Answering the Sceptics: Part 1 — Morning Devotions

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Let’s look today and tomorrow at the business of answering the sceptics. You know there are people, lots of people today who think that Christianity or religion generally is not for them, it’s for old women, people who’ve got nothing better to think about.

There are objections to the Christian faith, and maybe you’re wondering if Christianity is really true. But what I’d like to do this morning is look at 5 objections and then another 5 tomorrow, so it might be helpful for you to join me tomorrow.

How do we respond to questions and statements like this?

You Christians, you are hypocrites.

Well, let’s say that there will always be some hypocrites in the church. But do you know that Jesus doesn’t ask us to follow others? He asks us to follow Him. Christians can represent Jesus either poorly or well. Now the real question isn’t whether there are hypocrites in the church, but whether Jesus is a hypocrite.

And the Bible says that Jesus was perfect and without sin. For example, in the Bible 1 Peter 2:22, it says this, he committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth. That’s just one verse. He was true. So I think that’s more the point – not whether there are hypocrites in the church, but look at Jesus, and Jesus was not a hypocrite.

What about the atrocities that Christians have committed.

That’s another old one that keeps popping up. Some blame Christianity for the religious wars, the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Holocaust. But the people responsible for these evils were Christian in name only.

And historically, Christianity has had far more positive influences than negative. It’s been instrumental in the formation, for example, of many hospitals and schools and orphanages and charities, so I think that’s a better way to answer it.

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Someone else might say to you, it’s narrow-minded to think Jesus is the only way to God. Who says that Jesus is the only way?

Well, in fact, we’re not saying that Jesus is claiming that he was the only way to God. For example, I’m looking now at John 14:6. And these were the words of Jesus, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Now it’s quite a strong claim there. Now either that is totally true or totally false, and some people ignore the claims of Jesus to be the only saviour.

But if we accept his teaching on other matters, then we must accept his claims on this particular one that he is the way to salvation.

So it’s not narrow-minded at all. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Being a good person, here’s another one, being a good person is all that really matters.

Have you heard that one? And some people argue that even if a person doesn’t believe in God, what really matters is being a good person.

But do you know that sincerity doesn’t determine truth? You can be sincere, but you can also be sincerely wrong.

You can be sincerely convinced of the truth and still be wrong, and God judges people based on truth, not on their opinions.

And neither is God pleased with empty religion. So what I’m saying is that truth can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Here’s a fifth one and think about this one. Here’s an objection we’re trying to answer the sceptics.

What about those who’ve never heard about Jesus?

Now the Bible suggests that those who do not know Christ will be judged based on the knowledge that has been given to them. For example, in Romans chapter 2, verse 14 and 16, we read this. For when Gentiles who do not have the law by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience, also bearing witness, and between themselves. Their thoughts accusing or else excusing them in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Well, there are 5 quick answers. We’ll have some more tomorrow.

Well, Father God, we often fail to find words to express our love for you. Thank you for your love and your encouragement as we worship You. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Answering the Sceptics: Part 2 — Morning Devotions

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