Doubt & Faith

Some people like unbelief because it allows them to do their own thing, and truth requires accountability. All men who hear the truth do not keep it; only those who obey the word of truth will retain it. Therefore, we see that our enemy satan seeks to plant seeds of doubt after God’s word comes to us. Our enemy makes doubt attractive, reminding us that it will ensure we can do what we want. Truth, on the other hand, requires a change of behavior on our part, and if we follow it, an eventual change in our character.

The great dividing line between Christians as far a character goes is not sin as much as it is doubt. Those who have followed doubt long enough remain the same. Though they listen to God’s word, it does not work a change in their character, and their behavior is what it always has been. Because their doubt doesn’t require obedience to what they hear, they enjoy a covert rebellion. People who doubt really want their own way and not God’s way.

Eventually, it is seen of doubters that they have no fear of God. They may believe He exists, but they do not take seriously what He has said and do not obey His words. Now, the Lord is gracious to us all and gives time for men to go from doubt to faith. Joel writes about a Valley of Decision where those who lack faith will eventually be judged, yet states “But the Lord will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold . . . (Joel 3:14-16). We see this juxtaposition also between God’s priests who complained against Him, and those servants who feared Him and honored His name. Of the latter the Lord said “They will be Mine . . . in the day when I make up My treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.” (Mal 3:17).

Fear of God results in taking God and His word seriously. It is a healthy respect for Who God is and the Authority with which He speaks. Our human fleshly nature does not want God to rule over it. When Jesus told the parable about giving talents to His people, He said “But His citizens hated Him and sent a message after Him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’” (Lk 19:14). Like our fleshly nature, the citizens did not want their lives disturbed. When Jesus rules over us, it disturbs, or changes our lives.

Though the citizens in Jesus’ parable did not want Him, the opposite is true of those who welcome His rule. Their faith will be set on the foundation of obedience to His words, which has prepared them to receive Him as their Lord and King. Those of faith will say “Come, Lord Jesus, come.” (Rev 22:17). But those who have loved their doubt and have not obeyed His words, will love and practice “falsehood,” and will be outside God’s presence in the end (Rev 22:15). Doubt will prevent a man from being formed by obedience to the truth into the image of Jesus, and will cause him to refuse His lordship while they are living. Today, let us decide to obey God’s words and live a life of faith. Amen.