovereign ruler of the universe. There is no higher authority. Our great God possesses every ability He needs to be in absolute control of everything. He is all-powerful, so no one can force Him to do anything against His will. He is present everywhere, so no one can hide from Him or escape His scrutiny. He is all-knowing, so there is nothing about which He is unaware.

Nothing occurs without His divine permission. God commands the forces of nature and uses them to achieve His divine purposes. He established the scientific laws that regulate the universe, and only He can overrule their effect. Even Satan and his legions of evil spirits can operate only within limits prescribed by God.

God also sovereignly directs people, circumstances and events. Daniel explains, “[God] determines the course of world events; He removes kings and sets up other kings” (Daniel 2:21, New Living Translation). Without God’s sustaining providence, none of us could live another day. “The life of every living thing is in His hand, and the breath of every human being” (Job 12:10, NLT).

Do you feel overwhelmed by circumstances? Be encouraged: Your loving God is still in control, and He is sovereignly directing your life. Proverbs 19:21 states, “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail” (NLT).

In fact, difficulties and suffering are tools in God’s sovereign hands with which He shapes you into the image of Jesus Christ. The Bible promises, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them” (Romans 8:28, NLT).

Our sovereign God is actively directing His creation on a course that has been charted before the beginning of time. But within the context of His master plan, He gives all of us the freedom to choose how we will participate. Will you choose to cooperate with Him?

“Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23, NIV)

God controls time and seasons (Dan. 2:21)
God powerfully delivered His people from Egypt (Exod. 12:29-32; 13:13-31)
God has dominion over the affairs of people (Job 12:13-25)
God controls nature for His purposes (Job 37:2-13)
God chose His people to become like Christ (Rom. 8:28-30)
God chose His people before He made the world (Eph. 1:4)
God’s eternal purpose is to make His wisdom known (Eph. 3:10-11)
He raises and removes rulers (Dan. 2:21)
He has a plan for His people and will carry it out (Eph. 1:5, 11)
He chose His people to save and purify them (2 Thess. 2:13)
He is the only Sovereign (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15)
The Creator looks after His creation (Ps. 104:3-32)
The powerful Creator reduces human rulers to nothing (Isa. 40:21-26)
Relationship with God requires worship (John 4:24)
God has dominion over the affairs of people (Job 12.13-25)
God controls nature for His purposes (Job 37:2-13)
God chose His people to become like Christ (Rom. 8:28-30)
God chose His people before He made the world (Eph. 1:4)
God’s eternal purpose is to make His wisdom known (Eph. 3:10-11)
He raises and removes rulers (Dan. 2:21)
He has a plan for His people and will carry it out (Eph. 1:5, 11)
He chose His people to save and purify them (2 Thess. 2:13)
He is the only Sovereign (1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15)

Question 13

Because God is holy...

Accepted Answer

I will devote myself to Him in purity, worship, and service.

“So obey God because you are His children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God—who chose you to be His children—is holy. For He Himself has said, “You must be holy because I am holy ” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

Our God is holy. His character is perfect in every way. His moral excellence is the absolute standard of integrity and ethical purity. God’s supreme holiness infinitely sets Him apart from His creation.

As we meditate on God’s supreme holiness, we cannot help being overcome with a sense of awe. The psalmist tells us, “Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth” (Psalm 96:9, NIV).

Solomon writes, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10, NIV). To fear God does not mean to be afraid of Him but to have a reverential respect for His magnificent greatness and unlimited authority. The Bible instructs us, “Serve the LORD with fear, and celebrate His rule with trembling” (Psalm 2:11, NIV).

You have been set apart by God to be holy. Rather than reflecting the opinions and attitudes of this sinful world, you are to reflect the beauty of His holiness. But you can be holy only by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. As the holiness of God works into the fabric of your being, you will become sensitive to sin and learn to abhor it as God does.

