Christian Living
LACKING FAITH?
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for" (Heb. 11:1). Confidence in God’s faithfulness, and his gracious resolve.
For instance, "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith" (v. 7). Warned of a threatening flood, he make preparation. In doing so, he pointed out the defection of those who did not share his faith. While becoming heir of the righteous. In this regard, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers" (Psa. 1:1). He resembles a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither.
Likewise, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going" (Heb. 11:8). The need for security notwithstanding. While in anticipation of God’s provision, in a strange setting.
This, in turn, invites us to consider the comments of select individuals. "Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done" (C. S. Lewis, Letters of C. S. Lewis: as cited in William Sykes (ed.), The Eternal Vision, p. 111).
"Faith is kept alive in us, and gathers strength, from practice more than from speculation" (Joseph Addison, The Works of Joseph Addison).
"Faith in Christ was not primarily a matter of doctrinal or intellectual belief, but a way of life, a following, an allegiance" (said of Edward Wilson in George Seaver, Edward Wilson of the Antarctic).
"The life of faith is a continually renewed victory over doubt, a continually renewed grasp of meaning in the midst of meaninglessness" (Lesslie Newbigin, Honest Religion for Secular Man).
"It is faith that is expected of you and honest living, not profound understanding and deep knowledge of the mysteries of God" (Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ).
"Nothing in life is more wonderful than faith—the one great moving force which we can neither weigh in the balance nor test in the crucible" (Sir William Osler, Aphorisms from His Bedside Teachings and Writings).
"Like all human knowledge, the knowledge of faith is also fragmentary. Only when faith remains aware of this does it remain free from arrogance, intolerance, and false zeal" (Hans King, On Being a Christian, p. 112).
"To have faith is to meet the world with the conviction that in spite of all its ambiguities and downright evils, there can be discerned in it the reality of love and a ground of hope" (John Macquarrie, Paths of Spirituality).
"That man is perfect in faith who can come to God in the utter dearth of his feelings and his desire, without a glow or an inspiration, with the weight of low thoughts, failures, neglects, and wandering forgetfulness, and say to him, ‘Thou are my refuge, because thou are my home’" (George Macdonald, Unspoken Sermons).
"How do we stand in respect of our use of the watch-tower of Faith? Are we so busy on the ground floor that we take it for granted, and seldom go upstairs? It is true that those stairs are dark and steep; but if we never make the effort, never ascend to the soul’s summit, we remain something less than human" (Evelyn Underhill, in John Stobbart, The Wisdom of Evelyn Underhill).
These quotations are calculated to appeal to persons of varied perceptions. All things considered, exercise faith as a God-given attribute, and experience it more fully. Set the course, and remain resolute.
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