Month: May 2015

By Faith

I was meditating on Hebrews 11 for my quiet time yesterday. This chapter of the Bible is known for being the Hall of Faith. Aside from providing the definition of the basis of our relationship with God, which is Faith, this chapter showcases the stories of the Bible’s greatest men and women of faith. image I’ve always loved this chapter because it gives me inspiration and examples of the kind of faith that really pleases God. But because the Bible is a living word of God, I am amazed at how God has provided me a new insight and perspective yesterday on where my faith in Him can and may lead to based on this chapter. I was specifically drawn to verses 13 and 39-40 where it says,

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. (v13)

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (v. 39-40)

Based from this verse, living by faith will not necessarily mean I will receive what God has promised for me in this lifetime. I believe yes, God will be gracious enough to allow me to see a glimpse of His promise, as in the tip of an ice berg, but the whole picture of this promise will not be found in this lifetime nor in this world. Just like most of the men in the Bible, Moses for example, I may not be able to enter the promised land. Thus, a great faith in God will require renouncing and hating this world for the sake of His heavenly Kingdom. I must be willing to die because of this faith if I truly want to follow Him all the way. Praise God because He has somehow changed my heart about this matter. I was praying about this last year, when my bible study leader shared this to me. She said that it’s easy for us to say that we will live our life for Christ but can we also say the same thing about literally dying for Him? During that time, I know in my heart that I’m not ready yet. Dying because of my faith is a scary thought. But now that God has shown me the possibility of this worst-case scenario, I hope and I believe that by the grace of God, I will be able to finish this race well.

Confessions

I think I need to write this to help me process my thoughts and feelings. It’s no secret that I’ve been thinking a lot about eternal realities lately. When I say eternal realities, yes, I mean heaven and hell, life after death, and the second coming of Jesus Christ.

During one of my quiet time last year, I’ve prayed to God to teach me to number my days. I think I got my answer when He showed me earlier this year the reality that the time of Jesus’ coming is near. The signs that Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24 are now starting to unveil. I am now more convinced of the harsh reality that this world is not going any better because God has really meant to destroy it, to give way to the new heavens and new earth He has promised.

As much as I want Jesus to come back soon, I know that God’s love and mercy for humanity still prevails. He wants all people to be saved so He is still giving everyone a chance to consider his ways and turn back to Him, to acknowledge Him in their life. And until He comes, Jesus’ followers are commanded to proclaim the good news to all creation. So, I am really burdened by the fact that there are still a lot of work to be done for the advancement of God’s kingdom.

Actually, what I really want to share is my thoughts on the recent earthquake in Nepal. I am really bothered by the fact that I am thinking of the reality of Jesus’ second coming and the urgency of the Gospel when I know that I am supposed to feel compassion for the people  affected by the earthquake. So I keep on asking God if this is the kind of attitude He wants me to have. I also felt sad for the Christians who are being accused of being insensitive for fearlessly preaching the Gospel to the victims, because I am one with them for thinking that Jesus is all they need. They may not understand it now but I know that it’s true.  So have I stopped being loving for thinking this way?

I really don’t know how to answer this but I’m hoping that God will give me some enlightenment, soon.