Belief without sight

John 20:29 MKJV  Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed.

With all that is within I long to see Jesus with my own eyes but to long for only that would mean I miss out on this close personal walk I have with Him now, time which He has set apart just for me. Those Jesus came to visit in their own towns, which He touched and healed, how many of them would look at us and say I long for Jesus to live in my heart? To be with Him day and night, in good and bad times, never alone knowing He is with me always? Instead a few were able to touch Him or talk with Him briefly, many only got a glimpse through the crowds that always seem to surround Him. Many could only say Jesus came through my town once but we can say, “I walk with Him and tell Him my most intimate secretes and He is faithful to lead me so that my faith in Him might grow.” Once again it brings Free Will, which was given to us by God's sacrifice, front and center. What greater way can we tell Jesus we love Him than to give ourselves a living sacrifice in faith, ahead of seeing Him with our own eyes knowing His best for us is now but not yet!

Why are the ones who believe and have yet to see called blessed? How great is the joy of the wife or husband whose spouse returns from a long trip, better yet the spouse or parent that returns from the military whom they have not seen in a long time or maybe for the first time? We’ve all seen videos of soldiers returning home surprising the loved one who is hopeful but did not know their return was so near. For those who believe Jesus is who the Bible says He is there is a hunger inside to know Him better, to see Him face to face, and to touch His hand and worship at His feet. We long for that day when knowing Him and listening to His words no longer require faith but instead the faith we had in this journey is made complete. On that day we will be blessed not only because our faith turned to sight and our hope to touch but we will be blessed because of the relationship we already have from walking with Him through the hills, meadows, valleys, and mountain tops. We will remember the deserts and how He sustained us and the storms when all we could do was to hold on. You see all the things we experience in this life while walking with Jesus by faith make seeing Him face to face all the more glorious and filled with anticipation!

Hebrews 11:6 MKJV  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Matthew 5:6 MKJV  Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness! For they shall be filled.

To be broken

What if brokenness is the pathway to a God-centered life? What if the world has trained us to win, so much so that we push God out of our lives unaware? What if we have an unhealthy view of what it means to lose? Is not Satan the one who enticed mankind so that their own selfishness would lead them away from God and was it not Satan that used that selfishness to manipulate and deceive for his own purposes in the garden? Has not Satan vowed to turn people away from God and are we not used as pawns to be like arrows from the enemy of God shot at the heart of God?

If this is true than the view our flesh has of what a winner looks like is centered in selfishness and pride and we are consumed with it so much that the enemy (Satan) hardly has to lift a finger and therefore is able to be concerned with more important things such as governments and world powers. As a matter of fact his investment of planting the ideal of needing to win at everything is like you and I having a savings account at the bank, in that if we leave it alone we can watch it pay back with interest. Do you think the hunter does not know the purpose of the trap he sets and do you think he does not consider where he places it knowing where the prey will come and go?

Jesus said this, John 15:20 KJV  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Was Jesus not broken and was not this brokenness that which allowed Him to feel our infirmities, our sorrows, and our pain?

Hebrews 4:15 KJV  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Mark 2:17 KJV  When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

If Jesus, our Lord, went through these things so that He might minister to the needy then how much more do we need to go through the same? How much more do we need to understand the reason He came to die for the outcast, the marginalized, and those which the world has placed a scarlet letter around their necks? Which allows us to do the most for God – us being the best Christian we can be by developing our strengths or being broken so that God’s strength can be made known? One points to us the other points to God!

Matthew 19:26 KJV  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

If we don’t want the limitations of this flesh then we have to follow Jesus and if we follow Jesus we must know what it means to be broken, as He was broken. In this our own relationship with Him becomes more real, more important, and ever present. We look at the heroes of the faith, many being martyred, and think what it would be like to have their faith but when God leads us in that direction we resist because of our unwillingness to be broken. Therefore, without this important step our life as a “Christian” is dull and mundane – we live a good moral life but without the impact of someone surrendered fully to God.

Recognizing faith

Real faith leads to real obedience. Faith is not given all at once but slowly increases as we are found faithful to follow where God leads us. We all want to do something “big” for God but all God is asking is that we simply trust Him and obey and until we can do that we will never get beyond the foundation. Forget tall towers or sanctuaries or places of refuge built in Jesus’ name without baby steps taken first we simply do not move forward on the journey He has planned for us and what He has purposed for us to do never is accomplished! Sure others will go on to do great things in Jesus’ name but if we believe He has made each of us unique then we must also believe the plan He has for each of us is unique as well and because of this some question goes unanswered but be assured God’s purpose will succeed, what we must understand is that we are required to give an account for what we did and did not do.

