There’s approximately 18 inches between our brains and our hearts, our heads and our hearts. While that seems a bit off to me ( but I am a horrible measurer), these 18″ may consitute a major difficulty for some. Why? What do I mean?
To understand this, lets understand what faith really is. Hebrews 11 tells us that faith is being confident in things unseen and sure of things hoped for and that we cannot please God without faith. So what is essential to faith? If we were to define faith, how would we define it?
Faith requires three components. First, faith requires content. You can’t have faith in faith. While our postmodern, new age culture is trying and moving towards this direction, it simeply doesn’t make sense. When we say someone is faithful, what are we saying? They are faithful or loyal or devoted in something or to something. Many of us have heard or even believed (or are believing) that sincere faith is salvific. But even this movement recognizes that faith has an object. They just minimalize it. But contentless faith is really faith in yourself, in your selfishness, in whatever you choose at the moment, ever-changing eb and flow. So we must have content.
Second, there must be an assent or an agreement or understanding (to a degree). James 2 tells us that the demons believe God is one (refering to the most important doctrine of the OT also called the shama, Dt 6:4) AND they shudder! It’s like the hyenas (or whatever they are) from the Lion King when someone says, “Mufasa!”
Demons have correct doctrine. Satan knows biblical doctrine. They even agree with it to an extent even though they are in rebellion to it. So faith still must have content and assent (or understanding). Both of these are intellectual or brainy or heady.
The third component is trust. This is a matter of the heart, of one’s emotions. There must be trust. Prov 3:5-6 says to trust in the Lord. This is something beyond the first two components and may even be at odds with the first two. All three together serve as check and balance with one another.
Many who grew up in the church or like me who came to faith later but went to seminary or even a Christian/Catholic school or even a Bible College (or Christian university like Baylor or Furman) may have difficulty with knowing about God/Jesus but don’t really know Him. These are academic institutions (not our families but if there is any discontinuity between what is taught and what is lived then it’s the same) who teach about the faith. However, many, if not all, fail on teaching you how to walk with God (though they may have things in place to help facilitate one’s walk with God).
Think about it: how would life be different if you were to depend on Jesus, walk with Him, talk with Him, instead of choosing our drug of choice, porn? Someone recently asked me that question, and honestly, I have no idea.
Do you know that God is good in your heart? Yes, theologically you know He is. You may have even sung the songs in church about his goodness, his kindness, his love, and his faithfulness. But do you know it in your heart. Do your actions match your beliefs. If he is faithful, then won’t he take care of you. If he is good, then isn’t having a disabled child a blessing? If he is kind, then isn’t everything you have a result of his kindness, even if it’s not what you want? Do you really believe these things? If he is really all-powerful, then do you believe that he has the power to help you? If you do, then do you call on him when you struggle? Do you pray to him?
All these things I struggle with myself. Are you willing to face them too (along with me)?
