Scams and scandals surround us these days. In such a time, the need for truth is more pressing than ever. And since we live in an age when everyone is searching for their own truth, it’s as good a time as any to look at the veracity of our faith.

How can we be certain that Jesus is indeed the way, the truth and the life? Here are three things we can look at to test whether our faith is real.

1. Look at the historical evidence

While our faith is based on our personal relationship with God, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t also historical facts that serve as evidence for Christ’s claims.

For instance, consider that a core part of Christianity relies on whether Christ was even a real person. If Jesus was purely a figment of someone’s imagination or a fictional character, our faith would have no concrete foundation.

“I have taken it for granted that Jesus of Nazareth existed. Some writers feel a need to justify this assumption at length against people who try from time to time to deny it. It would be easier, frankly, to believe that Tiberius Caesar, Jesus’ contemporary, was a figment of the imagination than to believe that there never was such a person as Jesus.” (N. T. Wright, Jesus and the Victory of God)

This may surprise you: while Jesus’ family roots and His claim to be the Son of God are debated, historians actually do not disagree that Jesus Christ was a real historical figure.

While there are no direct archaeological findings related to Jesus, experts believe that doesn’t disprove the existence of Jesus.

“The lack of evidence does not mean a person at the time didn’t exist. It means that she or he, like 99.99% of the rest of the world at the time, made no impact on the archaeological record,” says Bart D. Ehrman, a religious studies professor at the University of North Carolina.

That said, historical records and actual archaeological findings have confirmed that crucifixion was indeed a way of punishment in Roman culture.

Such records are seen as corroborating elements of the New Testament account of Jesus, which adds to the credibility of what the Bible says about Him.

2. Look at the logic

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Beyond looking at the historical facts, our faith should also be able to stand up to logical scrutiny. Christianity must offer coherent and compelling answers to the questions and problems that the world presents. 

The intricate design of our universe, the complexity of human beings, the vastness of nature – all these show that our world could not have happened by chance and must have been designed by a transcendent Creator.

The Gospel provides a coherent worldview by which one can live life to the fullest, and we must know how — for ourselves as well as to persuade others.

Believers are not called to live under a rock; we have to be good stewards of our intellect and make the effort to make sense of the world through a lens of faith.

“As an atheist, my argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

Furthermore, the existence of objective moral values and duties point towards a moral lawgiver beyond the natural world.

If we were truly on our own, it is unlikely we would have the inherent ability to judge between what is right and what is wrong. This points to the existence of a higher being with a higher standing and order to us (Isaiah 55:8-9).

3. Look back on personal experience

Ultimately, our faith is not just a religion but a personal relationship with God. Simply knowing that Christianity is historically relevant and logically sound is not sufficient.

As believers, we don’t just talk about Christianity at arm’s length. We each have a personal relationship with the living God, and that means we each have our personal encounters with God and our testimonies to share.

One of the most unique traits of Christianity is that we have a God who isn’t far away. Instead, He came to us and gave His life for us. Our stories and journeys testify that our God is personal, relevant and close to His people.

He relates to us as a Father, a Friend, an Encourager, a Comforter… all these characteristics of God can be seen through the unique ways that we relate to Him. That is why it is important for us to share our stories.

There is no question that’s more important in life than this one: Do I believe in Jesus and choose to follow Him as my Lord and Saviour?

You have to get it right because everything is at stake. You may think that the journey is complicated and that you would first need to clarify all your doubts… but you can actually start with a simple, small step of faith to embark on a journey of knowing Him.

Would you heed the invitation today to taste and see that the Lord is good?