Why?

"Life would be so much easier if everyone would just agree with me."

Everybody has an opinion. So, what happens when someone's beliefs conflict with ours? When someone's world view conflicts with our own, how do we handle it?

There are three options. 1.) We can dismiss their opinion. "They're obviously wrong." 2.) We can argue and fight over it. "I'm right and you're wrong." 3.) Or we can try to understand their position and verify our own stance. "Why do you say that?"

Scripture gives examples of all three. Jesus, being God, was ALWAYS right. So there is an example for #2. But because we are humans, and often governed by emotions and/or life experiences, we seem to factor in our own personal desires in any solution.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?" - James 4:1

Our third option for resolving differences seems our best choice. Try to understand what shapes the opinions of others that makes those opinions different from ours.

Jesus did that. For someone who KNOWS everything and can read our minds, He sure asked a lot of questions. Why?

Jesus asked questions as a means to get people to realize they were wrong. His questions led them to what He ultimately was trying to teach them. The truth.

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good - except God alone." - Mark 10:18

"Why?" is a very powerful question. So, WHY don't we use it more often?

Voddie Baucham once said that "we Christians must know WHAT we believe, WHY we believe it, and then be able to effectively communicate to others". He's right.

Unfortunatly, most of us stop at 'knowing what we believe.' That's just our meaningless opinion. 'WHY we believe it' means everything.

"Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?"

YES!

"Why?"

Uhhhhh. Well.... let me get back to you on that, okay?

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." - 1 Peter 3:15

Do you remember this song from Sunday school?

"Jesus loves me, this I know."

WHY?

"For the Bible tells me so."

And there you have it.