James 2:14 MKJV  My brothers, what profit is it if a man says he has faith and does not have works? Can faith save him?

What is faith? It is knowing that which cannot be seen, which cannot be explained. Faith starts out because God’s Holy Spirit gives it to us. Until we have real relationship with God we do not know Him and trust requires knowing someone, therefore faith starts when the Holy Spirit reveals truth to our spirit. While the world requires evidence before believing God requires faith and therefore faith bridges the gap between our understanding and that which God says is true.

Hebrews 11:1 MKJV  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Matthew 16:17 MKJV  Jesus answered and said to him, You are blessed, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but My Father in Heaven.

1 Corinthians 2:10 MKJV  (10)  But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.

John 20:29 MKJV  Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed.

Therefore if we say we have faith we will step out of the boat and onto the water because we believe Jesus is who He says He is. You see real faith requires action, for without action we have not yet believed what God has said to be true and like Peter often we want to believe and then are stopped quickly by doubt.

Matthew 14:30-31 NIV  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"  (31)  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Mark 9:23-24 NIV  "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." (24)  Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Sometimes our faith needs to be spoken. The centurion knew Jesus was the Son of God and therefore healing was under His command; furthermore he knew Jesus’ desire to heal and show mercy (undeserved favor) to people so that they might know of God’s great love. Still it was not good enough to just know this but he had to come to Jesus and humbly ask and that is when we see Jesus bless him, not only that but honored his great faith! In this story the asking was the action faith required.

Luke 7:6-10 NIV  So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.  (7)  That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  (8)  For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  (9)  When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." (10)  Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

In my bloodline there are worriers and if I am not careful sometimes I find myself there but I am quickly reminded worry is the opposite of real faith. If I believe God loves me and I am the center of His attention then what have I to worry about? Worry comes most often because of disobedience and the following consequences and though we know God loves us we do not know what God will allow so that we might learn the lesson of listening and obeying. If I speed down the highway and the patrolman pulls me over I should not expect God to keep me from getting a ticket and in the same way if I am not faithful to handle my finances according to God’s plan I should not expect to experience freedom in that area but none of these consequences means God does not love me, instead it tells me He does!

Matthew 6:27-33 NIV  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (28)  "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (29)  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (30)  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (31)  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (32)  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (33)  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Hebrews 12:6-7 MKJV  for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and He scourges every son whom He receives."  (7)  If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father does not chasten?

Often circumstance come about because of our own choices but there are times when we face something not because of bad choices but because Father God is leading us to grow, but even then we must have faith that He loves us, knows what is best for us, and trust He will lead us through so that when we come out the other side we have become who He wants us to be, for this is real faith and if we want to be pleasing to God it is required.

James 1:2-8 MKJV  My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations,  (3)  knowing that the trying of your faith works patience.  (4)  But let patience have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.  (5)  But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him.  (6)  But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing. For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.  (7)  For do not let that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord;  (8)  he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways.

Only God can judge

Man judges based on circumstances and actions and their interpretation of these but only God judges the heart. Only God can truly decide who is innocent and who is guilty, that’s the reason we’re told not to do it; it simply isn’t our job.

Luke 6:41 MKJV  And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not see the beam that is in your own eye?

For we see in part but God knows the whole story; He sees each time the heart makes a selfish decision long before the body is moved to action. How many times did Jesus scold the Pharisees even though on the outside they had the appearance of having everything in order? It was because He knew their hearts.

Matthew 23:27 MKJV  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outside, but inside they are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

There are those who will agree with me and immediately think of a situation when they were judged unfairly but are completely blind to the judging they are doing to others even now and it would seem as if God Himself has hardened their hearts as Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.  For Pharaoh turned from God so many times because the thought of one being higher than himself repulsed him so much that finally it was no longer Pharaoh hardening his own heart but God.

Exodus 8:32 MKJV  And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.

Exodus 9:12 MKJV  And Jehovah hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, even as Jehovah had spoken to Moses.

God made an example of Pharaoh not only to the nation of Israel but to any nation that would come against God’s people, that all would be warned though these people make mistakes they belong to God and God alone will judge them.

