Verse of the Day 12/17

through the Bible - Jonah 4- Micah 2, Revelation 10

 

Good morning,

Many people in today's society are labeled as being fanatics.  From Tea Party members or "Tea Baggers" on the political side to devout Christians in regards to their faith.

John Stott writes, "At the end of a statement prepared for a conference on science, philosophy and religion at Princeton University in 1940 came these words: 'Commitment without reflection is fanaticism in action; but reflection without commitment is the paralysis of all action.'

 

In both the spiritual and political arenas, you can see this being played out.

 

For today's verse we'll go to Hebrews 11 where the core of true faith is described.  I read these verses one morning not knowing that it would end up being the most difficult day in my life to that point or since.  These verses, this chapter stuck with me.  Instead of reminding me of the tragedy, they have reminded me of God's grace and the hope we have in the "dark night of the soul", that He is there for those who will hold on.

Hebrews 11:1-2 (Amplified Bible)  NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

 ^For by [faith--trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report.

True faith is wholehearted faith and is not based on a feeling or emotionalism.  It is based on substance.  I like the words the Amplified Bible uses, it is the title deed of the things we hope for, we own it free and clear based on what Christ has accomplished and is accomplishing in hearts and lives today.  We see it in the Bible, Old and New Testaments, we've seen the results of it in our lives as we look back.  We hope and pray for it in our children's and grandchildren's lives as we look forward.  From the outside world , faith,  in the midst of trials or at any time may seem extreme.

Read the beginning of verse 2 above, "faith - trust and holy fervor born of faith" speaks of a faith that is being stretched to the limit, to the boiling point.  Read the quote from John Stott again in its fuller context, "The idea of being on fire for Christ will strike some people as dangerous emotionalism.  'Surely,' they will say, 'we are not meant to go to extremes?  You are not asking us to become hot-gospel fanatics?'  Well, wait a minute.  It depends what you mean.  If by 'fanaticism' you really mean 'wholeheartedness,' then Christianity is a fanatical religion and every Christian should be a fanatic.  But fanaticism is not wholeheartedness, nor is wholeheartedness fanaticism.  Fanaticism is an unreasoning and unintelligent wholeheartedness.  It is the running away of the heart with the head.  At the end of a statement prepared for a conference on science, philosophy and religion at Princeton University in 1940 came these words: 'Commitment without reflection is fanaticism in action; but reflection without commitment is the paralysis of all action.'  What Jesus Christ desires and deserves is the reflection which leads to commitment and the commitment which is born of reflection.  This is the meaning of wholeheartedness, of being aflame for God."  - John R. W. Stott, What Christ Thinks of the Church (Grand Rapids, 1958), pages 116-117

Would believing in a baby born in Bethlehem being the Savior of the world put you in danger of being labeled as a religious fanatic?  If so, so be it.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Hebrews 11 (New King James Version)

Hebrews 11

By Faith We Understand

 ¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.