#14 Suffering: the Ugly Side of Faith (3 of 3)

Suffering by Association
2) help others do the works of faith

Kawaihae Harbor-photo credit Clever Smyth 2012

Christians suffer according to our association with the Triune God [See: #14 Suffering: the Ugly Side of Faith (1 of 3) and (2 of 3)].

While we might suffer in our spirit or soul, bodily suffering is difficult. Thus, we are asked to “arm” ourselves with the same mind that Jesus had when he physically suffered. This mind (ĕnnŏia, en’-noy-ah, thinking that expresses purpose, intent, and moral understanding) is what helped Jesus endure his sufferings. Therefore, the changed mind is crucial for Christians who suffer greatly in their physical body: 

·        “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1, 2). 

·        Therefore, since Christ pathō experienced painful sensations for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same ĕnnŏia thinking that expresses purpose, intent, and moral understanding, for he who has pathō experienced painful sensations in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 

Physical suffering connects us to God and indicates we have stopped sinning! Thus, we live according to God’s will and not to our lusts. The exception is the innocents who are pure yet still suffer. Without sin, they beam forth God’s will through their peaceful, trusting behavior while we who remain in our lusts are puzzled, wracked with helplessness, and burdened with guilt.  

This Christmas and New Year, may all Christians who suffer—in spirit, soul, or body—by association with the Trinity, receive the reality of Christ’s abounding consolation as our own, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2 Cor. 1: 5).

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Scripture quotations from New King James Version (NKJV); Greek definitions from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.

#14 Suffering: the Ugly Side of Faith (2 of 3)

Suffering by Association
2) help others do the works of faith

photo credit: Dean Williams 2012

Christians of faith undergo suffering (pathēma, hardship, pain) because we share a connection to three Persons.

The first is to the Holy Spirit, who operates within the churches [See blog #14 Suffering: the Ugly Side of Faith (1 of 3)].

The second is due to our relationship with Christ. We are meant to share in his sufferings now that we might rejoice in his glory later:

·        “…rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13). 

·        …rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s pathēma hardship or pain, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 

This type of suffering relates to the fiery trials visited upon the soul. We are reproached, criticized, blamed, rebuked, and censured in Christ’s name. We undergo and endure mental/emotional suffering that must come because we are Christ’s own (1 Peter 4:12-17). 

As the soul is baptized by fire, the ego is confronted with a choice—much like the choice Adam and Eve were confronted with in the Garden—to choose either 1) God’s way, or 2) the self’s. 

If the distressed soul commits itself to God, then it enters into a shared victory with Christ in a different Garden, “…yet not my will, but yours be done” (1 Peter 4:19; Luke 22:42 NIV). 

These sufferings help us to lose our soul-life in order to save it (Mark 8:35).

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Scripture quotations from New International Version (NIV); otherwise, Scriptures from the King James Version of the bible. Greek definitions from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.

 

# 14 - Suffering: the Ugly Side of Faith (1 of 3)

Suffering by Association

2) help others do the works of faith

 

photo credit to: Dean Williams 2012

Most Christians suffer in our spirit, our souls, and/or our physical bodies. Yet, we are luckier than the world because we can access all the tools of faith—like prayer, laying on of hands, and working of miracles—to receive healing for ourselves. Even so “suffering”—defined in the Greek as pathēma (path’-ay-mah) hardship or pain—does not end. Why is that?

For Christians of faith, our sufferings are connected to three Persons. The first is to the Holy Spirit operating within the churches:

·  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…and have all been made to drink into one Spirit…And if one member suffers (pathō, path’-o) all the members suffer (sumpaschō, soom-pas’-kho) with it… (1 Cor.12:13, 26).

·  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…and have all been made to drink into one Spirit…And if one member experiences a painful sensation, all the members experience pain jointly or of the same kind with it…

In our suffering, the one Spirit allows others in the body of Christ to suffer (sumpaschō) experience united pain with us! Thus, the Spirit guarantees that in the body of Christ, we do not suffer alone.

In addition, when Christians pray the prayer of faith (James 5:13-16), a few of us may even experience the bodily (sōmatikŏs) symptoms of those we’re praying for.

