Yet They Believed Not

The lack of faith that exists in the world is truly tragic.  Many go about their daily lives convinced that God is not real, and that Jesus never really rose from the dead.  Keep in mind that there is ample evidence to support one’s faith because God has supplied it.  The Hebrews’ writer declared, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).  God does not expect us to have faith without evidence.  Take for example, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psm. 19:1).  God’s creation is sufficient to necessitate that God is.  We all got here somehow, and the theory of evolution simply does not accurately explain how.  In fact, the ironic thing is that many have “faith” in macro-evolution when there is no real evidence for such.  Therefore the psalmist was correct, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.  They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good” (Psm. 14:1).

We live in a time where ignorance of God’s Word is rampant.  By large, diligent and meaningful Bible study is rare.  Because of such ignorance, the lack of faith multiplies.  Hosea the prophet once wrote about those in his lifetime by saying, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:  because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me:  seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hos. 4:6).  Knowledge/truth is gained by studying the Word of God (John 17:17).  When people refuse to study, then faith wanes.  Paul indicated, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).  There are so many other things that people want to do instead of studying the Bible.  That fact is also seen amongst the body of Christ.  Several in the church neglect attending Bible study assemblies throughout the week, and they also do very little, if any, studying at home.  The failure to study keeps their faith low.  Peter wrote, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (1 Pet. 2:2).  Again, the writer of Hebrews stated, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness:  for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:12-14).  Staying at such low faith levels is extremely dangerous from a spiritual perspective.  The Hebrews writer also wrote, “But without faith it is impossible to please him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).  Remember that on more than one occasion, Jesus spoke against those “…of little faith” (Matt. 6:30; 8:26).

To try and get around their lack of faith, some might say something like, “Well, if I could see a miracle I would believe.”  They reject the evidence already given and instead want more.  Sadly, even if some did see a miracle, they still would not believe.  John wrote, “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:  That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report?  and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed” (John 12:37-38)?

Friend, do you realize how many people saw Jesus risen from the dead?  It was not just a handful of people, although that would have been enough.  Instead, it is written, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time” (1 Cor. 15:3-8).

Where does your faith stand?  Is it settled and grounded in truth, or is is weak and doubtful?  If we find that our faith is weak, we cannot blame God because He has supplied all the evidence that we need.
~ Cpreu Barnette