Skip to main content

Believe

             Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:29)

            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)

 

            As I was falling asleep last night, one of the main thoughts I had was that I need to strengthen my faith. The first step is to choose something to have faith about. Some may respond, “Everything.” They’re right. Hebrews 11:6 makes that clear, but “everything” is too vague. Today’s main verse doesn’t say, “The work of God is this: to believe in God.” It’s true. but that’s not what it says.

            Part of my struggle with “everything” and “believing in God” is that they seem passive. Yes, you’re having faith, and it’s all good, but the faith has no force, power,…life to it. Ultimately, “everything” and “believe in God” are the goals, but how do you know if you’re doing it?

            It seems to me that God is blessing me greatly in doing what I’m doing. It might be because I’m doing what He wants me to do. It might be because while I’m not doing what He wants me to, I’m not doing things He doesn’t want me to do. It could also be my imagination. Is my faith in Him, in myself, or in my circumstances?

            I’m not suggesting that you should doubt your faith. Your faith is probably fine. But I don’t have much faith in my faith and don’t think I should. Having faith in my faith is not having faith in God. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...