Something Hard

  Something hard

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

For many people believing in what they can’t see, feel, or hear, is difficult. Yet it’s what God requires of all who will come to Him.

Having faith however as I said can be difficult for many people. Perhaps that is why God asks us to have faith in him?

People who have faith in someone or something will quite often be willing to die for what they have faith in.

People of faith don’t waver in the face of adversity. They will endure everything from verbal abuse to physical abuse and even death, if they truly believe in something.

So here is my question are you willing to believe the words of Jesus who said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:16-18.

Please think about it.

What is unseen

What is unseen
The apostle Paul wrote,

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,

 but on what is unseen. 

For what is seen is temporary, 

but what is unseen is eternal.” 

                                              2 Corinthians 4:18.

Sadly for many in the world today they only believe in what they can see, feel and touch. They have the attitude that the world we live in is all there is. There is nothing after death.
My question is, are you sure there is nothing after this life ends?
Since the dawn of mankind all societies have believed there was life beyond the grave. It seems as though we humans are hardwired to believe in an afterlife. It’s how we get there and what it’s like that seems to be the debate.
As believers in God, believers in Christ Jesus, we Christians have assurances that there is life beyond the grave. The whole Bible speaks of life after death. A life that cannot be seen in this life.
As Christians we are called to “fix our eyes on what is unseen”. To have faith there is a God who loves us. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
The writer defining faith as,
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1
It is this leap of faith that many if not most people in the world today cannot bring themselves to make. Yet it is one each and every person must make if they are to have peace with God. If they are to have eternal life.
Thus my question to you the reader; are you willing to make this leap of faith fixing your eyes by faith on what is unseen, fixing your eyes on God?
Please think about it.

Those who have not seen

Those who have not seen
John’s gospel records,
“Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29.
Here we have the story of the man quite often referred to as doubting Thomas. He wanted proof that Jesus was alive following his death on the cross. He wasn’t taking the word of the other disciples. He wanted physical proof, so Jesus appeared to him.
What Jesus however said after furnishing proof to Thomas is important. John records,
“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 
Believing in Jesus and all that he did is especially today in the twenty-first century an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                          Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                               Hebrews 11:6

Having faith in anything is a difficult thing for many if not most people. Still it is what God requires of us. Yet when you think about it having faith in God costs us nothing.
Blaise Pascal wrote,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.
Please think about it.