God’s holiness demands your devotion. The apostle John strongly warns, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts” (1 John 5:21, New Living Translation). Where is your heart? Are you remaining pure and faithful to your holy God? Holy living involves a daily decision to surrender to the lordship of Christ.

Sin brings death and destruction, while holiness brings health and well-being. God wants your mind and heart to be filled with His holy qualities. As your life is transformed, you will project the light of His holiness into the darkness of this evil world. Then you shall be holy as He is holy.

“But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.” (1 Peter 1:15, NLT)

God guards His holy reputation (Ezek. 36:21-23)
God’s holiness demands exclusive worship (Josh. 24:19)
He disciplines believers to impart His holiness to them (Heb. 12:10)
His holiness is unique (Exod. 15:11)
His holiness is the standard for believers’ behavior (Lev. 19:2; 1 Pet. 1:15-16)
His holy presence rejects impurity (Isa. 6:3-5)
No one else is holy like He is (1 Sam. 2:2)
The most holy One deserves constant honor (Rev. 4:8)

Question 14

Because God is absolute truth...

Accepted Answer

I will believe what He says and live accordingly.

“You are truly My disciples if you keep obeying My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31,32)

Our God is absolute truth. It is impossible for Him to be otherwise. In fact, God is the source of all truth. Our God, who is present everywhere and knows all things, has total understanding of what is real, what is right and what is true. Whatever He says is completely accurate.

When God gave the prophet Balaam a message to deliver to the king of Moab, Balaam said, “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not a human, so he does not change his mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19, NLT).

Whatever God says is absolutely right. Whatever He promises will always be fulfilled.

God wants us to know the truth. Jesus prayed for His disciples, asking God to “sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17, New International Version). The Bible helps us know and understand the truth about Him, about ourselves and about life.

God also manifested truth to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6, NIV). While many people claim to know the truth, only Jesus could honestly claim to be the truth.

God also guides us into truth through the working of His Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17, NIV).

Jesus promises, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32, NLT). God’s truth frees us to live as He intended.

God is our anchor of truth in a society of relativism and falsehood. Do your decisions and lifestyle demonstrate that you are listening to Jesus? Or have you bought into the lies of popular culture? Are you consistently spending time discovering truth in God’s Word?

Truth will be found only by those who diligently seek it in the right places. Commit yourself daily to walk in the light of God’s truth.

“Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to Your truth!” (Psalm 86:11, NLT)

believers know that God is true (John 3:33)
eternal life is knowing the only true God (John 17:3)
even if all humanity lies, God remains true (Rom. 3:4)
God is the Truth (John 14:6)
God follows through on His promises (Num. 11:22-23; 31-34)
God’s words are true and completely righteous (Ps. 19:9)
God’s truth is everlasting (Ps. 117:2)
God’s word is truth (John 17:17)
God’s words are faithful and true (Rev. 21:5; 22:6)
God’s truth can be suppressed to our peril (Rom. 1: 1 8ff)
He is “the God of truth” (Ps. 31:5; Isa. 65:16)
God doesn’t lie but keeps His word (Num. 23:19)
He is full of grace and truth (John 1:14)
His Spirit guides believers into all truth (John 16:13)
the Holy Spirit is characterized by truth in every way (John 14:17; 15:26; 1 John 5:6)
true freedom comes from abiding in God’s truth (John 8:31-32)

Question 15

Because God is righteous...

Accepted Answer

I will live by His standards.

“Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness—righteous, holy, and true.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

God is righteous, and all the righteousness in the entire universe has its origin in Him. The psalmist exclaims, “Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. … Who can compare with You, O God?” (Psalm 71:19, New Living Translation).

We live in an age when the distinction between right and wrong is becoming increasingly blurred. Our culture has adopted the principle of situational ethics, which proposes that what is morally right varies from person to person and situation to situation. Yet God’s standards do not change; they are timeless.