Suffering by association benefits our spirit as we begin to learn what it truly means to be “one body” by one Spirit.

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Scripture quotations from New King James Version (NKJV);

Greek definitions from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Riverside Book and Bible House, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126); and

W. E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, New Jersey, 1981).

# 13 – Losing the Standard and Fanning the Flames

2) help others do the works of faith



photo credit: Dean Williams 2012

Do biblical standards serve Christians well on uncomfortable issues like abortion and GLBT rights? When these issues come up, do we behave defensively, guiltily, and apologetically; or, are we offensive, harsh, and just plain mean? Any one of these behaviors signals we’ve lost a very important biblical standard.

Christians are not defined by whether we are for or against “the issues”. Instead, what defines us is LOVE!

 

Love suffers long, is kind, is not puffed up or rude, and thinks no evil (1 Cor. 13: 4-7). If we fail to love according to this standard, then we are undefined Christians and breakers of the law. “The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal. 5:14, NIV).

Besides, at one time or other, members of our family, friends, or neighbors will become “the issue”. When they do, we are under command to love them—not more or less—but in the same way we love ourselves. Love binds us to one other as we are bound to our selves. After all, love is about balanced scales. Therein is justice satisfied.

As community issues continue to impinge upon our faith, let us remember that the standard God set for us is the same one he set for himself (John 3:16). Thus, if we lose the standard, then we’ve lost our connection to the Vine, Jesus.

In that case, we are useless branches, left to wither until we become fuel for the flames (John 15:6, NKJV).

 

 

Scripture quotations from the King James Version (KJV) of the bible unless otherwise indicated.

# 12 – Different Levels of Growth

2) help others do the works of faith

photo courtesy Dean Williams 2012

Our journey as Christians begins and ends in Christ Jesus. That journey starts where we are—in the flesh; and ends where we should be—in the spirit. Let’s review some basics.

• We received Jesus as Lord and Savior. We’ve confessed with our mouths, believed with our hearts, and are saved (Rom. 10:9, 10).

 

• Yet all who are saved do not submerge themselves into John’s baptism by water. Water-baptism displays our repentance over past offenses, and establishes our commitment to change for the better. Otherwise, we’re just a brood of saved vipers (Luke 3: 7, 8). 

• Jesus stressed the importance of being “born again” (John 3:3). If we don’t experience this re- birth, then we cannot “see”, ĕidō, know or perceive the kingdom of God because the kingdom is spiritually discerned. Moreover, if we are birthed by water and the Spirit, then not only do we “see” the kingdom of God, we can also “enter”, ĕisĕrchŏmai, into it spiritually. And this is where most Christians, out of fear, begin to “dis” the spirit-workings of the Holy Spirit. 

• Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire. This baptism burns up the chaff in us—our corrupt nature—so he can gather to himself the wheat-part of us (Luke 3:16, 17). Once we’ve identified with his death, burial, and resurrection, we are transformed into his image—and are born of Christ (Rom. 6:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 John 2:29; Col. 1:27, 28). 

• Christians who are born of Christ are also born of God and do not sin (1 John 3:2). We have learned to participate in the divine nature through the incorruptible seed that has been planted in us (2 Peter 1:4). 

• We are also born of the Spirit. If the Spirit births us, then we display other-worldly abilities. One of them is to come and go like the “wind”, pnĕuma, current of air, or spirit (John 3: 8). 

Yet, no matter what stage of the journey we are at, spiritual expressions will often occur in our lives by virtue of our births. Fear will not help us here. Only faith in Jesus—and support from the household of faith—will help make our journey a faith-filling one.

The kingdom of God is spirit. We are meant to be spirit. Isn’t it about time we put our fears away, and get acquainted with the spiritual kingdom he’s given us?

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References: Scripture quotations from New King James Version (NKJV). Greek definitions from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible; and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (1981).

# 11 – Faith to Recognize God’s Care

2) help others do the works of faith


Diamond Head hike 2012 - photo credit: Dean Williams

Recently, I read a post on a social network site where a young Christian woman claimed she heard the sound of an approaching “manapua” truck. This sound is familiar to all who grew up in the Hawaiian Islands. Every kid of elementary-school age recognizes this sound.

