"...blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." -from John 20:29.
The single key element missing from the professing Church of Christ in these last days is true faith. We serve the Living God, not merely a God that was active for only our dead ancestors. Yet that is precisely how many who claim Christ's name treat Him. That the only real value they can gain from being a Christian is the salvation of their souls; which will only happen after death.
Brethren, even the devils believe in God, and tremble (James 2:19): do you not know that a faith without works is dead (James 2:20)? Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we must not only believe that God exists, but that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Mark 16:20 says that as the disciples went forth, the Lord worked with them: confirming the word with signs. Does your life confirm that the Lord's words are present in you (John 15:7)?
When God tells you that He will supply all your need in Philippians 4:19, do you believe it? Or will you only believe it if you have a job? God doesn't include this condition with the afore mentioned promise! In fact, if you will look at Matthew 6:24-34 (especially v.33), Jesus is directly showing us that employment is NOT a prerequisite to His provision. What we need, is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; then what we need will be provided. The Lord may lead you to a job, and bless you in it; but when the business goes under, will you then trust in the faithful God which provided the job, or merely in finding another job?
In Genesis chapter 1, we find that on the first day, God created light. But it was not until the fourth day that God created the Sun and Moon! Do you really trust the Lord? Or do you only trust in Him if you can see the possibilities? Brethren, that is not faith (II Cor. 5:7, Heb. 11:1). Almighty God created this entire universe without any material resources (Heb. 11: 3)! For more on this God-pleasing type of faith, see Reconsidering Our Faith on our website.
The major part of that faith comes from relying upon God's Word, and believing it to be true. We must not only believe in His promises, but also in His rebukes. Only too many people think that they have "really tried" prayer, and that it didn't work; so now they but trust in their own devices. They will never please God in this way! From such as this is derived the heresy, "God helps those that help themselves." Nothing could be further from the truth, just look at Psalm 147:10,11. We will be spued from Christ's mouth along with the other Laodiceans that say, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." See Rev. 3:14-19. Brethren, if we choose to be rich in this world, we have already received our consolation (Luke 6:24).
What we need to do, and are just too proud for, is to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God (I Peter 5:6). God is indeed kind even to the unthankful and to the evil. But there are often circumstances in our lives which prevent God from answering our prayers. Now, Jesus tells us that everyone that asks, receives; in both Matt. 7:8 and Luke 11:10. If we are therefore persistent with our requests, the Lord will lead us in a way that will qualify us to receive the answers. Through the 19th century saint George Mueller, I have come to think of these as the Conditions of prevailing prayer.
Be warned: this way of faith will naturally lead into trial. How else can faith be proven, except in active use? You will be led to the place of absolute dependance and trust in God, and then without His intervention, you would fall. Yes, you may have opportunity to "work things out" when the situation comes; but will it be faith in the unseen God, or trust in the arm of flesh (Jer. 17:5-8)? Either our God is real, alive, and true to His word, or He isn't! Faith that is strong, is faith which has been proven.
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." -Matt. 6:6.
This way is not the easy way, brethren in Christ! But God has promised that, "them that honour me I will honour." Along with those sore trials, you will come to know your savior and creator more deeply than you could have imagined; and you will be blessed, far more deeply and often than you would have thought possible.
"And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." -Psalm 9:10.
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