What do you believe, and perhaps just as important, why do you believe it?  If you ask me those questions, I can tell you what I believe and why, but those beliefs are subject to change a bit, as I gain understanding of certain biblical passages.

It is true that no theological doctrine is to be built on a single verse of Scripture, but at the same time, no single verse is to be ignored.  I have discovered that I can learn from almost everybody, and that no one group has a complete corner on the truth.  With that said, I also realize that I must have something as my ultimate authority for forming my belief systems, and I am quite convinced that the Bible is unlike any other religious book, and I have long since settled in my mind that it is the word of God; therefore, I will ultimately form my belief systems on the teachings of the Bible.

Again, I say that none of the Bible is to be ignored, but some doctrines are more essential than others.  For instance, one’s beliefs concerning the end-time prophecies are not nearly as essential as his beliefs about how to have peace with God.

There is a constant temptation to put all of our doctrines in neat little boxes that are comfortable to us and never consider that those boxes are not sufficient to contain true biblical doctrine.  The Jewish people were looking for a Messiah, when Jesus walked among them, but they weren’t looking for one like Him.  They had formulated in their own minds how the Messiah would be, and they were closed to even consider that they might not have it right.  Years ago, I heard someone say that it is a good idea to read the Bible like it is the first time you have ever seen it.  I am thankful for the theological training I have had the privilege to receive, and I have benefited greatly from it, but sometimes I just enjoy taking a fresh new look at God’s word.  It’s amazing what you can see, when you stop looking for the things you’ve grown so accustomed to look for.

So, what do you believe, and why do you really believe it?

The unsaved world has always been going in a different direction from Christianity.  Before it was called Christianity, it was called, “The Way,” because it was clearly a different way of living and a different way of looking at life.  It was that difference that brought persecution on Christians, many of whom were put to death for their commitment to “The Way.”

It seems that there was a time, however, when even unsaved people had a “moral compass” within them, and there was that certain “honor among thieves.”  Today, however, that moral compass seems to be lost, and just as the Bible foretold, people call bad, “good,” and good, “bad.”

The church has a tremendous opportunity in these days of spiritual darkness.  The greater the darkness, the greater the impact of even the smallest light.  This is our time to seek God’s power upon our lives through prayer, then to rise up and boldly proclaim, “Thus saith the Lord.”  Most of the Christ-rejecting world will despise the message of God, and His gospel, but there will be some whose hearts will be opened to believe.

As believers in Christ, we are in “The Way,” and we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.