Over the years I marvel at how biblically illiterate some are who claimed to have walked away from the faith. (I must note here that I think biblical illiteracy is also an issue among those who profess faith). One thing I often hear from those that have left the faith is their stated reason for leaving Christianity is because they had a particular problem(s) that didn’t go away when they became a believer. So they didn’t see why they “need” Christianity. This typically indicate a misunderstanding of what is a biblical view of life’s “problems.”
- Speaking from my own experience, I don’t think believing in God necessarily made all my “problems” go away; actually it seems the amount of problems have only increased! There’s the problem of sins to avoid, sins that before didn’t bother me as a non-Christian. There’s the problem of actually trying to cultivate godly virtues that I once lack. There’s also the problem of doing what is right with the right motivation. For the Christian the right motivation of doing right is to lovingly please the Triune God as a worshipful appreciation for how much He loves me as demonstrated through the Gospel.
- I must also add a caveat lest one thinks being a Christian means Christianity doesn’t address nor solves any problems at all. Sure, there are some problems I don’t have as a Christian and some of these types of problems that I don’t have are typically problems that arise as a consequence of living an overtly sinful and rebellious lifestyle. But even with our naunces, let’s not forget the main point that being a Christian doesn’t mean all our problems go away instantaneously.
- A biblical view of problems reveal what’s an individual’s biggest problem. This might not be what the sinner thinks is his biggest problem. Someone who is not a Christian has a man-centered views of things but one who knows God views His problem in a God centered way. Acoording to God’s Word everyone’s biggest problem is their sin against a Holy God who will judge sin. That’s a bigger problem than how one feel, or how to get self-confidence, be happy, etc. One’s problem with God has heaven and hell hanging at the balance. There’s certainly priorities as to what is the biggest problem man faces.
- In light of the fact that Scripture reveal what is our biggest problem, we do see that through the Gospel our biggest problem has been dealt with through the Gospel: God has sent Jesus to live a perfect life and offer Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins! We must trust in Christ’s saving works and His person. Everything else and all other problems and solutions are secondary.
- A biblical view of problem would acknowledge the sovereignty of God. Personally a biblical view of God has changed my perspective on problems more than it has “removed” my problem. Sometimes with some “problems,” it is God’s will for me to endure it so that I can find that Christ and God alone are sufficient. We must see our problems biblically and that means we see it as something that God uses for those who love Him (Romans 8:28) for the purpose of making us conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).
- Biblically speaking (since I am a Christian) I think God uses “problems” to change and transform me. This is a contrast to whatI often want right away, namely an immediate change of my situation. But I must think biblically and in a God-honoring manner concerning my problems.
- Don’t just let this post be something for your head knowledge. What is something you are going through that has occupied much of your mind recently as a problem in your life that you need to trust in God with today, having been informed with a Christian worldview? Think biblically about your problems and share this with others.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks Vincent for the reblog! Hope you are doing well.
You’re very welcome Pastor Jim! I am thanks, started volunteer work yesterday. Amen! Hope you and yours are doing well
James 1:2-3 addresses your point perfectly…
Amen, straight and to the point and with the power of the Word of God!
[…] Apostasy and a Biblical View of Life’s “Problems” […]
“Over the years I marvel at how biblically illiterate some are who claimed to have walked away from the faith.”
Yes, that’s a big part of the problem! I see those comments a lot from “ex-Christians” who supposedly read the Bible a lot, taught Sunday School, etc. then “left” the faith. I tell them that if they really read the Bible that much they’d know the verses I’m thinking of when I say that if they were ever really Christians then they’d still be Christians (i.e., 1 John 2:19, the passages on eternal security and perseverance).
Exactly! It’s amazing how some of these guys claim to know so much but as you pointed out they don’t know anything about 1 John 2:19. I’ve had a guy shout at me recently that “I know more than you do kid!” (note: My ethnic complexion makes me look more young than most Americans) but as we talked basic literacy wasn’t even there. Again very good point about referring to 1 John 2:19. Hope you are doing well these days brother.
Thanks, Jim. I walked away from the Lord for 23 years because I was fed up with God and Christianity after a bad experience with one particular church. Looking back, all I can say is I was as dumb as a rock. My eyes were on fallible man rather than God. The relationship with Christ is THE thing, and everything else flows from that. You find you can no longer support a particular church? Ask the Lord to lead you to another one. Meanwhile the Lord is still on His throne and we still serve.
Amen Tom, I am so thankful to God that He’s led you back. Really Tom, I am really thankful to the Lord.
Thanks so much, Jim. When I take a step back and objectively look at my prodigal son “season,” I would have thrown me under the bus. All His grace.
“But I must think biblically and in a God-honoring manner concerning my problems.” This is such a clear and succinct writing on this thesis statement. And practical and personal at the end.
Thank you Dawn. And thank you for reading this!
I think its better to be “illiterate” and have a strong love and commitment to Christ than to be literate and be a loud, loveless gong.
I think so too. But from a strong love and commitment to Christ, one should strive to know what the Word says and is about.
[…] Original post @ https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2016/06/28/apostasy-and-a-biblical-view-of-lifes-problems/ […]
[…] on Christians helping those with doubt. For starters, I’ve written a post titled “Apostasy and a Biblical View of Life’s “Problems,” something I wrote in light of seeing how some apostate from my perspective as a […]
Pastor Jim (if I may address you as such), I understand your perspective and it is one I held for many years according to 1 John 2:19. I am no longer a Christian, but I can say that, if you had met me then, I would have met the criteria: implicit belief in the sacrifice of Christ to save me from my sins, confession of it and a life dramatically changed by what I believed was the Spirit of God. Respectfully, sir, you are entirely wrong about the biblical illiteracy of many proclaimed former Christians and it appears to me you have made some other inaccurate assumptions. If you are open to discourse, I would be interested and perhaps your readers would be as well. If so, you can reply here or find me at https://beyondreligiosity.wordpress.com.
[…] For those interested in the past I wrote a post titled Apostasy and a Biblical View of Life’s “Problems” […]
The important problems increase and thankfully so: “There’s the problem of sins to avoid, sins that before didn’t bother me as a non-Christian. “