Tuesday

“Faith is not believing in spite of evidence but obeying in spite of consequence.” (Wiersbe)

There is so much packed in this sentence. Just let it settle with you for a minute. For real. Stop. Reread the sentence. Slow. Word by word.

First, faith in God is not blind belief without evidence.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:20-22)

If nothing else (and there is far more), creation itself doesn’t speak to chance but screams of a Creator. This is the reason the Scripture tells us that “only the fool says in his heart there is no God.” (Psalm 14:1) To not believe in God is not a sign of intelligence based on fact, but ignorance based on foolishness.

Second, this statement doesn’t just speak to the unbeliever, but also to those who claim to be a believer and to the ones who truly believe. There are two aspects to genuine faith: believing and obeying. These aspects are in logical order. You see, one does not obey something that they don’t believe. There would be no reason to do so. However, if one genuinely believes something, that faith will necessarily result in obedience.

This is why James wrote:

“But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?’” (James 2:18-20)

Here is the bottom line: there really is no difference between one who does not believe and thus does not obey, and the one who claims to believe and does not obey. In either case, the faith of both is dead. One fools themselves into thinking there is nothing to believe, and as a result, nothing to obey. The other fools themselves into thinking that genuine belief is possible without obedience. And both by fooling themselves become fools.

Just like in creation there is evidence of God’s hand so that none are without excuse, so there is no excuse for those who claim to be a new creation in Christ to be without evidence. The consequence of both is death.

However, a genuine faith is evidenced in obedience regardless of the consequences and results in abundant and eternal life.