So, the experience would not have been an unusual one—except that this young woman was not in Hawaii—she was in Massachusetts! She knew no manapua truck was going to come around the corner (indeed, none came); and yet she also could not deny the reality of her experience.

So, she shared it online. Sadly, none of her age-group validated her experience. Instead, many ignored it. In the end, she too began to “dis” the experience, calling it “creepy”. However, she had enough reasons to accept her “creepy” experience as a gift from God. College had uprooted her from her culture. So she was missing home. Missing ‘ohana. Missing the local food.

Had she been able to receive her “manapua” experience by faith, she would have discovered the reality of an extraordinary God in her extremely ordinary life. He knew her yearning, her heart, and her homesickness—and showed he cared by sending her a blessing to comfort her—the familiar sound of the manapua truck.

We mistakenly reserve faith for “Godly things”. And when we do, we miss out on the only “Godly thing” God truly cares about—us!

I’d say that “us” would always be the right "time" when to apply faith.

 

# 10 – Do Christians Have Biased Faith?

2) help others do the works of faith



photo credit Dean Williams 2012

 

Do we know Christians who have waited to be “moved by the Spirit” before they lifted a finger to help a brother or sister in Christ? What a lame excuse used to disguise self-deception (James 1:22)!

To claim that the Spirit did not "move" us makes us “judges with evil thoughts”; thus we “hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ…with partiality” (James 2:1-4 NIV). Scripture clearly rectifies such self-deception, “…to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17 NKJV). Nowhere in that verse does it say to wait for the “moving” of the Spirit in order to lend a hand to another person in distress. At its basic level, it is opportunity—and not the “moving of the Spirit”—that requires we do good. The apostle Paul concluded, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).

Mature Christians need not wait for the Spirit to “move” us. We are fruit-bearers. The fruit of the Spirit alone—love, joy, peace, long-suffering (patience), gentleness, goodness (kindness), faith, meekness, and temperance (self-control) (Gal. 5:22, 23)—is sufficient for us to “move” ourselves because we’ve been busy “being fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:10 NIV)!

Do we “hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ…with partiality” (James 2:1-4 NIV)? Look closer. The fruit we bring forth reveals the condition of our hearts (Matt. 7:17, 18).

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Scriptures from The King James Version of the bible unless otherwise stated.

# 9b – When We Can’t Find Faith (Part 2 of 2)

3) Faith to recognize God’s answer

photo credit: Dean Williams 2012

In fact, I felt like my mother! I felt hunched like she had been. I felt I had her white hair, her facial creases, and her tired smile. So convinced was I that I anxiously glanced around the empty room. Mom, if your senior-citizen friends were to walk in here right now, would they say to me, ‘Ana, what are you doing here’?

Peace descended. Fear left. My body quieted. Joyfully, I hunkered down—so happy that God chose to answer this particularly strange prayer of mine.

When I came to, I felt like myself again.

I was surprised to see my aunt sitting next to my bed. Unexpectedly, a tear rolled down my face, which prompted her to ask, “How’re you doing? You okay?” This aunt and my mom were very close sisters-in-law. I responded that I was okay and thanked her for coming.

After she left, my heart beamed a silent prayer of gratitude to God for this extra special gesture on his part because in a strange way, mom had visited me twice: first, literally, as spirit-wind and then second, figuratively, in the flesh as aunty (Matt. 11:9, 10, 14 - John the Baptist as Elijah).

What is faith? For me faith is the proof of things I cannot see; the reality of what I hoped for and took hold of, during my time of need (Heb. 11:1).

 

Faith is accepting the proof and the reality when they appear in whatever form God chooses to package it.

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Scriptures from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV).

 

# 9a – When We Can’t Find Faith (Part 1 of 2)

3) Faith to recognize God’s answer

photo credit: Dean Williams 2012

It was the morning of my surgery for cancer. This time, it was a second go-round. This time, it was two different cancers in the same location. This time, all the prayers leading up to surgery seemed to lose their power. All I could feel was fear! Why weren’t the prayers from the fellowship working? Immediately, I looked to God.

