In the emergency kit last week was powdered glass, glue, cardboard and a small amount of red phosphorus – everything needed to make matches… and FIRE! But knowing this – by itself – was not enough to create the blaze, right?
Could it be, Christians in America suffer from Inertia because while we may know this, the SPARK that ignites the flame of faith is missing? We got ‘fat’ on Facts and Information and totally flunked in executing the last & crucial step.
There is such a gap between our knowing and doing. Why? Here’s the Bible answer: “Faith comes by (or ‘is sparked by’)… the Word of God” (Rom 10:17). So what can we discover here relating to the gap between knowing and doing?
Clue: it has to do with the assimilation of the Word of God. Take notice:
Early in Jesus ministry, the Holy Spirit had Dr Luke record (Lk 4:36) “And they were all amazed, so much that they talked among themselves, saying, What is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority (Jesus) commands even unclean spirits, and they obey him.”
Then, five chapters later, Jesus “called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.” And they went from there to the surrounding towns and villages to preach and heal the sick. (Lk 9:1)
It is clear the disciples FAITH – their ability to believe AND ACT on that belief – was Activated due to the time they spent WITH JESUS, the Word of God (John 1:14) and the result – a blaze was ignited! In Luke 10:17f the Complete Jewish Bible reads, “the seventy came back jubilant.” The literal Greek ‘de meta chara’ is filled with joy. I don’t think it far off to say they came back ‘ecstatic with joy!’
This is when Jesus told them (v.22) “My Father has handed over everything to me.” This was the second time the disciples experienced ‘the flame’ (See 9:1,6). Note, these are the village people who would soon throw their coats down on what we have come to call Palm Sunday, ready to coronate Jesus as Messiah.
However, following these events Jesus went to the Cross, rose from the dead, and then reminded the disciples with THESE WORDS: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go…” Mt 28:18,19
So now where is the flame?!? Ask yourself:
Did Jesus give this commission to the disciples? Yes. Did they know what it meant? Yes. Upon what was Jesus’ commission based? The authority given to Him. Was Jesus’ commission questioned by the disciples? No. In the minds of the disciples, was His authority questioned at all? No. Was Jesus’ authority ‘spiritual’ in nature, and unrelated to reality? No. Then in the minds of the disciples, was Jesus’ authority established firmly in truth – that is, in fact and reality? Yes. Did the disciples ‘experience’ the flame? Yes. What was the ‘key’? “they took note that these men had been with Jesus” Acts 5:13
Case made. The ability to overcome inertia happens when we begin to accept, even assert as authoritative fact whatever Jesus says and ACT on it – even though present reality prompts us to think, feel, believe or see it differently!
Someone may observe: “But the authority of Jesus did not always present itself as authoritative in the world!” Precisely (Heb 2:8)! But did they in fact carry out the commission as though it was? Yes. So it was by faith – specifically, faith in the authority of the risen Lord – that the disciples carried out the assignment? Yes
Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6) and faith that is IGNITED is a faith where the AUTHORITY of Jesus is given precedence over everything including our feelings, our present reality and surroundings. iOi
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Faith comes by the Word of God. For a faith building strategy, click here:
https://www.ioutreachinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/new-testament-bible-study.pdf 3 pages a week, 11 weeks and all 11 major themes are covered!
