. . . . .Mystery of Faith-Ch.5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pt.2-Spiritual Dimension. . .

Faith: A Giant Leap into the Dark?

Let all things be done

decently and in order.

-1 Corinthians 14:40

Our world did not just happen by accident.  God was not "brooding over a mass of chaos" somewhere in the Universe as religious worldlings suggest, nor did God cause the world to be formed by some great chaotic explosion in the Universe.  On the contrary, the Book of Genesis, as well as true science, specifies God's intricate fabrication of our earthly home and all that is in it and on it, through a carefully planned and detailed order of design.

God was working with a precise intention, preparing a place to carry out the greatest real-life story ever told.  He was preparing an environment in which to manifest His glory and teach His created beings about the benefits and blessings of faith.

The word, "prepare" means to get ready, arrange, organize, plan, set up, practice, and put in order.

Preparation is God's hallmark, the significant character quality that defines His nature and the nature of His people.  He is a God of order and has admonished us to follow His example.

In thee, O LORD,

do I put my trust:

let me never be

put to confusion.

-Psalm 71:1

The opposite of order is confusion and in the Scriptures "confusion" is always presented in a negative light in the context of sin and something to avoid.

It is common knowledge that the Bible is not any ordinary book.  This can only be true because the Bible was also created by the hand of God.  In fact, this sacred volume has often been referred to as "the instruction manual" intended to be a part of the creation package; a providentially provided "tech support document," if you will, to assist mankind with God's instructions regarding how to care for and properly use all that He has created.

In addition to instructing man how to thrive and survive, God desired to communicate with the beings He had fashioned with His own hands and lovingly placed in the unique environment made especially for them.  Our Heavenly Father and Creator ordained that faith alone, accessed through the Holy Scriptures and interpreted by His Holy Spirit, would enable us to hear God's voice, and understand His will.

However, in order to actually possess the faith necessary to experience these promises of God, we must be able to accurately define "faith" according to God's definition.

First let us examine what faith is not.

The World's Definition of Faith

When I first thought about faith and what it is, of course, I considered all of the common phrases I had heard as a child growing up and discovered that they are all forms of idolatry and witchcraft:

"Faith is believing hard enough to make something happen."

At first this seems like the Christian thing to do.  But the next logical questions are "Just what is being believed?" and "How do we apply enough effort to get what we want?"

Do we need to force ourselves to believe that God can do anything?  Not at all, if we believe that there is a God we usually understand that He certainly is able to do anything He chooses.  However, if we are simply trying to will the thing that we want into existence, then we are definitely headed for trouble.  Trying to will something or visualize something into existence or trying to convince ourselves that something is going to happen, is not going to make it happen--unless, of course, the demonic realm takes over and uses its expertise to make it happen.  In that case, we are also opening a can of worms that has the potential to totally destroy our life.

Like spoiled children who can only think of what they want for themselves, we tell God, "If you only knew how much I want this, you would surely give it to me."  So we proceed to convince ourselves that wanting something enough is ultimately going to give it to us and believing it can happen is actually what is going to make it happen.

However, Romans 4:17 tells us that God alone has the ability to bring the dead back to life and to call things that do not exist into existence:  "(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were."

While it is perfectly okay with God for us to "come boldly" before His throne with our petitions, what is not okay is to think that we will more likely get what we want if we invest the proper amount of "believing" and effort.  Then how can we ever know what the proper amount really is?

It is even okay with God if we ask Him about the thing we desire every time it comes to mind.  However, we can really get into trouble with God when we take Him out of the driver's seat and presumptuously attempt to take over the controls, exchanging faith for our own works.  Like everything else, what we believe must also be according to God's will and His own interpretation of His Word.

The desire to control something ourselves (even the amount of "belief" we put into it) instead of seeking God's will, His power, and intervention, is what can turn our own efforts into idolatry and witchcraft.  "Naming and claiming" doctrines are an insult to God because in this case, His Word is being treated as a lucky charm we can use to fulfill our own selfish (sometimes even religious) will, instead of honoring the Word as the means He has provided to communicate with Him so that we may discover how we can be in harmony with and fulfill His will.

We must also ask ourselves, "What if God does not want me to have what I am asking for because it does not fit into His specific plan for me, or it is not the wisest, or the safest thing to ask for?"

While it is true that God often leads us according to our heart's desire, this leading is only genuinely experienced when that desire happens to be His desire as well.  Trying to control circumstances to get what we want instead of trying to align our desires with His will is the very attitude that turns this process into witchcraft and idolatry.

