By: Joel Uto
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INTRODUCTION
The Christian faith is always in crisis.
It is true that there are joys to faith, benefits to faith, edification in faith, rewards of faith, but it is also true that faith is always in crisis.
Not everyday joy brings a crisis; we don’t live in a constant state of emergency.
However, the quality of faith is such that it is always under attack, it is always being tested, it is always in crisis.
When we talk about a crisis of faith, some would think that we talked about faith being in crisis so many twist we are just not truthful or being fake.
It is tragic when one does not understand or know the critical place that faith plays in his life.
Without faith, one will shrink back to perdition, while under attack will end in shame Hebrews 10:37-39.
The carnal mind is one that has no faith (Romans 8:6-8; 1 Corinthians 3:11).
It is always concerned with earthly matters and leaves God, the church, the Bible – faith out of the picture.
Obviously without faith it is impossible to please God – Hebrews 11:6.
THE ROLE OF FAITH IN CRITICAL TIMES
Abraham’s life presents the role of faith (Genesis 15:68).
He was called out of Chaldea (Genesis 12:1), he was promised of Isaac (Genesis 15:1-6), he offered Isaac (Genesis 22).
If Abraham had no faith he would not have heard the call, he would not have believed about the promise of a child, he would have refused to offer Isaac.
Many times we don’t know at the time that a crisis looms
- Should I go for fellowship?
- Read the bible or watch TV, stay at home or give one excuse or the other?
The decisions that you make when you get up in the morning about your speech, your work, your worship/fellowship, your influence, your friends are all part of the impending crisis that will make or break you as a Christian. So you must watch out.
THE ROLE OF FAITH IN TIMOTHY’S LIFE
- He had received the faith that was in his mother and grandmother. 2 Timothy 1:5
- He faced looming crisis [father a Greek; mother a Jewess
- Acts 16:1 – he was not allowed to be circumcised indicated crisis of faith.
- Timothy could never have been the faithful servant of God he was if he had not got the instruction of faith daily.
Let us see the crisis in our lives and the lives of our children and thoroughly impact God’s word unto them so that they can be prepared in time to choose when to choose occupation, choose mate, take the many turns in the road that lead to being a Christian.
The crisis of faith, no desire to obey the gospel even at the age of accountability by the children or marry non-Christians and go with mate to denominations or having reached maturity will not have interest in God should raise serious concerns because the after-effect will be there.
CONGREGATION CRISIS OF FAITH
When the spirit of the word lacks in the congregation, crisis in faith would occur which reflect the wrong things are done.
The devil is real, and the danger is real. Leadership in congregations must work against crisis of faith as Timothy was prepared for crisis (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:1-2).
CONCLUSION
Our faith is subjected to test often times. We must be conscious.
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