Unbelief
Gordon Crook, PastorGrace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Hebrews 4:2
“Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:” Hebrews 4:6
The children of Israel failed to enter the promised land because they only considered their own ability against the giants that lived there. Unbelief keeps us from entering into God’s best. It is not lack of will or strength. God has never asked nor expected us to enter in on our own merit, ability or strength. Entering into God’s promises and blessings has always been by faith.
Let’s begin by understanding what we mean by faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6.
These three verses help us understand that when we talk about faith, we are talking about believing what God has said. Not just because, but because it is evident that God is who He claims and He has done what He claims. Faith is complete trust in God and His Word.
Unbelief manifests itself in different ways. There are, of course, the atheists that just do not believe that God exists. A clear case of not paying attention to creation which clearly demonstrates the existence of God, as well as His love. For those that have believed and put their trust in Jesus, there is also a possible expression of unbelief. It usually expresses itself as self effort.
Why is self effort an expression of unbelief? Because it presumes that God is not enough. It fails to trust what God has told us about the work that He will do in our lives if we yield to Him. It presumes that there is something we can do in our effort to earn God’s favor or enter into God’s promises.
The Old Testament is full of examples of those that chose to believe God even when it seemed unlikely. Abraham believed that God could honor His promise of a son even when it was humanly impossible. Romans 4:16-25. The three young men in Daniel 3:16-18. And there are many more. These are written for us to understand and believe as we see God demonstrating His power and ability to fulfill His Word.
Then we come to the New Testament and see God fulfilling His promises and prophecies through the coming and life and death of Jesus. There is no lack of evidence of God’s power and faithfulness, only lack of faith to believe and trust Him.
There are several questions that come to mind as I consider this topic of faith versus unbelief.
· Do you believe that God desires for you the very best?
· Do you believe that God cares about you?
· Do you believe that God knows about your trial, and that He is there to see you through?
· Do you believe that God can change you?
· Do you believe that God will work in your life to make you Christ-like?
· Do you believe that Christ is coming again to take His bride away?
Do you believe that God desires for you the very best?
When I ask this question, I am not just asking if you hear the words and say yes. I am really asking if your actions demonstrate a real trust that God desires the best for you. It is clearly stated in His Word. He does not leave us to imagine or wonder about it. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:12.
We are God’s children, and He knows how to provide the very best for His children. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:11. Jesus reminds us that we don’t even know real giving. We imagine that we know what is good, but our Father truly knows how to give the very best. He gave His Son to redeem us, and He gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us.
Do you believe that God cares about you?
Again, God does not leave us to wonder if this is true. Jesus tells us clearly. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26. We are God’s special creation. All else in creation is created for our benefit. God uses the things He has created to teach us spiritual lessons.
Peter also reminds us. We are able to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand precisely because we know He cares for us. And we know He will do for us the very best. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7.
If unbelief is expressed in our actions, then conversely, faith is also expressed in our actions. James teaches us this when he says “shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” God is not looking for those that will say “I believe,” but those that will act on their faith.
To be continued: