How many times have we heard this question? Perhaps we have been the one asking the question! What is it that we are really saying by asking this question? What we must understand is, if God said it, that settles it whether we believe it or not! For the purpose of this article, five common religious questions will be addressed followed by what the Bible--the Word of God--says.

1. "I know what the Bible says about creation, but don't you think the theory of evolution has some merit?" What does the Bible the word of God say? "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). "Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You" (Jeremiah 32:17). That settles it!

2. I know the Bible says I must be baptized to be saved, but don't you think all you really have to do is believe or have faith only? What does the Bible the word of God say? "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned'" (Mark 16:15-16). "And the scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:23-24). That settles it!

3. I know the Bible says we are saved by grace through faith, but don't you think once we are saved we are always saved? What does the Bible the word of God say? "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:11-12)."And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:3-4). That settles it!

4. I know the Bible says we walk by faith not by sight, but don't you think all my good works count for something? What does the Bible the word of God say? "Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness" (Romans 4:4-5). "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). That settles it!

5. I know the Bible says we must be faithful until we die, but don't you think all good people will go to heaven no matter what? What does the Bible the word of God say? "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6). "Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:14-15). "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life" (Revelation 21:27). That settles it!

Our thoughts count for nothing when they are in conflict with God's Word! God tells us what is or is not acceptable to him. He also tells us his ways and his thoughts are not like ours. What does the Bible--the Word of God--say? "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts"(Isaiah 55:8-9). That settles it!

Everything that pertains to life and godliness is found in the Bible--the Word of God. Any and all thoughts, conceptions and/or beliefs regarding our lives and our eternal destiny must be carefully scrutinized in view of what Scripture teaches. The apostle Paul tells us how we got Scripture and why we have Scripture. What does the Bible--the word of God--say? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). That settles it!