The Conflicting Nature of Christianity, Part #4

Earl Gillespie

The Conflicting Nature of Christianity

What is True Faith?

Part #4

Our indoctrination teaches us that it would be impossible to go from day to day without the blessing of God raining down upon us.  Messages and songs are scripted around the concept of, "waiting for the blessing", rather than, "what are you doing with your blessing." 

Throughout the acclamations of praise certain phrases are used to bring about an emotional release, such as If I believe it, I can achieve it, God is a deliverer or I know God is a healer.  Does the true concept of faith means, If I believe in Jesus I can ask for whatever I need and it will be granted?  Many will quickly answer yes, and this is the message of many churches today, but what does the evidence say?  Is there a possibility that we are misunderstanding the meaning of faith?  Paul spoke on many occasions about the virtues of faith, and he extorted others to remain in the faith.  To understand the true meaning of this faith maybe we ought to study the life of Paul.  

We know that Paul was imprisoned in a Roman jail and that imprisonment  ultimately led to his death under Nero's rule.  While imprisoned Paul wrote letters of encouragement to the newly converted follower of Christ and to those he commission to carry his work after he was gone.  

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen What did Paul hope for, deliverance, healing financial gains?  These seem to be the things that  modern Christianity is obsessed with.  If Paul's hope or faith was based upon the acquisition of these material things, then it seem as if Paul's faith was in vain, yet we know this is not to be true.  We ought to be able to conclude that the faith Paul wrote about was based upon the life he was committed to live. Therefore, based upon the evidence of Paul's life and hope, it should be unthinkable to use his messages as a means to promote financial gains.  

Ephesians 1:15 Wherefore I, also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,  To have faith in Jesus Christ, we must believe the conditions of his birth, his life, his death and resurrection. We must believe that he ascended to his father, and if we hold true to this faith,  then shall we reign with him."  The evidence of Paul's life and the evidence that surrounds us allows us to reach no other justifiable conclusion.

Take a closer look at Paul's final message to Tiomthy.  This is the message of a man of faith who is about to be put to death.  Where is that exhortation of praying for his deliverance?

2 Timothy 4:1-8 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Faith in Christianity is based on the work and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christianity declares not to be distinguished by faith, but by the object of its faith. Rather than being passive, faith leads to an active life aligned with the ideals and the example of the life of Jesus. It sees the mystery of God and his grace and seeks to know and become obedient to God. To a Christian, faith is not static, but causes one to learn more about God and grow, and has its origin in God. 

In Christianity, faith causes change as it seeks a greater understanding of God. Faith is not simply obedience to a set of rules or statements. Before Christians can have faith, they must understand in whom and in what they have faith. Without understanding, there cannot be true faith, and that understanding is built on the foundation of the community of believers, the scriptures and traditions and on the personal experiences of the believer. 

Faith should not be based upon God is going to get us through this situation, but faith should allow us to believe that there is a better day coming. Consider again the life and death of the disciples, Paul and others whose life exemplified the fullness of faith. There is no record of the great patriots begging God to deliver them from the affliction of the world. There was no prayer for prosperity or long life. When death came, they rejoiced in its anticipation, they were prepared and ready to go. In Philippians 1:23-24 Paul puts it this way, “ For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Not for me, but for you.)

Within the last hundred years Christianity has undergone dramatic changes. There are denominations less than two hundred years old professing to be the only true religion. As a small child, I was confused at the concept of a religion more than two thousand years old being challenged by many newly formed denominations. A split or break-away can be used to purify the faith if it has become polluted, but care must be taken when taking these actions. The motive behind these actions can be nothing more than an attempt to consolidate one's power. The question now presents itself and beg for an answer is, "why does Jesus need so many different churches?" A firm belief in God and the church as the bride of Christ should be a deterrent to spurious actions, but in many instances this seems not to be the case. The formation of many churches is an individual thing; it is designed around the concept of one individual's struggle for power or recognition. Member's joined not because of the message of Jesus Christ, but because of the style or message of the of the individual. Was it the Word of God or the faith in Jesus Christ that allowed the Reverend Ike's of the ministries to fleece millions out of their money so they could retire in luxury? Was it the message of Christ that attracted millions of followers to follow Jim Jones to their death?  Is

Is it the faith that Paul spoke of that allows ministers to shape the scripture and turn the Word of God into a money making propersition?

Now I am about to enter a forbidden territory, because I am about to call out some of our preachers. The prophecy of Isaiah 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed, still hold true today. My experience with too many ministers of today give credence to Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. What am I trying to say here is that I have a problem with a preacher that will lead a young innocent man down the path of prostitution. I have a problem with a minister of God who will commit rape, then hours latter preaches a message that stirs the whole church. But most of all I have a problem with a preacher that will carry a grudge for  years, and infect others with their lies

Luke 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Next

"Do God Answer All Prayers?"

Part #5