crisis of faith

we all have them – times where circumstances almost overwhelm us – faith begins to ebb – doubt begins to creep in – moses had them – simon peter too – even john the baptist had his own personal crisis of faith

from prison john sent some of his closest followers to Jesus – with a question – he just had to know – "are You the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?" (matthew 11:3 nlt)

wait – i know john knew who Jesus was – he introduced him to us! – over a year earlier – remember?

the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (john 1:29 nlt)

but john was having a faith crisis – it had been a long time since crowds came to hear him preach – a long time since he was baptizing those same crowds in the jordan river – a long time since he called religious hypocrites a “generation of snakes!” – since he saw the Holy Spirit descending from heaven onto Jesus like a dove – since he heard the voice of God the Father say “this is my Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased”

john had been in prison for over a year – arrested for preaching against adultery – that’s only a crime when you preach against certain people’s adultery – for over a year he wondered about God’s plan – this couldn't be it – he prayed for understanding – but none came – until finally john began to doubt what he once knew in his own heart beyond the shadow of any doubt

sound familiar? – then read on

we all have crises of faith – so they are obviously not spiritually fatal – the difference is in how you respond – and how quickly

some respond by succumbing to the doubt – changing their direction or “beliefs” to fit an easier path in the future

others respond by quickly surrendering – they’ve been all alone for two weeks in a problem – God hasn’t turned the earth upside down yet – so they rehearse a cop out – something like “God just isn’t on my side” – or “i’m glad Christianity works for you”

but john? – he was in prison for a year! and he had still not surrendered to doubt – he was still fighting for his faith! – still fighting for his spiritual life! – sure – he asked the question – but it wasn’t a question of doubt – read between the lines – Jesus certainly did – Jesus knew it was a cry for help – john wanted to be reassured that what he had given his life for – what he had preached – for what he had suffered persecution – was it worth it? – he just wanted to hear Jesus say that He was exactly Who john knew Him to be!

and he got his answer

Jesus told (john’s disciples), "go back to john and tell him what you have heard and seen--the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor." (matthew 11:4-5 nlt)

your faith is not in vain – what you have testified concerning Jesus is true – every bit – your calling is as secure and strong as the day God chose it when He formed you in your mother’s womb – so don’t give up – don’t give over – don’t give in – ever – keep fighting for your faith – and your soul!

i didn’t write that last paragraph to john – i wrote it to you – so read it again