“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”” Luke 17:5 ESV
Reflection: how can you know what you truly believe in?
I was listening to a pastor the other day making a very interesting observation. Paraphrasing, he said something like this: “Christians tend to be in a continual learning mode. They study and study the Bible, listen to sermons and lectures, read Christian books, etc. But it seems to only be used as “interesting learning” as opposed to principles to live by. Because, how much more do we need to know before we start applying it?” I am afraid he is spot on. This same pastor has been quite outspoken about the responsibility of the church for how our western, Christian nations have degraded spiritually and morally. Christians and Christianity are being heavily targeted. In Scotland, for instance, laws have either been passed, or are being considered, that make it illegal to pray in your private home. But without the church speaking up and fighting back, that means church leaders and the congregation, this will happen.
It is easy to blame the “separation of church and state”, which makes it very comfortable for Christians to exist. Because within the church, there is little opposition. It is easy to talk about Christian things, like faith and God’s provision. But, is it biblical for the church not to be involved in issues related to our society? In fact, how can we know what we really believe in, without being “tested”? Take a simple, current day example. The very same people that promoted climate action, specifically wanted to mandate electric cars and were proud driving Tesla only a year ago, now suddenly are saying that you should boycott Tesla. What is it they actually believe in? Do they even have a conviction on climate, or was it all words since they seem to sway with the wind?
In our focus verse today, we see the apostles asking Jesus to “increase their faith”. Now “faith” is one of those words Christians use a lot, but not necessarily reflecting much on its meaning. In essence, and per the Greek text, it means “conviction of the truth”. In other words, you have found truth and you cannot and will not weaver from it. Because you know it is the truth. Take the example of genders, where so many people were led to believe a lie. How was even this possible? And why did not church leaders speak up loudly on this topic, standing on the Bible? Sadly, it took a president with faith, with conviction to declare it.
It is easy to say we believe something, when we receive no opposition. But it is in the action we practice and prove what we actually believe. What our convictions are. As Jesus responded to the request of his apostles, he said “And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Luke 17:6 ESV. While our faith might be small, we must exercise it like a muscle. And, the more we do, as the apostles asked for, our faith, our conviction will increase and be strengthened.
Let’s not be swayed by the popular opinion wind, having no convictions of our own, no faith. But let’s relentlessly seek the truth, and exercise our convictions.