Faith Unplugged 05/03/2010
 
Let's be honest - the Christian life is a bit tougher than most of us expected, isn’t it? True, the day I was saved was the most magnificent day of my life. The burden was lifted - there was joy in my heart - I knew Jesus - I was back in relationship with God and the world seemed brighter, my steps seemed lighter. I could hardly wait to live the Christian life because the first day was just so glorious! Oh that it were always that way! One of the first things one discovers about the Christian life is that it can be hard. It is much more difficult than I thought it was going to be and then to boot, it can be disappointing at times. In Genesis 12, Abraham arrives in the land and sets up his tent and, for awhile everything is fine. But then, a famine arrives. Abraham has obeyed God. He is in God’s will. He is in the Promised Land. He is worshipping. Yet, trouble still comes! It appears that God has let him down. Abraham is now struggling with disappointment.

Why is God allowing this famine immediately following Abraham’s obedience? Simply put, the famine is a test of Abraham’s faith. A faith that is untested is a faith that is untrusted. How does this world know if our faith is genuine? How do our lost friends know that we are not serving God just because for the comforts and blessings He provides? Until our faith is tested in times of trouble, it is unproven.  God allows trouble and disappointments for this very purpose; so that the lost world has a prima facie example of faith – unplugged and on display. 
1 Pet 1:7 “that the genuineness of your faith…though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

An excerpt from Dr. Keathley’s sermon series entitled “Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: Lessons from the life of Abraham”.
 


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