CONSEQUENCES OF UNBELIEF

Admin Wed 14 Aug 2019, 10:33 pm

CONSEQUENCES OF UNBELIEF

Several children and some adults in North America have recently suffered from measles. Parents, who don’t believe scientific studies proving vaccination does not cause autism, refuse to have their children vaccinated. Thus, measles has made a comeback. Some folks in the world do not believe there ever was a holocaust, thus causing emotional pain to those who survived the ordeal. Others refuse to believe man ever stepped foot on the moon, holding on to the fallacy that the whole moon adventure was a staged Hollywood style event. There have always been those who believe and those who don’t, no matter the subject, but perhaps the unbelief with the most dire consequence is unbelief in the Word of God.

Matthew 13:58 is an example of the consequences of unbelief: “Now He (Jesus) did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

Jesus was back in Nazareth preaching in the local synagogue. Many were astonished when they heard Him speak and saw Him heal a withered arm and a bent back. Was He not the carpenter who had grown up in their midst? Instead of believing, they were offended and wanted to get rid of Him. From that day to this, there are many who do not believe. They say God’s Word has been written by men and is not infallible truth. They don’t believe in the virgin birth, or in the resurrection of Jesus. They don’t believe that accepting Christ as Savior and Lord is the only way to the Father. Instead, they believe God’s Word was written for a people thousands of years ago; and that as we are an enlightened generation, it doesn’t apply to us.

Are we delaying the work of the Lord because of our unbelief? When we pray and ask God to intervene in any given situation, do we really believe He will or are we just repeating empty words? Do we believe God’s promises are spoken in truth and love and that He will keep His word? Do we really believe we are forgiven and loved by a heavenly Father who created the universe? Speaking to Thomas, Jesus said, “Do not be unbelieving but believing.”(John 20:27b) “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matt.21:22) “Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

The last statement of Jesus above should give us cause for thought. The consequence of not believing means eternal separation from God. God loves us so much He wants us to be with Him forever. Therefore, He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sin and by believing the truth of His Word we will know we have eternal life. His Word is faithful and true. He desires to do great works among us, to answer our prayers in miraculous ways. Believe it!

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

…..Pat Earl (brian.earl@sympatico.ca) by way of Eternal Ink (eternal_ink@associate.com) and "Christian Voices” (christianvoices@att.net)