Don’t keep my faith to myself . . .

In New Testament days, Rome was the center of the known world. This is one of the reasons that Paul could make this statement in his letter to the church in Rome:

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” (Romans 1:8)

In Christian circles today, some churches have that reputation, such as the Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea and a few in North America that have been noticed around the world. However, Paul was not talking about numbers, but their faith.

What makes faith the mark of the church at Rome? Another letter from Paul clarifies what he was saying. This one was to the Christians in Thessalonica:

“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” (1 Thessalonians 1:8)

Note the wording is about them sharing their faith everywhere. Paul did not need to say anything to this church because they were doing what they were supposed to do. They had turned from idols to serve the living and true God (verse 9) and were waiting for the return of Christ as they told others about what He had done to save sinners from eternal punishment. They had filled their world with the good news, just as the church at Rome was doing and for this Paul was thankful.

Tozer says that true faith means believing everything God has said about Himself and about us. Until we believe that we are as bad as God says we are, we can never believe that He will do for us what He says He will do. The sad part about Christianity today is that many who proclaim to believe “never quite accept the severity of God or the depravity of man.” Instead, most would rather stress God’s goodness and human misfortune. For these, our sin is merely a ‘pardonable frailty’ and God is not concerned about it. He merely wants us to trust in His goodness.

This belief system is one characteristic of the “emerging church” with proponents that have decided they can pick and choose whatever they want to believe rather than accepting that God speaks and faith believes Him, like it or not. They don’t realize their ‘faith’ is in their own ideas and not in God.

Sadly, this ‘faith’ appeals to the independence of people, an independence that turns hearts away from loving and obeying God with, “I will rule my own life.” Such an attitude also describes what the Bible calls sin.

Tozer says, “To hope for heaven by means of such faith is to drive in the dark across a deep chasm on a bridge that doesn’t quite reach the other side.”

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, Your Word says, “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) One of those rewards is that You forgive sin and extend to sinners new life, eternal life. It is not earned or deserved — only given to those who believe in You. Even faith (the ability to believe) is a gift from God for without it, no one will even seek You, let alone believe in You and in what Your Word says.