Maintaining Faith in an Unstable World
“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” Mark 9:24
The conflict between faith and doubt is the great reality of the time in which we live. Never before in human history has so much tragedy been witnessed in such vivid display to so many. News events are transmitted via cell phones worldwide as they happen — hurricanes, earthquakes, famine, sickness, murder, terrorism, and every imaginable evil. Even more disheartening are news reports filled with the hypocrisy of those who were supposed to be pillars of the community and faithful shepherds of the church—their crimes against the innocent have now been exposed and add an even greater burden to the weak in faith. At times like these, doubt can plague even the most earnest Christian.
Why does faith falter and how can we increase our faith to withstand the storms of life?
To bring stability to our faith, we must first understand
the root causes of doubt. There are at least five underlying
conditions which undermine faith: 1. a
lack of proper Scriptural understanding of prophetic events
and the plan of God; 2. an overwhelming personal experience
which is very difficult to endure; 3. asense of helplessness
when viewing the broad spectrum of trouble throughout the earth;
4. an underlying physical condition which exhausts our spiritual
strength; and 5. repeated exposure to temptations which we permit
to constantly plague us. To complicate matters, Satan and the
fallen angels take advantage of these areas of our weakness,
suggesting thoughts which make us question our faith even more.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us of this: “For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.”
Cause # 1: Lack of Scriptural Understanding Remedy: A Solid Foundation
For faith to survive the storms of life we must seek to know God’s character, plans and purposes as revealed in His Word. Indeed, truth—a faith based upon knowledge—is the shield and buckler of a child of God. (Psalm 91:4) Knowing what preparation God is doing in the earth for His Kingdom is a critical remedy to dispel our doubts and fears. The Apostle Peter urges: “Add to your faith, knowledge...” 2 Peter 1:5
God has provided in His Word an understanding of prophecy at this time so that His children will not be in distress when they see earth-shattering events unfold. However, a misinterpretation of prophecy can cause confusion and unfounded fear. And so, it is important to prove all things by harmonizing the Scriptures. (1 Thessalonians 5:21) But, be aware that in Christian bookstores today there are many books which sensationalize and fictionalize the events of prophecy. In these books, highly symbolic passages are interpreted as literal, and although the Bible does indicate trouble in the earth at this time, the wrong interpretation of Scripture can totally distort the loving character and plans of God.
Thus, it is a good practice to square every doctrine with two pivotal truths: 1. Jesus’ ransom for all to be testified in due time; and 2. The fact that “God is love” and "His compassions fail not." (1 Timothy 2:3-6; 1 John 4:16; Lamentations 3:22) We should test doctrinal interpretations to see if they are in harmony with the loving character of God who has provided for a full and fair opportunity of salvation for all mankind in due time. This is the hope for a world now in crisis, and it should reinforce our faith and put our minds at peace.
Cause # 2: Overwhelming Personal Trials Remedy: Knowing Why God Tests Faith
Why do Christians have to endure pain and sorrow? Many Christians are losing their jobs, some are losing their life’s savings, and some are even watching their families go homeless and hungry. Why doesn’t God protect Christians from these troubles? There are two primary reasons why God permits His children to endure hardness under the pressures of this world in crisis.
First, it is good to remember that Christians are not exempt from the common troubles of this life. “Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people... but at the time that you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it...” (1 Corinthians 10:13 GNB) True heart sympathy for others can only be gained by going through the hard experiences common to all. Jesus is referred to as a “sympathetic high priest,” and like our Master, Christians must be developed through the trials of life to have sympathy for mankind and their sufferings.
Secondly, at the end of their Christian journey, the followers
of Christ will be tested upon their faith. Therefore, God-like
character must be developed over time by experience, and then
tested to be proven worthy of a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)
“The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto
praise and honour and glory at the
appearing of Jesus Christ...” (1 Peter 1:7) For those who seek
the reward of living and reigning with Christ in God’s Kingdom,
they must have a developed, crystallized character which has
remained loyal to Him, even under pressure. This is why God
permits repeated testings.
This Christian era has been a time to educate and develop a select group of faithful saints taken out from this imperfect and corrupt world—a Bride for God's Son. This Bride class, also known as the body of Christ or the Church, will be willing to submit to the same kind of death as her bridegroom—a sacrificial death. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection…” (Romans 6:5) For some this will mean giving up a successful career to live a more humble and simple life, and thus, be more available for service to God. For another it will mean the alienation from loved ones who are repelled by God’s Truth. For another it will mean a life of illness or tragedy, and the joyful acceptance of enduring this as a momentary affliction during this short life. Only God knows what is best for His children’s education, and by providence, He will work all things together for their good. (Romans 8:28) Yes, for the Christian, “…though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen... but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Cause #3: Helplessness in the Midst of Global Troubles Remedy: Understanding the Permission of Evil
To have a stable faith in God, we must be convinced by
the Scriptures that He is loving and wise—providing
all things for man’s eternal welfare. God, whose character is
supreme love, would not have permitted 6,000 years of evil to
reign over His creation without a useful purpose and, ultimately,
a grand outcome. 1 John 4:8
To understand why God permits suffering, we must first realize the difference between permitting and causing. God has permitted man to have a temporary experience with evil, but He did not cause the evil. No, Satan, the “god of this world” is the great first cause of all evil in the universe. He is the unrelenting enemy of God and God’s creation. 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2
Our Heavenly Father desires mankind to live in peace, health and happiness, but He now allows Satan to rule for a limited time in order that each individual may learn valuable lessons—experiencing the results of evil and selfishness.
