Images are important. The images we see, both mentally and physically, allow us as consumers to understand the narrative an author aims to create. With the images an author chooses, the consumer is drawn to connotations. For example, red signifies danger or blue signifies calm. Images also help the consumer relate to the characters that are depicted in a narrative. So, when a consumer reads or sees a character that looks like them, it produces a deeper affiliation with the story being told. This is important because throughout history Christianity has been falsely purported as the “white man’s religion”. As a result, those from other races, particularly black people, feel alienated from the story written by the hands of God. Yet the scriptures are clear, all ethnicities are derived from one man (Acts 17:26). When you look through the scriptures can you see yourself? If not, allow me to help. Here are 5 black heroes in the Bible.
Simon of Cyrene
Firstly, we have Simon of Cyrene.
Cyrene is understood to be located where modern-day Libya is and as a result, many conclude that Simon would be black. Simon plays a small but important role in the biblical narrative.
As Jesus walks to Calvary, Simon is forced into serving the One who would eventually save him. The soldiers press Simon into carrying the cross that Jesus would die on (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26). In God’s providence, Simon got to play a role in one of the most important moments in human history.
“[The soldiers] seized a man, Simon of Cyrene… and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.”
Luke 23:26
Ethiopian Eunuch
Next, we have the Ethiopian Eunuch.
We meet the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26-40. There is a debate as to whether he is the first gentile convert since it appears he was a God-fearer (Acts 8:28). The Holy Spirit directs Philip to meet the Ethiopian who was en-route to Jerusalem to worship.
Eunuchs at the time were barred from the inner courts, which makes what he was reading more significant (Acts 8:32-33). Philip, by the Spirit, converts the Ethiopian Eunuch and it is widely believed that the Ethiopian Church was birthed out of his conversion.
Ebed-Melech
Thirdly, we meet another Ethiopian Eunuch – Ebed-Melech. You can read more of his story in Jeremiah 38. Ebed-Melech is a man of great courage unlike the King of Judah at the time Zedekiah. With the prophet Jeremiah facing injustice, Ebed-Melech defends Jeremiah to the King and formulates a plan to rescue Jeremiah from the cistern (Jeremiah 38-7-13). Where the King failed, Ebed-Melech succeeds.
Simeon of Niger
Fourthly, we have Simeon of Niger.
Niger is Latin for black and thus we have the clearest indication for what Simeon’s complexion was. He was a leader in Antioch. He was a Prophet and a Teacher. He was a man of authority and responsibility such that he was among those leaders who commissioned Paul and Barnabas to begin their missionary travels. The Antioch church was a hub for Gentile outreach in its earliest days (Acts 11:19-26).
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
Acts 13:1-3
Lucius of Cyrene
Finally, we have Lucius of Cyrene. Lucius was also one of the prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch. Not only did God dispel the false belief that salvation was merely for the Jews (Acts 10:28,34), He also placed black men in leadership positions to shepherd His sheep (Acts 13:1).
The devil wants you to believe that God doesn’t care about black people. Don’t believe a liar. Throughout human history, God has used people of all ethnicities to show forth His glory. God is saving people from all nations and tongues (Revelation 7:9). Don’t let a lie prevent you from being a part of the story that God has written.
Thank you for taking the time to follow this series. If you haven’t read my first article yet, please consider reading it before you move on. You can read it here: What Is Deconstruction?
Through this three-part series, I have sought to make sense of the so-called ‘deconstruction movement’. It’s no mean feat, my research has spanned three months and whilst I feel I have a reasonable grasp of some of the movements’ main features, this is no definitive article. My only hope is that this serves as a helpful resource for those considering deconstruction or wanting to engage with people who are.
What is our understanding of deconstruction?
The enduring thorn we have sought to address with the articles is how we understand deconstruction. Everything flows from this. What we consider the movement to be. It’s important we hold our working definition firmly in our minds as we consider whether deconstruction is dangerous.
Since the first lockdown and over the last year and a half, most of us can think of people who have walked away from Christianity entirely. In fact as of 2017, according to The Guardian, More than half the UK population [had] no religion. The study found that 53 per cent of the UK population now had no faith, meaning that for the first time in living memory, most of the country was not religious. I suspect the past two years and multiple lockdowns have not helped that. COVID-19 evoked more questions than it solved for many.
The survey found that 53% of all adults had no religious affiliation, up from 48% in 2015. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian
However, not everyone who doubts their faith ends up rejecting it. In fact, many evangelicals and young people are claiming that an in-depth review of their beliefs has strengthened their faith. It’s a story I’ve heard time and time again from friends, acquaintances and even the odd well-known church leader. Whilst COVID-19 has put stress on some people’s faith, for others, this period has been a very sobering one and a great opportunity for growth.
So is deconstruction dangerous?
