A Strong Faith in a Skeptical World–Part 3
Perhaps there is a lack of obedience in the church because of the past focus on the intellect instead of a balanced perspective of faith being both knowledge and trust. People will never realize the full nature of strong faith unless individuals are able to see the hand of God at work. This is where the journey of faith comes into play. To increase in faith, one must walk in faith. A beginning knowledge and trust will start the journey, but for the journey to continue a person must be able to look back into the past to ascertain the presences of the Lord. This ability to see the power of God in action will increase a person’s faith in the Lord. The apostle Paul seemed to practice this point in regards to Onesimus who was a slave that met Paul during his imprisonment and was converted. Paul speculates, “For perhaps he was for this reason parted from you for a while, that you should have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Phile. 15-16). Paul sees more than coincidence or chance in Onesimus’ conversion, he believes the hand of the Lord was involved. As a person is able to look back on those moments where providence was perhaps at work, then the Christian is emboldened to continue the journey of faith with the Lord because of this confidence that God is walking with him.
Related posts:
- A Strong Faith in a Skeptical World
- A Strong Faith in a Skeptical World–Part Two
- Lament Back to Faith
- One Big Point From Thesis
- The Four Emotional Reactions to Church–Church is Pointless
About The Author
Does this make sense?
Another question, when bad things happens, how does this effect this view?
Faith eventually turns to violence for retribution, and to tumble into the colorful, transient world of the circus. Sincere Faith
Learning to walk in/by faith is what Jesus is trying to teach the 12 disciples when he sends them out to do ministry (Mark 6.6-13). In the context of Mark’s Gospel, the disciples have seen Jesus at work in powerful ways (Ch 1-3) and they have even been taught that how the seed of the gospel being planted in them will turn out when they live by faith rather than fear (Ch 4). Yet fear, rather than faith, still captivates them (4.35-41). In response, there is the story of Jairus and the bleeding woman who illustrate the kind of faith necessary to be blossom as a faithful disciple (5.21-43). This is the sort of faith (obedience) that can be observed by risky action (something both Jairus and the bleeding woman took). Now that his disciples have once again witnessed the sort of faith Jesus is calling them to, he sends them out to do ministry (in ch 6).
I used to think this being sent out was to learn how to do ministry. Now days, I think Jesus really was not to concerned with the sucess of their ministry efforts (as Jesus even hints that the disciples will not alway find sucess). I actually believe Jesus was creating an opportunity for them to learn how to live by faith. Thus the sending out was a “faith lab” for the disciples, which explains the unusual requirements of taking no food or money and traveling without any pre-arranged plans.
The question for us, who are called to make disciples, how do we orchastrate “faith labs” for those learning the way of discipleship so that they will develop the sort of faith that pleases God?
Matthew,
I’m really enjoying your “Faith” series here. Keep up the good work. Miss you and the family. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Mitchell and great question Rex.
Matthew, I don’t know what your discertation topic will be in your D.Min program but if it has anything to do with the subject of faith, then such a question might be helpful to explore. I know that this question needs a serious practical answer (which I don’t have) for the sake of the churches we serve. It just seems that our lecture/class-room style of learning is not producing the faith we hope it would produce. And as much as I champion small-groups, these alone do not seem to be sufficient either.
One thing I do try is taking members with me on various visitation/ministry appointments. Not only do I enjoy the company of their Christian presence but I think it also teaches them that such ministry (whether it is to a member of the congregation or not) is doable even by them.
Grace and peace,
Rex
I am reading “Why men hate church” by David Murrow. He does an acrostic to show why men and young adults hate church so much. He said “Bored” stands for
B-Busyness-Get involved in one of the boring church ministries that are designed to maintain the church. Show up every time the doors are opened unless you are providentially hindered
O-Obligation- Fear, guilt, Coercion, and vindictiveness are the main motivators for church involvement, and giving
R-Rituals-The same religious acts in the same way no matter what.
E-Education-Formal Bible class teaching, Master and Doctorate Degrees in Bible, the more Bible knowledge the better. The more you can spout off religious dogma the better.
D-Duty – Do whatever has to be done for the church regardless of the toll it takes on your family or personal life. You must give a lot of money not really to God but the church. It is your duty to give 10%+ anything less will be unacceptable. In fact go ahead and write a purpose card indicating how much you will give for the year so the elders can go ahead and spend it.
These are the values of the modern church. They are like oil and water for young adults and men but are highly attractive to middle aged women and old folks, which make up the vast majority of church attendees. Almost any Sunday women will out number men in almost any religious gathering. Middle aged women and old folks will largely outnumber the young adults 18-35.
Oh yes and the simple definition of faith is not more church work or involvement or any of those antiquated things. The simple evidence of faith God’s work in someone’s life if transformation. Just think there are thousands of people who are up to their necks in church work, give large amounts of money but have never really started a transformation process. They are still racists, greedy, gossipers, and all those nice sins. There thousands who have been baptized yet there is no story of personal transformation. The power of the Gospel is lost when church members can subscribe to all the various doctrinal positions and follow all the religious acts and get “involved” in the church but have no personal story of transformation.