THE END OF YOUR FAITH

Genesis 9:12-13 And God said: “This is the sign of the Covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations; I set my rainbow in the cloud and it shall be for the sign of the Covenant between Me and the earth.”

There is nothing more beautiful than a rainbow peeking through the clouds after a storm.  The beauty is not in just the different hues melded together but it is in the PROMISE that it represents.  Every child that attends Sunday School learns of the PROMISE attached to a rainbow.  The Bible records, that after He destroyed the entire earth and its inhabitants, except for Noah and his family, with a flood, God made a promise to never destroy the earth with water again.  Then, as a sign of His faithfulness, God set His rainbow in the clouds.

For centuries, rainbows have inspired the imagination to create a myriad of myths.  One of the most famous of course is the “Pot Of Gold At The End of the Rainbow with a Leprechaun Guardian.”  Australian Aborigines believe in the “Rainbow Serpent,” Hawaiian’s have a “Rainbow Maiden,” others call it a “Bridge to Heaven,” believe it is a “Road for Messages,” and has both blessings and curses attached.  Yes, we have been fascinated with the Rainbow and its Promise for thousands of years.

As a little girl, I was convinced that the “Pot of Gold” was real and someday, someone; maybe it would be me, would get to the end of the rainbow and discover the treasure. As I got a little older, I realized that no one could get to the end of a rainbow because it is really only refracted light through drops of water, but that knowledge has never lessened the PROMISE OF THE RAINBOW.

1 Peter 1:8-9 Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls.

A few years ago, Steve preached a fantastic, hope-filled message, titled, “THE END OF OUR FAITH.” I love this quote from that sermon, “Sometimes our faith journey feels like a futile trek to the end of the rainbow, BUT…we have this beautiful promise waiting at the “END OF OUR FAITH.”

The Word of God tells us that FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, but at times it seems there is no more substance to our faith than the fading colors of a rainbow.  We claim things “by faith” only to find the “things” are no more than “refracted light.”  And we wonder…Is it worth it?  Are God’s promises more than just words in a book?  What lies at the END?

Although we cannot see the “End of the Rainbow” from our vantage point; although we reach out and try to hold the fading “colors” of refracted light, although at times our vision is filled with shattered dreams and empty hands, WE HAVE A PROMISE AT THE END OF OUR FAITH!  

Keep hoping, keep looking up, and keep moving forward to the PROMISE AT THE END OF YOUR FAITH-THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOUL!

ONLY A MEASURE

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

FAITH, one of those intangible elusive little things that we all say we want “more of.” The Bible says we have all been given a “measure of,” but most of us have a hard time manifesting faith, especially in crucial moments.

The most important aspect of Faith is its foundation…

On WHOM and WHAT is your Faith built.

 Some have great faith in their gifts and abilities.  Some have put their faith in objects, people or institutions.  Of course, most of us would say with our mouths that our faith is in Jesus Christ, but are your actions confirming the words you are speaking?  The SUBSTANCE OF THINGS is only as sure as the FOUNDATION OF YOUR FAITH.

Mark 9:23-24 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”

Even when we have built our faith on a solid foundation, times of doubt will descend.  In Mark 9, we read of a father who brings a son to Jesus to be healed.  Jesus tells the man, “If you believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Obviously, the man’s faith was directed correctly. He was building on a solid foundation, but there was a crack that he could not seal up just by erasing negative thoughts; the “POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING” just wasn’t enough.  The man cries to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”  It is apparent that this father believed Jesus COULD, he had come to him with his most desperate need. Perhaps, he was having trouble believing that Jesus WOULD!  Been there, have you?

Read the rest of the story…Jesus came through; He always does.  Jesus didn’t condemn the man for his unbelief but accepted the “measure of belief” that the man exhibited and said, “I can work with that.”  The man’s son was healed that day and I have to believe the father’s faith was increased beyond measure for the rest of his life.

We believe JESUS CAN but do we believe JESUS WILL?

You have presented your need, you have prayed and maybe even begged and your faith is waning.  You know Jesus CAN fulfill that need, IF ONLY you could muster up a little more faith…STOP!!!  You obviously have a “little faith,” you are asking God for help and He can work with that.

But what if “it” still doesn’t happen?  What if the situation doesn’t change?  I don’t have the answer to WHY our requests are not immediately or always fulfilled.  FAITH also involves accepting that God is doing a work even when the results are not the ones we expected or desired.

You have been given a MEASURE OF FAITH, God can work with that.

Bring your requests to Jesus, again and remind yourself of these truths…You have built your faith on Jesus Christ and in the power of His Spirit.  You believe that Jesus CAN though you need a little help believing that He WILL!!!  God desires only GOOD things in your life.  Finally, PRAISE HIM, though the results are not what you expected; He is at work.

