We’ve probably all experienced or heard about some type of shortage in the past year: toilet paper, food, or gas. You know about ammunitions shortages for sure if you’re a shooter. So probably not a bad idea to keep a little extra around in case things get a little short for a couple of weeks.
But in addition to a couple extra cans of soup and five gallons of gas, this is a really good time to step back and have a look at the amount of your faith. If you missed it, the world is getting weird. Not that long ago, I’d read a new story and think: “Well, it’s never going to get weirder than that.” I’ve long ago given that up. It’s not hard to give into fear, panic or worry these days.
Jesus promised us in John 16 that there would be times like these. This one of my favorite verses. Like so many verses in the Bible, you could meditate on this one verse and be good to go. The density of the message of this one verse fills you with the hope and faith to overcome all challenges despite satan’s best efforts:
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Not only will we overcome the challenges of the world, but we should also consider each challenge a victory:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.
James 1:12
Here’s the thing about faith in Jesus though. It’s a package deal. You can’t pick the parts of His message you like and live those out, then go on gorging yourself on the ways of the world. Jesus did pick outlaws, reprobates and prostitutes to change world. But after hanging out with Jesus for a while, these folks were no longer outlaws, reprobates and prostitutes. Being of faith is about our surrender to Jesus Christ, not the other way around.
And this is where the real challenges begin for us. We, the human race, are remarkably fragile, ungrateful and egotistical. The Israelites prayed to be rescued from Egypt (Exodus 2:23) and then complained about the conditions after God rescued them. On the upside, it rained quail when they complained about not having meat. Such is the understanding and generosity of our God.
But after all of God’s gifts, the Israelites worshipped a man-made golden calf (Exodus 32:1-4) rather than acknowledge and worship God, the supreme person, who had proven Himself to them over and over again.
And we behave the same way today. Rather than surrender to Jesus and attempt to be more like Him, we place our faith in politicians, celebrities and athletes who are more than happy to tell us what to believe and how to live. And we do this in spite of the fact that these people most often live in opposition to what we profess to believe. And, even more often, don’t live their own advice.
But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!
Revelation 3:16
But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.
Matthew 7:23
Where do we find guidance on God’s Laws? Well, Jesus simplified it for us in the Book of Mark:
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.
Mark 12:30
The second is equally important:
Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.
Mark 12:31
It’s worth remembering that John paved the way for Jesus with his message of repentance and turning to God. Jesus continued this message throughout His ministry. Repentance is the cornerstone of turning to God. As always, the Bible provides a list of acts that we should repent for in Exodus 10:2-17.
So, it’s a really good time for us to look in our hearts and see where we’re at on this faith in God thing. And it’s also really good time to be honest with yourself. You might fool yourself, your friends, your neighbor or even your spouse. But you aren’t fooling God.