In the first article, I expressed some hesitancy in adopting the term ‘deconstruction’ into the Christian lexicon and common use. I did this because I think there is already a term for Christians who believe primary Christian doctrines and are asking questions about secondary Christian issues. There is also a term for folks who do not believe in primary truths and are investigating central gospel claims to see if this is something they believe and want to build their life on. Deconstruction seems to create this middle ground, a certain no-ideological space where people can perpetually exist and not have to make any claims.
I explained that:
Orthodox Christianity has always been capacious enough for difficult questions. It’s what we thank the reformers for now. They asked difficult questions and found comfort in some answers. Questions are welcome but the Christian faith is built on some very important foundations.
These are what we may call primary issues, topics like the trinity, salvation by faith alone, Christ’s substitutionary atonement, the virgin birth, the sinlessness of Christ, Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, ascension and future bodily return, the authority of scripture. Christians can question these but must reach a resolution because this forms the foundation for their Christian walk. They cannot live in perpetual limbo on issues like this.
Things are different for secondary issues. If and when we levy pejorative attacks against other Christians or defame their character because they hold a different view, I believe we have climbed over the safety rail established by Scripture. Not only do we do injury to others, but we risk injury to ourselves. There is a warning of loss of rewards (Mt. 12:46). There are also fewer ministry opportunities after being rightly labelled a sour Christian who cannot “play well in the sandbox” with other Christians.
Whilst this is true of secondary issues, tampering with core issues is akin to playing faith Jenga with belief. If enough key pillars are pulled out, then the whole thing topples. This is what many people encounter after ‘deconstructing’. Asking questions as a Christian is one thing, joining a branded movement is another. In many ways, we shouldn’t be too shocked by the fruit from this.
To offer a pastoral note, my fear is that “theological deconstruction” is a slippery term. It’s a catch-all phrase that encompasses thousands of people’s spiritual journeys and so can never communicate the whole story. Anything I write about deconstruction can always be rebutted by someone saying, I don’t really understand the movement or I’m using the term incorrectly. This is exactly the problem. The term is a ghost and so impossible to address or really speak about.
I don’t believe it is appropriate for church leaders to endorse this term, but they can and should commit to creating environments where doubt isn’t a dirty word and where a person who has already crossed the line of faith and committed themselves to Christ can go to discuss difficult subjects. The internet is littered with the blogs of ex-Christians who never found answers to their questions. Surely the onus is on us to make sure our churches are places not only where non-Christians are welcome but also places for Christians who wrestle with doubt to find the answers they’re so desperately looking for.
Asking questions is arguably a sign that a person’s faith is growing, not stagnating. The answers that satisfied us as Christian teenagers may not sustain us as we enter mid-life. We need to think again, and the Bible’s instruction to love God “with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37), means we can’t bury our heads in the sand.
A note on maturing
So to tackle the question head-on, is deconstruction dangerous? Well if we are talking about growing in our faith through structured and intentional questioning, absolutely not. ‘Maturing’ as the bible calls it, is a natural process Christians are encouraged to go on. Throughout the bible, we are told about the merits of maturing and growing in our faith (1 Corinthians 14:20, 1 Corinthians 13:11, Ephesians 4:14-15, Ephesians 4:13, Hebrews 5:12-13, 2 Peter 3:18, Romans 5:3-4) and the bible doesn’t hold back in making its benefits clear. The process is not a simple or straightforward one. It involves doubt, responding to senseless tragedies or prayers that seem unanswered.
There are all types of growing or coming of age in your faith. I think this point is well made if we consider blogger and creator of the Poema podcast, James Prescott. He said in an online post that he was comfortable wearing the ‘evangelical’ label for many years, but that changed in the year 2000 when his mother passed away. He said “Suddenly the God I had known and grown up with was no longer big enough,” he says. “I had questions and doubts and nowhere to take them. The tragedy in this story is not that the death of his mother rocked his faith. I can empathise with that and I know many people who have gone through similar testing of their faith as a result of death. It’s hard, complicated and sorrowful. A greater tragedy was that he felt he had nowhere to take his doubts. That’s when we need the Christian community the most. When we go through these tough and difficult times.
Words like trials, temptations, refining, and testing occur more than 200 times in the Bible. I remember a portion of Purpose Driven Life that I read. It said:
“Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test. You are always being tested. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, disappointment, and even the weather! He even watches the simplest actions such as when you open a door for others, when you pick up a piece of trash, or when you’re polite toward a clerk or waitress. We don’t know all the tests God will give you, but we can predict some of them, based on the Bible. You will be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies.”
This short portion captures so well how we are developed by the things we go through. Even though difficult times come to believers, we grow through what we go through. This kind of growth and maturing is actively encouraged in the Bible and nurtured by the Holy Spirit who promises to make His home with us (John 14:23).
It might look cool to be a wandering spiritual nomad forever, but I don’t think that gets you anywhere. Growth through doubt is the aim.