Meanwhile, my body suffered its own earthquakes as I continued to shake on that hospital bed. The shaking wouldn’t stop. What’s wrong? I can’t be that scared, right Lord? The hospital assistant saw how “cold” I was and kindly brought me a blanket and hot pad for my feet. I guess I am scared, Lord.

“It’s almost our time to go up,” he said as his finger pointed in that direction. I hoped he wasn’t being prophetic. He left me alone for a little bit. Good! I needed more time to find the faith that up to now seemed to elude me.

“Lord,” I prayed, “if you are willing, please send my mother to visit me”. Although mom had passed months earlier, I remembered that God was the God of the living, not of the dead (Matt. 22:32). And, since mom was a Christian, I knew she was not dead, just sleeping (Matt. 9:24).

Suddenly, I felt a “wind” blow into my body (John 3:8). I looked around to see where the “wind” had come from and realized that I was looking around my hospital room through my mother’s eyes!

 

(When We Can’t Find Faith…continues in Part 2 of 2).

 Scriptures from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV).

 

# 8 – The Plan, the Provision, and Works of Faith

2) Help others do the works of faith

photo credit: Dean Williams 2012

God decided to wipe out all corrupt flesh (Gen. 6:12, 13). Yet, God’s grace made provision for one righteous man, Noah. Once God did this, Noah became a participant in the plan, not a bystander. Thus, Noah had to work out his salvation with works of faith—called ark-building.

But what if Noah had decided to just “have faith” in God’s provision, and did nothing that the works of faith required?? Would his bystander-mentality still have saved him and his family? Or, would God have let him perish, along with his dead faith? Doesn’t Scripture say that faith without works is dead, being alone (James 2:17)?

The last days’ catastrophic events are to once again purge the earth of corrupt flesh. Have we bothered to do our own ark-building? For example, have we grown in grace*, cast off the works of darkness*, put on Christ*, and been diligent to be found of God in peace—without spot—and blameless*? These are works of faith. If we believe for the rapture, yet have done nothing of the works of faith to prepare ourselves for it, then our faith is dead.

Moreover, if we do nothing to work out our precious salvation, nor accompany our faith with works to inherit the promises, we are lazy believers (Heb. 6:1-12)! God has yet to retract or change his plan for lazy fools. Ready or not, even Jesus will not open the door for fools when the time comes (Matt. 25:1-12).

Like Father, like Son.

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*2 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 13:12; Rom. 13:14; 2 Pet. 3:14, respectively - Scriptures from The King James Version of the bible.

 

# 7c – A Story of Homelessness and of Faith that Purifies the Heart (Part 3 of 3)

2) Help others do the works of faith

Today, we engage in high levels of frustration and anger over disputes aggravated by a sense of justice gone wrong. We feel strong emotions of betrayal accompanied by a sense that we have the “right” to see justice done. Fine. But these demands so often fall upon deaf ears—and in most cases go unsatisfied. So, what recourse is there?

Christians, who are conscious of God, are called to bear up under the pain of unjust suffering (1 Peter 2:19, 21 NIV). Christ is our example. He too had “rights”, which he chose not to exercise; instead, he entrusted them to God—for care or for action (1 Peter 2:21-23 NIV).

After I became homeless, I learned that today’s atmosphere of disputes and disagreements are opportunities for a rare type of faith to flourish. If we are sick at heart over our present situation, if our heart is heavy or angry, if we let our heart give up in the face of prolonged suffering, then we need the faith that purifies hearts (Acts 15:9).

First, we refrain from making a distinction between “us” and “them”. Second, we trust God, who makes no such distinction because he knows the hearts of “us” and “them”. Third, then God purifies the hearts of “us” by faith, which ultimately heals the sickness within. And fourth, if God chooses to remove “them” from their position of power because their heart resists every opportunity to do good—then that is God’s business.

Ours is to love.

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Scriptures from King James Version of the bible and New International Version (NIV).

 

 

# 7b – A Story of Homelessness and of Faith that Purifies the Heart (Part 2 of 3)

2) Help others do the works of faith

I felt comforted that Jesus also had no permanent place to lay his head. Finally, after many nights had stretched into 11 unsettling months, my heart was ready to forgive. Only then did the situation miraculously right itself.