So the next time you see someone do something that you do not approve of know this… You are not God, nor do you know their circumstances. Yes there are absolutes and yes there are consequences to be paid but what does that have to do with you? Are you the tip of God’s sword cutting and slashing all who do not measure up? Do you take one side over the other because you think you have some special insight not made available to anyone else? Ask yourself this – where did your insight come from - God or man? If it came from man be careful because you are in danger of being judged yourself and if it came from God that means the Holy Spirit revealed it to you and if that is the case it is because God trusts you. How are you handling the trust that you have been given? Do you love that person the way Jesus does or do you have stones in your hand? It matters not what your agenda is if you cannot accomplish it and at the same time be Jesus to that person who has done wrong in your eyes and if that be the case then you either did not get your information from God or you abused His trust. Know this by doing this their test has become your own.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 MKJV  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?  (10)  I Jehovah search the heart, I try the reins, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.

Does God know me

The Bible tells me God’s eye is on the sparrow knowing when it falls even though the world places little value on it (Matthew 10:29) and that we, His people, are the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8). In that way of course He knows me but Jesus said in Matthew 7:23 “Depart from me for I never knew you.” What do you think he meant? Is it possible for God not to recognize us after creating us? Luke 12:7 Jesus tells me every hair on my head is numbered so it’s not about how much God knows about us but whether or not we have been strangers to Him because of choices we make.

Psalms 1:1-6 KJV  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (2)  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  (3)  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  (4)  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.  (5)  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  (6)  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

What God is not familiar with is not people but unrighteousness; yes the ungodly has turned away from God’s leading and direction to say they are better off without His input in their lives. Because of free will, though He made us and formed us, He allows us our space to do as we please and yes it is possible to become strangers to God, not because He doesn’t want us or love us but because of the stubborn pride and condition of man’s own heart. This man or woman will not know Jesus and because of sin and rebellion Jesus cannot know them nor have relationship with them.

Back to the basics

We know that through life’s circumstances, tests, and troubles we fall short. Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” but we have also learned that God loves us (John 3:16) and cares for us. If we will humble ourselves and through faith believe that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to bridge the gap between where we have fallen and our now Heavenly Father then we will be saved.

By this we are reminded it is by grace not by works (Ephesians 2:9), otherwise the strong would boast and the weak would by shunned but God’s plan is that all should be saved and that He receives the glory in all things.

When Adam and Eve sinned mankind was forever separated from God because He is holy; still our Heavenly Father created us to have relationship with each one. Like Adam and Eve we each have been given the gift of Free Will and God refuses to take it from us, even if it means eternal separation from Him. The reason for that is so all may know, above all else whom we will serve; without this important step we are simply obedient because we have no choice, which is not obedience at all and therefore Free Will is required! For without Free Will the type of relationship the Father designed can never be offered. 

Why do we choose God?

• We first need to know that we are unable to succeed on our own and to those who’s ears are not open the what the Holy Spirit says (Proverbs 9:10-11) God allows life to show us where we fall short not because He doesn’t love us but because He does love us indeed!
• Some blame bad luck when they fall and some blame others – this is denial. We keep trying and keep failing all the while pulling further away from God’s love as we refuse to give in.
• Next we are brought face to face with a choice. We will either humble ourselves and let God love us or will we keep trying on our own hoping one day luck will be in our favor, as if we are playing the lottery with our lives and eternity.
• Read Matthew 5:1-16 (the beatitudes) and see who God says is blessed… it is those who have come to terms with their own need for God. Turning to God and letting go of our own way opens a doorway in front of us to live life the way God has intended.
• The other choice is to become more determined, pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps and showing God and everyone else we don’t need anyone i.e. pride (Proverbs 16:18).
• The story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) the father allows the son to walk (Free Will). God is more concerned with our spiritual condition than He is with our physical comfort, in this way pride is revealed. Even spiritual leaders who otherwise love God can allow pride to, like the prodigal son, effectively cause them to walk away from the Father but God is faithful and even at the bottom we can return to His great love.
• Remaining humble by remembering our need (James chapter 1)
• Until we understand just how much we need the Lord we will continue to try doing things in our own strength and just as many times we will continue to see the limits of those efforts (Hebrews 12:6-7).
• But those who are spiritually mature know just what it means to walk with God in all things, knowing it’s not their strength but God’s, it’s not their will but God’s, and it’s not their battle but God’s and they give it to Him not because they have to but because they choose to (1 Corinthians 13:11-13).

