Dealing with Doubt
I am at times troubled with the suggestions of skepticism. There are in the Bible many things which I cannot explain, or even understand, and Satan employs these to shake my faith in the Scriptures as a revelation from God. They ask, "How shall I know the right way? If the Bible is indeed the word of God, how can I be freed from these doubts and perplexities?"
God never asks me to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base my faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony that appeals to my reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. My faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. If I wish to doubt I will find ample opportunity; Yet if I really desire to know the truth I will find plenty of evidence on which to rest my faith.
It is impossible for my finite mind fully to
comprehend the character or the works of the Infinite One. To
even the keenest intellect, the most highly educated mind, that
holy Being must ever remain clothed in mystery. "Can you
fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the
Almighty? They are higher than the heavens -- what can you do?
They are deeper than the depths of the grave -- What can you
know?"
The apostle Paul exclaims, "Oh, the
depth of the riches of the wisdome and knowledge of God! How
unsearchagle his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing
out!" But though "Clouds and thick
darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the
foundation of his throne." I can only so far
comprehend His dealings with me, and the motives by which He is
actuated, that I may discern boundless love and mercy united to
infinite power. I can understand as much of His purposes as it is
for my own good to know; and beyond this I must still trust the
hand that is omnipotent, the heart that is full of love.
The word of God, like the character of its divine Author, presents mysteries that can never be fully comprehended by this finite being. The entrance of sin into the world, the incarnation of Christ, regeneration, the resurrection, and many other subjects presented in the Bible, are mysteries too deep for the human mind to explain, or even fully to comprehend. But I have no reason to doubt God's word because I cannot understand the mysteries of His providence. In the natural world I am constantly surrounded with mysteries that I cannot fathom. The very humblest forms of life present a problem that the wisest of philosophers is powerless to explain. Everywhere are wonders beyond my ken. Should I then be surprised to find that in the spiritual world also there are mysteries that I cannot fathom? The difficulty lies solely in the weakness and narrowness of my human mind. God has given me in the Scriptures sufficient evidence of their divine character, and I am not to doubt His word because I cannot understand all the mysteries of His providence.
The apostle Peter says that there are in
Scripture "things that are hard to understand, which
ignorant and unsable people distort, ... to their own
destruction." The difficulties of Scripture have been
urged by skeptics as an argument against the Bible; but so far
from this, they constitute a strong evidence of its divine
inspiration. If it contained no account of God but that which I
could easily comprehend; if His greatness and majesty could be
grasped by finite minds, then the Bible would not bear the
unmistakable credentials of divine authority. The very grandeur
and mystery of the themes presented should inspire faith in it as
the word of God.
The Bible unfolds truth with a simplicity and a perfect adaptation to the needs and longings of my human heart. Truth that has astonished and charmed the most highly cultivated minds, while it enables the humblest and uncultured to discern the way of salvation. And yet these simply stated truths lay hold upon subjects so elevated, so far-reaching, so infinitely beyond the power of human comprehension, that I can accept them only because God has declared them. Thus the plan of redemption is laid open to me, so that I may see the steps I am to take in repentance toward God and faith toward my Lord Jesus Christ, in order to be saved in God's appointed way. Yet beneath these truths, so easily understood, lie mysteries that are the hiding of His glory -- mysteries that overpower the mind in its research, yet inspire the sincere seeker for truth with reverence and faith. The more I search the Bible, the deeper is my conviction that it is the word of the living God, and human reason bows before the majesty of divine revelation.
To acknowledge that I cannot fully comprehend the great truths of the Bible is only to admit that my finite mind is inadequate to grasp the infinite; that I, with my limited, human knowledge, cannot understand the purposes of Omniscience.
Because they cannot fathom all its mysteries,
the skeptic and the infidel reject God's word. And even I, who
professes to believe the Bible am not free from danger on this
point. The apostle says, "See to it, brothers, that none
of you has a sinful, unbelieveing heart that turns away from the
living God." It is right to study closely the
teachings of the Bible and to search into "even the deep
things of God" so far as they are revealed in Scripture.
While "the secret things belong to the LORD our God, but
the things revealed belong to us." But it is Satan's work to pervert the
investigative powers of my mind. A certain pride is mingled with
the consideration of Bible truth, so that I feel impatient and
defeated if I cannot explain every portion of Scripture to my
satisfaction. It is too humiliating to acknowledge that I do not
understand the inspired words. I am at times unwilling to wait
patiently until God shall see fit to reveal the truth to me. I
may feel that my unaided human wisdom is sufficient to enable me
to comprehend the Scripture, and failing to do this, I might
virtually deny its authority. It is true that many theories and
doctrines popularly supposed to be derived from the Bible have no
foundation in its teaching, and indeed are contrary to the whole
tenor of inspiration. These things have been a cause of doubt and
perplexity to many minds. They are not, however, chargeable to
God's word, but to my own perversion of it.
