Is Your Faith Your Own?

Guest Post by Phil Robertson

The Unchanging Precision of Truth

The old adage “numbers never lie” is really true. Two plus two will always equal four. This fact remains the same no matter the situation, time, or the feelings of the person doing the math.

Once you learn the rules of math, you can calculate almost anything. For example, NASA scientists use the precision of numbers to track stars, planets, and comets. They can guide spacecraft through the icy tails of comets and predict when Halley’s comet will return in 2061.

While numbers never lie, mathematical answers are not always easy to find. That is why math teachers do more than just ask for the correct answer. They also require you to “show your work.”

Showing Your Spiritual Work

Jesus taught absolute truth. Just like the precision of math, He claimed to be the only path to salvation:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.” (John 14:6)

However, Jesus also demands that believers show their work.

Consider Pilate, the Roman governor responsible for executing Jesus. He asked Jesus a direct question:

“Then Pilate entered the Praetorium (the Roman governor’s headquarters) again, called Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?’” (John 18:33-34)

Pilate seemed to have the right answer, but Jesus challenged how he arrived at that conclusion. Jesus wanted Pilate to show his faith. It is as if Jesus was asking, “Are you calling Me king because you searched for the truth yourself, or are you just repeating what others have said?”

Is Your Faith Borrowed?

This is a vital question for all of us today. Do you believe in Jesus because of your own personal faith, or are you just borrowing the faith of your parents, preacher, or friends?

Jesus warns us about the cost of true discipleship:

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his own cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:37-38)

Where did you get your spiritual answers? Is your faith truly your own? Can you show your work?

Test Your Faith

Please answer the following questions using Bible verses. This exercise will help you look closely at your own faith. Remember that faith comes from hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17), which is our only guide to absolute truth (John 1:1).

Try to answer these questions from memory without opening your Bible:

1. Why do disciples worship God on Sunday?
2. Why does the Lord’s Supper consist of unleavened bread (bread made without yeast) and grape juice?
3. How do believers worship God collectively (together as a group)?
4. How is someone saved from sin?
5. How are disciples added to the Lord’s church?

Conclusion

It takes a lot of training to calculate the path of a comet, but it does not take a rocket scientist to find the path to heaven. Jesus promised:

“Seek, and you will find.” (Matthew 7:7)

Just remember that we must seek the truth on our own. We cannot rely on someone else’s journey. We must own our faith.

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Answers to the questions will follow soon… but for now… please do your own work! Thanks.

— Phil Robertson ([email protected])