The Unseen Value of The Christian Faith
Our faith being more precious than gold or any worldly treasure, is the substance we need to hear, understand and respond to God’s message (Hebrews 11:1). Additionally, it is also by faith that we will be considered righteous although a righteousness through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the hallmark of our faith, knowing God (Jeremiah 9:24) and obeying Him. Therefore, knowing God and obeying Him gives fulfilment to our faith since the gift of faith came from God (1 John 5:4; Ephesians 2:8). In other words, our faith sees God, it understands God, and it responds to God. By having this faith, we are clothed with holiness because our faith identifies with Him who is Holy (Jude 1:20). Being so priceless, the goal of our faith means an escape from worldly corruption and the redemption of our souls which translates into immortality (John 3:16).
Philosophically, the world has changed as a result of the increase of human knowledge and scientific advancements (Daniel 12:4), and this has equally increased scepticism in the existence of God. Truthfully, as knowledge increases so does the interest of people which are fuelled by the pleasure thereof. I have read that some have even said that the things about God are outdated and metaphysical. They reckoned that God does not exist, and people must find answers to lives problems rationally and logically. In other words, the ready availability of information has increased interest in things other than God. While this is a threat to our faith, our hearts should be set to please and live for the Lord, and the dominant spirit of faithlessness should not move us into conformity (Romans 12:2).
Furthermore, we often heard the expression, ‘seeing is believing’ and even the Pharisees of old demanded to see God’s work first before believing (Matthew 27:42). Now demanding to hear or to see things about God is not an expression of interest in God, but a motivation to test God based on curiosity (Matthew 16:4). Knowing the intentions of people, God is much smarter than humans, and He never satisfies human curiosity (Job 38:2; Luke 23:8), and neither is He in the business of showing off His Might to please a man (Romans 2:11). Thus, God’s testimony of Himself as revealed through the Scriptures is sufficient, and He has successfully used it as a basis to save those who believed in every generation (Romans 10:18). Therefore, the Lord will continue to save and reveal His love and purpose into the hearts of those who hear and see Him by faith (Hebrews 11:1). Thus, people's knowledge may increase and invent new ways to indulge in sin but this does not diminish the power of God's word and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.
Faith Bankruptcy of Our Times
While I don’t have time to refer to specific sources, it has been reported that the Christian faith was on the decline. Whether true or false, this should not discourage believers; it is a common trend that the ‘worries for pleasures and riches chokes’ the word and render some people faithless (Luke 8:14). Such people’s faith were never really rooted in Christ as their interest were only on the things they needed from God, and if God made them wait on Him they quote. Some time ago, the Lord showed me in a vision that the truly faithful believers would never be shaken or moved by the mass discouragement and faithlessness that is seasoned to test faithfulness. The Lord showed me when He provided test; He sifts the shaft from the wheat (Matthew 3:12) the faithful would be unshaken like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:18). Also, when God provided a test of faith and allowed a spirit of apostasy in the Land of Israel during the time of the prophet Elijah, He reserved for Himself 7000 men and women (1 Kings 19:18).
Additionally, when a mass rebellion and an exodus from the faith occurred at Kadesh, in the Desert of Paran Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb stood their ground and remained unshaken (Numbers 14:5-9), but the faithless perished (Numbers 14:29-30).
Likewise, when faithlessness struck most of the Lord’s disciples (John 6:60-66), Peter and the other 11 disciples embraced the Lord’s Words and teachings and these men, besides Judas Iscariot, changed the World as they proclaimed the Christian faith (Acts 1:8). Equally, we are encouraging you dear brethren not to allow the mass faithlessness around you and the non-interest in Christianity to drain your faith. You are a light God (Ephesians 5:8) is using to illuminate the space where your faith is operating. As a ministry, we were also hit by mass faithlessness from all around, and it felt as if our message and the Lord's rebukes had an effect on some of the brethren. However, it was as if the Lord stripped us of everybody we depended on for support and encouragement in our work. On one occasion the Lord saw our discouragement and He said, "You mother and Father must not be discouraged, they must remain steadfast and faithful". Let this be known to every faithful Christian; you will face betrayal and rejection which results from people’s lack of faith and their interest in things other than Christ (3 John 1:9-10). Remain steadfast and remember that the apostle Paul and the Lord Jesus were also deserted in their time of trials but they remained faithful (2 Timothy 4:16-17; Matthew 26:31).
In conclusion, we encourage you brethren not to be easily intimidated when you hear or see some believers having abandoned their faith. The Lord promised ‘never to leave you, nor [to] forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5), and neither should you succumb to the fear of uncertainty for faith is absent and rendered ineffective when you allow it to be oppressed by worry. Instead, let us, therefore, consider the purity, innocence and rewarding aftermath of our faith. How best to sum up and conclude this message by saying, “Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continued to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Hebrews 6:9-12 NIV).
Now, don't miss this opportunity, we would like to extend an invitation to anyone who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ yet, or of you are not born again, to pray our suggested prayer on this link Prayer of Sincere Repentance by faith and follow the Lord (Matthew 4:19). You may also contact us for any questions or comments about this article or our ministry.
Blessed Faith in Christ
Brother Glenn
