Questioning God and the teachings of the Bible is a natural part of the human experience. The complexities woven throughout Scripture are profound, layered with historical, cultural, and spiritual nuances that challenge even the most devoted believers. This process of inquiry is not a sign of weak faith but rather a reflection of our desire to understand the divine more deeply. The Bible presents narratives filled with paradoxes, moral dilemmas, and spiritual truths that stretch the boundaries of human comprehension. Stories of miracles, divine justice, grace, and prophecy can leave us grappling with questions about God’s nature and His plan for humanity. This tension invites us to engage more fully with Scripture, wrestling with its meanings, and seeking wisdom through prayer, study, and community. For believers, faith acts as a bridge between what we understand and what remains mysterious. The Apostle Paul acknowledges this in 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face." This verse highlights that our current understanding is partial and incomplete. However, this does not diminish the value of seeking, questioning, and exploring our faith. Conversely, Scripture also teaches that a full understanding of divine truths is not accessible without faith. In 1 Corinthians 2:14, Paul writes, "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." This underscores that spiritual discernment is a gift granted through belief and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In conclusion, questioning God and the Bible is part of an authentic faith journey. It reflects a sincere pursuit of truth and a deeper relationship with God. While unbelievers may find the Scriptures perplexing or inaccessible, those who seek with faith often find that their questions lead to greater insight, spiritual growth, and a more profound connection with the divine.

Understanding Salvation is an important part of knowing who we are in Christ as well as understanding why we should stand up and fight against this world. For myself, it reminds me of who I am and what God has done for me. That makes me want to stand firm as a soldier of God and fight the good fight for Him. In my upcoming book I cover this topic and help the reader explore their understanding of salvation and create a deeper understanding of the enigmatic topic.

First off, thanks for having me here, secondly I am interested in seeing what information this pops up into my life, as I am currently on a mission for truth and understanding in a volatile world- I have never chosen a religious path, and only honestly accepted one of spirituality in the more recent times of my existence. I am open to things, but not set on any particular path, just doing as I see fit, and adjusting as need be. The path to today and here has not been typical, and frankly frowned upon by general society, which I claim no ties to in times such as this, that much being said, I pay attention when “random” meets current thoughts and happenings, I’m not sure why, but I am supposed to be a part of this. I tend to march to the beat of my own drum and follow paths I see as being set in front of me. I don’t have much to add in way of Christianity at this point in time, but I have found many things tie together that one wouldn’t normally connect, there is a base of lessons and teachings that transcend more than where they originate, and happen to have a lot of insight and interesting thoughts/experiences…. I’m just a man on a path finding purpose, and navigating this out of control world we reside in. Hope that works as a small intro, and I typically stay silent unless I know I can add to something, or NEED to do so, but I’ll be here reading for sure, the timing of it all is bizarre.

We are all walking the narrow path (I Hope) that leads to heaven. But the simple truth is, it is very hard at times. We trip, stumble, and even fall. It is easy to get distracted and start getting off course. Satan is laying traps to distract us and lead us astray. But he can only set the trap, it is up to us to take the bait. WE HAVE THE POWER! So why do we fail? There are several reasons really. And each one of us is different. But I think doubt is one of the big fail points. Satan gets us to doubt ourselves. We begin to believe that we are not good enough or strong enough. We start believing that we can’t do it. Then we quickly convince ourselves that we can’t. So what do we do? We need to believe in ourselves and know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13). This includes defeating Satan the same way Jesus did when Satan tempted him in the wilderness, by quoting scripture, by speaking truth. This world and Satan want to tell you that you can’t do anything. But God wants you to know you can do anything. In Mark 11:23-25 we read; “[23] Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. [24] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. [25] And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” And there it is, our biggest hurdle in life. Forgiveness, or the inability to forgive. We hold on to grudges and it ways us down and distracts us. It keeps us from focusing on God because we focus on the issue, on holding onto a grudge. But it is time to let go of the grudge, forgive others and yourself. Need to talk about things, let me know. I’d love to help.

Introduction: In an ever-changing world, the call to stand firm on one's principles is not just a matter of personal conviction but a divine mandate for those who seek to live according to God's Word. The Bible offers numerous examples and guidelines on how to remain steadfast in our beliefs, even amid adversity and shifting cultural norms. 1. The Foundation of Biblical Principles: At the core of standing firm is recognizing that our principles must be rooted in Scripture. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." Our values should not be based on fleeting trends but on the eternal truths found in God's Word. 2. Examples of Biblical Figures Who Stood Firm: Daniel: Faced with the king's decree to worship false gods, Daniel remained steadfast in his faith, choosing to pray to the One true God despite the threat of the lion's den (Daniel 6). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: These young men refused to bow to the golden image, boldly declaring, "We will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:18), even when faced with a fiery furnace. The Apostle Paul: Throughout his missionary journeys, Paul encountered persecution, imprisonment, and trials, yet he proclaimed, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). 3. How to Stand Firm Today: Know the Word: Regular study and meditation on Scripture fortify our hearts and minds (Psalm 119:11). Pray Continuously: Prayer strengthens our relationship with God, providing wisdom and courage (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Surround Yourself with Fellow Believers: Fellowship encourages and supports us in our walk of faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). Rely on the Holy Spirit: The Spirit guides us into all truth and empowers us to live righteously (John 14:26). 4. The Reward for Standing Firm: While standing firm may lead to earthly challenges, the Bible assures us of eternal rewards. James 1:12 promises, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."