God’s laws are a reflection of His own righteous nature. If we break God’s laws, we will pay the consequences. But we cannot keep God’s perfect standard on our own. Only by receiving Jesus as our Savior and Lord are we made righteous.

The apostle Paul explains, “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22, NLT). When we place our trust in Jesus, God no longer sees our sinfulness but only the perfect righteousness of Christ that now clothes us.

God wants you to display His righteousness in your new life. You can do this through faith as you daily “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life. … Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:22–24, NLT). This is possible only as you consistently submit your will to the Holy Spirit and depend on Him to empower you.

As Christians, we must hold fast to the righteous standards set forth by the sovereign Ruler of the universe. Regardless of the beliefs and behavior of society, God will hold every person accountable according to His biblical decrees. Whose standards of right are you following?

“Surely, LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12, NIV)

His righteousness is absolute (Ps. 71:19)
He rules out of righteousness (Ps. 97:2)
He is righteous in everything He does (Ps. 145:17)
He delights in demonstrating righteousness (Jer. 9:24)
in the end, the righteous Judge will judge righteously (2 Tim. 4:8)
people must declare humbly God alone is righteous (Exod. 9:27; 2 Chron. 12:6)
the Lord’s name: “The Lord is our righteousness” (Jer. 23:6; 33:16)

Question 16

Because God is just...

Accepted Answer

He will always treat me fairly.

“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies. ” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

God is absolutely just in all His judgments. Because of His holy righteousness, He cannot be bribed or corrupted in any way. God cannot be fooled. Because He is all-knowing and ever-present, He has all the facts at His disposal. He knows the circumstances and motives, so His decisions are always based on absolute truth. God is also a perfect judge because when He pronounces judgment, He has the power and sovereignty to carry out the punishment. “Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!” (Deuteronomy 32:4, NLT).

Justice is a pillar of society, ensuring that the innocent are vindicated and the guilty are punished. But all too often, this standard for justice is compromised for personal gain by corrupt judges and unscrupulous lawyers. Consequently, many people mistakenly believe they can manipulate God’s system of justice. They think that God is fooled by their excuses and alibis.

But because He is a just God, His verdict will always be right. King David said, “The Lord is righteous, He loves justice” (Psalm 11:7, New International Version).

Because God is just, He will always treat you fairly. However, as the holy and righteous sovereign of the universe, God cannot ignore any act of sin. God hates sin with a holy passion. The psalmist writes, “You spread out our sins before You — our secret sins — and You see them all. … Who can comprehend the power of Your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear You deserve” (Psalm 90:8,11, NLT).

God’s anger over sin should never be underestimated. You need to have a healthy fear of God to help you avoid anything that would violate your relationship with Him.

God also rewards right behavior. Although your salvation is secured by faith in Jesus Christ, your good works confirm that you are a child of God and determine the rewards you will receive from Him. We serve a just God, so what you do in this life will matter for eternity.

“God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14, NLT)

a day is fixed for His righteous judgment of the world (Acts 17:31)
all sin is ultimately against a righteous God (Ps. 51:4)
all God’s ways are righteous and deserve praise (Rev. 15:3)
God alone is the judge (James 4:12)
God judges all people with justice (Ps. 9:7-8)
God’s law and judgments are completely righteous (Ps. 19:7-9)
He exercises justice toward all humanity (Gen. 18:25)
He is just in all His ways (Dent. 32:4)
God rightly judges heart, mind and deeds (Jer. 17:10)
Jesus, our righteous defender before the Father (1 John 2:1)
the Messiah will judge all with complete justice (Isa. 11:4-5)
the righteous Messiah will establish a righteous people (Jer. 33:16)
the righteous God justifies those who believe in Jesus (Rom. 3:25-26)

Question 17

Because God is love...

Accepted Answer

He is unconditionally committed to my well-being.