Beware of cultural pop
Deconstructionism is a curious idea. In an odd way, it takes the Babel story a stage further. Instead of the multiplicity of languages and the confusion it creates, we are left, as it were, with no language at all- either in which God could speak to us or in which we can address each other.
There is something to be said about the ‘latest’ evangelical movement, iconoclastic in nature and also kind of cool. This kind of movement is alluring, it feels like you are on the cutting edge of new thinking and new approaches. These aren’t just my speculations, these are some of the ways, ‘members’ of the movement have described it to me. It may not be the case that all who are part of this movement identity with this description, however, there is no denying, there is a sort of electricity surrounding deconstruction circles as they brand themselves as the next new thing.
Christians need to do better
Rather than allowing room for sincere doubt and questions, some Christian communities reject anything more than superficial curiosity. That may extend to carelessly labelling those with doubts as unbelievers or troublemakers. This lends weight to those who falsely claim that valid answers are only found outside the church. Faith communities may obsess over teachings that are secondary or even superficial. They may cement cultural and political preferences into their view of Christianity. Those errors also feed the false narrative driving much of the modern deconstruction movement.
It’s clear to me that some deconstruct in response to deeply personal pain and disappointment. I covered some of these reasons in the first article. Those who have been neglected, rejected, or even abused within a church context struggle to separate unbiblical traumas from legitimate teachings of Scripture. Failures and betrayals from Christian leaders create heartache and embarrassment. Pain felt by those we love becomes a pain in our own lives. Some respond to these struggles by jettisoning doctrines or beliefs; this is partly an attempt to distance themselves from the stigma of another person’s actions.
These are admittedly failures of the modern church and failures of Christians. However, these failures can and should be corrected. There will always be those whose connection to faith is superficial (Matthew 7:21). Others have understanding fragile enough to fail under strain (Hebrews 3:12). Jesus’ parable of the sower includes two groups who demonstrate a response to truth, only to be overcome by worldly pressure or persecution (Matthew 13:20–22). Paul knew people often succumb to attractive lies (2 Timothy 4:3–4). Paul witnessed close friends yielding to popular trends (2 Timothy 4:10). Even Christ saw people walk away because they did not want to accept His message (John 6:65–66).
In the last instalment of this series, we will consider the question, Should I Deconstruct in an interview with one of the writers here at Our God-Given Mission
Only in the cities of these peoples that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes. But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, just as the Lord your God has commanded you -Deuteronomy 20:16-17
Is God different in each Testament?
One of the things that have caused people to question God is His call for violence in the Old Testament. People find it hard to understand how “the God of the Old Testament” can be the same “God of the New Testament”. To those who haven’t read the Bible as a whole, the two Testaments reflect a disparity in the nature of God. So the general belief is that God was violent and harsh in the Old Testament and tender in the New Testament.
The issue with this belief is the fact that it’s wrong. God didn’t suddenly change in the New Testament. He’s the same God in both Testaments. So the question remains, “if the God of the New Testament, the God of love is the same as the God in the Old Testament, why did He command the Israelites to commit so many violent acts in the Old Testament?”
Understanding God’s nature
To understand God’s call for violence in the Old Testament, you have to understand the nature of God.
One of the things that The Bible makes very clear is the fact that God is Holy. It’s repeated several times in the Bible and in the praises sung to Him.
And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory.
Isaiah 6:3
To be holy means to be set apart, blameless, and without blemish. This means that the smallest of sin cannot come near God, which is made evident in Habakuk 1:13. This is why when the Israelites were moving into the promised land, God asked them to eradicate everyone that was in the land they were taking over. The Bible says that God had made the Israelites His people, those who would carry His name and herald His glory for the whole world to see, Deuteronomy 14:2; Exodus 19:5-6. Therefore they had to be distinct from those who surrounded them Leviticus 18:2-4. And had desired to make them His habitation Psalm 132:6. Except, God can’t dwell in sin because He is Holy. In order for God to dwell among the Israelites, they had to be Holy.
Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.
Leviticus 20:26
Why did God call for such violence?
God called for the violence because He is omniscient. God sees all and knows all. This means He knew that if the Israelites didn’t kill the people in those lands, the Israelites would become just like them.
But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, just as the Lord your God has commanded you,so that they will not teach you to act in accordance with all the detestable practices which they have done [in worship and service] for their gods, and in this way cause you to sin against the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 20:17-18
Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened. The people that the Israelites spared caused Israel to sin and caused Israel to become wicked. The Israelites began to engage and follow their pagan practices, which involved burning their children as sacrifices, practicing divination, selling themselves to evildoing, worshipping idols, oppressing the poor and the weak and so much more, as the pagans did (2 Kings 17:17; Jeremiah 32:35).
It’s important that you understand that nothing God does is in vain. God also doesn’t take pleasure in the killings of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11); instead, God wants their salvation. However, it’s important that we remember that God knew the hearts of every single person that he ordered killed.
