I would like to begin today by presenting a scenario. You’re walking down the street and a well-dressed, articulate man comes up and tells you he is the buyer for Joe’s Electronic Center and they are overstocked with flat-screen TV’s. They are out of space and they need to liquidate some of their current inventory to make room for the new stock, so they are having a close-out sale on their name brand TV’s and are offering them at 70% off the manufacturer’s suggested price. All sales are cash-only and are non-refundable. He gives you a hand written invitation to view the TV’s at a warehouse nearby and reminds you to bring cash for the transaction? Would you go??
Most people would probably say “no”, and if asked why, the most common reasons would probably include: “I don’t know the man, so I don’t know if I can trust him”; or “I’m not familiar with Joe’s Electronic Center”; or “I don’t feel comfortable going to the warehouse carrying cash”. All of those reasons are valid reasons for being suspicious, and they also would validate a statement made by an author I admire, Bob George. He states in his best seller, Classic Christianity, “you can’t have faith in someone or something you know nothing about.” In other words you can only have faith in something if you have knowledge of it and have experienced the truth of your faith-object.
If the salesman were your uncle; or if you were aware that this was common practice by Joe’s Electronic Center and you previously had bought a computer there at a deeply discounted price; or if you had been to the warehouse and knew there were security guards in the parking lot as well as inside, that information would have greatly impacted your decision. Therefore I believe we can conclude that developing faith in something depends not only on your knowledge of the faith-object, but it’s also necessary to experience the truth of that knowledge coming to fruition in your own life.
HOW DOES THIS SCENARIO PERTAIN TO OUR CHRISTIAN WALK?
Christianity is unique among all world religions in that it is based on faith rather than works. Jesus said in Mark 9:23“If you can believe, all things are possible for him who believes.” Now don’t misunderstand what I just said; works are undoubtedly important, (James 2:20 tells us “faith without works is dead.”) but the impetus for the work is different. Other religions of the world stress works in order to make us acceptable to God. Christianity stresses God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ, and our work results from our faith in what he has already done for us. (John 3:16 tells us: “For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”)
Everything about Christianity points toward our faith, and it is exhibited in our words and our deeds. As a new Christian, we become “a new creation” in Christ, but that is just the beginning of a process called “transformation”. How quickly that process develops depends entirely on our commitment and our willingness to participate in the process. Let me explain. I proudly belong to a 12-step program called “Alcoholics Anonymous”. That program, like Christianity, is also a process – a life-long process. And like Christianity, AA is also a program of progress, not perfection. The more we participate in the process and continue to practice the principles of recovery in all of our affairs, the more joy, peace and serenity we experience. As stated in the Big Book of AA, “half-measures avail us nothing”, so unless we surrender to the process (admit our powerlessness over “our addiction” and surrender to the power of the 12 steps), relapse is the most likely end result. Unfortunately I have witnessed that truth in literally hundreds of cases during the past fourteen years, so I am undoubtedly a believer. (FYI: the 12 steps are based on Biblical principles.)
All of what I just wrote is parallel to the Christian walk, and it begins when we realize our own limitations and shortcomings and make a decision to do something about it. That decision is admitting our powerlessness over our sin nature; realizing that of our own volition we are incapable of making and maintaining the necessary changes in our life; then asking God to do for us what we have been unable to do for ourselves. It would be wonderful if this were the end of the journey and from this point forward everything would be “paradise”, but unfortunately this is just the beginning. To change from our “old self” into the “new person” God created us to be requires our participation in the process, because it is in the process itself where we experience growth and change.
Most people turn to God in a state of brokenness, but occasionally there are those who, like Moses, have an epiphany (or burning bush experience). In either case, fanning the flames of the awakening is essential to keep the embers from dying out, and the best way to do that is to come to know Him and experience Him. Therefore God chose to reveal himself to mankind through His Word, the Holy Bible. We are told in 2Peter 1:20-21, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.” And again, 2Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true…It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing He wants us to do.” The Bible reveals to us God’s personal and majestic qualities: a God of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, patience; He is unchanging, always there, all knowing, all powerful, and immutable. It tells us how/what he thinks; what he thinks about us; his plans for us; what his standards are; what his promises are, and how we can achieve those promises. We need answers to these questions before we can choose to enter into a relationship with Him, but then it is by growing in knowledge of these truths and experiencing these truths manifested in our life that faith develops and grows. As our faith forms and builds this scriptural foundation, the more we can step out in faith because our faith trumps our fear. We now have a trusting relationship with God.
While the Bible is undoubtedly God’s “owner’s manual” of life, unfortunately most people are ignorant of its content. I don’t mean ignorant in a derogatory sense, but rather “unaware of the truth” contained therein. Jesus stated very clearly in John 8:31-32, “…if you follow my teachings, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. Notice that He was very specific about the source of “the truth”; “follow my teachings”. But the process begins with the first two words, “if you”. If you are willing to put forth the effort to learn about, then follow Jesus’ teachings, the promise is…you will be “set free” from bondage to your sin nature.
MY EXPERIENCE:
And what did Jesus teach? During his life on this earth, he taught and modeled the truth of God’s word. John states in 1:14, “So the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.” There was a time in my life when I mocked and ridiculed those words. How could any rational, logical, “intelligent” person (like me) believe such a fairy tale? That truth certainly didn’t fit into my paradigm of thinking! Why?…because I was ignorant of the truth. I was totally immersed in the “gospel of the world”! But like so many others, when I was humbled to the point of surrender and opened my eyes, my ears, and my heart to “a new way of thinking”, I could begin connecting the dots of truth found in the scriptures. As Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”
Today I have a completely different perspective on this matter, and it is based on my own seeking of Scriptural truths. And the more I see these truths and promises manifested in my own life, the stronger the foundation of truth on which I stand. Remember…this is how faith develops and grows. For instance: We are told in Deuteronomy 4:29, “if we seek Him we will find Him”. John 15:4 tells us, “…if we abide in Him, he will abide in us.” Deuteronomy 31:6 proclaims, “Be strong and courageous….for He will never leave you or forsake you.” And James 4:10 exclaims, “When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.” Today I believe with all my heart that anyone who seeks God will find him. I also know – without a doubt – that even if a smart person (like I was) will put forth the effort to seek answers and is willing to connect the dots, you can come to no other logical conclusion than: Jesus Christ IS who he claimed to be, and he came to do what he said he came to do. This was always God’s plan for mankind, and it is clearly stated in Romans 5: 6, 10, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies (sinners), we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life.” The truth of that verse alone should set you free. AND… it is clearly God’s will for all of us! A-men!!
Next week I will continue with part 2 of Developing and Stepping Out in Faith. So my question to you today is: have you humbled yourself enough to bow down before God and admit your dependence on Him? Have you experienced the truths of Scripture come to fruition in your life? Feel free to respond to this post.
May God Bless ya,
Dan Presgrave (a.k.a. Pastor Dan)
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