My question is how do you, or Christians, know that Christianity is the "right" religion? I've been looking at other religions and realize many have their own version of the Bible, i.e. the Koran or The Book of Mormon. Where is the proof that the Bible is the truth if many other books state that their word is the right source? I'm curious. Thank you.
Sincerely,
--Just Wondering
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Dear Just Wondering,
Welcome! You join the myriad of souls down through the ages who have wrestled with the same question. How can we know for certain what the truth is about our existence? Just the fact that there are “religions” attests to the knowledge imbedded in all human beings that there is a need to connect somehow with the unseen, higher reality that lies beyond time, space, matter or energy. The fact that you do not question the existence of God shows that you have either done your research already or you have come to trust your gut instinct. The science of mathematical probability has already proven beyond question the existence of a “designer” behind all observable life.
So, does it just depend on whether you happen to be born into a Muslim or Buddhist or Mormon or Voodoo or Atheist or Christian home that determines which religion, if any, you are taught and should follow? Do they truly all lead to the same place? That seems to be the fashionable way of thinking today because this doesn’t require any commitment or sacrifice from anyone. In essence, people would rather think it doesn’t matter so they can do whatever they want without consequence. You, however, are very courageous to continue seeking what is truth because in the end it might require not only an adjustment of your beliefs, but of your entire life.
I will attempt to explain in just a few sentences the “proof” that has persuaded me to believe the Bible and follow Jesus Christ, but realize that it only makes sense for YOU to ask God, Himself, to reveal to you what is true. This is called prayer. And just like any parent, God desires for His children to talk to Him, share with Him, laugh with Him, cry with Him, “connect” with Him, listen to Him, create with Him, love with Him. We were created to love and be loved….a relationship with our Creator. Yet, love requires passion, commitment and, at times, the greatest sacrifice. The love of God for us has been shown to us fully in Jesus.
You asked about books. The Q’ran (Koran), the Book of Mormon, the Torah, the Writings of Confucious or of the Buddha are all examples of books of doctrine written down by one single man. Now there are bits of truth in each, enough to keep people interested, but they are not even in the same league as the Holy Bible. The Bible was written by over 40 different people over a span of 1500 years, yet all relating the same theme and message, perfectly complimenting each other in their revealing of the character and purpose of God. There are scientific and historical references, as well as fulfilled prophecies that are mind-boggling in their accuracy.
The clincher for me, however, was pure logic. There is more secular verification of the existence of Jesus than there is of, say, Abraham Lincoln. Through prayer and study God revealed to me exactly who Jesus was and what He did on the cross. British intellectual, C. S. Lewis, put it this way. Either Jesus was a liar (because He claimed to be God)…or he was a lunatic (with the same reality-check as someone claiming to be a poached egg)…or he was Lord (God in human form, dying on the cross out of love for us). He cannot, as Buddhism or Islam would like to label him, be a “good” man or even a “good” teacher. He is either who He said He was or else He was an insane con-man. I choose to believe that what Jesus says is truth. Now I have conversations, two-way, every day with Him. In short, the Bible teaches me to not follow a religion, but to seek a relationship. Yet, I must identify myself as “Christian” to the world.
The facts point to the Bible and Jesus being trustworthy, worthy of putting your faith in. Faith is acting as if something were true, even if you cannot see it with your eyes yet. At some point in your questioning, you will have to choose to make a commitment of faith or not. Hebrews 11:6 states, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” If He were to reveal Himself to us in all his glory, we would be “forced” to believe. God wants us to “freely” come to Him. People, much smarter than I am, have written entire libraries on these subjects so I do not claim to be able to satisfy you with my little column. If I sense the sincerity of your question correctly, however, you do seek a way to have a loving relationship with the one true God rather than just choose a religion. Matthew 7:7 records Jesus’ words to YOU, my friend….”Seek and ye shall find!”
“Blessing on your journey, “Just Wondering!”
The Pastor’s Wife
P.S. Here is the address of a tiny site that might help you in your research….. www.bibletruths.org/salvation/wordgod.html