I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct.
Jeremiah 17:10
God created every single one of them and so He knew their thoughts, their past, their present, and their future. This means that when God said they were wicked, they were truly wicked.
God’s mercy in the midst of judgement
God was welcoming to any foreigner who was willing to join the children of Israel and turn to Him (Isaiah 56:6-8). He had grace for any foreigner that turned to Him and repented from their ways (Jeremiah 12:15-17). However, these people were so steeped in wickedness, and their hearts were stone, so the only route left was judgement. This means that unless they turned from their ways, they met the fate of death that God had commanded.
Furthermore, it is important to note that these calls for violence should not just be strictly seen as violence. In fact, in these commands, God was carrying out justice for the wicked acts these people had engaged in (Proverbs 11:21, Ecclesiastes 8:11). The justice in the Old Testament also foreshadows the day of judgment and hell prophesied for the future (2 Corinthians 5:10.)
Know that He is God
However, I think it’s also very important that we understand that He is God, so He can do and undo. But we can trust in the fact that God’s actions are pure and holy because His nature never changes. So it’s not for us to question God, instead, we must learn to trust His decisions.
Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’?
Isaiah 45:9
Acknowledging and understanding that God is God, and as a result is subject to no one, is vital to finding peace in your faith. Once you accept the sovereignty of God and the fact that He’s unquestionable, you will find solace in the fact that you can never fully understand God, but you can absolutely trust God.
There is much conversation on how Christians should relate to the ten commandments. Some believe that the ten commandments often referred to as the “moral law”, still bears spiritual weight today as these commandments are derived from the heart of God for all time. Others believe that the ten commandments are under the umbrella of the old covenant and therefore the Christian has no need to adhere to its demands. The debate rages on when discussing one commandment amongst the ten prescribed. Should Christians keep the Sabbath? Most Christians will agree that the New testaments speaks clearly on all other 9 commandments, but what does have to say about the Sabbath?
What Is The Sabbath?
The word “Sabbath” is the Hebrew word Sabbat which means “to stop or cease”. The first time we see this word mentioned is in Genesis when God rested after 6 days of work (Genesis 2:2-3). Then when God established a covenant with His people, Israel, He incorporates keeping the Sabbath within the 10 commandments. (Exodus 20:8-11). Interestingly, God connects this law to the Seventh Day in which He rested from His work (Exodus 20:11). This law declares that when the Israelites rest from their work they image their Creator who rested from His. Moreover, in resting the Israelites declare that God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things apart from their work. Observing the Sabbath was a non-negotiable and breaking the sabbath resulted in death (Exodus 31:14, 35:2, Numbers 15:32). Why such harsh consequences? Well, breaking the sabbath proclaims two lies: 1) God is not in control and 2) my provision comes from my work. Observing the Sabbath severs the temptation to believe these lies but also allows for delighting in God – the One who creates and saves (Deuteronomy 5:12-15).
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How Do I Sabbath?
Before the Sabbath was a command, it was promise. The Sabbath wasn’t given for mankind to attain but to observe the work of God. When observing the Sabbath, the Israelites were to remember the work of God in saving them from slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15). Christians observe the Sabbath by remembering what God has done for us in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-10). God invites us to enter the same rest He enjoyed on the seventh day, every day. Paul makes it clear in his writings that the setting aside a day to observe the Sabbath is a matter of personal conviction (Romans 14:5, Colossians 2:16-17). Whatever you decide, you should not use your conviction in such a way that violates the liberty of others when considering disputed issues (Romans 14:1, 13). Neither should you hold the notion that Sabbath is a burdensome chore that must be obeyed strictly or avoided vehemently. Jesus reminds us that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). When considering how you will observe the Sabbath, remember that the Sabbath isn’t a challenge for you to complete but a gift for you to enjoy. God wants us to rest from the spiritual and physical toils of life that we attempt to root our identities in. The seventh day is the only day that doesn’t end (Genesis 2:1-2). The implication here is that God’s rest hasn’t ended and is available for all those believe in His work. If you’re tired and weary, working harder won’t save you – enter God’s rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
Whether you decide to observe a particular day or time, know that to Sabbath is more than just taking time off your busy schedule. To Sabbath is to tell God, yourself, and others; that I’m not in control. To Sabbath allows us to enjoy God as the Creator, Sustainer and Saviour of all things. So, will you Sabbath?
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. -Colossians 3:16
Recently there has been a rise of Generation Z Christians who are full of zeal and hunger for the word of God and desire to learn and grow in their faith. However, it appears that the source of their biblical knowledge (in some, but not all cases) tends to be strictly from private devotion and Christian influencers on social media. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can receive fresh revelation from the Word of God and we are free to share it. Yet whilst doing this, it is still important as Christians that we gather to fellowship with others in the church and/or bible study for regular teaching, discipleship, and accountability. If we cut the church out of our faith journey, this generation of Christians is at risk of idolising influencers and their ministries whilst becoming blinded to the relevance of the church. The question is how did we get here, and can it be changed?
