Marian Shek—Leicester, UK

Recently, we have seen some impressive examples of advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology.[1] Through neural networks trained on vast amounts of data, machines can produce art, music, and writing[2] with human-like sophistication, but minimal human input. AI image generators are rapidly improving at conjuring photorealistic images of people and scenarios that have never existed. As our understanding of the world is increasingly mediated through screens, we may begin to feel that we cannot trust our own eyes to tell what is real and what is fake. We may wonder: Can we believe what we see?

In our faith, we Christians have a firm standard in which we can believe and trust: God’s word as recorded in the Scriptures. We can view our lives through this unchanging lens, as God and His word are unchanging (Heb 13:8; Mt 5:18; 24:35).

To avoid being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and trickery of men, we must “come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph 4:13–14). As members of the body of Christ, how secure are we in our beliefs and doctrines? Do we have doubts and gaps in our understanding? The apostle Paul writes:

            Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. (2 Cor 13:5)

Here, Paul challenged the Corinthian members to test themselves to see if they are still in the faith. This self-examination is important because if we are no longer in the faith, Christ is no longer in us. Paul continues to encourage the members to do no evil and be honorable (2 Cor 13:7–9). If the members are truly in the faith, then this would be revealed in their behavior. True faith is manifested in a Christ-like life—we are remade in His image of true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:20–24).

Issue 94, Our Beliefs, is the second of our Time to Reflect trilogy, examining our spiritual life on a deeper level. The articles in this issue look closely at some of our doctrines—the Sabbath and the three sacraments—which set us apart from other Christian  denominations. How does practicing these doctrines transform us on a spiritual level, and what effect should they have on our mindset and actions throughout our lives? How do our beliefs influence how we see the world and how we move through it?

Even though Paul had never met Jesus in the flesh, he was able to manifest the image of Christ. Through faith, Paul understood the deep significance of receiving baptism, and could feel the deep love and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus:

            I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20)

Being alive in Christ and dead to sin, Paul could live a victorious life. Similarly, partaking of the Holy Communion has a profound life-giving effect on the recipient—we have the life of Christ in us and will be resurrected to everlasting life (1 Cor 11:23–26; Jn 6:51–56). Do we believe these things? If we do then we would, like Paul, live a renewed life in Christ and allow the knowledge of our future judgment guide our every thought and action.

In our special feature, Emerging from the Pandemic, we reflect on how three years of collective trauma and intermittent isolation under COVID-19 have impacted our faith, worship, and worldview. How should our belief in the one true church, the sanctity of the Sabbath, and God’s role as sole Sovereign and Judge guide us out of this period, to renewed hope and victory through faith? 

As we consider how our beliefs should guide our lives, let us examine ourselves. Have we fallen short of the grace and glory of God (Rom 3:23; Heb 12:15)? If so, let us refocus our eyes on God’s word, which makes us wise for salvation, and build our faith upon this firm foundation. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help us understand and keep the doctrine we have learned from the beginning, by which we have been saved (2 Tim 1:13–14; 3:14–16).