The Faith of the Faithful
Years ago, I heard Manley Beasley preach on faith. His words still ring in my mind, “Faith is substance!” Of course, he was referring to Hebrews 11:1. There, substance speaks of a foundation; but, it also speaks of a persuasion that is firm and unmovable. Where there is real faith, there is endurance, consistency, and “finishing well!” That adds clarity to Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:13, “he who endures to the end shall be saved.” It is those who endure that show themselves truly saved and who will be ultimately saved.
Some might say, “Then that means we are saved by our ‘work of endurance!’” No, it is by grace through faith that we are saved, but faith is the substance and endurance is the evidence of that substance. If a building falls during an earthquake, it gives evidence that the foundation was weak. A sure foundation would have endured!
So, why is there so much vacillating in the 21st century church? People come in the front door and exit through the back. Today’s spiritual leaders are often tomorrows strongest adversaries. We begin, it appears, trusting God for the miraculous and end up trusting human logic, fleshly abilities, and checkbook balances. Where is the faith? If it didn’t endure, it never was there.
Sometimes I hear people say, “I lost my faith.” Could a building lose its foundation? We may lose something, but faith is substance. It’s the thing that keeps you going when everything around you seems to contradict, question, or attack your resolve. It’s your motivation when life is filled with aggravation! It’s your encouragement when all you can see is discouragement. It’s to say, “I may not understand. I don’t like it, and I think if I were God, I would do things differently. But, this is the way God has led me. I have committed myself to Him and to His way, and nothing… no, nothing is going to make me quit, turn aside, or back up. I may die in the process, and I may die alone, but I am in for the duration, and I will not be deterred!”
It is to say with Martin Luther, “I cannot, I will not recant… God help me!” That is the substance that is faith!
The unchurched world is saying that they don’t see relevance in the church today. Perhaps what they are really saying is that they don’t see any substance in the church today. It’s time to take an in-depth look at our ecclesiastical institutions and looked deep… all the way to the foundation! Have we departed from the faith by departing from faith? We can examine ourselves or God will do it for us. He will shake the pretenseful church until all that is left are those with a sure foundation. After all, “without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
Some might say, “Then that means we are saved by our ‘work of endurance!’” No, it is by grace through faith that we are saved, but faith is the substance and endurance is the evidence of that substance. If a building falls during an earthquake, it gives evidence that the foundation was weak. A sure foundation would have endured!
So, why is there so much vacillating in the 21st century church? People come in the front door and exit through the back. Today’s spiritual leaders are often tomorrows strongest adversaries. We begin, it appears, trusting God for the miraculous and end up trusting human logic, fleshly abilities, and checkbook balances. Where is the faith? If it didn’t endure, it never was there.
Sometimes I hear people say, “I lost my faith.” Could a building lose its foundation? We may lose something, but faith is substance. It’s the thing that keeps you going when everything around you seems to contradict, question, or attack your resolve. It’s your motivation when life is filled with aggravation! It’s your encouragement when all you can see is discouragement. It’s to say, “I may not understand. I don’t like it, and I think if I were God, I would do things differently. But, this is the way God has led me. I have committed myself to Him and to His way, and nothing… no, nothing is going to make me quit, turn aside, or back up. I may die in the process, and I may die alone, but I am in for the duration, and I will not be deterred!”
It is to say with Martin Luther, “I cannot, I will not recant… God help me!” That is the substance that is faith!
The unchurched world is saying that they don’t see relevance in the church today. Perhaps what they are really saying is that they don’t see any substance in the church today. It’s time to take an in-depth look at our ecclesiastical institutions and looked deep… all the way to the foundation! Have we departed from the faith by departing from faith? We can examine ourselves or God will do it for us. He will shake the pretenseful church until all that is left are those with a sure foundation. After all, “without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
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