Spend a little time in His Presence and watch your doubts being to disappear one by one.  Jesus is the answer for your unbelief, too.

THE COMFORT OF RELIGION OR THE LONELY PURSUIT OF GOD

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit

I love God but I hate religion.  I hate the division, the smugness and the self-righteousness so prevalent in religion.  I hate the way religion causes people to become comfortable and cease their pursuit of God.  I hate the way religion interprets scripture to support its position instead of seeking Truth.

I am currently reading “On the Winds of Change” by Misty Griffin, in which she chronicles some of the history and progression of the Amish church.  Many of us would look at their rules or Ordnung and declare, “of course it is not necessary for salvation,” then despise our brother or sister for not following our “sacred cow.”

The Amish Church is not unique; every religion devises its own particular set of rules, expecting its members to adhere or be shunned.

The following are excerpts from the book by Misty Griffin.  If you choose to read further, please open your heart and mind, allowing God to speak to your heart and cut through the noise of religion.

ON THE WINDS OF CHANGE by Misty Griffin…

The Amish Church as we know it today was a gradual one.  Over time, as one rule after another was added to the church “ORDNUNG” the Amish became more and more isolated from those around them.

The Amish separated from the Mennonites during the late 17^th century because of a perceived lack of discipline among the Mennonites.

From an 1862 letter read at an Amish Minster Gathering; the room divided into the ultra-conservatives and those of a slightly more liberal mindset….

“I firmly believe that in order for our church to continue, we must stem the gradual influence of this modern age.  By having a written document that lists the rules of the church, we will then be able to follow these rules without constantly bringing things into question.  I believe that having an Ordnung is the only way to keep our young people in order and stop this gradual lean toward worldliness.”

As we all know, without uniformity of dress, we are allowing pride to seep in and this must be stomped out. I have sadly observed many young women who are starting to make narrower capes for their dresses and young men who are cutting their hair shorter…

We must remember that we are not of this world; we are a people set apart and therefore must not associate with or follow after the things of this world.”

From one of the Bishops…

“I firmly believe we must make a written contract of rules which all church members must agree to uphold when they are baptized.”

A young man questions whether the size of a hat or width of a cape is that important.  The Bishop answers, “I know that these things may seem small to you, but let me warn you, any small thing that you are willing to change for the sake of pride will not end there.  The only way to keep the world and pride at bay is to avoid change”… “By writing a list of rules for our people to follow, we will ensure that we stay on the straight and narrow.”

A list of church rules was compiled and enforced for all baptized church members.  As these church rules became law, anyone who broke them, received a warning from the church.  If they did not immediately fall back in line with the Ordnung, they were shunned for 2-6 weeks or until it was deemed they were repentant.

Amish are taught from an early age that if they leave the Amish or may any significant changes to the Ordnung they will not go to Heaven.

Excerpts from the Ordnung…

Men: Hair shall be one inch below the ear, beards shall be untrimmed, beards shall be worn by all married men, hats shall have a six inch brim, suit shall be blue or black, and shirts of white muslin.  Shoes and socks shall be black, no suspenders or belts shall be permitted.

Women:  Kapps shall reach the side of the cheekbones.  Dresses shall be below the ankle and be dark blue, brown, green or black, a black cape and apron shall be worn at all times except Sunday, when a white one shall be worn.  A black bonnet shall be worn when leaving the house.  The hem of the dress shall be no wider than three inches, the kapp hem shall be no less than one half of an inch.  The side hem of the apron shall not be more than three quarters of an inch and the apron belt shall not exceed three inches.

Having experienced a Religious Shunning stemming from a refusal to sign and adhere to a Religious Loyalty Oath, I can state unequivocally it is not Biblical.  It was hurtful but caused me to seek God and study the Word without the “Security Blanket” of religion.

 I have learned that every "rule in the book" will NOT keep a person from sinning; it is only by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us that we can live a holy life.

I have learned that a LIST OF RULES does NOT produce the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

I have learned that when we make RULES a matter of SALVATION, we create a hypocritical spirit in that a person will follow the specific rules; no more and no less.

I have learned that when a religion codifies and enforces its particular Rules, SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, CONDESCENSION AND JUDGMENTAL ATTITUDES are the results.

I have learned to trust that people can have a close relationship with God without agreeing on every point of a particular doctrine.  

I have learned to appreciate every bit of growth in a person’s life as they continue on their spiritual journey.

I have learned that to truly PURSUE GOD, one must abandon the COMFORT OF RELIGION.

I have learned that the JOURNEY OF PURSUIT is at times lonely; there is only room for YOU and GOD on the narrow path.

But most of all I have learned that it is HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and HIS HOLINESS that we must seek rather than flaunting our own…And that it is all possible, BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE.