James 1:7 “for let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”
In my last post, talked about Unwavering Faith. But, if unwavering faith is possible than wavering faith must exist as well. In fact, I would argue that many of us have traveled down a lonely road of wavering faith somewhere between mustard seed faith and unwavering faith. I call it lonely because it is a place that God does not like to visit. A place that is in a lukewarm state. Revelation 3:15-16 reveals how God feels about wavering. 15- “I would thou wert cold or hot”. 16- “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” The Creator prefers that we be either hot or cold. Because anywhere in between is uncertainty. Let’s face it, this is not a good place to be with God. With Him, we either trust Him or we don't.
Is Asking of God Detrimental
Throughout the bible, we are constantly encouraged to seek God. We are constantly remined that to "fear not for He is with us". Seeking God’s help is never harmful. But anything not done in faith has the potential to be harmful. Romans 14:23 reads- “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” James 1: 6-8 elaborates on this scripture. It reads: 6- “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with wind and tossed”. 7- “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord”. 8- “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Instability represents weakness. However, even in our weakness, God will be our strength. The way instability of a double minded man fits into this is that he is unable to connect with God. He is not all in. He possesses a desire to be close to God, but something is hindering the process. Perhaps a hurt from the past that hasn’t been forgotten or forgiven is causing him to not fully trust God. Where there is not trust, there is no commitment. God wants commitment. That’s why He formed covenants with us: in His relationship with man individually (The Davidic Covenant – promise of a ruler), in His relationship with the church individually and collectively (The New Covenant through Christ), and in the relationship between man and woman (The Union of Marriage). Any hinderance that blocks a true and intimate relationship with God should not be allowed to manifest in our lives.
The Ultimate Hinderance
I cannot imagine not having a relationship with God. I have loved Him for all of my life. As I’m sure many of you have. Yet, it seems to be a simple thing to let something wiggle its way between us and God. Something so simple as unforgiveness. Matthew 6:14-15 states - "For if ye forgive men their trespass, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15- but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses".
This scripture defines forgiveness of others as a prerequisite for receiving forgiveness. This passage indicates the beginning of a broader promise with further implications. If we do not forgive others, God cannot forgive us. Unforgiveness is a major hinderance between man and God. Being unable to forgive keeps us harboring negative feelings that keeps us trapped in the past instead of moving forward to the future that God has waiting for us. He will not move us until we let go of the past and grab hold to Him.
Hope For The Future
The book of James tells us in chapter 1:2-4; 2- “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers’ temptations”; 3- “knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” 4- “But let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” This scripture encourages us to meet our troubles head-on with an expectancy that God will navigate us through them in victory through Christ Jesus. "Whatsoever we ask the Father in Jesus' name, He will do it." (John 14:13) God has given us the right to ask of Him what we will and the assurance that He will answer if we ask in His son Jesus Christ's name.
If forgiveness is the hinderance in your faith walk that's keeping you from this promise, I encourage you to do the following. Instead of looking at the things in your past as negative events, search for the positive that has come out of them and meditate on those things. Allow your past to bring you closer to God so that you can experience the fullness of joy He has in store for you, for all of us. Join me next week as I continue my studies on faith in the book of James as I touch on the possibility of dead faith in Dead Faith: How Is This Possible. I look forward to sharing with you.
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Visit my site Buszyhands.com for great Christian Love stories that depicts real-life struggles with faith and how God always comes through for them. While you're there check out my upcoming release: The Night We Danced, available for pre-order right now.
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