Elementary Series #3: Faith in God
Many people think that once we place our faith in Jesus Christ and become a Christian, then our faith journey is good. And we have done our part. But in the reality, I found that we really don't have faith in many of God's promises. Here are some of the examples...
ENGLISH - BASICS
YTM
10/19/20254 min read
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.
(Hebrews 6:1-3)
In the last section, we talked about the first nutrient on God's spiritual milk table, which is Repentance of dead works. The true meaning of repentance is not just feel sorry for what we did but a genuine mind set changes will result in action changes. Dead works has three layers of meanings. The original meaning refers to worshipers rely on Levitical rituals to acquire justification from God. The second layer is any work that is not based on faith in Jesus but rely on human efforts. The third layer means any sinful actions that lead to death physically or spiritually.
Today, we move onto the second nutrient on God's spiritual milk table: Faith towards God (KJV), or "faith in God" in NLT or NIV translations. For this section, I will not spend much time to explain the meaning of it but in stead, I will give examples in our daily life, how this basic principle can be easily missed.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
Since faith comes from hearing the word of God, then "faith in God" simply means we believe the word that God says and believe who God is - - who does not change His words. If we literally believe what God says in His words, our life will never be the same. Here are some of the examples:
(John 14:12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Do we really believe that we can do greater works than our Lord Jesus's ? If we do believe it, we should at least be able to raise the dead and bring many people into God's kingdom.
(Mark 16: 17-18) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Do we really believe these words? If so, how many of our family members can be raised from their sick beds and how many devils can we kick out from people's life?
(Matthew 6: 33-34) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Do we really believe in these words? If so, Christians should be the most worry-free people on this planet. Yet, how many people could not go to sleep at night because of worrying about next day's work or study assignments?
(Hebrews 13:4) Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Do we really believe in these words? If so, why we are not fear of God's judgment? Why a survey undertaken by the American Sociological Review between 2000 and 2008 covering 31 developing countries found that "94 percent of Jews... reported having premarital sex, compared to 79 percent of Christians, 65 percent of Buddhists, 43 percent of Muslims and 19 percent of Hindus."?
(Philippians 4:6-7) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Do we really believe in these words? If so, how come we almost worry about "every thing"? Or if we prayed but still have no peace in our heart that transcends all understandings?
(James 5:16) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Do we really believe in these words? If so, how many times will we practice at church and how many times you see people get healed during the prayer services? Or we actually trust the doctors more than our God? I am grateful for doctors but I am just asking, who will we trust more? The doctors or God for our healing?
Should I continue?
I think we have a belief crisis in the body of Christ. Dear Brothers and Sisters, please do not consider this as my accusations. The matter fact is, I am struggling with the same issues. I am still working in progress. On one hand, I read all the wonderful promises that the Father God had given to His Children in the Bible. On the other hand, I could not experience such blessings in my daily life. In the past, I just thought, well, I guess, I am not God's favorite one. But Romans 2:11 clearly stated: God does not show favoritism! When I start to put these words into practices, such as James 5:16, I start to experience more healings now than the past.
Many people may argue that I had quote these Bible promises out of context. Some other people may busy with explaining these Bible verses with their doctrines or theologies. I have no interests to argue with anyone. I would suggest, please just go read the Bible by yourself. And ask your heart, do I really believe what the Bible says here? I am sure God will witness your answer in your heart.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
I know you love God and want to please Him, then let us put our faith in God. Let's start from the small things in our daily life, let's worry less, let's fear less and trust Him little more day by day. For the Bible says the righteous shell live by faith. We are not the group of people who wondered in the dessert for forty years and dies in the wilderness in the end. We are His beloved ones and He had prepared us the promise land. Let's say like Caleb: we should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it .
Dear Lord Jesus, I believe! Please help with our unbelieve!