Beliefs

We all have things we believe to be true. Social media is filled with people stating their particular belief system - often opposing another's beliefs. So who is right? Is anybody?

What we believe to be true comes from deep within us. That's why we get so defensive when someone opposes our beliefs.

Some people think burning the American flag is wrong. Some believe it is a freedom of speech to burn it. Who is right?

The wearing of masks is another hot button issue these days. Some say we should wear them all the time while others say we should not wear them at all. Who's right?

We form our individual belief systems as we grow up. It's kind of like grocery shopping. We start out with an empty shopping cart and we walking down the aisle of ideas and start filling it up with things we believe in.

In this age of Covid-19, contact tracing is a big thing. Trying to go back in time to trace where someone may have caught the virus, and looking sideways to see who you may have given it to.

If we take each of our beliefs and contact trace them back to their origin, where do our beliefs come from?

In the case of wearing masks perhaps it is the CDC or the government that is at the root of our beliefs. We trust them. On the other side of the coin perhaps it is an individual freedom issue or a belief that most masks don't keep you from catching the virus. It's what we believe.

Where does our belief in God come from?  The Bible says we are drawn to Him. It also says we are called by God. Some people say we have no choice in the matter of our faith. That's called predestination. Others say we must choose to follow God, a free will stance.

We humans sure like to complicate things.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6

Jesus has said that HE is the truth. Is that even possible? He also says that we must believe in Him or face certain death. And if we believe in Jesus we will receive eternal life. Is that the truth or a bribe?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

The contact tracing of our faith takes us back to the Bible. That is where God speaks to us. It says in the Bible that God cannot lie. Lying is a sin (9th Commandment). God cannot sin. Therefore, everything God says is true. "The truth" is an amazing place to start a belief system.

We had a discussion this week about baptism - infant baptism vs believer's baptism. Which is right? The answer is neither. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is what matters. How can I say that? How do I know that is true?

"I (John the Baptist) baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one (Jesus) who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." - Matthew 3:11

We MUST base our belief system in the truth. Otherwise we will be living a lie. We must be sure we are standing in the truth. Then we must stand firm. Jesus IS "The Truth" and the Truth (Jesus) will set us free. You can believe THAT!

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming." - Ephesians 4:14

Little Lies - Fleetwood Mac