FAITH IS NOT ENOUGH ...
In Hebrews Chapter 11 we read: To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.
But what does that really mean? What is it like to have
faith, and not only to believe in a living God, Creator of all and everything,
but also to be certain in that belief? Without any proof, or evidence
whatsoever.
It’s as if to have faith is to believe when your common sense tells you not to.
Often Jesus said to people He has healed: Your faith has healed you. Your faith has saved you.
He taught that if we had faith as small as a mustard seed we could perform miracles.
It’s as if to have faith is to believe when your common sense tells you not to.
Often Jesus said to people He has healed: Your faith has healed you. Your faith has saved you.
He taught that if we had faith as small as a mustard seed we could perform miracles.
We read in Mark 9:24 that when a father asked Jesus to heal his son, he said: I believe, Lord; help my unbelief. Jesus took pity on him and realised that the man had some faith, perhaps not enough, but at least he had some; so Jesus healed the man’s son.
This leads us to ask: Is faith enough?
We may have faith, to varying degrees, depending on who we are. But is this enough?
After all, even the devil has faith. He believes in God all-right. He even tried to tempt Jesus often enough. This proves that he has faith, and believes in God. Perhaps more than we do.
So, if faith is not enough; what is missing in our relationship with God?
Trust.
Let us consider trust for a moment. A little child does not question whether his parents care for him or not. It is intrinsically part of his nature to take it for granted that his parents love him and will take care of him. When he asks them for bread they will not give him a stone, and when he asks for fish they will not give him a serpent.
The child trusts his parents and will continue to do so as he grows up; until one day someone may betray that trust and then he’ll become more wary of those around him.
So how about us? Is our faith in God matched with an unshakeable trust that He cares for us, and no matter what happens, no matter how bad things are in our lives, He is there, beside us, all the time caring for us and ready to see us through whatever crisis we face.
Can you imagine the amount of self-control and concentration of thought we should have to believe, really believe, that not matter what happens, we trust that God loves us and cares for us enough to protect us from all evil?
Such level of trust may well be beyond what many of us can achieve; but it should not stop us from trying. Through gritted teeth even. We should pray, over and again, that we trust God that He will see us through this dark period in our lives.
Faith, no matter how great or small, as much as half a mustard seed even, may not be enough. It needs to be accompanied by an unfailing trust that our loving God will never ever let us down.
It is no point having faith in a Master who walks on water if we do not trust Him enough to follow Him.
...Victor, I wish you a day of peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tom. Peace be with you and yours. God bless.
DeleteI’ve struggled with this very thing. Thank you. He knew I needed to see this.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Dear Regine,
DeleteI nearly did not post this today. Something (Someone) told me to do so.
We all struggle with our Faith, and more importantly, with our Trust in God. We tell ourselves, and God, that we have Faith; but often this very Faith falters and we lack Trust when things go wrong in our lives. God knows that. He knows that our Faith and Trust are often weak; and He forgives time and again.
Perhaps the trick is to stop telling Him that we trust Him, and to trust Him by our actions instead. Like a child ... he does not keep telling his Mom and Dad that he trusts them.
God bless you always, Regine.
Whoa ... I wasn't expecting that. Yet, it's the perfect accompaniment. "You can't have one without the other."
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you decided to publish this.
I hesitated before publishing this post, Mevely. I hope it helps someone somewhere ... like me!!!
DeleteGod bless.
thecontemplativecat here. Thank you for this post. Faith gives all the strength to battle Satanic influences. Has kept me brave and safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. You are so right in what you say.
DeleteGod bless.
Beautiful Post Victor: Thank-you this is a beautiful post, a little Faith goes a long way, even for the weak in Faith.
ReplyDeleteWe are where God wants us at all times its just how we handle it that helps to make a difference.
The devil is all around us, saying Hail Mary's daily keeps him at bay, he is terrified of The Most Blessed Mary.
Have an amazing day.
Catherine
Indeed Catherine, we are at every moment in time where God wants us to be. And our duty and responsibility is to be good ambassadors for Him. To live as Christ would want us to.
DeleteGod bless always. Thank you for your kind comments.
Trust. That's the lesson.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is, Sandi. God bless.
DeleteVictor, my brother in Christ, thanks for posting all the good things you post.
ReplyDeleteGod's blessings to you!
Thank you Lon for your kind words of encouragement; and thank you for visiting us here.
DeleteGod bless always.
Faith and.... Yes. and trust: indeed.
ReplyDeleteThe faith and works thing makes sense, since there's little point in believing something if I don't act like it matters.
Faith and trust? Definitely makes sense - - but the idea hadn't been front and center for me before. Thanks!
It's great to see you here again Brian. I pray you and yours are keeping well.
DeleteTrust goes hand in hand with Faith; although it is often very difficult to maintain. We should try, with gritted teeth, to keep trusting God.
God bless you and yours.
Faith says He will do it and trusts He will. It often feels like it's two sides of the same coin.
ReplyDeleteYes, Faith and Trust go together.
DeleteGod bless, Mimi.