One night, I had this get-real conversation with some people I deeply respect: Is there anything in the Bible that you find difficult to believe? It reminded me of the story of the father who begged Jesus to heal his son:
“But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can?’” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
(Mark 9:22–24)
Honestly, I’m not sure I would trust someone who claimed they could fully grasp everything revealed in Scripture. God’s wisdom and power are far beyond human understanding. To prove my point, here are five passages I find hard to believe.
Hard to Believe Passages #1 and #2
“God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:40)
After recounting the incredible lives of the heroes of faith, the writer of Hebrews drops two astonishing truths:
- God has planned something better for us.
As if the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob weren’t inspiring enough, there’s apparently something even better planned for us. - Only together with us would they be made perfect.
Are you kidding me? The faith journeys of these monumental figures in biblical history are somehow incomplete without us? No wonder there’s a “great cloud of witnesses” watching—they’re counting on us!
Like the man in Mark’s gospel, I believe, but help me in my unbelief.
Passage #3
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 3:10)
First of all, who are the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms”? Are they angels? Celestial beings hanging out at some heavenly coffee shop (à la Job 1)?
That’s strange enough, but here’s the kicker: God chooses to display His multifaceted wisdom through the church.
Let’s be honest: I love my local church, but it’s hard to imagine it showcasing the fullness of God’s wisdom. Yet, somehow, God intends to use imperfect people like us to display His greatness.
