Questioning Toward Truth

As a young person I was once told, “Don’t ask questions, just believe.” Paul would never have given that advice. In today’s passage he explores truth, in dialogue with an imaginary Jewish questioner, to bring out the nature of God’s activity on behalf of humanity. Chapters 1 and 2 showed that Jews and Gentiles equally deserve God’s wrath on their disobedience, so the question arises, what advantage is it then to be a Jew? Paul answers with a strong affirmation. Jews were privileged to be entrusted with the very words of God, but they failed in their responsibility to deliver that message to the world. In a lively interchange of question and answer, the hard questions are verbalized. Paul responds that God’s faithfulness is not invalidated by human failure. Humanity’s disobedience and faithlessness did not lead to God overlooking either sin or its punishment. God’s righteousness is displayed for undeserving sinners in his magnificent act of justice. There is no cause for any to continue in sin and trample over his faithfulness. The very thought is inconceivable.

Older believers can be guilty of ignoring the questions of newer believers, or even the questions lurking in their own minds. Jesus encouraged Thomas’ questioning (John 20:27). Honest questioning leads to stronger belief (Matt. 7:7).  The more we delve into God’s great faithfulness, the more we will understand the good news we share with the world. While God’s amazing faithfulness is newsworthy, it is not ours to force on unquestioning minds. Instead, we should be ready to speak up and answer those who question our hope (1 Pet. 3:15) and be willing to enter into courteous dialogue with them, that God’s glorious truth may emerge.

Think about a movie, book or news item you could discuss with a not-yet-believer to provoke conversation, and enable you to share the reason for the hope that is in you.