Have you ever gone through a faith transition that created a difference between you and the people you normally share fellowship with? Did you see it as a step of spiritual growth and maturity? Did they see it differently, perhaps even an expression of heresy or apostasy? Can you see this developmental stage in my own life? If you really are more mature then you should not be the one to break relationships, but there is a time to move on. Did you feel alone as if you were the only one out of step? Don’t worry.

The burden of proof lies with the one making the assertion. This is a generally accepted rule of logic. It is improper to make an assertion and challenge others to prove you wrong. And it follows that positions with weak support should be held lightly. Do you find that atheists are as adamant that there is no God as believers are that there is? Yet they are putting forth a negative assertion which another accepted rule of logic says is impossible to prove, so do they bear the burden of holding this position lightly? What about you? You put forth positive assertions about me.

Have you been baptized? Do you see this as an essential significant milestone in the practice of your faith? How many ways have you been baptized? For John said that he baptized with water, but one would come after who baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. He was referring to me. Did you see your water baptism as a transformative event? It can have this effect if you apprehend it correctly and are fully invested in it. This is not something to be done casually. What about baptism in fire?

Have you noticed that being a Christian is less popular than it used to be? Has a favorable impression of Christians several decades ago turned neutral and even become negative by the general population in recent years? Can you face this issue and ask yourself if Christians have done anything to contribute to a declining image? Is it easier to be a Christian when it is a popular thing to do? Yet throughout the span of history and geography there have been times of persecution of believers, and you may be called on to pay a price for your allegiance to a Kingdom not of this world.