Thus we read, “This sore travail has God given to man
to be exercised therewith.” (Ecclesiastes 1:13) As an illustration,
although parents will try to intervene at times when a child
ventures off onto a dangerous path, often, it takes the hard
lessons of a rebellious life to learn that trust and obedience
would have saved much pain and suffering. Just as the loving
parents were waiting—ready to take back the child with love
and open arms—so, God is longsuffering with humanity. He knew
that Adam and Eve would not comprehend His warning about sin
and its dire consequences. Out of love, God formulated a plan
whereby Adam’s disobedience might provide a valuable, though
difficult lesson for all mankind.
Cause # 4: Physical Condition Exhausts Spiritual Strength Remedy: Keep Looking Forward Physical
Physical and mental weakness is a fact of fallen human life. Everyone at some time will experience some condition which will cause real suffering. At times like these, we need to see how our Master Jesus handled his trials. Of Jesus, the Apostle Paul states: “...who for the joy set before him, endured the cross...” Christians must learn through their experiences to have this same hopeful attitude. (Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 2:5) The joy which allowed Jesus to endure even the heaviness of his cross—a cross which he bore for three and a half years—was the knowledge of God’s loving plan for all mankind. Keeping in mind the big picture of how God’s plan is working out good for His entire creation is what provided the joy that helped Jesus endure his cross. This is the same joy which will carry the faithful through every trial. And so, we can rejoice, even though there are times of fear and distress, for we realize that there is a purpose to our suffering.
Discovering how and when God will end the world’s suffering
is critical in strengthening our faith structure, as well. The
Apostle Paul speaks of Jesus’ death as “a ransom for all to
be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:6) This ransom makes
possible two primary phases of God’s redemptive plan. The first
is the selection of Christ’s Church which is taking place now.
The test of faithfulness, under adverse conditions, is one of
character refinement to the end that each might be able ministers
in God’s Kingdom to those who were not capable of accepting
Christ now. Note the words in Acts 15:14-17: “God at the first
did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His
name [the true church]. And to this agree the words of the prophets;
as it is written, after this I will return and will build again
the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build
again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue
[remainder] of men might seek after the Lord…”
Note the point that a small group, “a people for His name,” is selected first out of the Gentiles. During this Christian Age, the Lord is only converting a few, a “little flock” “who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory, honor and immortality.” (Romans 2:7) The second phase of God’s redemptive plan is setting up the “tabernacle of David,” which was an Old Testament illustration of the Kingdom of Christ. After Christ returns, believers are united with him, and their work will be the conversion of “the residue of men” [the rest of mankind—NAS version]. Revelation 22:17 prophesied of that time: “And the Spirit [the returned Christ] and the bride [the true church] say, Come [to the residue of men.] And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that thirsts come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Cause #5: Constant Exposure to Temptations Remedy: Avoidance and Resistance
Sin sickness is a foe which undermines faith. It must be fought with determined effort and prayer for grace and strength.
This is a powerful statement: “Resist the devil and he
will flee from you.” (James 4:7) The heart is the battleground,
and Satan is our enemy. We are not, however, to battle directly
with Satan, for we are no match against him and his minions.
We are to resist his influence, his deceptions, and his endeavors
to lead us into error and sin. The instant we resist temptation
and stand up for the Lord we become “strong in the Lord and
in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10
From the beginning of creation, God desired the human
family to experience the privilege of exercising free will.
This liberty of choice has, of necessity, been a hard lesson.
The planetary systems move in mechanical obedience; the animal
creation is driven mainly by instinct; and God could have programmed
the ideal man to be, likewise, blindly obedient, but man would
be no better than a robot. Instead, God created man in His own
image, with the ability to love and obey by choice. Because
of the vivid lessons provided by the cruel consequences of disobedience,
man is learning why obedience to God is the only path to happiness.
Ultimately, under the more favorable circumstances of God’s
Kingdom, man will choose to love and respect his fellow man
and his environment. More importantly, he will joyfully render
love, respect and perfect obedience to his Creator—trusting
in His gracious provisions. Understanding why God has allowed
the exercise of free will helps us to develop our faith—choosing
good and resisting evil.
Developing a Deep and Abiding Faith
Sometimes, even with a firm faith built upon the knowledge of God’s plans and purposes, experiences may overwhelm us and our faith begins to sink. The Apostle Peter experienced this, when, in his zeal, he began to walk on the water toward his Master. But when the waves became rough, Peter began to sink, and he called to the Lord for help. (Matthew 14:22-33) This illustrates to the Christian that, when his experiences of life become rough like waves in the ocean, he is to keep his focus firmly on Jesus for help and strength, and to trust that God will provide every need through His Son. Philippians 4:19
Yes, a deep and abiding faith in God, which will provide
peace in times of trouble, is dependent upon, and proportionate
to, the development of our faith. “He that dwelleth
in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” As we grow in
knowledge, we grow in faith, and we come to see that our all-loving
and all-wise Father is in control. We learn to trust Him, even
in difficult times, because we know that He has a good purpose
for everything that occurs in our lives. “All things, [not just
some things,] work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans
8:28
Reprinted by permission Associated Bible Students of Central Ohio