EVIDENCE OF FAITH

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart… Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” —Luke 18:1, 8

When they were first married they spent large amounts of times either sitting or walking together and talking. They would talk about all kinds of things— their hopes and dreams, their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and His goodness. But as time moved on, children came along, their jobs taking much more time and so much else happening in their lives, their relationship with the Lord and each other started to wane. They did not spend as much time talking with each other and their priorities began to shift. Even their involvement at their church was just that… involvement. They were there but it was not service to the Lord Jesus Christ. They rarely even talked with Him anymore. It was an outward show, a false expression of faithfulness.

Faith in God— What is it anyway? Is it just saying that I believe? Can you imagine being in a relationship with another person and just by saying so you think you are in a relationship even though there was nothing to indicate that there was really a relationship at all? No communication took place; no time was spent with each other… One might say they are in a relationship, but they are not. It is an illusion, a lie and self-deception to think so in a situation like that.

Faith in God is trust and it is action. Faith is active, not passive. In the verses above Jesus shows that faith is going to include a persistent prayer life. Not talking with God gives indication that we are just going through the motions without a relationship with Him or a superficial one with Him at best. Communication with God is top priority. We speak with Him and listen to Him, obeying what He says (Matthew 7:24-27). He who hears, but does not obey is a foolish person as is mentioned in this passage.

Anyone can say they believe in God. Even the demons do that (James 2:19). The difference between people say they believe in God and the demons saying that is that the demons give evidence of their belief— they tremble. They know judgment is coming upon them in the future and they tremble with fear at the thought of it. Many people say it, but there is not even a tremble, no evidence at all that this is true. He is not given much thought at all in their lives.

What indications does your life or mine give that we truly have faith in God? So we really… really? May it be so!

Dear Father, please help me not to just go through the motions, saying I believe but not really having evidence in my life that I truly believe. Oh, that I would not give an outward appearance that does not match what is happening inward. May I be a faithful follower of Yours— speaking with You, listening and obeying You and serving You in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the Name of Jesus my Lord. May it be so!