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?” “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love, Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can not keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35, 37-39)

God is the source of all love. It flows out of the great reservoir of His goodness. Love permeates all of His attributes. While people sometimes violate standards of honesty, righteousness, and morality to please others, God never compromises His integrity. His love does not suppress or negate any of His other attributes.

God’s love is unconditional. It is not based on how good you are or what you do to please Him. He loves you because He is God and you are His creation. God’s love never fails. The psalmist proclaims, “The LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever” (Psalm 100:5, NLT). God’s love will not be terminated because of disappointment or a change of heart. He defines love, He generates love, and He demonstrates what true love looks like.

John explains, “This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:10, NLT). Jesus gave His life on your behalf. He could not have sacrificed any more. God’s love for you is supreme.

We, in turn, are to love God wholeheartedly. Jesus declared: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37- 38, NLT). God, in His sovereignty, has created us to find our greatest joy and fulfillment in loving Him.

God also enables us to be channels of His supernatural love. On our own, we are incapable of loving as we should, but God has for us an unending supply of His divine love. It is for us to claim, to enjoy and to share with others.

When believers begin to love God, love their neighbors as themselves and love their enemies, society will change for the better. Then the world today, as in the first century, will marvel when they see and experience the transforming power of God’s love.

“Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39, NLT)

as a father, God corrects His beloved children (Prov. 3:12)
believers should imitate God’s universal love (Matt. 5:44-45)
eternal plans are motivated by His love (Eph. 1:4-5)
God loves and preserves His godly people (Ps. 37:28)
God loves His people, even when they are faithless (Hos. 3:1)
God deserves thanks because of His perpetual love (Ps. 100:5)
God loved the world enough to send His Son to die (John 3:16)
God loves those who love His Son (and obey Him) (John 14:21)
His love is poured into believers’ hearts (Rom. 5:5)
God is love, and those who know God love others (I John 4:7-8, 20-21)
nothing can separate the believer from His love (Rom. 8:38-39)
to love enemies and the wicked is to be like God (Luke 6:35)

Question 18

Because God is merciful...

Accepted Answer

He forgives me of my sins when I sincerely confess them.

“Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your unfailing love. Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence, and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.” (Psalm 51) or “If we confess our sins to Him, He Is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” (I John 1:9)

God is the master of mercy. His very nature desires to relieve you of the self-imposed misery and distress you experience because of your sin.

All humanity benefits from God’s mercy to some degree. Jesus stated, “He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45, New Living Translation). But God also has a sovereign mercy He shows to those who are His. In gratitude, this is the mercy you are to share with others.

God shows you mercy because He compassionately cares about you. The prophet Isaiah states, “The LORD comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones” (Isaiah 49:13, NIV). Your loving Father cares about what you are going through. The gospels are filled with examples of how Jesus was moved with compassion and acted to help those who were sick, suffering and in need. Consider the blind man, Bartimaeus, or the ten lepers. Jesus reached out His hands and healed them. Or the woman caught in adultery: He spoke compassionately to her and forgave her.

To experience God’s mercy, you must repent of your sin and accept God’s forgiveness. The Bible promises, “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him” (Daniel 9:9, NIV).

God wants you in turn to be merciful to others. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, “God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7, NLT). In fact, Jesus said, “If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15, NLT). God’s mercy flows to those who show mercy to others.

Your loving heavenly Father is committed to your well-being. Out of His great compassion, He generously bestows on you His grace and mercy. God demonstrates His grace by showering you with blessings you do not deserve. He displays His great mercy by withholding the punishment you so rightfully deserve.

“Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:16, NLT)

God will never relent from showing mercy to His children (Ps. 23:6)
God will listen to our pleas for mercy (Ps. 30:8)
Because of mercy, God washes away our transgressions (Ps. 51:1)
Because God is merciful, He has not hidden Himself from us (Ps. 69:16)
Mercy comes to those who confess their sins (Prov. 28:13)
Mercy is given to those who are themselves merciful (Matt. 5:7)
God desires to show mercy to His people instead of having His people trying to obtain their own righteousness (Matt. 9:13)
God shows mercy to those who fear His name (Luke 1:50)
Our mercy of others should be an imitation of God’s mercy to us (Luke 6:36)
Knowing God’s mercy encourages us to follow Him (Rom. 12:1)

Question 19

Because God is faithful...