I was home again. In an effort to make peace, I sought out the person whose power had brought me to experience homelessness, unrighteousness, and pain. After all, he was a “positional” Christian, and under God’s law, I owed him nothing except love (Rom. 13:8 NIV). I held out my hand and he shook it, politely inquiring if my unpacking had gone well. I nodded, unable to stop silent tears from streaming down my face. Nonetheless, I was satisfied. I accomplished pono (righteousness) between us and my heart knew God was pleased.

Five months later, the Association let our manager go. Shortly afterwards, I found myself in the laundry room, sharing my homeless story with the head of the Association. I was told to hire an attorney because I had broken no lease terms to warrant an eviction. I could sue.

I considered the advice. Who had more “right” to sue than I had? Then, once again, a bible verse gently “walked” across my mind. “Why not rather be wronged?  Why not rather be cheated?” (1 Cor. 6:7 NIV) These were tough questions. At first, I resisted. What was God after?

“Forgive” quietly echoed in my head. I sighed heavily. I had forgiven. My heart was clean. I tossed out that good-looking temptation.

(A Story of Homelessness…continues in Part 3 of 3)

Scripture from the New International Version (NIV) of the bible.

# 7a – A Story of Homelessness and of Faith that Purifies the Heart (Part 1 of 3)

2) Help others do the works of faith

Under an evening streetlight, I silently waved goodbye to my ‘ohana (family). They watched from the window of what used to be my fourth floor residence. Then quietly, as if to match the somberness of the moment, a bible verse “walked” across my mind. “All things work for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Was God asking me to trust him no matter how my homeless situation unfolded?

I slept in my car that first night and grieved over my loss. I had nothing now except faith in an unseen God in whose hands I had placed my life many years ago. Faith told me that God had my back. Faith reminded me that God knew where I lay my head. Faith assured me that God grieved and hurt with me; that he understood my anger, my desire to lash out at the powers that had manipulated my lifestyle in one moment of time.

Relatives eventually put me up at night. By 5:30 in the morning I’d be gone, not wanting to become an unwelcome guest. During the day, there was nothing to do, nowhere to go—except to state parks. These were hassle-free at the time and provided the necessary bathroom facilities.

The alienation and mental-emotional stresses we face daily are overwhelming. Add to that the recent criminalization of homelessness by governing powers, and our situation escalates to insurmountable. No one truly "adjusts" to homelessness.

Instead, we dodge and cope.

(A Story of Homelessness...continues in Part 2 of 3)
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Scripture from the King James Version (KJV) of the bible.

# 6 – Faith: Our Inner Witness

2) Help others do the works of faith

Faith is not an assumption—“A statement accepted as true without proof”*. How long have Christians’ erroneously accepted this as faith’s definition?!

Interestingly, scholars of the NKJV Study Bible agree, the verse in Hebrews 11:1 is not a definition of faith either! Rather, it describes what faith does.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1 NKJV).

They explain that “substance” means “reality”; and “evidence” means “proof” or “conviction”. Thus, faith is the reality of things hoped for, the proof of things faith provides to convict us that what is unseen is real!

Faith is reality, proof and conviction. Without these, it’s assumption.

For instance, at the altar call we made our confession of faith. Faith provided the inner witness, which is proof and conviction that something real occurred, and we were saved: “He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself;” (1 John 5:10 NKJV).

As we grow in the gospel of Christ, however, confession of faith—by itself—will not be enough. God makes known his righteousness as we grow from faith to faith (Rom. 1:17). One such faith keeps company with works!

…faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17).

Faith is action manifested within the parameters of works. We don’t do faith; we do works. As we do works, our inner witness will continue to convict us that faith is present. Otherwise, the faith we have is dead.

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*The American Heritage Dictionary, Based on the New Second College Edition; Scriptures from King James Version of the bible, unless otherwise indicated with NKJV (New King James Version) taken from NKJV Study Bible, 2^nd Edition, 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc.

#5 - By Faith in Christ Jesus

2) Help others do the works of faith

Being saved by grace—through faith—is a gift from God; we could not do anything of our own efforts to earn God’s gift (Eph. 2: 8, 9). Afterwards, however, what we do with that gift is our responsibility, which is to grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18). Grace is not a stagnant position. Grace is a growth process!