Why do influencers have so much influence?
When young and zealous Christians are seen sharing their spiritual walk and their revelations about the Gospel, whilst encouraging listeners- it is very easy to gravitate towards them. As Romans 10:15 says, it is great to share the good news of the Gospel, and influencers can use their platforms to draw Christians from far and wide.
Naturally, when people see crowds, they draw closer to see what is happening or in other words, the more followers/likes an influencer has, the more “legit” they may seem. Not only this, but these Christian influencers also appear relatable and approachable, which is a great appeal to Gen Z Christians. Yet, just like Wikipedia is a useful but not 100% accurate source of information so are influencers; they are great vessels to discuss the Word, but they cannot be the main well of wisdom. Not only this, in some more sinister cases the Gospel could be mishandled and used to mislead Christian followers; for example the use of the Word of God to spiritually abuse and manipulate Christians for control over their lives and/or finances. Although this too can occur within the church, it is important the Word of God is not used for personal gain (2 Corinthians 2:17).
Is the church still relevant?
The Church, the body and the bride of Christ, is not just the physical building but the collection of Christians worldwide, individuals who have been called out for a specific mission on this earth for His glory. We gather in church to meet with our heavenly Father and worship Him together- a reflection of what we can anticipate in eternity. Yet over time, due to the sin deep within us, the church has become a place of control, manipulation, and abuse; where religion prevails as opposed to a personal relationship and Holy spirit transformation. Many Gen Z Christians struggle to find church leaders relatable or may not find the church experience representative of their 21st-century experiences and challenges. It is important that we acknowledge what they face and emphasise that Christ is still real and relevant, and the church is a place of refuge and solace. The church offers covering for your soul (Hebrews 13:17, Acts 20:28), guidance (1 Timothy 5:17-18), pastoral care (Acts 20:28), and correction when needed (Acts 18:26, Galatians 1:8-12)- vital things influencers are unable to provide.
Ultimately the zeal Gen Z Christians have must be combined with the knowledge and accountability that comes from being planted in a local church; corporate fellowship adds a layer of wisdom that cannot be achieved alone.
Can this divide be united?
So, what is the answer, unfollow all influencers? Certainly not, Christian influencers have a place in the faith journey of Christians, but they alone cannot be the pastors of Gen Z Christians. The church has and will always be relevant but as time progresses the delivery of messages may need to adapt:
Create spaces for young people to speak/discuss openly and freely in groups with elders to offer wisdom
Promote opportunities for mentorship/discipleship
Organise retreats for spiritual encounters with their age mates
Whilst the Word of God is absolute and cannot be diluted, it can certainly be delivered in a more dynamic way to be accessible to all, so we do not lose some Christians through the net because they felt isolated.
In conclusion, whilst we may live in a time of social media and influencers, the Bible remains our source of truth and knowledge. As a church, let us learn to deliver God’s word in a creative and radical way without losing the essence of the truth. Let us become everything to everyone for the sake of the Gospel (1 Cor 9:22).
Life is full of questions. Some of which are easier to answer than others. Even when we get the answers to the questions that we have, sometimes they do nothing to satisfy the curiosity within our souls. These questions produce doubt in our lives because they demonstrate what each person intuitively knows – we are not in control.
When these questions come, what do we do? Or perhaps a better question is, where do we go? When doubts consume our minds, it can be hard to make sense of the world and all that is in it. Doubt is a part of life, but it doesn’t have to be the driving force within our lives. This means that we can live with our doubts but be governed by someone who is greater than them. Doubt can either lead us to sinful worry or joyful hope. Where do your doubts lead you to? My hope is that with my next few words you will realise that doubt doesn’t have to rule your life. That when the waves of doubt seek to consume your life, you have a Creator who tells these waves “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39).
Perhaps you’re struggling with doubt right now or you have just finished a battle with doubt. Whichever stage of life you are at, you want to be armed with truth to combat the lies those doubts may be whispering in your ears. So here are 5 things to consider when you doubt.
1. God does not condemn you
The Psalms are full of God’s people asking why? Why are you taking so long to answer my prayer (Psalm 130), why are my enemies triumphing over me (Psalm 25), why are the wicked prospering? (Psalm 73). God isn’t angry when you come to Him with your doubts. He understands that we are limited, after all, we are dust (Psalm 103:14). God doesn’t want you to be consumed by your doubts or to complain to others about how great your doubts are. Instead, God wants you to run to Him with your doubts because He cares about you (1 Peter 5:7).