Accepted Answer

I will trust Him to always keep His promises.

“Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. And when you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. ” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Faithfulness is at the heart of all that God is and does. His truthfulness, holiness, love, righteousness and other attributes ensure His faithfulness. He is incapable of being otherwise.

God is faithful to protect you from temptation and the evil one. Paul wrote, “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT). When you are tempted to sin, do not focus on the attractiveness of the temptation but on God’s faithfulness to deliver you from that situation.

God is faithful to forgive you even when you are unfaithful. Because you are still in a body of flesh, you have a tendency to sin and, ultimately, to be unfaithful. How encouraging it is to remember God’s promise, “If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is” (2 Timothy 2:13, NLT). But you must be sincere in your repentance and not abuse God’s grace. The Bible states, “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9, NLT).

God is faithful to purify you from unrighteousness. It is God’s plan for you to become holy and advance His kingdom. And He is faithful to bring this to pass. Paul declared, “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6, NLT).

God is faithful to fulfill His promises. Hebrews 10:23 states, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise” (NLT). God is ready and able to deliver all He has promised.

God is faithful to help you in your need. He will never fail you! He is reliable. He is trustworthy. He cannot be otherwise. Your holy and loving God is faithful!

“If you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you.” (1 Peter 4:19, NLT)

forgives the repentant (1 John 1:9)
God is faithful to the faithful (Dent. 7:7-11)
God deserves thanks for His constant faithfulness (Ps. 100:5)
God is faithful through calamity (Lam. 3:22-23)
God faithfully matures believers (1 Thess. 5:24)
God is faithful to fulfill His promises (Heb. 10:23)
His faithfulness endures (Ps. 119:90)
His faithfulness is immeasurable (Ps. 36:5)

Question 20

Because God never changes...

Accepted Answer

My future is secure and eternal.

“Who has done such mighty deeds, directing the affairs of the human race as each new generation marches by? It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last. ” (Isaiah 41:4)

God never changes. In fact, it is impossible for God to change. The influences that cause change in your life have no effect on God. He will never be stronger or weaker. His knowledge and wisdom will not increase or diminish. God does not compromise or change His values. And God does not have mood swings. Life and its uncertainties may shake you, but God — the Rock of Ages — does not move. If you cling to Him, His strength will sustain you.

God’s unchanging purpose gives you eternal significance. Psalm 33:11 states, “The LORD’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken” (NLT). God’s plan is unchangeable. It existed at the beginning of creation and remains the same today. And you are part of His plan! Paul explains, “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT).

God’s unchangeable ways assure you of unwavering guidance. Psalm 18:30 states, “God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true” (NLT). God’s principles for life never change. His guidelines, given in Scripture, produce fruitful lives when we follow them.

God’s unchanging Word equips you with timeless truth. Isaiah declared, “The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8, NLT). God’s words and commands are timeless.

God’s unchanging commitment guarantees everlasting security. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can be assured of eternal life. God is eternally committed to your redemption, your spiritual growth, and your eternal destiny. God’s commitment to you is as strong as He is eternally constant. The storms of life are continually changing, but God remains the same. He is consistent and reliable. He is your anchor. You can count on God because He never changes.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8, NLT).

God never changes (Mal. 3:6)
God is consistent throughout all time (Heb. 13:8)
God is good–all the time (James 1:17)
He doesn’t lie and is true to His word (Num. 23:19)
His love is never-ending (Lam. 3:22-23)
though the universe will change, God never will (Ps. 102:25-27; Heb. 1:10-12)

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