The answer to all life’s mysteries is relationship with God, the way He had originally planned with Adam and Eve. The answer to relationship with the Unseen is humility and faith in His righteousness allowing His love to move us to action, telling others about what He has done for us… ultimately for Jesus to increase and for us to decrease in all that we do and say – John 3:30-36… this is the key to life and how well you apply it to every aspect of yours determines success or failure, for by this alone you and I will be judged (Matthew 7:21-23).

Call no man your father

Matthew 23:8-12 MKJV But you must not be called Rabbi, for One is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers. (9) And call no one your father on the earth, for One is your Father in Heaven. (10) Nor be called teachers, for One is your Teacher, even Christ. (11) But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. (12) And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted.

For who is my father or my son, who is my family? If they are followers of Jesus Christ are we not brothers and sisters serving the same Master? Do we not each have a direct line to the Father through His Son Jesus Christ? I’m all for Christian books, twelve step programs, motivational speaking, and tools that help us understand better the people God has designed us to be, in as much as they follow the Bible but if the vary, wavier, or turn from God’s Word or cover up His will then I have no use for them!

There have been very few books that really have touched the core of who I am and the same were simply tools that magnified the Word of God through someone else’s revelation of the Holy Spirit helping me to see better what God meant for me as a believer in Christ in a particular area of my life. The same can be said of pastors, evangelists, and teachers, the ones that touch me most deeply are the ones that confirm what the Holy Spirit of God has already been busy doing in my life. We simply cannot get caught up in placing things or people on pedestals in our lives; in every case we will be let down because in so doing we are trying to fill a God-shaped hole in our hearts. You see God created a void inside of you and me that only He can fill, now He uses people’s testimonies and revelations (which is evidence of God’s Holy Spirit) to move others and point them back to Christ but we must understand those thoughts and ideas are but a glimpse of what God has in store for us and we will only realize the whole matter through relationship with Jesus Christ! No program, book, or motivational speaking can take the place of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Matthew 12:46-50 MKJV But while He yet talked with the people, behold, His mother and His brothers stood outside, desiring to speak with Him. (47) Then one said to Him, Behold, Your mother and Your brothers stand outside, desiring to speak with You. (48) And He answered and said to him who told Him, Who is My mother? And who are My brothers? (49) And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, Behold, My mother and My brothers! (50) For whoever shall do the will of My Father in Heaven, the same is My brother and sister and mother.

In the end people are people, meaning though we are all at different places in our walks with God and learning what that looks like, even those who seem to have all the answers, at our core we are all desperately in need of a Savior ~ Jesus Christ. Do not follow the revelation of this brother or that sister for if that revelation is from God then it was spoken specifically to them. That does not mean it does not apply to my life but those who don’t understand a real relationship is possible with the unseen God tend to hold onto whatever is tangible, even if that is someone else’s dream or vision. In the end that other person cannot know your story like God does, because we ourselves don’t know it like He does. You see we limit ourselves by avoiding the faith that is required to have relationship with the one true God. Following people, even those who have college degrees and have been professionally trained can only take you so far and if they get puffed up pride will enter and what God meant for leading and directing becomes twisted and ugly because of sin. Is that not where the scribes and Pharisees were, did they not use their human understanding of God’s law to condemn others, did not pride blind them and place them on some weird power trip and did not Jesus bring to light the condemnation they brought upon themselves?

Luke 6:41-42 MKJV And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not see the beam that is in your own eye? (42) Or how can you say to your brother, Brother, let me pull out the splinter in your eye, when you yourself do not see the beam that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First cast out the beam out of your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to pull out the splinter that is in your brother's eye.

Who is man that he should be the go between for me and God whom sent His Son to die for my sins – I ask you what could be more personal than that? That being said we are not to forsake gathering with our Christian brothers and sisters, for that is good and right and as God intended

Proverbs 27:17 MKJV Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the face of his friend.

Hebrews 10:23-25 MKJV Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful who promised), (24) and let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

but if it all should fall apart tomorrow, no more twelve step programs, no more motivational speaking, and the church had to hide because it became illegal to meet would our faith fall apart or would we become stronger in Christ Jesus? In the end the only thing that matters is relationship with Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7:21-23 MKJV Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. (22) Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? (23) And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!