2. The just live by faith
When you have doubts, it is understandable that you look for a solution that will quell them all. However, the Bible never promises that all our questions will be answered. The Bible does promise that the more we know Him, the more our faith will rise to trust God when we don’t receive the answers we desire (Hebrews 12:2). True faith doesn’t say I need to have all the answers to trust you. True faith says, I don’t have all the answers I want but I know enough about you to trust you in and with my doubts.
3) Where are my doubts from?
This is the hardest point to consider. When you’re battling doubts, it can be difficult to think clearly as to why you are doubting. Therefore, being part of a local church is critical. Where the waves of doubts are hitting you on every side, your family of believers are there to help stabilise the boat (1 Thessalonians 5:14). As the adage goes, a burden shared is a burden halved. It can be frightening to share your doubts, and perhaps you have had bad experiences. So, for those who are entrusted with people’s doubt, handle them with care. Doubters need mercy, not think pieces. When doubts arise, people need God’s words not our own.
4) The devil is a liar
We can often use this phrase casually and so the truthfulness of this statement can be lost. But if you’re doubting today remember this – the devil is a liar. The devil seeks to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). He wishes to use your doubts against you to influence you to believe lies about God and yourself. The antidote for lies is the truth. The more you fill yourself with the truth of God’s word the easier you will be able to discern lies (John 8:31-32). That is why it’s vital to engage with God’s word daily. Not to primarily have your questions answered, but to see God rightly. When you see God rightly, you will see that your doubts aren’t strong enough to move the One who has you in the palm of His hand.
5) God will keep you
This is the most important to remember. Your doubts although they may be great, are not greater than your Saviour. Nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ (Romans 8:35). You are not saved by your ability to suppress your doubts neither will you be abandoned if your doubts overwhelm you. Jesus saved you and Jesus will keep you. When nothing else makes sense, remember that Jesus died and saved you from your sins, so that you may be one with Him (Colossians 2:6-15). When your doubts threaten to consume you, remember the empty tomb that declares all of God’s enemies have been defeated, including your doubts. When Satan seeks to use your doubts against you remember “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,” (Jude 24).
If you are struggling with doubt, you are not alone. I have my doubts too. But our doubts won’t win, Jesus already has.
Trusting God when things are going your way is one of the easiest things to do. It’s easy to trust God when everything is working out and falling in line with the vision and plans that you have. However, trusting God even when things don’t make sense is one of the hardest things to do. When it comes to matters of faith, The Bible calls us to be like infants, to trust God like babies trust their parents even when things don’t make sense to them.
Why should we trust God?
He is sovereign: We should trust God because He has the power to do and undo. Our God is sovereign and most powerful. He made the world and everything within it. There’s no higher power than God and no god or person can compete with His power. This means God has the ability to do anything, including the power to change your situation and make a way for you when there seems to be no way. He’s too powerful to fail.
He loves us: God loves us so much that He gave Himself. He loves us so much that He died for us. How much more do you think He would give us if He’s already made the ultimate sacrifice for us? We should trust God because we know He cares. In the midst of our struggles and our dark times, when things aren’t even making sense, know that God loves you. This means with God’s sovereignty and His love for you, He is there with you.
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Jeremiah 31:3
They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I the Lord have spoken.
Jeremiah 1:19
He has already planned the best path for us. God is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He chose us, redeemed us and has kept us. He knew us before we were formed, which means that before we were fashioned in the womb, He already had a plan for us and His plans towards us are good. So if God has already planned everything and we know that He loves us and He is also all powerful, the wisest thing would be to trust God. Things may be hard, they may be painful and look dreadful, but in the midst of it all, the fact remains that God is sovereign, He loves us and He has a plan for us. It’s important to trust the God who had a plan for you even before you were born.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5
He’s not a man that He would lie. The Bible tells us that God wishes us health, prosperity, victory, progress, joy and all the good things that we could ever gain. Not trusting God means we’re calling Him a liar. It means we don’t believe what God has said to us and promised us. But that same word tells us that God doesn’t fail, so why wouldn’t we trust that? God has given us His word, and because God doesn’t lie, He is the only being that we can fully trust.
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Numbers 23:19
Trusting God even when things don’t make sense.
How can we trust God even when things don’t make sense?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you, because at the end of the day, it takes grace to trust. That’s one of the reasons that God gave us the Holy Spirit. He is our helper, so rest on the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help you trust in God.
Search the word of God for strength. The word of God is full of so many scriptures showing the faithfulness and infallibility of God. In the word you find strength and revelation. So when you’re struggling with trusting God because things don’t make sense, go back to the word. The word will show you many times that God showed up and did the miraculous even when it didn’t make sense.
Remind yourself of the times that God has pulled through. When you’re struggling with trusting God when things don’t make sense, think back on the times that God showed Himself in your life. Think back on the times that God has been good and kind to you. If you’re struggling with remembering, listen to the testimonies of others. There are testimonies on youtube, in blogs and even in church, listen to people talk about how God has been good to them. God’s power is limitless, if He did it before, He can do it again (Isaiah 37:26)
Have a heart of thanksgiving. Thank God for even the simplest of things. Thank Him for life, for His love, for grace and all the other things that you know for a fact you didn’t give yourself. Because at the end of the day nothing we have was made by us, every single thing that we have was given to us by God, including the breath that we breathe.
