Faith

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The most convincing and believable proof of our Christian convictions is made in the manner in which we live our faith. We cannot convince others what we believe by any worldly arguments. No matter how persuasive we are in stating our case for honesty, integrity, or any other Christian virtue, if we actively deviate any at all from these virtues as we live out our own lives our persuasions are void. We cannot use any mathematical or scientific formula to prove our faith. The proof of our faith is found in the makeup of our lives. If others seek proof of what we say, they will not look for it in our words, but in our integrity, courage, and compassion. Our faith will be measured by the sincerity with which we follow Christ.

Our faith is proved in the touch of our lives.

Our Lord is not found at the end of some moral argument, but in the touch of His mercy upon us. Just as Christ touched people every day, we too touch people every day with our lives. Every time Christ touched someone something happened. There was a consequence. When we touch a life something happens. With a touch of our heart a life is influenced. That influence destroys every notion that we are isolated creatures, going our separate ways, unable to be touched byor touch someone else. We are dynamic organisms which grow into each other. We become resistant to others or we are attracted to others as we bless them. We always do something to each other. We touch others either for better or worse, and they will never be the same.

Our faith is proved in the measure we let our hearts feel for others.

Christ is found in the spiritual concern He has for us when our hearts are burdened. There is no hope for us unless we are compassionate. There is no escape from our individual problems until we look at our Lord and see how deeply he felt the least tremor of agony in our soul. When Christ looked upon the despondent and suffering soul, He responded quickly. When we see the tragedies of others around us do we respond? How can we assume people will believe in our Christ when we look upon suffering and do not suffer?

There is nothing more persuasive than an understanding heart Without an understanding heart there is no love nor forgiveness; there is neither hope nor trust. When we see rebellion in the lives of our children we are quick to excuse or to condemn, but where is the understanding heart? When we hurt by foolish actions and harsh words, we are quick to complain or even retaliate, but where is the understanding heart? If there is no understanding heart, then where is the proof of our faith?

Our faith is proved in the stability in which we live through confronting circumstances.

We move through life facing changing circumstances. Some circumstances barely brush us and we are hardly aware of them. Other circumstances rip us up from our very roots and leave us stranded as though a tornado passed through our soul. During all these changing circumstances we have moods. There are tears of grief and there is laughter of joy. Through these circumstances our heart is light or our heart is heavy.

But deeper than our moods is our faith. Moods change. They ride upon the winds of fortune and misfortune. But faith is stable. Faith is the soul’s point of rest. We have faith in the goodness of God when we look at the blessings He has showered upon us. There is the same faith in the goodness of God when the shadows fall and there are no blessings to be seen. Through all the changing circumstances of life, the heart is steady! Through all the changing scenes of our lives, faith is stable!

Our faith is proved when we reveal all of God.

How difficult it was for the disciples to see God. Phillip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” (John 14:8). God eluded them at every turn. The disciples’ minds could not leap that high or reach that far. They were told, God is gracious and forgiving, endless in power and plentiful in mercy. But the disciples could not see God that way. Then Jesus stepped into their difficulty of seeing God and said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9). The disciples then knew and understood. They had looked at Jesus and seen all of God.

Men hear us say that God is the master architect who designed the universe and put it in a flawless operation. But as they look at us do they also know that God is a God of compassion? Men hear us say God is a God of justice. But as they look at us do they also know that He is a God of the cross? Do they know He is a God of ultimate love and mercy because of the cross?

How often the Apostle Paul must have thought back to the day he pleaded his case before King Agrippa. Paul had made his defense by painting a picture of his background with his eloquent words. He spoke of his conversion. He revealed the fire that burned in his soul. When his last word had been said and his strength spent, Agrippa said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian”. Now lingering in prison, Paul must have asked himself over and over, Why almost? Where did I fail? What did I fail to do?

We are Christians. We believe in our Lord. We have our faith. People have looked upon us every day of our life. Many have walked the roads we have taken with us. Now that that they have seen us and have known us, how many are still saying, “Almost” because we have failed to prove our faith?

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