Yesterday I took the bus with a few other ETAs into Cheonan. While we were riding, we had lots of time to talk, and I got into several conversations about God, or beliefs on other things like dating and how to treat elders and family. And they were drilling me.
These are not the sort of people who will just take what you believe at face value. They will drill you. They will ask you questions, and want to know why you believe what you believe. Which is a good thing, but can also be scary at the same time.
Being drilled with questions means that you have to know why you believe certain things. You cannot just ride on the coattails of your parents. You have to make your faith your own. You have to study and pray and dig deeper to find a foundation for your faith, not just a platform for your parroting of beliefs.
Building a foundation is hard. It's much easier to just say you believe what your parents taught you to believe. But having a foundation is essential; not only for you, but for the people you come into contact with, as well. If you meet someone who is searching, who asks questions and drills you about what you believe, do you think that saying "just because" will be enough for their inquiring minds? Don't risk the possibility of someone choosing not to believe in God simply because you could not tell them why you do.
These are not the sort of people who will just take what you believe at face value. They will drill you. They will ask you questions, and want to know why you believe what you believe. Which is a good thing, but can also be scary at the same time.
Being drilled with questions means that you have to know why you believe certain things. You cannot just ride on the coattails of your parents. You have to make your faith your own. You have to study and pray and dig deeper to find a foundation for your faith, not just a platform for your parroting of beliefs.
Building a foundation is hard. It's much easier to just say you believe what your parents taught you to believe. But having a foundation is essential; not only for you, but for the people you come into contact with, as well. If you meet someone who is searching, who asks questions and drills you about what you believe, do you think that saying "just because" will be enough for their inquiring minds? Don't risk the possibility of someone choosing not to believe in God simply because you could not tell them why you do.
Proverbs 3:1-18
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
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