Faith is... so very important. This goes without saying. Christianity would be nothing if it were not for this concept. Without it, an Infinite God is beyond the scope of a belief system, because faith is what is required to fill the gaps of what we don't know or understand.
It allows us to act without having all the pieces.
It allows us to verbalize without knowing the full impact of our words.
It also provides followers of Christ a convenient cop-out for not pursuing a more intimate understanding of God.
Most of Christianity, surely, compares depth of adherence to Biblical precepts with that of a Relationship. Our "Relationship" with Christ. Therefore, I will continue along similar lines of analogy. As with any friendship, understanding is very key. If I were asked if I understood the one I loved, and answered "no, not in the least." what would your impression be of my love?
That it's shallow. Surface. Self-serving, even?
( --> Oh, how easy it is to sustain a merely self-gratifying level of Christianity...)
Problem: God, being infinite as He is, certainly is not completely understandable. Or even comprehensible! So, then, how much is too much to expect?
At what point are we depriving our relationship of Faith? At what point are we depriving it of knowledge?
Selah
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
ReplyDelete-James 2:17-18
Our journey with the Lord is like our journey as 'roller coaster fans' it starts when loving parents allow you to take a step of faith onto that small coaster as a 4yr old. Your part was the desire to experience the coaster from the little knowledge you had at the time and overcome your fear and take a small step of faith. You were not worried that you would die(that comes later) your loving parents carried that concern. As you grew and experienced (gained knowledge)bigger and badder coasters your relationship with them grew. And as the journey continued you became an advocate for the coasters and tried to convice friends to take a step as well because you knew the thrill and joy of the 'coaster ride' And so our relationship with the Lord grows from the original knowlege(limited)+small faith or belief in the promise of Salvation/eternal life/joy, etc. Now because you have seen His hand fullfill promises, answer prayers, seen miracles your knowledge and faith are bigger. You are able to speak out and encourage others to believe and take their step of faith.
ReplyDeleteAnd as Dexter shared from the word our faith is dead without an outward expression of it as seen in good works, not for the sake of the work itself but like a missions trip it is an overflow of your love in worship becoming His hands and feet.......Anath