The Turbulence of Doubters

body of water wave
Photo by Matthew Barra on Pexels.com

He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

James 1:6.

Many people today are dubious about the Bible and the Christian faith. They question everything. If one analyses their criticisms carefully, it becomes clear that there are two kinds of doubters.

First there are those who doubt intentionally. If their conscience is affected, doubt is the best means of silencing it. So they choose reading matter that confirms their doubts. Such people only want to debate matters, which does not remove any doubts. The only thing that can transform doubt into certainty is well-founded facts. And once we consider eternal matters, we human beings are dependent on the information that God has given.

The other class of doubters consists of those who suffer from uncertainty. They seek the peace that firm assurance gives, yet fail to find the way to obtain it. But there is a way, and it is accessible for all! The Lord Jesus Christ clarified it almost two thousand years ago in these words: “If anyone wills to do his (i.e. God’s) will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God, or whether I speak on my own authority” (John 7:17). The condition necessary for personal assurance on questions of faith is one’s readiness to do the will of God. This begins with prayer and reading the Bible, where we find what God’s will is.

The first thing that God wishes to show us is our inability to please Him. As sinners we urgently need the Redeemer Jesus Christ. Do we accept Him, or should we rather remain with our doubts?