BELIEVE IT OR NOT!?

(6-minute read)

There is a new word in town and it is ‘infodemic’. We are inundated with fake news, misinformation and disinformation not because of artificial intelligence but because of the insatiable human appetite for deception and half-truths. We even create cakes made to look like normal everyday objects to get a kick out of tricking people’s perception of what’s real and what’s not real.  

Today’s believers are also guilty of creating false illusions where there is ambiguity between the Gospel and the love of God that we talk about and the way we live and relate with people. Outwardly, we are Christians but Christ and the Holy Spirit remain largely obscure in our lives. Without allowing the Holy Spirit to deepen our experience of God’s Word, we apply His Word on a “need-to-know” basis and leave our minds open to any ‘winds of teaching’ and persuasions that are trending on news and social media  (Ephesians 4:14). It is extremely perilous for Christians to sit on the fence and avoid conflict by playing it safe. Ultimately, we lose credibility even to the enemy of our souls who once challenged Jesus’s disciples saying, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15). We can rebut that none of us are like Paul. But if not Paul, then who? 

When it comes to our relationship with God, we have to know who He is and fully live by what the Bible teaches (they are not suggestions), and we either believe it or not! 

The apostle Paul is known for shamelessly defending his faith in God. He would not allow any adverse life circumstances or misfortunes to disrupt his God-given calling. In spite of severe hardships, he wrote letters to instruct the younger Timothy to never be ashamed of the Gospel. 

“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12).

These are not the words of one vacillating in his mind about God and His call. Paul understood that God’s call is crisis-proof, economy-proof and disease-proof. It prevails in spite of obstacles. In fact, whatever we are called to do, no circumstances can and should change it. 

Many things are out to deceive us in this fast-changing world. As such, we need to be resolute about three key things in our journey with God.

KNOW Whom You Believe

It is a contradiction to say we believe God yet we act and pray as though He has limitations. Isaiah 53:1-10 recorded the prophesy about Jesus as the Messiah who was to come. If it had been written today, we could expect grabbing headlines on all social media platforms with arresting images that would garner immediate likes and followers. But instead, the prophet Isaiah could not have used more unflattering words to describe the One who would save mankind from eternal death. 

(Headline) Who believes what we’ve heard and seen? Who would have thought God’s saving power would look like this?

The servant grew up before God - a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about Him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at Him and people turned away. We looked down on Him, thought He was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains He carried - our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought He brought it on Himself, that God was punishing Him for His own failures. But it was our sins that did that to Him, that ripped and tore and crushed Him - our sins!

How would you respond to such a headline? Would you believe with open arms the Messiah that God would send as an offering for our sins? Would you believe that God’s plan would prosper through such a nondescript Saviour?

We can mull over it, debate it and research it to death but the knowledge of God is something to be experienced only in the intimate and deep trenches of our lives with Him.

I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from Me there is no God. (Isaiah 45:5a).

God is not a god of or among many gods. He alone is the Creator of the universe, and existed before Creation. He is a God of wisdom and justice, majestic, sovereign and incomprehensible to many, the Alpha and the Omega, He is also Jesus as described in the book of John - the Light of the world, the Bread of life, the Gate, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the True Vine.

We cannot know God and not have trust in Him.

TRUST Whom You Believe

Real trust in God (and in anyone!) is observable in our decisions and actions. Just believing that God is real and He is good means nothing and does nothing to change us for even the demons know this and they shudder! (James 2:19). It is disturbing to see believers whose lives do not reflect the Word of God and who trust God only if they do not need to take any risks or stand up for anything.

Also, trusting God has nothing to do with liking what He wants to do in our lives. We trust God even though we are conflicted inside between what we want and what we need to change. When we trust God, we begin to feel safe knowing that ‘Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.’ (Hebrews 4:13). 

It is sadly common that many Christians won’t actually read the Bible but will cherry pick verses that sound good for specific purposes. They trust in what they know because they like to be in control and stability is their god. As a result, they are resistant to change any aspect of their lives.

Yet, the Bible tells us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT).

REMAIN In Whom You Believe

To trust God is to stick around Him even when the ride is rough and the ground is shaky. We don’t jump ship or take an alternative course of action even when God seems silent and unresponsive. To trust God is to know that He is good even when we have not seen new evidence of His intervention in our situations. Our relationship with God grows in maturity when we stay on course and remain in Him no matter what. 

Paul resolutely told Timothy that nothing is more worthwhile than persevering in his faith – no matter what. “This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way.” (2 Timothy 4:7 The Message).

This verse should not be on our tombstone but in our daily testimonies!

No matter what you think you have to give up, or what you think you are missing out on, be diligent to know the Author and Architect of your life in whom you believe; then, learn to trust and remain in whom you believe.

This is a summary and reflection based on a virtual BIR Session held on 20 July 2024.