Help me overcome my unbelief
03-28-2008

Column 932, March 28, 2008

“Provoking Christian Insights” series



Part 32

Help me overcome my unbelief

We live in a generation not much different than in the time of Jesus. Many people will miss the narrow way because they just can’t find it in themselves to believe without question that Jesus is their Savior and God is the Father.



Jesus delivered a demon-possessed son, but before He did it, Jesus said to the boy’s father, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears flowing, “Lord, I believe, help: my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23,24 NKJV).



At the transfiguration (Mark 9:7) a cloud came, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” The cloud represented God’s presence. The voice eclared that Jesus was God’s Son in a way that no one else was, not even Moses or Elijah. Hear Him! Obey Him above all others (Deut. 18:15). Our eternal destiny is reflected in our response to Christ in this life.



How do we respond to Christ?

Jesus called the Jews of his time “a faithless generation.” How many people do you know that don’t or won’t call upon the name of Jesus? Probably quite a few of your friends and acquaintances never mention Jesus in conversation. The Jews, of Jesus’ day, were also “show me” types. Even when Jesus told them that the miracles that had been done in His Father’s name should have been proof enough. Even then the miracles were not enough.



Jesus wasn’t the Messiah they were looking to find. Their Messiah was to be one who could deal with the Romans and take away their power. He was to be a political leader and not just a teacher, preacher, healer.

Even though God had said it Himself earlier, when Jesus declared, “I and the Father are One,” he upset the Jewish leaders. To them He had committed blasphemy in claiming His sameness with God. They didn’t recognize Jesus statement (his voice) because they were not His sheep.



Without a step of faith, to the Jews, Jesus remained just man. How do we respond to Jesus? Is He just a man, or do we see Him as the one who can save us? We have free will. Jesus calls us but doesn’t use force. Many feel there is plenty of time to “get right with God.” But the parable of the barns tells us that our souls may be required of us today, that there may not be a tomorrow, or the day after.



When we are young we often feel invincible, that nothing can harm us, that there will be plenty of time for church later. This is simply put, living for the world. Its like we are waiting for something better to come along.



The question before us is simple and it is as alive for us today as it was when Jesus entered Jerusalem, as we going to allow Jesus to be our King?



Its easy to attend worship services and give lip service to the Lordship of Christ. If we pay close attention to the words that we sing, and the prayers that we pray, we are worshipping the King of our lives.



Is Jesus your king?



INSPIRATION: “Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for you, and hail Him as your matchless king,” from “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” by Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring.



Write: croneis@embarqmail.com