How do you know?

When you strip everything else away, life really comes down to this question. Many ignore it; others run in circles around it; still others stand stock still and stare it straight in the eyes. Regardless, every one of us must answer that question for ourselves.

How do you know?

You can pretend it doesn't exist; you can shrug it off and pretend it doesn't matter. But the whispers will follow you. Those questions that drive you to sleepless nights and instill uneasiness within you will surely test you to the very core of your being. With those whispers comes the knowledge, "It does matter." It is the question that distinguishes between those who walk in authority and those who simply want an easy life. If you truly know, you stand on a solid rock. If not, you will be tossed and driven by every wave of the sea. "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

How do you know?

You can try to argue your way over it. After all, logic trumps everything else, right? Prove your opponent wrong in an intellectual debate and you will have triumphed over the question. Execute such a powerful blow that you stand in complete control.

But how do you know?

All the intellect in the world won't change your heart. My mind tells me it's not logical to step in front of the barrel of a gun; yet my heart refuses to allow me to stand by and watch another die. I can argue that standing up for what I believe is only going to get me in trouble; but deep within me I cannot keep silent while my Lord is mocked. You can argue with a lost soul and try to logic your way into convincing him to turn to Jesus, but until the Holy Spirit convicts their soul, repentance won't be sincere.

So how do you know?

Logic isn't the basis of my life. Faith is. Faith is the basis of every life, whether you are a Christian or an atheist, or anything in between. Whichever side you're on, you could try to logic your way into proving me wrong; that God does or does not exist, that creation is true or false, that Jesus was or was not the Messiah. But when it comes down to it, science can't truly answer that question. Sure, the evidence can (and does) point to one answer over another, but you still accept that answer by faith.

Logic points you to the answer, but faith gives you the certainty. Logic says that for every creation there must be a Creator; faith whispers of the unshakable Hope we have in Him. Science tells us that the earth is young, and that life only arises from life; faith shouts the love of the One who made the birds sing of His glory.

When the storm is raging within me, and the ugly beast is screaming "HOW DO YOU KNOW!?" intellect is not going to answer it. I know because I have seen the hand of God. I know because I have seen His power in those around me. I know because I've seen Him working in the midst of the most trying circumstances. I KNOW, because I have felt His transforming power within the very depths of my soul. No other name can ignite such a response from every living creature. No other name binds the devils with chains that won't let go; no other name brings healing power to all who call upon it; no other name can bring peace in the midst of uncertainty; for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to men by which they can be saved. I know my Jesus is the only way because only Truth can be so resilient as to keep burning even when the seas try to drown it out.

I know because of what He has done in my life. I overcome by the Blood of the Lamb, and the word of my testimony, and that I love not my life even unto death. But think about it; the word of my testimony. Our worst error would be to take up a logical argument against this question. If you succumb to arguing, you've already lost, for it is simply the more eloquent, well-put-together side that will win. You can argue with someone on what position they "should" take, but you can't argue with experience. You can't argue the fact that Jesus Christ delivered someone from drugs when nothing else did. You can't argue against the man whose family was self-destructing before the power of God rescued them. You can't argue the fact that faith in Jesus Christ takes away fear and gives confidence and joy.

So what then? Should we just forget about forming a logical, thought-out defense against the question? Absolutely not! Peter and Paul both remind us to be prepared at all times to give a defense. That intellectual processing not only prepares us to "poke holes" into the arguments of the enemy, but also solidifies what we already know in our souls to be true. It can create questions within the lost and, like a compass, point them in the right direction. It gives us confidence in the stance we take. We just need to remember that it's not the foundation of our lives; God-given faith in Jesus Christ is.

Love is not logical. I don't care what you say or think or how you might try to explain it to me; love is NOT logical. Why should a holy and just and perfect and all-powerful God choose to create us? Why would He send His Son to reconcile us to Himself even while we are still horrifyingly and wretchedly sinful? It doesn't make sense. Sure, the legalities of the sacrifice make sense, but WHY? What would motivate One to pour out His undying love in such a manner, toward such a people?

I don't have the answer to that question; but now I will pose this one: If our great Jehovah loves with an illogical love, why do we try to base our lives on logic instead? It is only when we place our confidence in His amazing, unfailing, yet absurd love and grace, that the rest of life—the rest of His wondrous ways—begin to make sense.