A Matter of Faith
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| Photo By: yomanimus (Creative Commons) |
I am not sure if it is a cultural influence or not but I often find myself wondering how much faith I really have. Do I have enough? Does God look at me with haughty derision and think, “If only he really believed. He could do so much.” I mean, if I was really sold out, if I truly and honestly believe the things I think I believe, the things I write about, the things I learn and teach at church wouldn’t my life look different? Shouldn’t I be suffering the way Paul did? Peter? Jesus?
I believe – at least I think I do.
When I think about the critical question of where I will be right after I die – I believe I will be in the presence of God.
So – at least I pass that test. Right?
Tossed About
I am often troubled by what James said in verses 6, 7 and 8 of the first chapter of his book.
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways”
Funny, I don’t feel unstable.
Now, I know that he’s talking about asking for wisdom but in verse seven he says that a person that “doubts” should not “suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” So here’s where my dilemma of faith kicks in.
Do the things I “doubt” God WILL do supersede the things I know He CAN do?
In other words, am I wrong to not pray for God to give me a million dollars because – in all honesty – I do not think He’s going to grant that particular request?
See, there is no question in my mind that he CAN give me that money or a pony or make me taller or forget every Barry Manilow song I have ever heard. I believe he could do all these in his sleep, blindfolded with His hands tied behind his back while watching reruns of Jeopardy and making a soufflé.
Million Dollar Question
So, there it is. How much faith does it take to believe that God will give me a million dollars?
Not if he can because I know that he can. Is this a works issue?
I don’t think so. I do not think I can earn a million dollars from God, I don’t think he works that way.
So, my friends I ask you…
Mick Holt 
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