Questions to ponder

God created man with a mind to think. Sometimes the mind has to be stimulated to do this work, not by drugs or alcohol, but by questions. Questions make people think. Besides that, great lessons are taught and grasped by asking questions. Every time a question is asked in the Bible, by either God or some inspired man, a great lesson is taught.

“WHERE ART THOU?” (Genesis 3:9)

This was God’s first question to man. It was a serious and very important question because Adam and Eve had sinned and were trying to hide from God. It is a serious and important question today, for mankind is trying to hide sin. Yet we need to proclaim as Hagar did: “Thou God seest me” (Gen. 16:13). We wold be better off to remember this at all times for there is an “all seeing eye” watching us (Hebrews 4:1). Another verse says it like this, “...and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23. Jesus said it like this in Matthew 10:26: “...for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known”.

“IF A MAN DIE, SHALL HE LIVE AGAIN?” (Job 14:14)

Job was interested in this question for he was in misery and it seemed that death was at his door. This question has lost none of its interest today. We need to be thankful that God has given a clear answer. “Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28,29). “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Our life here will determine our life beyond.

“WHAT IS A MAN PROFITED...?” (Matthew 16:26)

Christ asked this question. Let’s read the whole verse: “For what is a man profited, if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” This verse contains two questions in one and I know of no answer for it. It is an unanswerable and unanswered question. Our souls are just that valuable and yet most folks are selling their souls at a rock bottom price.

“WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?” (Matthew 19:25)

This question was asked by Jesus’ disciples after Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler. The young man had kept the commandments but Jesus told him of the one thing he lacked. However, because of his great love for riches, the young man refused to comply with what Jesus had requested and left sorrowful. Because the desire for material things is so strong Jesus made the remark concerning how hard it would be for those who trust in riches to enter Heaven (vs. 23,24). It was then that His disciples asked this question. Many answers have been given to this question depending upon the person doing the answering. The atheist will tell you that this question doesn’t have any merit, thus there is no need to ask it. Religious sectarians have numerous answers: those who do nothing except wait on the Lord, those who have faith only, those who pray their sins away, or those who say, “Lord save me”. Yet all these answers are without merit because nowhere in the New Testament after Jesus’ death can you find an example where anyone was saved by doing any of the aforementioned things! The Bible answers in no uncertain terms: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16).

“WHAT SHALL THE END BE...?” (1 Peter 4:17)

“For the time is come that judgment must being at the house of God; and if it first begins with us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?” The “end” will certainly not be salvation for Paul states in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power:” It is sad to say that teaching abounds everywhere on radio, television, and from pulpits that deny this and teaches otherwise.

“...WHY TARRIEST THOU?” (Acts 22:16)

It was Ananias, the preacher, who asked this question to a man who was praying. The man, Saul, was also a strong believer in Jesus Christ and was very penitent. Ananias goes on to tell Saul: “...Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord.” Notice: Ananias did not tell Saul to keep on praying until he “prayed through” as many preachers today would have told him. How many preachers today are telling people to be baptized to wash their sins away? Most that I hear are telling people that baptism has nothing to do with getting rid of sins. You’ve probably heard them yourself. In fact, you might be attending a church where that very doctrine is taught. But you know what? Saul did just as Ananias told him. Will you? Why tarriest thou?