If it were possible for me to attain to a full
understanding of God and His works, then, having reached this
point, there would be no further discovery of truth, no growth in
knowledge, no further development of mind or heart. God would no
longer be supreme; and I, having reached the limit of knowledge
and attainment, would cease to advance. Thank God that it is not
so. God is infinite; in Him are "all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge." And to all eternity I may be ever
searching, ever learning, and yet never exhaust the treasures of
His wisdom, His goodness, and His power.
God intends that even in this life the truths
of His word shall be ever unfolding. There is only one way in
which this knowledge can be obtained. I can attain to an
understanding of God's word only through the illumination of that
Spirit by which the word was given. "No one knows the
thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." for "The
Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." And the Saviour's promise to me is, "When
He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth
... by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you."
God desires me to exercise my reasoning powers; and the study of the Bible will strengthen and elevate my mind as no other study can. Yet I am to beware of deifying reason, which is subject to the weakness and infirmity of humanity. If I would not have the Scriptures clouded to my understanding, so that the plainest truths shall not be comprehended, I must have the simplicity and faith of a little child, ready to learn, and beseeching the aid of the Holy Spirit. A sense of the power and wisdom of God, and of my inability to comprehend His greatness, should inspire me with humility, and I should open His word, as I would enter His presence, with holy awe. When I come to the Bible, reason must acknowledge an authority superior to itself, and heart and intellect must bow to the great I AM.
There are many things apparently difficult or obscure, which God will make plain and simple me if I thus seek an understanding of them. But without the guidance of the Holy Spirit I shall be continually liable to wrest the Scriptures or to misinterpret them. There is much reading of the Bible that is without profit and in many cases a positive injury. When the word of God is opened without reverence and without prayer; when my thoughts and affections are not fixed upon God, or in harmony with His will, my mind is clouded with doubts; and in the very study of the Bible, skepticism strengthens. The enemy takes control of the thoughts, and he suggests interpretations that are not correct. Whenever I am not in word and deed seeking to be in harmony with God, then, however learned I may be, I am liable to err in my understanding of Scripture, and it is not safe to trust such explanations. If I look to the Scriptures to find discrepancies, I have not spiritual insight. With distorted vision I will see many causes for doubt and unbelief in things that are really plain and simple.
Disguise it as I may, the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God's word are not welcome to my proud, sin-loving heart. If I am unwilling to obey its requirements, I am also ready to doubt its authority. In order to arrive at truth, I must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it. When I come in this spirit to the study of the Bible, I will find abundant evidence that it is God's word, and I may gain an understanding of its truths that will make me wise unto salvation.
Christ has said, "If any one chooses
to do God's will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from
God or whether I speak on My own." Instead of questioning
and caviling concerning that which I do not understand, I should
give heed to the light that already shines upon me, and I will
receive greater light. By the grace of Christ, I can perform
every duty that has been made plain to my understanding, and I
will be further enabled to understand and perform those of which
I am now in doubt.
There is an evidence that is open to all,--the
most highly educated, and the most illiterate,--the evidence of
experience. God invites me to prove for myself the reality of His
word, the truth of His promises. He bids me "taste and
see that the Lord is good." Instead of depending upon the word of
another, I am to taste for myself. He declares, "Ask,
and you will receive." His promises will be fulfilled. They have
never failed; they never can fail. And as I draw near to Jesus,
and rejoice in the fullness of His love, my doubt and darkness
will disappear in the light of His presence.
The apostle Paul says that God "has
rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the
kingdom of the Son." And everyone who has passed from death
unto life "has certified that God is truthful." I can testify, "I needed help, and I
found it in Jesus. Every want was supplied, the hunger of my soul
was satisfied; and now the Bible is to me the revelation of Jesus
Christ. Do you ask why I believe in Jesus? Because He is to me a
divine Saviour. Why do I believe the Bible? Because I have found
it to be the voice of God to my soul." I may have the
witness in myself that the Bible is true, that Christ is the Son
of God. I know that I am not following cunningly devised fables.
Peter exhorts me to "grow in the grace
and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." When I grow in grace, I will be
constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. I will
discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been
true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will
continue to the end. "The path of the righteous is like
the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full
light of day."
By faith I may look to the hereafter and grasp
the pledge of God for a growth of intellect, the human faculties
uniting with the divine, and every power of me soul being brought
into direct contact with the Source of light. I may rejoice that
all which has perplexed me in the providences of God will then be
made plain. The things hard to be understood will then find an
explanation. Where my finite mind discovered only confusion and
broken purposes, I shall see the most perfect and beautiful
harmony. "Now we see but a poor reflection; then we
shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know
fully, even as I am fully known."