How many people have you ever known to make this statement? Christians encounter people who make the claim that there is nothing wrong with their belief all the time. There is no way to know why this attitude is so prevalent, but nevertheless it remains with us. Perhaps it is borne from prejudice or ignorance. I suspect that it is a little bit of both. Many feel that they are “just fine in the church they go to now” and they do not want to change, even if they are in a false religion. They do not want to know the truth because they have become prejudiced. Truth loses its meaning to those who will not accept it. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for not obeying the truth when they had the knowledge.
Ignorance also plays a major role in the overconfidence of the Bible. People make rash and incorrect decisions and assertions because they simply do not know any better. Anyone who knows anything about their Bible will realize that “one church is not as good as another” or we are not “saved by faith only.” Peter encouraged us to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). This absolutely cannot be fulfilled unless you “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
One of the hardest aspects of talking with people about the gospel is that everyone has an opinion which they will express even though it is probably not backed by one single scripture. Just think, we would not treat a doctor like that, would we? We would not go into a doctor’s office and explain how our treatment should proceed! The only people who are qualified to do that are those who have studied and have a knowledge of how to treat illnesses. Dealing with the Bible must be the same way. Don’t ever assume that you are “all right” just because you have rationalized it or heard it on television. Being approved takes a careful, thoughtful study!
Kyle Campbell
