Religious Doubt

Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”    —Luke 1:18

What would you do, how would you act if you knew this was going to be the last Christmas you would celebrate on earth? I recently conducted a memorial service for a lady whose favorite song was the Tim McGraw country hit, “Live Like You were Dying.” For you non-country music fans who might not know the song, it describes a man in his early forties who is diagnosed with a terminal disease. The song details the way he chooses to live his remaining days on earth: become a better husband and friend, turn to the Bible and offer forgiveness, and complete his bucket list by mountain climbing, sky diving, and bull riding.

No one knows for sure when the last Christmas will be nor what it will look like. I and many Christians believe the Lord Jesus may return to earth at any time. The second coming would define the last Christmas for everyone on earth once and for all. If the Lord does not return in our lifetime, our last Christmas would be the December before our death.

Each year, we celebrate the first Christmas when Jesus Christ, God’s Son, became a human baby and dwelt among us. The Biblical narratives describe how people responded to the original Christmas. Zacharias, a Jewish priest, and his wife, Elizabeth, were very old and had no children. While he was ministering in the Temple, an angel appeared to him telling him that his prayers had been heard; they were going to have a son, John the Baptist, who would prepare the world for the earthly ministry of Jesus.

Zacharias was a religious man who prayed, served in the temple, and obeyed all of God’s commandments. One would expect such a religious person to possess strong faith, but upon hearing the great news, Zacharias appears to have doubted. He asked, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years” (Luke 1:1). I do not believe in blind faith, but there is always an element of uncertainty in each opportunity to trust God. Our only certainty is that God is good and will always be with us. We can trust Him with our future.

Many people struggle with doubt. Sometimes they act holier and perform religious deeds in hopes of being accepted by God. Religious persons should doubt as they attempt to please and appease God by their good deeds. According to Isaiah 64:6, all our righteous acts and human efforts to reach heaven are like filthy rags to God. We cannot find peace with God through religious acts alone. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus paid the price for our sins and reconciled us to God. As we believe on His Name and receive God’s love, we are made right with and righteous before God as a gift.

You and I cannot know for certain if this is will be our last Christmas on earth, but if it was, how would you live? Would you believe boldly or doubt? One thing is sure; God loves you. Jesus gave His life to rescue you from sin and death. He promises to come again and receive us unto Himself. Trust in the Lord and do not doubt. Live your remaining days until the last Christmas in gratitude and love to God.