Walking By Faith Is a Hassle

hassle-01-webby Rex Rouis

This whole faith walk thing would be a lot easier if one didn’t have to actually believe. It would be so much better if we could just turn everything over to God and take whatever comes. We could assume that everything in life comes from Him, both good and bad. That would be less complicated and so much easier on both of us. It would also better define our roles – God would be God and do everything, and we would be His creation and receive.

After all, as Christians, we are submitted to Him, and we are willing to take whatever He has for us. We could believe that whatever happens is His will, and for the bad things, we could believe that His will is far too mysterious and deep for us to ever know. After all, our long-term well-being is much more important than any momentary happiness. Who are we to question, or try to understand, the mind of God?

However, the Bible does imply that God always answers faith. This is confusing and difficult to reconcile, but who are we to question Him, and how can we really know if we are in faith? Even if we are, how do we know that the things we are believing for are in His perfect will? We all know that God only does what He wants to do, regardless of whether a person believes or not. Which is also somewhat confusing because I thought the promises in the Bible were His will?

And if God can answer ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to faith, what is the purpose of faith? It seems we could get the same answer without believing. Which is again proving my main point – faith is a hassle, and more than that; it doesn’t even seem to be necessary.

Did people always have this much trouble trying to receive from God? The people in the Bible seemed to be able to hear from Him well enough, and they didn’t have the completed Bible. And since we now we have the full Bible, many people don’t believe that God still speaks to us today. They say that the Bible itself should be enough for us. I would never attempt to imply that the Bible is not sufficient, but the Bible doesn’t seem to answer the specific personal things that we so desperately need in our lives.

Jesus, told us in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit would take His words and speak them to us, and that the Holy Spirit would show us things to come. In John 16:7, Jesus said that this new relationship with the Holy Spirit inside of us was more beneficial than having Him walking next to us. I guess Jesus only intended for the Holy Spirit to help during the early church years, and not for us today. I find this difficult to understand, and maybe, just maybe, that is one of the main problems with the faith walk. Namely, that God is trying to get across to us things that are too big and too difficult for us to understand. Yet, we are told in Hebrews 11:6 that faith is essential in pleasing God.

I just don’t get it. Faith is such a hassle.

PS – While I am at it, this walking in love is a complete pain. I understand the need for it, but it really limits our options and makes us look weak.

Comments

  1. I remember reading that when John Wesley had doubts he was advised to “preach it until you believe it”; if it was good enough for him, it’s good enough for me!

    1. Author

      Thanks Kay, after all, it was April Fools Day. But, I can understand their confusion. People are not used to seeing sarcasm in Christian articles of faith. God bless you.

      1. It is the easy, non-lecturing tone of your postings that make them readable. Keep it up. Blessings

        1. Author

          Kay – Wow! That blessed me. If there is one thing I strive for it is to write this stuff like I would want to read it myself.

          I want to write your comment on my wall. Thanks and God bless.

  2. Author

    Powerplan – Welcome to HopeFaithPrayer. Thanks for the comment. This was tongue and cheek. I did not mean that faith is hassling God. The point is; faith is hard work, and wouldn’t it be easier to just stop all personal effort and let God do everything. It sounds great except that it is not Bible.

    We are expected to do many things, one of these is seeking the Word and seeking Him. Seeking and hearing is the foundation of a vibrant faith in God.

    1. That’s right and to the point. I now understand what point you were making. Thanks Sir

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