You Can Have TRUE FAITH

You Need the Bible

To build real faith in the Creator, however, you need something else that he has provided.  What is that?  The Bible-God's inspired Word, in which he reveals his will and purpose.  (2 Timothy "But wait,"  some will say, "how can you possibly believe anything the Bible says when you see the terrible things done by people who claim to follow the Bible?"  Granted, Christendom has a shocking record of hypocrisy, brutality and immorality.  But any reasonable person can see that Christendom only pretends to follow Bible principles. -Matthew 15:8.

The Bible itself warned that many people would profess to worship God yet would, in fact, "disown even the owner that bought them."  "On account of these," said the apostle Peter, "the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively."  (2 Peter 2:1, 2) Jesus Christ said that these ones were "workers of lawlessness" who would be clearly identified by their evil actions.  (Matthew 7:15-23)  To reject God's Word on the  basis of Christendom's record is like throwing away a letter from a trusted friend simply because the person who  happened to deliver it is disreputable.

Without God's Word it is impossible to build real faith.  It is only through the pages of the Bible that Jehovah presents his side of things, so to speak.  He sheds light on such perennial questions as why he has permitted suffering  and pain and what he will do about the situation.  (Psalm 119:105; Romans 15:4)  Sarah Jayne came to believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.  ( 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:19-20)  How?  Not simply because her parents told her so, but because she took the time to evaluate honestly all the evidence that shows the Bible to be a unique revelation from God.  (Romans 12:2)  She observed , for example, the Bible's powerful influence in the lives of those who adhere to its principles.  With the help of such publications as The Bible-God's Word or Man's? Internal evidence that proves divine inspiration.

Next time: "Faith Follows the Thing Heard"

Watchtower,  2001