The Fearful And Unbelieving

We understand the opposite of faith is fear.

Without faith it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). God said if only we have faith the size of a mustard seed (one of the smallest seed) we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).

To each believer God has given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Our responsibility is to cultivate that faith. To do otherwise can put us in great peril. On that final day we will be judged not by our sins but what we did with the faith God implanted in our hearts.

Revelations 21:8 says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (KJV).

The words fearful and unbelieving have an interesting meaning in the original Greek language. The words assume the person has knowledge and understanding; therefore, he or she is responsible for their actions. Deilós describes a person who loses their "moral gumption (fortitude)" that is needed to follow the Lord while ápistos is a person who is not faithful because he or she is not unpersuaded (Bible Hub, Strong's Concordance).

There are moments in our Christian walk that we can recall the Holy Spirit speaking so strongly that if we were not to hear and heed it may result in something disastrous. Other times He has corrected our ways but out of mercy does not treat us according to the wrong we have done. The danger for many believers is always listening but rarely taking action to what He has commanded.

In these last days the corrupt thinking endangering even the church is what Peter warned, "They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." (NIV).

Likewise, recall the foolish virgins who were left outside the wedding feast because in their sleepy and light attitude thought that by knowledge (empty lamps) of their relationship with the groom was sufficient to get them inside. But they were not filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit. If we refuse and resist Him we run the risk of an empty life. A life unprepared at His coming when we will be demanded of our faithfulness and the exercise of our faith to the talents given us.

Beloved, we have this smallest window in our lifetime to embrace God fully with no reservations. It matters now and when we will stand before Him on that day. May our cry grow stronger to live a fully persuaded life.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (Romans 8:38, KJV).