[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] * We Need To Test Our Faith *

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "TONY - Family of Faith" <familyoffaith at tampabay.rr.com>
To: <thefamilyoffaith at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] * We Need To Test Our Faith *
Date: 
Sun, 10 Jul 2011 06:32:26 -0400



We Need To Test Our Faith 

 

God, through Paul, commands us to examine our faith and to test ourselves
(2 Corinthians 13:5). How can we know the strength of our faith-our belief
in the words of God? All we have to do is examine our fears and worries.

Nehemiah writes, "They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then
they would be able to accuse and discredit me." (Nehemiah 6:13). 

Why did Nehemiah call being afraid a sin? Because fear and worry call God
a liar, insinuating that His words about His sovereignty, love, power, and
faithfulness are not to be trusted. Fear and worry mirror the attitudes of
a faithless Satan who believes God exists but does not believe what He
says.

Philippians 4:6 tells us, "Don't worry about anything." This is another
of God's absolutes. To have fear, worry, anxiety, or forebodings question
God's goodness and care. They display a lack of faith in His promises of
wise and gracious providence and cast doubts on the depth of the love God
and Christ have for us. If we cannot trust God, how can He ever trust us?
Why would Christ marry forever someone who doubts His love?

Rather than give in to fear and worry, we can choose-an action-to believe
God and His love. If we believe in the depth of the love God (John 17:23)
and Christ (John 15:13) have for us, believing those words, faith in that
perfect love will cast out fear (1 John 4:18)so that we can say as David
did: "I will fear no evil; for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4).

In Psalm 78:22, David cuts to the heart of Israel's problem, and by
extension, ours: ". . . for they did not believe God or trust him to care
for them." Doubting God's love for us is at the core of the sin of
faithlessness. This doubt was a major characteristic of our ancestors,
ancient Israel. ". . . because the people of Israel argued with Moses and
tested the Lord by saying, 'Is the Lord going to take care of us or not?'"
(Exodus 17:70)  They never overcame this sin of faithlessness. We must. The
stakes are so much higher.

It is sobering to consider the fate of the fearful and unbelieving and
the rank they are given in the list found in Revelation 21:8: "But cowards,
unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice
witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars-their fate is in the fiery lake
of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

God tested the faith of Adam and Eve and of Abraham. The former failed,
the latter succeeded. Eventually, God will put every human being to the
same test.

As we cope with these tests we need to fan into flames (2 Timothy 1:6)
and exercise that gift of faith God gave us at the beginning, to get back
to that first love and dedication to the words and promises God has given
us.

We have the same choice as Adam and Eve, ancient Israel, and Abraham had.
It is our decision to make: to believe God or to believe what we see-the
visible circumstances we face. Faith is life (Habakkuk 2:4), and
faithlessness is sin (Romans 14:23) and therefore death (Romans 6:23). God
entreats us to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19).

 

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receive this as a forward, click on my e-mail address:
brothermiller1 at yahoo.com and let me know.

Jerry