LACK OF FAITH - PART 4

THURSDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2023

To a large extent, many people unwittingly experience themselves and the world around them through the results gained from lack of faith. Zero wonder the Bible said, "But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?" (Luke 18:8 NLT). In this day and age, some Christians come together, not really to demonstrate faith in God but to exercise trust in doing things their own way and leaning on their own understanding.

Its just like Jesus' disciples who did things with one accord, yet their harmonious union was on the wrong basis, which denotes doubt and unbelief. So their inner reality, full of anxiety, uncovered their "lack of faith" and made them conscious of being incredulous in their outer reality, which is suggestive of having zero ability to function with a strong faith, thereby treating the testimony of Jesus' resurrection with scepticism.

Reference: Mark 16:14 New International Version (NIV) "Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen."

Lack of faith among the Eleven disciples can be likened to Hebrews 4:2 (ESV) which says, "Those people (Israelites) in the wilderness heard God's good news, just as we have heard it, but the message they heard didn't do them any good since it wasn't combined with faith." Did you understand this passage of the Scripture? The Word of God, or the message about Christ, must be integrated or associated with faith in order to be beneficial to the hearers.

Although the author of the book of Hebrews was expressing how to be pertinaciously receptive or responsive to the good news, which is by mixing it with faith, when you apply the same Scripture to the context of the versified story pertaining the disciples of Jesus, it means that they did not continue to mix the words from the Lord Jesus with faith. Since they were not sharing the Word amongst themselves oftentimes, it did not do them a bit of good because they were not acting in faith.

So here, in Hebrews 4:2, the author of the book of Hebrews was encouraging the systematic analysis of mixing the Word with faith on regular basis, as well as sharing it with those who listen and act on the message by obeying it (Paraphrased). I personally think that if the eleven disciples had blended closely, or interwoven with those with the right belief system, lack of faith would never be a problem among them.

So we must practically learn to foster a genuine, godly relationship with the right saints, who are not just growing strong in the Lord, but also, have mastered how to stand firm, resolute and unshakeable, in times of adversity, because confidently, they know what they are doing with the Word. Such saints have a discernible positive impact on our faith walk, which serves as an impetus or a driving force that can move our minds and intelligence into a high gear in the realm of faith.

I can't help but wonder why most of us are markedly hampered by lack of faith, and some feel hopelessly bogged down by it. If you are trapped in such process, building up your faith is the way out. Compellingly, Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see" (NLT). As a vital self-knowledge, we must have a profoundly deep understanding of the reality we're expecting to see at some future time - in the "now." That's real faith, and beloved, faith is the only victory, we know, that overcomes the world. To that effect, 1 John 5:4 says, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith" (ESV).

Therefore, to exercise steady dominion over doubt and unbelief, continue to build your faith strong, by feeding on the Word and cogitating on it with ardent alacrity. More so, make it your final authority by acting on it on regular basis, regardless of circumstances. Then, keep building yourselves up in your most holy faith by praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 20:6; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:26.

Exuberant Declaration: Through hearing and feeding on the Word, I acquire a growing ability to function with a strong faith while fulfilling my glorious destiny in Christ. Hence, I live by faith in Christ, and I make the right and godly choices, with respect to the options that life presents, because I persist in the daily practice of the Word. Praise God!