Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Matthew 21:43 (NIV)
Gravity– Is a natural phenomenon by which all things with mass are brought toward one another (as stated on the World Wide Web.) We can’t see gravity, but I know it’s a real thing based on the fact that everything that is IN gravity is held to the ground. Proved by evidence!
Wind- A current of air, especially a natural one that moves along or parallel to the ground, moving from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. Again, can’t see it, but proved by evidence when objects IN wind roll by my tractor as I move through the field. Wind is a real thing, proved by evidence!
Oxygen- Is the third most abundant element in the universe, and the most abundant element by mass in the Earth’s crust. What? They can actually measure something they can’t see? WOW! Again, when IN oxygen, mammals live…. when OUT, we die. Proved by evidence, a real thing!
I don’t believe many “normal” people would argue against any one of these three natural elements. The evidence of their existence cannot be ignored. When an object is IN the effect of these elements, certain characteristics prove they are a real thing. Objects stay on the ground, tumbleweeds roll by, and objects that utilize oxygen to survive… well, they survive. Unseen elements, proved by evidence, called natural.
For me, faith in God meets the same criteria and, likewise, is proved by evidence. Christianity, the belief in Christ as the Savior of the World, belief in the Triune Godhead can bring about a New Creation to the heart, mind, and soul of a person who is seeking God, is not a new phenomenon. That is, if your someone who believes! Do you believe that God can change lives?
The idea IN a belief, in “something or someone” that you can’t see, “trips up” many people, especially those that require physical evidence of a spiritual phenomenon. Thomas doubted the spiritual, until he saw the physical. Most of us relate to Doubting Thomas. Man would it be easy to really buy into this faith thing if only I could see Jesus. I would be 100% convicted, and therefore, able to live until I die. Believing, trusting, living, and even dying for my conviction, just like the disciples. That’s the faith I want…. if only Jesus could be proved by evidence.
Scripture tells us that believers are called to emulate Jesus, do what He did during His years of teaching. So, we read the Bible and identify the characteristics that Jesus demonstrated. He exemplified Love, Joy, Peace and Patience. He showed Kindness, Goodness and Gentleness. He was Faithful. And, He refused to be self-motivated, demonstrating great Self-Control during difficult moments and unfair situations. John 14:11-12 recounts Jesus’ words, Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Those who believe, who are IN Christ, will do as Christ did. Their belief will be proved by evidence. May I introduce you to evidence….. the Fruit of the Spirit…… Galatians 5:22. Those who are IN Christ will demonstrate His characteristics, in an even greater capacity than we can comprehend. The proof of our faith, and the evidence of God, will be seen as we Love the un-Loveable. Christians will be known for Joy and Peace in the presence of the storms of life. Believers remain Patient in a world that demands immediate answers and relief from distress. Followers of Christ exhibit Kindness and Compassion, Goodness and honesty, and, Gentleness and empathy. Conviction leads us to the role of a servant, serving in humility, in Self-Control, at our expense, for other’s benefit, to the Glory of God.
A faith without such evidence…… is not faith. Fruit of the Spirit is the natural proof, the evidence of our faith. Are you lacking love, joy, or peace? Struggling with illness, death, or hardship? Are you bitter, cranky, or apathetic? Self-serving, envious, or greedy? THEN: Ask, Seek and Knock!! Pray that God would expose your stubbornness, areas you think you roped off from God’s attention. Repent of your shortfalls, asking God to create in you a new heart, a Spirit-filled life. Ask God to remove your doubt, to prune the vine and remove the dead and decaying branches from your life. Immerse yourself in scripture, searching for Wisdom, Truth, and Life. The door to a New Life WILL be opened if you genuinely ask, seek, and knock.
A PROMISE (my paraphrase): We can do ALL THINGS, when we allow Christ to work IN us, and then follow His example as the Spirit works THROUGH us (Phil 4:13). Suddenly, the Spiritual phenomenon becomes proved by evidence, our FAITH becomes a real thing!
Grace and Peace be yours in abundance. (1 Peter 1:2)
Shad