Articles
What if…
Over the years I have been amazed by what people want to believe based upon, what if? The problem with this is that it creates a foundation for doctrines based upon what one does not know, rather than what one does know. For example, people have come to my door asking, “What if Adam and Eve had not sinned?” my reply is always, “They did sin.” (Gen. 3:1-8). Yet, they want me to guess as to what would have happened if they didn’t. When I don’t play that game, they get frustrated and want me to make assumptions. It’s always right to stay with what we do know.
We might laugh at such reasoning, but truth be told, this is done by many religious people. I have had people say to me, “What if someone wants to become a Christian and there is no water?” I answer, “Where is there no water?” I mean how many people, who want to be baptized for the remission of sin (Acts 2:38), get in a car, ride a horse, or even walk, to a place that has no water? I have studied with many people who, upon wanting to become a Christian, required us to travel to where there was water.
There was a time when I was asked, “What if God decides to save everyone at the end of time?” I know I was being tempted to entertain such a lovely thought. However, the thing we need to keep in mind, I don’t have to say something I don’t have to guess at. The answer is, “Everyone won’t be saved at the end of time.” (Matt. 7:13-14). I take what the Lord says, rather than believing something that He didn’t say!
Finally, I have had people ask, “What if you are wrong?” This one was also really easy to answer from a Biblical standpoint. If I am wrong, then I am believing and teaching error and will lose my soul if I don’t change (Jn. 8:32; Lk. 13:3). But the Lord gave us His word that is understandable (Eph. 3:4). I can be tested by others and I can test myself (I Jn. 4:1; Jas. 1:25; II Cor. 13:5). Now, just because I could be wrong, doesn’t mean I am. We can have assurance that what we follow is correct (II Tim. 1:12). At the same time, we should always be studying to show ourselves approved.
