Verse of the Day: Romans 5:10 The Passion Translation
10 So if while we were still enemies, God fully reconciled us to himself through the death of his Son, then something greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin’s dominion!
Memory of the Month: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Today's reading: 1 SAMUEL 10-12 LUKE 9:37-62
On Doubting
Jude 1:…20But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life. 22And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;…
Yes, everyone has doubts. It is a natural human thing that comes primarily from fear, but it is a natural occurrence.
But, we have to see that there are two kinds of doubt. The kind that is natural is in us from early conditioning. Some people seem to never doubt themselves at all and this comes from a strong home where people show great faith in others. Some of us seem to never be able to believe in anything. We may have had faith in something or someone who has failed us painfully and faith and trust lost is not easily regained.
This is earthly faith. This is not a 'most holy faith'. Holy faith is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8&9
"8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast."
One type of faith with doubt is from earthly birth. The other faith, a most holy faith, is a gift of God in our spiritual rebirth.
Jude 1:20 says: 20But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.
This is a big implication that we must not miss. Jude implies that building up our holy faith is what has to be done-it is a normal thing in seeking the kingdom-our faith must be built up. Building ourselves up by praying in the Holy Spirit is also a way of the true life in Christ. Our spiritually-filled life of prayer must be built. Neither of these comes naturally.
Doubt is natural. Why? It is natural to natural man. Natural man, before salvation in Christ, is defined in a 'nutshell' in Ephesians 2:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
In the beginning, the Holy Spirit pulls us toward Christ. The desire to be in Christ is that most holy faith that God gives us a taste of and when 'we put our faith in Him', we have let go of the natural faith and place ourselves in His mercies. We have shed the old life as we confessed our old life of sin and are washed clean by the Blood of Christ.(However you understand this, you must know that God brings us from a world of uncertainty to His absolute kingdom of love.)
How do I know these things? By faith. Remember, Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."John 14:27
The peace of Christ-only His peace-can be in His most Holy faith-peace to not fear(let not your hearts be troubled)-peace to not doubt.
Now, Jude tells us to have mercy on those who doubt. We have to believe that also means ourselves as we love our neighbor 'as we love ourselves'. There will be doubts in our hearts-just like Paul said, "...sin living in me".
Romans 7:17 ►As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
So, confess your doubt and press on. The old doubt of your natural state will be there until we die-just like the old sinful nature.
The new you-the one reborn in Christ with all His glories and mercies has to build up your faith by humbling self under God's mighty hand and living obediently in humility. We all do. We try and fail and confess and get back under God's hand-reaching and grabbing and learning to trust with every step. Some days we walk in great strength and some days the attack from the enemy is so strong that we fall and we wonder where is our faith.
God knew all this would happen. That is the reason Christ Jesus gifts us with His peace and His most holy faith. What great gifts Christ has given us!
James 1:17 ►Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Our moods change; our feelings change; but our Heavenly Father does not change. He takes every step with us as He holds our hands and when we let go His hand is ever-extended to forgive us and pick us up and He urges us to seek more and to build up our most holy faith. He also urges us to have mercy on ourselves and others who let go of their faith.
Grab His hand, confess and go-but go with Him.
Vaya con Dios means go with God. God is always with us, so, going with God must mean that we are conscious of God and are humbled under His hand as we go.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me for condemning myself for my weak faith. Teach me-show me how to build it in Your great strength and to have mercy on myself as well as others and not judge.
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