Like an embryo that is predestined to grow into a baby, so the newborn Christian is predestined to grow into the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). To accomplish this goal, the church is supposed to bring us to unity:

1)      of the faith, and

2)      of the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph. 4:13).

We, the body of Christ, are to provide the necessary tools to bring us into this predestination (Rom. 8:29, 30). These tools are the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph. 4:11, 12). They are to grow us up until we arrive “unto a perfect man…”

Perfect, tĕlĕiŏs, is to be complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.). The dictionary defines complete as “having all necessary parts, elements, or steps”; “brought to an end: concluded”; “finished”; and is “marked by the highest quality”.

Our Christian journey begins and ends by faith in Christ Jesus. So let us encourage these ministries who grow us up. If we don’t, then perhaps we not only failed “of the grace of God” (Heb. 12:15), but also of faith—to the household of faith (Gal. 6:10)!

 

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All Scriptures come from The King James Version of the bible; definition from Strong’s Concordance: “perfect” #5046 (Eph. 4:13); and Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.

#4 – Faith is a Personal Feeling

1) Exploring different variations of faith

Many of us can agree that faith is personal. We base faith upon what we believe. Once our confession of faith leaves our heads and our mouths, belief drops into our emotions and become part of our feelings (Rom 10:8 NIV).

Our feelings consist of who we are—and since we are unique individuals—these feelings can sometime cause friction, arguments, or misunderstandings we never intended. Even worse, when we put our faith in areas where others find hard to follow, our faith is tested because now we stand alone in what we believe.

Jesus, too, stood alone in his day. The religious hierarchy was his most active accusers because their past faith did not recognize their present reality. Before them stood the person they were waiting for—and yet Jesus stood alone. Even on the cross, in his most desperate hour, he cried: "My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?"

Today, many of us feel forsaken or alone in areas where the faith of others cannot follow. For Christians, these feelings are even more acutely felt, leaving us to feel vulnerable—abandoned to the forces that momentarily prevail.

Yes, faith is personal, so who can agree with it? Our dependence is upon the Lord, who said, "Come. Follow me". When we do, then we are truly never alone—even in the places where no one else will go. He is with us. We know this to be true. Just as surely as our faith feels it to be true. Every single day.

Faith #3 - The Household of Faith

1) Exploring different variations of faith

We have doubters within the household of faith! Remember Thomas? He had eaten, slept, and journeyed alongside others as they followed after Jesus. Yet, later, Thomas had no faith in their eyewitness testimony:

We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe (John 20:25).

There’s an understood “you” at the end of that verse. When he “dissed” them, he was calling them liars, wasn’t he!

What was Thomas’ difficulty? Simple. He just hadn’t experienced seeing the Lord for himself. That’s the arrogance, or ignorance, of holding on to one expectation of faith—our own—while excluding the faith of others. At the point, where recognition and acceptance for the faith of others ceases to be defined by love (1 Cor. 13:4-13), then we also cease to do “good” to the household of faith (Gal. 6:10).

However, Jesus gave us a remedy. Single out those who have no previous eye-witness experiences of their own, yet recognize and accept others’ faith anyway; then, acknowledge how blessed they are, just as Jesus did:  “…blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Faith does not have to occur exclusively within the boundaries of our own experiences. Faith can also occur within the boundaries of others’. This is why we are called the household of faith!

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 Scriptures from the King James Version.

Faith #2 - Different Genders, Different Styles of Faith

1) Exploring different variations of faith

Most men are cerebral. They are the sum of their thoughts. Faith for men starts in their brain. At some point, their confession of faith eventually drops into their heart, where faith becomes reality. Until the Spirit apprehends their heart, displays of emotion make men feel uncomfortable, even threatened, by their emotional female counterparts.

Most women are emotional. We are the sum of our feelings. So, faith is a feeling for us. My brother asked me once, “How did you know there was a (spiritual) barrier there?” I replied, “I felt it”. Every moment, of every day, feelings are who we are—and sometimes get us into trouble if we do not apply the fruit of self-control. Until our men can accept our feelings on the same level as they accept their thoughts, we’ll have to look to another Man for emotional support, Jesus. He felt sorrow. He wept. He agonized in the Garden. He felt abandoned by the One upon whom he had come to trust. So, who better to understand and empathize with us than the person we call Lord and Savior?

