Our Faith is NEVER Perfect This Side of Eternity
Last evening during our small group Bible study, the one leading spoke the truth defining exactly how we often find ourselves. In part & in paraphrase, this leader said—
- I thought my faith was strong.
- I thought my Bible study time was going well.
- I thought my walk with God was just as it should be.
This week, I too saw my weakness, my inadequacy, and even a lack of faith in some areas of my life. As he spoke, I sat there thinking, “Yeah, that is true. Oh my, this is also ME!”
People we know struggle to see Jesus.
Yes, that is right.
People—Unbelievers we Know, Both Boys & Girls—Struggle to See Jesus!
However, also true—
- The demons react to Jesus—differently.
- The demons know exactly who Jesus is in His authority as Almighty God.
- Demonic spirits have no such struggle.
- Demonic spirits recognize the power of Jesus over them.
As believers, we often think we must be perfect, that Jesus will reject us if we are weak in our faith; when in fact, the exact opposite is the TRUTH. It is when we are walking through the valleys, when our faith seems lowest, or when we struggle to really trust God’s power—THAT IS WHEN WE EXPERIENCE THE COMPASSION & THE AMAZING GRACE OF GOD—MOST!
“And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH
THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM
RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE
OPPRESSED,
TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF
THE LORD.”
And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down;
and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
And He began to say to them,
“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
(Luke 4: 17-21 NASB)
We who believe—must continually confess our sins.
Because Our Faith is NEVER Perfect This Side of Eternity
We who believe—must confess our lack of faith in the trials that come our way.
Because Our Faith is NEVER Perfect This Side of Eternity
We who believe—must confess our unbelief whenever we forget—God does have the power to cause change.
Because Our Faith is NEVER Perfect This Side of Eternity
Those who walk this side of eternity in unbelief—
- Are listening to what we say about our sins, how we react to our sins, and how we speak about our LORD.
And—
- Are watching to see how we react when life-struggles come our way, when health issues plague our bodies, & when our faith seems at its lowest.
Help us to lead those who do not yet know Jesus—to see the power of Almighty God to see Jesus alive within us.
With others, Bible study is such a necessary component of our faith-walk as we walk through life in close fellowship with other believers.
LORD, help our unbelief when we fail to rely upon YOU!
LORD, help us remember everything this side of eternity is all about YOU!
May we:
- Lean In Toward JESUS!
- Rely upon GOD!
- Totally Trust the FATHER!
- Receive GOD’S AMAZING GRACE!
- Accept HIS COMPASSION!
- Receive HIS MERCY—With Every Breath We Take!
Because with God, what we receive is ALWAYS GREATER than whatever we lose!
Thus, may we
(who believe in God &
who confess our sins &
who accept Jesus Christ as our Savior)
live our lives according to what the Word of God speaks.
- May we not live by our impulses, desires, wants, or by what the world says is right.
- May we not trust in anything else BUT GOD!
Lauren Daigle’s “Trust in You” comes to my mind. It is God who steadies us, whose ways are higher, who moves the mountains, who answers our prayers, who leads us as we go, who comforts us, who walks with us through the valleys, & who even leads us up to the mountain top. In all ways & in all situations & on all days & within every decision—LORD, help us to “Trust in You.”
Today, as we step out of our homes and into the watching world, as we arrive at the places we need to go today, may we LIVE out loud, consciously aware how—Our Faith is NEVER Perfect This Side of Eternity—HOW WE ARE TO REFLECT JESUS IN THIS WORLD!
Therefore, in closing, the Bible tells of a time, right after Jesus led Peter, James, and John to the mountaintop & allowed them to see a taste of heaven as Jesus was transfigured. The three men then returned to the base of the mountain. As they did, they sank into a valley of unbelief.
May we who follow Jesus be reminded how we can always draw
EVEN CLOSER TO OUR LORD!
- May we continually pray, seeking God’s direction.
- May we daily study God’s Word, striving to learn all that the Lord has for us. &
- May we remember that while Jesus remains seated at the throne of God, there is still time, precious time to bring the lost to the feet of Jesus.