Faith or Doubt
What can propel us forward in life? What can really make a difference to how we see the world? Faith is that substance. Faith decides how effective you will be in life. Jesus talks a great deal about faith. It is a topic that is extremely important to him.
One story that comes to mind is the story of Jesus being in the boat asleep. A large storm appears and it threatens to bring the boat down with the entire crew on it.
The disciples wake Jesus up they tell him about the storm and he tells them they have "little faith" and he rebukes the storm. The storm is silent and Jesus has displayed his power.
In another example a mere mortal's faith is displayed and Jesus marvels at his faith. This is the story of the Centurion that comes to Jesus and asks Jesus to heal his servant from a long way away.
The centurion mentions to Jesus that he too is man who has others under him and that if he says the word things happen. He says he knows Jesus is the same way and by his faith he demonstrates complete trust in Jesus.
Faith is the belief that something will go well for us. Doubt is the opposite, it is also a belief but it's a belief that things will not go well for us. Faith and doubt are both beliefs. Doubt is what can steal your dreams and rob your faith.
Remember the Bible says without faith it's impossible to please God. - Hebrews 11:6
This is a determining factor of whether not we are going to walk in victory with a living hope bringing heaven down, or if we are going to doubt and believe a lie.
In biblical times slaves would wear tags around their necks which mentioned who they belonged to. The shirt is a reference to the choice of which master are we going to serve. The God of faith or the little "g" god of doubt.
It's also important to mention the opposite of Faith is is not Fear. Fear is a clear and present danger a person is in. Faith and Doubt are both a form of belief and since our beliefs are so critical to who we are, they form a simple determination of the state of our heart.
This will ultimately determine if we have a hope or an anticipation for life and power that comes from faith in Christ, or if we have a dread or pessimism for life that comes from doubt.
Verses used in this post:
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. - Matthew 8:26
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” - Luke 7:9
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:6
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. - Romans 4:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.- Romans 1:16
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, - 1 Peter 1:3