The Bible tells us that if we are stubborn enough we may just get what we want but it may also bring "leanness to our soul" (Psalm 106:15).  The Bible also says "stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Samuel 15:23).  In other words, usually when we demand to get our own way, it does not end well and the thing of our own choosing--that thing that we thought we had to have at any cost--gives us more trouble than we can handle.  Why cooperate with God regarding our desires?--He alone knows the beginning and the end of everything.  He is the Alpha and Omega.

God calls demanding people, "presumptuous," and further describes them in 2 Peter:

v.10 
But chiefly them 
that walk after the flesh

in the lust of uncleanness,

[morally unclean] 
[lusting after whatever they want]

and despise government

[the authority of God 
in all matters

and 
the lawful authority 
He has established]

Presumptuous are they;

[bold without regard for God's will]

selfwilled,

they are not afraid 
to speak evil of dignities

[higher, more honorable 
things of God]

v.11
Where angels, which are greater 
in power and might,

bring not railing accusation 
against them before the Lord.

v.12 
But these, as natural brute beasts,

made to be taken and destroyed,

speak evil of the things 
that they understand not;

and shall utterly perish 
in their own corruption;

v.13
And shall receive the reward 
of unrighteousness,

as they that count it pleasure 
to riot in the day time.

Spots they are and blemishes,

sporting themselves with 
their own deceiving

[enjoy exhibiting 
their false beliefs and opinions

which they attempt to use

to give themselves 
permission to disregard God 
and His Holy Word]

while they feast with you;

[mingle in the body of believers]

v.14 
Having eyes full of adultery,

and that cannot cease from sin;

beguiling unstable souls:

an heart they have exercised 
with covetous practices;

cursed children:

[calling themselves 
"children of God," 
but actually cursed by God]

v.15 
Which have forsaken 
the right way

and 
are gone astray,

following the way of Balaam 
the son of Bosor,

[who was willing 
to curse God's people]

who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

v.16 
But was rebuked for his iniquity:

the dumb ass 
speaking with man's voice

forbad the madness of the prophet,

v.17
These are wells without water

[defrauders--false professors]

clouds that are carried 
with a tempest;

to whom 
the mist of darkness 
is reserved for ever.

v.18
For when they speak 
great swelling words of vanity,

they allure 
through 
the lusts of the flesh,

through 
much wantonness,

those that were 
clean escaped 
from them

who live in error.

v.19 
While they promise them liberty;

they themselves 
are the servants of corruption:

for to whom a man is overcome,

of the same 
is he brought in bondage.

v.20 
For if after they have escaped
the pollutions of the world

through the knowledge 
of the Lord 
and 
Saviour Jesus Christ,

they are again entangled therein, 
and overcome,

the latter end is worse 
with them then the beginning.

v.22 
But it is happened 
unto them according to 
the true proverb,

The dog is turned 
to his own vomit again;

and 
the sow that was washed 
to her wallowing in the mire.

-2 Peter 2:10-22

This passage tells us that those who are presumptuous are committing the same sin as Balaam.  Balaam has been referred to as a person who had a head full of light but a heart that was very dark!  He was counted a prophet of God, yet followed the unholy example of Eastern soothsayers and their practice of placing curses on enemies (Numbers, Chapters 22-31).

Balaam's many character flaws included:

1. being self-willed
2. being double-minded
3. presumptuous in altering God's divine plan while being prophetically eloquent
4. a failure in his mission
5. an evil counselor
6. having extreme greed
7. willfully blind

 The opposite of control is not tolerance and passivity, but responsibility.  To passively disengage when we should be responsibly taking action is also a form of rebellion.  We simply must find balance by harmonizing our desires with His will for our life and then responsibly following it.

In other words, we must first seek God's will according to His Word, seek the specific application to our needs through prayer, and be willing, with His help, to follow the light and instructions He gives us.

We also can discover God's will concerning our own needs and find the guidance of the Holy Spirit through studying the Word of God.  But we must be careful to use Scripture to balance Scripture and not pull out just the verses that support what we want or that line up with our own preconceived opinions and denominational doctrines.

In fact, it is our own very unique experiences in life that motivate us to search for the truth and balance of God's Word--provided that we do so with a pure heart and are willing to accept God's will and act on it when it is revealed.

"Faith is wishing on a star."

(It helps to close your eyes, cross your fingers, and click your heels together while doing this, we are told by movie makers.)

But this is really just another attempt to control our circumstances.

It is interesting to note, that in the movie, The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy followed this procedure, the "good witch" came swooping out of nowhere enveloped in a beautiful orb.  Ironically, the glowing orb just happens to be the same method of transportation evil spirits use today as they go to and fro in the atmosphere that surrounds Planet Earth.

Nevertheless, God's Word tells us that a witch is a witch is a witch, whether it appears to be a "good" witch or not.  The trademark of whtches is their compulsive desire to control by trying to call on supernatural powers.  Like Dorothy, worldlings have been tricked into calling on ungodly powers to fulfill their desires.

Today it is not the "good witch" worldlings are usually looking for, but a god of their own making that looks a lot like themselves.  These pseudo-gods may also include "good angels" (if they happen to be religious witches) or their "alien space brothers" who are usurping God's position as Creator by trying to convince all who come in contact with them that they, not God, are the real creators.

Sad to say, many people would rather believe that they were created by aliens from other planets than by a benevolent God who gave His only Son so their sins can be forgiven and they can enjoy eternal life forever with Him.

"Faith?"--Why, it's just a giant leap into the dark, Honey!"

This reckless attitude turns faith into another presumptuous endeavor.  In this scenario faith becomes a dangerous gamble as the religious dare God to protect them, just because they are willing to "play the game of chicken."  This is the game where opponents face each other, rev their engines and put the pedal to the metal for a head on collision.  The "chicken" is the one who veers off first to save his life.  However, in this case the spiritual game of chicken takes place when someone thinks that they can just take a giant leap into the dark and if they have "enough faith" God will catch them.

This may even be the worst form of idolatry and witchcraft, because it is really an attempt to usurp God's authority by thinking that He has to do what we want, because His reputation is at stake.  What we may fail to realize is that God is perfectly capable of protecting His own reputation even if he lets us fall flat on our face.  So we can expect a trip to the woodshed if we engage in this sort of foolishness, trying to blackmail God for what we want.

. . .More recently from the New Age sector:

"Faith happens when we exercise our own power of intention."

While God wants us to interact with others with the good intention of ministering to them, results do not depend on our own intention.  It is God alone who supplies the power of His Holy Spirit to enable us to minister to one another as we focus on what He wants, according to His Word and the genuine needs of those we are called to help.

"By the way, what faith are you?"--the Catholic faith, the Lutheran faith, the Baptist faith?"

This concept of faith has taken a giant step backwards and distorted the fulfilling intimate personal relationship we are meant to have with our Creator.

By substituting man's hierarchy, fabricated rules, ceremonies, and regulations the religious have changed the true concept of faith, based on a real flesh and blood Church that has a viable relationship with God through His Son, the living Word and the Bible, His holy written Word, transforming it into a building and an empty system of legalistic denominational requirements, "ministries," and activities.

This smorgasbord of events can keep members running to and fro through the doors of the church building for revival meetings, psychological counseling, socialization, fun activities, music, and to receive "sacraments" without ever providing the real spiritual food Jesus told us to feed on.

Because of this, members can become so overwhelmed with church activities that they are unable to find any time for personal Bible study and prayer.  Perhaps they would be better off pulling the plug on the television, disconnecting the phone, and staying home to spend quality time in the Word of God.

God's Definition of Faith:

v.8
For by grace

are ye saved

through faith

and that

not of yourselves

it is the gift of God:

v.9 
Not of works,

lest any man should boast.

-Ephesians 2:8-9

Faith is the power we receive as God pours Himself into us when we feed on His Word.  This power provides the ability to believe all that He has said.  It also creates the desire and strength needed to carefully follow His instructions, one step at a time.

Therefore, faith is a gift God gives to us through grace.  It is not something we are able to conjure up ourselves so that we can boast about it.

The world tells us how to exercise faith:

• "Toughen up."
• "It sounds good.  Just do it."
• "Pull yourself up by your own boot straps."
• "Never stop believing in yourself."
• "You can do it.  Yes, you can."

But doesn't simple, common sense tell us that, if what we are doing isn't working, it is time to try something else?

In the Bible God tells us how to exercise faith:

• Believe what God has said and He will guide you with truth and wisdom.
• Believe what God has said and He will heal you and make you whole.
• Believe what God has said and He will give you the strength to do what is right.
• Believe what God has said and He will protect you from your enemies.
• Believe what God has said and He will give you eternal life. 

Perhaps by now you may realize that the Mystery of Faith is an important key to the Mystery of the First Love Lost and when we discover exactly what the Mystery of Faith really is, we will also remember the Mystery of the First Love Lost.

Next Post. . .

Mystery of Faith-Ch.5-Pt.3-The First Works

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