Never afraid to say, “I Don’t Know.” (Faith Beyond Answers)
In today’s information age, we’re drowning in a sea of facts and opinions. The information overload can be bewildering, leaving us more confused than informed. The more we search for answers, the more questions arise, multiplying like weeds. This frustration plagues both seekers and sharers of knowledge, especially when faced with the ever-present fog of misinformation.
For Christians, this can be particularly daunting. The desire to share their faith or delve deeper into the Bible can feel crippled by the sheer volume of information. It’s as if you need a PhD in everything before even starting a conversation. But here’s the liberating truth:
Even Jesus’ disciples, who witnessed his miracles firsthand, wrestled with doubt. The Bible recounts their struggles to grasp his teachings and even the reality of his resurrection. If Jesus’ closest followers weren’t immune to confusion, then it’s perfectly normal for us to grapple with our own questions and uncertainties.
Faith is Trusting God
Sharing faith isn’t about being a know-it-all. The Bible reminds us that faith doesn’t require having all the answers. Remember Zechariah from Luke 1?
- An angel told Zechariah his wife, who was way too old, would have a son! Zechariah didn’t believe it at first. Totally normal!
- Even though he doubted, God was still in charge. Because of his doubt, he couldn’t talk for a while. Maybe this quiet time helped him listen better, not just with ears but with his heart too.
- Later, Zechariah’s doubt led him to stronger faith when he saw the fulfilment of the angel’s announcement.
The Bible shows us faith isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about trusting God, even when things are confusing.
Handling Tricky Questions
The Bible is like a compass for Christians, offering guidance and truth (Proverbs 30:5, 2 Timothy 3:16). It helps us understand the world around us through a spiritual lens. Don’t worry about having all the answers – trust that the Bible is a trustworthy source.
So how do we deal with tricky questions?
Jesus himself faced tricky questions designed to trap him. These “loaded questions” weren’t meant for genuine answers, but to make Jesus look bad.
Jesus often responded with questions of his own. Take his encounter with religious authorities who wanted to undermine him. If he said his authority came from Rome, people wouldn’t trust him. If he said it came from Jewish leaders, they’d expect him to obey them. Claiming divine authority could get him in trouble. Jesus, knowing their intentions, asked them a question they couldn’t answer: “Was John the Baptist’s baptism from heaven or from man?”
This story teaches us a valuable lesson. Sometimes, conversations can take unexpected turns. Recognizing when someone might be looking for a debate rather than genuine understanding can be helpful. While we should be ready to defend our faith and share the Gospel, there will be times when Jesus’ example of responding with kindness and wisdom is a great guide.
The Power of “I Don’t Know”
The world is a big place with many mysteries. Not knowing everything isn’t a bad thing – it’s a chance to be humble! Humility means admitting we have limits, even the smartest people don’t know everything.
Think of humility as fertile soil for learning. By saying “I don’t know,” we open ourselves up to learning more. We can approach others as curious learners, not know-it-alls. This openness helps everyone share and build knowledge together.
On the other hand, pretending to know everything makes us arrogant and stuck. It stops us from learning new things and understanding the world around us.
So, next time someone asks a question you can’t answer, it’s okay to say, “I don’t know.”
True wisdom whispers from the heart of humility. When we acknowledge the vastness of what we don’t know, faith deepens its roots, and understanding blossoms.
An Extra Morsel for Takeaway
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” – Thomas Aquinas
In simpler terms:
- People who already believe don’t necessarily need reasons to explain their faith.
- People who don’t believe might find any explanation unconvincing.
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