I know it’s not easy to trust God when things are hard. It’s not natural to see what’s before you and disregard the dangers and the possible natural end result. However, our God doesn’t work within the regulations and rules of this world. He is above this world and can do all things. He also loves us deeply, so He sees our tears and cares. It’s easy to trust a sovereign God who loves us, especially when He’s shown His love for us.
For do I now persuade men or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ – Galatians 1:10
Late last July, Simone Biles, 24, the most successful US gymnast of all time, said she had to focus on her mental health after pulling out of the women’s team Olympics final. The head of the US Olympic team and fellow athletes praised Biles’ decision to prioritise her mental wellbeing. It became clear in the days since she withdrew, that though Biles may have wanted to compete, she was physically incapable of doing so without potentially endangering herself. Naturally, this stirred up a lot of controversies, as Biles had to weigh up her “duty to her country” vs her duty to herself. For her to make this bold and courageous decision was not easy but necessary. In a way, you could liken her bold decision to the daily decisions and stances we take as Christians living in a secular world. When it is time to make a countercultural decision, who is your allegiance to when it is time to choose?
Who should our allegiance be to?
As Christians, we declare Jesus as our Lord and our Saviour. When we walk around, we carry His image and His essence, “…we are God’s handiwork created for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). The day we said yes to Jesus, we made the choice to follow Him and be associated with Him (Matthew 16:24-26). In other words, we are fully committed to the principles of God’s Word and commands, through our words and deeds. Whenever possible we share the Good News of the Gospel and carry out the great commission, that is our mission on this earth. To make known the truth to all men and to be used for the glory of God. Anything that promotes God’s character and values, that is what we love and associate with e.g. the wellbeing of the church, social justice, charity etc. It is so important for us to know who our allegiance is to because it acts as an anchor when life’s challenges come our way, our foundation must be God’s truth (Matthew 7:24-27).
When will our allegiance be challenged?
Even when we know who our allegiance is to, that doesn’t stop challenges coming our way. In school, workplaces and politics- our allegiance will be questioned. Similarly, we will be tested around lifestyle habits, our speech and sexuality. God has given us free will to make a conscious decision and choose, our choices show the world who we belong to “you will know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16). When the world looks to Christians, what do they see? The weight of the world can feel overwhelming and overpowering but we must remember that greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4), the Holy Spirit will empower us to do what is pleasing to God. During our faith walk, we may find that we must make difficult decisions when it comes to family, friends, and relationships and this will stretch us in ways that are uncomfortable, but the reward will be great. The same way Jesus lived a life set apart for His mission on earth, is the same way we have been called to be set apart and used to carry out God’s mission on earth.
Standing strong in our faith
So how can we stand strong in our faith and always pay allegiance to God? Be the light in the darkness? We need to depend unwaveringly on the Holy Spirit, this level of obedience and discipline cannot be done in our own strength. Not only this, we must not forget to gather with other believers to be encouraged and be held accountable; but most importantly to remember that we are not running our race alone. Finally, it is important to know your boundaries/stumbling blocks. Anything that can interfere with you showing full allegiance to God and His word, and this requires personal self-reflection.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God
1 Corinthians 10:3
In this life, our faith will be tested. Our foundations will be shaken but, in these moments, where we will be forced to make a choice, who will our allegiance be to? There may be times we stumble but we can always decide once again to choose Jesus. He is a choice that we will never regret.
We all know the church has been persecuted in this world, from the ancient prophets of Israel to the early churches after the death of Jesus Christ. To this very moment, churches have been opposed, and many followers of Christ live their lives in constant danger because of their faith. And at this moment, persecution has become more apparent as we continually hear about the stories in Afghanistan- where Christians are hunted and killed because of their faith, Illyria where pastors are thrown into prison, and many other countries that we don’t even know about.
As Christians, we must have them in our daily prayers and pray for them without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17). Pray for their safety and family; pray that they can provide for their family as many are treated differently because of their faith. Importantly, pray for their hearts that they won’t become bitter and harbour hate towards their persecutors. You might ask how can they not hate their persecutors? Their lives have been in turmoil because of them! And I agree, it is an unimaginably complex thing to do. But may we be reminded of the lesson in Jonah about who our God is.
God cares for all
“The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because its wickedness has come up before me. But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish”
Jonah 1:1-3
Jonah’s story is well known in children’s stories; the man who ran away from God and got swallowed by a fish. He was commanded to go to Nineveh and preach against it, yet he refused, then headed the opposite way from Nineveh. Why? What was his motivation to defy God? Well, it is shown in the later chapter, where he peached, and the people repented.
Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. ….. When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
But to Jonah, this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I know that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”
Jonah 3:4-6,10 & Jonah 4:1-2
Jonah looking over Ninevah. Source: Christian Media Inc.
Jonah initially refused to preach to the Ninevites because he hated them; they indulged in all kinds of wicked things, but that wasn’t the only reason. He refused to preach to them because God is gracious and compassionate, and will forgive them if they repented. Jonah couldn’t bear to see them forgiven and became angry when they were spared from God’s wrath. As Christians, we are tempted to behave like Jonah as well. We pray for our loved ones but never pray for our enemies or even consider sharing the Gospel with them. And as persecuted Christians, how much more are they tempted to behave like Jonah to their persecutors, wishing for their demise and destruction. But that’s not the will of the Lord as he told Jonah:
“… And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left – and also many animals?”
Jonah 4:11
God told Jonah that He is the Creator and Tenderer of every one of the people in Nineveh and rightfully cares for them and loves them. And as forgiven sinners, shall we not seek for the salvation of our enemies and rejoice when they are saved?
Pray for persecutors and the persecuted
In Afghanistan and many other countries, churches are being persecuted; mistreated, abused, and killed. How tempting it is to pray for the destruction of the persecutors; for God’s righteous judgment to shower on them. They are undeserving of salvation, yet we need to remind ourselves: we are undeserving of salvation too. It is only through grace and grace alone that any of us are forgiven in the sight of God. The persecutors too are in need of that saving grace. What a sight it would be to the world and to believers: to see the persecutors turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. What depths it would speak about the love of our Lord and what hope and peace it would bring to a war-torn world.
Let us strive in prayer for the persecuted Church that they may look forward to a hope set before them by Christ, to a city a dwelling place not made by human hands promised to them by God.We must pray for their hearts to be able to utter prayers for their persecutor. And for to love our enemies and pray like our Lord Jesus Christ: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
The bible begins with God working. The first attribute of God declared by scripture is God as Creator (Genesis 1:1). Adam, our federal head, is set to work shortly after being created (Genesis 2:15). In fact, when God created mankind, He established that we would rule the other creatures that were made (Genesis 1:25). The account of Genesis informs us that working is distinctly divine, and as humans work, we in some way mimic our Creator. But like everything, sin distorts what God designed to be beautiful. When work should be enjoyable and fruitful, it is can often be laborious and disappointing. Through Jesus, what sin seeks to destroy God will redeem (Romans 8:19-25). In this fallen world, we can often find ourselves in work environments that are unappealing. It can be hard to muster the attitude and work ethic we ought to have to work in a God glorifying way. So, if you’re in a job you don’t like, what should you do?
Help, I Hate My Job
I’m sure most of us that will read this article have been in a job that they hated. The dread of waking up for your shift, interacting with your colleagues, dealing with your boss; the thought of the working day can be an unending source of frustration. In this life, money is required to live and as such this may lead to working in roles that are unpleasant. No matter how unpleasant these roles are God still expects us to work in such a way that glorifies Him.
Paul when exhorting the church in Colossae said this to slaves “Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord” (Colossians 3:22). Now while the work dynamic of today is not the same as 1st Century Rome, we can still be encouraged by the message Paul presents. God establishes all authority (Romans 13:1). God is also sovereign over all circumstances, including where you and I go to work (Proverbs 16:33). Like slaves, it is possible for us to be in work conditions that are less than favourable. Paul reminds us that ultimately our boss at work is not our ultimate Boss. God reigns supreme over managers, colleagues, and work situations. We don’t work diligently and faithfully because our work conditions are favourable; but because we “fear” the Lord (Colossians 3:22). Paul prescribes reverence for God as the anti-dote to being apathetic towards our jobs. Does the fear of God drive you to be faithful at your job?
The Lord Will Repay
Sin distorts everything. Sin can take what God calls good and influence us to think or behold that good thing in a way that dishonours God. One way in which sin does this is, is by how we think about reward. In an attempt to disavow the heresy that is the “prosperity gospel”, we can downplay the very clear promises of God rewarding faithfulness. Paul continues his exhortation in Colossians this way “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). Do you see what Paul does here? Paul roots the impetus for our faithfulness in receiving a reward from Christ. Paul is saying to us “remember who you ultimately work for. You may not get what you deserve here on earth, but God doesn’t miss a beat. He will repay you”.
I know how frustrating it can be to work in a job you don’t like. I know hard it can be to stay motivated when you work so hard, but you’re always overlooked. I know what it’s like to have colleagues that aren’t pleasant. It’s tough. But not only do I know; God knows. He cares for you. He sees your tears, pain and frustration and He says, “keep going”. You may not be in the job that you like right now, but remember you ultimately have a good Boss who has an everlasting and imperishable inheritance with your name on it.
