Our Faith Vs Their Faith (What Has Changed Compared To The Time Of The Patriarchs)
Our Faith Vs Their Faith (What Has Changed Compared To The Time Of The Patriarchs)
We shall first define the context of faith from the topic. This kind of faith is defined as the belief system or convictions of a believer. It is what guides and indicate the manner and way of life of a believer. This faith encompasses the life of the believer from the point of salvation, extends throughout his/her years of entire earthly service to the kingdom of God, and finally translates the believer into eternity with God at the rapture.
Faith is also the ability to have absolute trust in the written, spoken, and prophetic word of God with the assurance that whatsoever God has said, he is more than able to fulfill it, and maintaining every discipline to keep it so daily and also replicating this same ability in other believers.
Faith is being certain about realities we believe are true but we cannot see with our physical eyes. The discourse of “our faith” vs “the patriarch’s faith” is a misnomer- Rom 3:22… “Even the Righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.” Variations only arose because believers over the ages began adding human and logical inclusions in “the perfect law of liberty” in Christ (James 1:25). We must however know that God’s standard has never and will never change- 2 Timothy 2:19…Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” NKJV. If our faith does not deliver to us what it delivered to them, we are the problem. Between the written word of God and its fulfillment, there is contention but they fought theirs with faith but for us, we are busy discussing our own with men. This is the reason for such a huge gap. They fought a good fight of faith on their knees! It was a battle to them but to us, it is a meeting!
So what has changed?
Let us look at this with these questions.
1. What was their Focus?
2. What was the Authenticity of their faith in Christ?
3. What was the Implication of their declaration to follow Christ?
4. What was the Tenacity of their love?
5. What was the Hierarchy of their leadership?
With these, we will be able to compare with our present-day Christianity.
- FOCUS:
What was the focus of the early church? Focus was on Christ and what he handed over- His word and the Holy Ghost. They aimed to glorify Christ, with no personal gain or gratification in mind. They lived for Christ and His Kingdom, they were never looking for bread and butter, they hardly pray for needs but God was their portion. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
I Corinthians 2:2, 4-5 NKJV
The focus of our gospel in this generation is on the gratification of our human needs rather than on Christ and the labor He bestows on us…If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 NKJV. We want all our needs met at any cost. But Paul said in Philippians 4:12… I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound (in Christ). Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. We want to prosper, have mighty houses, and drive posh cars. These things are not bad, but at what cost and to what end? The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me, but when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions”. Matthew 19:20-22 NKJV. Look at what the patriarchs did: And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. Acts 2:42, 44-45 NKJV. The difference is clear. The challenge is that we set the eyes of men on things other than God, everyone wants to be recognized as the richest among the saints. Oh, what a great dilemma for our generation, such a confusion of minds.
2. What was the AUTHENTICITY OF THEIR FAITH?
The authenticity of faith is in the fruit we bear which is the testament of the transformation of the gospel.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12 NKJV Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:20 NKJV.
The danger about this is that even though the message may have been distorted or mutated, it will still produce some kind of fruit, but not the genuine one that Christ talked about. The fact that there is fruit evidence doesn’t mean it is approved by God. The fruits i. e. the converts that the patriarchs bore, were taught to be Loyal to Christ, our today’s faith and fruit are centered on loyalty to man. The fruit must remain in the denomination but not abide in Christ. The authenticity of their faith was more about God’s approval and not man’s applause.
3. What was THE IMPLICATION OF THEIR DECLARATION TO FOLLOW CHRIST? WHAT DID THEY LOSE?
They lost all sense of personal accomplishment. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:8 NKJV
To summarize the remaining points:
4. TENACITY:
Do we persist in the love and persistence of our calling? For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NKJV.
5. HIERARCHY:
Church leadership of the 21st century is not in tandem with what God prescribes and what was practiced among saints of old. We are preoccupied with position, recognition, honor, and the praises of men.
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— Matthew 20:25-27 NKJV “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” Luke 20:46-47 NKJV Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common. Acts 2:44 NKJV Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. Acts 4:32 NKJV.
Having considered all these, what is the way out for us? Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Revelation 2:4-5 NKJV Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set. Proverbs 22:28 NKJV.
To follow Christ, our personal desires, interests, and will become insignificant. Our lives become all about Christ.
…To be continued…