God does not make mistakes. We are created to be both rational and emotional human beings. Truly we are meant to embrace both areas of our human nature? That is, until we accept, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ” (Gal. 3:28 NIV). To be “one” takes another leap of faith for both genders.

Faith #1 - Faith at Different Levels

1) Exploring different variations of faith

The Skeptics

What is faith? Skeptics believe they know. They experienced religious faith and then discovered it doesn’t work for them. Religious faith left them feeling unhappy, used, and certain never to be made a fool of again. Fully persuaded that religious faith is only for weaklings and idiots, we will not find religious faith operating in their world. Skeptics will swear that religious faith has nothing to do with their decision-making or risk-taking. They believe that their actions determined the results. And there’s nothing wrong with what they believe because that is their faith.

Spirit-filled Christians

For Spirit-filled Christians, faith is an experience that has proven itself. When they heard the message of salvation in Jesus Christ, the word of faith brought them a born-again experience. When they were baptized with fire, they experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. One such gift is called the gift of faith. The gift of faith brings the certainty of fullness where there is lack, the certainty of overcoming where there are obstacles, the certainty that God will perform what he has promised, etc. All spiritual gifts remain with the receiver for life because God’s gifts and callings are irrevocable.

Fruit-bearing Christians

There is a point, however, when another experience begins to beckon the Spirit-filled Christian, called bringing forth fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22, 23 NIV). It is at this crossroads where Spirit-filled Christians are reluctant to let go of the “moving of the Holy Spirit” in order to bring forth the “fruit of the Spirit”. They perceive the “moving” with its power as more desirable than the “fruiting” with its godly characteristics—which they mistakenly equate with weakness. Yet, the fruiting is more important to Jesus, especially in the “last days” when lots of power will be displayed, and the fruiting, especially love, has all but disappeared (Matt. 24:11, 12, 24). He will look for fruit in the power-wielding Christian, and finding none, he will reject them (Matt. 7:16-20, 22, 23).

Full-bloomed, the fruit of the Spirit marks us differently from the world. Our character has been fashioned after the character of Jesus, the Son of God. As such—whether in season or out of season, whether in need or in plenty—the full-fruited Christian will not fail to represent the One in whose image we are made.

The nine fruit of the Spirit is the end-product—and our testimony—of the condition of the tree upon which fruit is found. Fruit guides our behavior. The fruit of faith, like all fruits, grow through trials and testing, stays the course, overcomes adversities, and prevails. Thus, while people everywhere are shaken by wars or rumors of wars, pestilence, famines, or earthquakes, etc., why not align with a full-fruited Christian, whose spiritual fruit consists of the assurance of peace, and the fruit of faith?  

Scripture quotations from the King James Version (KJV) of the bible unless otherwise noted.

Faith #0 - Exploring Faith

We admit. It’s not easy to have faith for life and incorruption. So in this next part of our blog we will explore faith, either through the Scriptures, or by sharing our discoveries about faith. Since there are many types of faith, we will try to bring clarity to a few of them.

One of those types of faith is connected with salvation. We understand that we can do nothing of works to make salvation happen for us. Salvation was Jesus’ work. Ours is to receive his work by “the word faith” (Romans 10:8-10).

On the other hand, James writes that there is a faith that is never alone. This faith keeps company with works. Otherwise, he says, our faith is dead (James 2:17). This type of faith is connected to the growth, or outworking, of our salvation. The apostles wrote that there are things we have to discard, put off, put on, grow up into, conform to, transform into, etc.—and they all take works of faith to accomplish.

Thus, our aim on this part of our blog is to 1) explore different variations of faith, 2) help others do the works of faith and 3) show how to recognize God’s answer when it arrives. Yes, it still takes faith to recognize God’s answer in whatever form he packages it.

Together, let’s find faith’s reality and faith’s proof—of the things we hope for yet do not see (Heb. 12:1).

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Scripture quotations from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the bible unless otherwise noted.