The struggle to maintain faith is a timeless issue; a universal human problem that even the most ardent Christians (Mark 9:24; John 20:27) can relate to. Throughout history, even during periods of unwavering faith among believers, there have always been those who grapple with unbelief. This challenge is not limited to certain people but is a shared experience that unites us all. Despite our inherent godly nature, our human nature often makes it difficult to consistently embrace the supernatural.
Biblical narratives highlight the complexity of human nature—a blend of body, soul, and Spirit. While the Spirit is essential to our being, maintaining a strong connection with it is challenging. Jesus’ powerful statement, “Your faith has made you well” (Matt 9:22; Mk 5:34; Lk 8:48; 17:19), underscores the crucial role of faith in accessing God’s power. The presence of God is constant, but our faith is the key that unlocks His blessings, empowering us in our spiritual journey.
Be Rooted
From this brief gospel story, unbelief constitutes denial of the person of Christ and rejection of His invitation and teachings. How about believers? Does every believer truly experience the person of Christ fully? For several believers, this experience can be erratic or largely inconsistent. The only way to consistently stay plugged into Christ’s essence and teachings is to understand and get rooted in the spiritual life. The human professions (those activities that bring out the best in us, contribute to the good of society, and enhance one another’s lives) are not limited by deference to the Spirit but elevate them.
Granted, one could still be good at what one does without knowing much about spiritual life, but we become fulfilled and thriving beings when we anchor our lives in God, the giver of the Spirit who keeps our faith alive. Faith, therefore, becomes a necessary factor for thriving in life. If the above understanding is accurate, why does unbelief seem so common? The prevalence of unbelief can be attributed to the challenge of living a faith-filled life. Genuine, lively faith requires self-sacrifice and the wisdom to know when to let go of certain aspects of our lives. Human nature resists pain, but through spiritual training, we learn to elevate the Spirit and bring our flesh under its control.
Faith is Freedom
As difficult as the spiritual life is, the benefits of faith in Christ make spiritual efforts worth it. Faith is freeing, for we resign into the loving hands of our maker whose unconditional love can take care of all we need. Unbelief, on the other hand, imposes limitations on human life, questions whether life is worth living, reduces happiness to the transient, denies the person access to spiritual goods that reside in God, and doubts the reality of eternity with God, the fullness of life.
May the Lord shine His Light upon us so that our faith will eradicate every unbelief.
