Pangs of Doubt

Have you ever suffered pangs of uncertainty regarding your faith?

For some, uncertainties can grow into agonies of doubt, wrestling with the believers earnest desire to be sure of their faith.

How does one become certain about their convictions? Can one?

Of course, 'agony of doubt' is not unique to believers. Uncertainty is also found amongst unbelievers, especially those that hold truth as criteria for their particular world view(s).

Can we know the truth with certainty?

Jesus certainly believed we could. He clearly said in John 8:32 that, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” However, to understand the key to such certainty, one must read his words just prior to these:

“If you abide in my word, you are my disciples in deed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

This is a profound truth, that unshakable conviction can only come about as one proves the truth of ones convictions by living according to them.

As a Christian, my faith grows in its certainty as I trust ―in obedience― what God has said.

E.P.Dickie once wrote, 'God's revelation is a unity: every obedience brings clearer insight into His will.' Likewise every disobedience just muddies the water. In other words, to know if there is a God, live as if there were. To remain unsure, live as if there weren't.

Desiring certainty concerning ones convictions while failing to live according to those convictions, is to remain shackled to doubt concerning them (both for believers and unbelievers). Put another way, to claim faith in Christ exclusive of the lifestyles and choices required of such, will ultimately only lead to doubt riddled faith.

Bottom line, Jesus was who he said he was, or he wasn't. According to him, certainty requires not just reasoning  it out in our heads (philosophising), but also exercising some trust, putting his words to the test by obeying them. For reasoning can only take one so far towards certainty, the rest takes faithful obedience. For though God speaks to reason, he does so to say that which is above reason; and reason must be ready to be called upward.

And God is always true to His word, if you choose to trust Him. Unless you know someone better to trust.

Oh, taste and see that the lord is good, Oh the joys of those that take refuge in Him. 

Psalm 34:8