Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us,
that we should be called children of God!...
by this we know love, because He laid
down His life for us.
And we also ought to lay down our lives
for the brethren. (1 John 3: 1a; 16)
We live in a world where "feelings" have much to do about everything. It is how someone "feels" about something that often gives credence to its value. Our "feelings" placed upon an object or person often determine how we act towards that person or how we perceive an object. This type of "feeling" does not necessarily have fact as the guiding force, rather it is simply a "feeling." Of course those "feelings" may be predicated upon past experiences, the culture in which a person lives and operates, and more specifically "feelings" are often obtained by being educated, either formally, or from a family member. We must be careful when assigning "feelings" to anything, yet, to pass judgment on a person's "feelings" without sufficient evidence or knowledge would be unjust. This being said, obnoxious "feelings" those outside of the norm, those that cause harm or lead a person to act in ways unbecoming a Christian then to pass judgment on those actions is not wrong, yet must be carefully scrutinized according to Scripture. This is true of faith for often there are "feelings" related to faith that are normal and expected when viewed under the lens of Scripture. In some churches "feelings" are the defining element of faith; if you feel good, it must be right or even of God. This form of faith, faith run amuck, is not Scriptural and demeaning to the cause of Christ and our witness of our faith in Him. Does this mean that faith should be stoic and without feeling?
The definitions discussed up to this point have within them elements of truth. To separate feeling from faith is extremely hard to do since faith and feeling constitute the mind in regards to faith. An example might help: Look at a rose, in all its beauty, its form, the way droplets of water sit aimlessly on the petals, the fragrant sweet odor listing in the air and by necessity we perceive it beauty and feelings of delight form almost lifelessly in our mind, peace and serenity often follow the event. This is faith and feeling so conjoined that when we assent to moral truth there is involve a moral approbation. Illuminating spiritual discernment when it is faith that is derived from the fruit of the Spirit, we assign that it is true, and furthermore that it is beautiful and good. This is an important aspect that we must all obtain as true: Faith that includes feeling is alive, faith that does not is dead. Most Christians can testify to the moment that they knew that they were of the elect, called, and had accepted Christ by faith, that certain feelings were associated with that moment. I am not saying that it must be a huge, bomb bursting feeling, it might just be a peaceful encompassing feeling knowing that your sins are forgiven and that as His child, His sheep, there is perception that quietly overwhelms. Yes, there is often an feeling connected with your willful assent to Christ, but not always is this the case and it is a voluntary assent. Listen to this notice: It is the object of your faith that determines whether or not faith is conjoined with feeling; it is the thing believed and the evidence on which it is founded.
Feeling is not associated with faith when that faith has as its object speculative truth, abstract reasoning, or is associated with some historical event past or future, further if that faith is simply applied to the understanding and not to the conscience or to our emotional or religious nature, then faith does not have by necessity a connection with feeling. There are many events in the Bible that are historical, or the predictions of historical events and when we read or hear about such events as the creation, the flood, the overthrow of nations or cities, etc. our faith does not include feeling. It is knowledge but there is no operation of the mind, no assent associated with feeling. Why? Because it is simply a rational conviction and that conviction is founded on sufficient evidence. Therefore, it is not a sense of the will. Thomas Aquinas probable said it best when he said that it is love or reverence towards God which inclines the will to believe such facts on the authority of His Word. Here is a paradox: wicked men believe as do Christians that these things, these events did exist and are true. Let us tread cautiously and examine this thing called feeling when associated with faith.
It is admitted that feeling and faith in many cases are inseparable, further that feeling has much influence in determining our faith. The many noted events where there is a high level of feeling, a group euphoria, we find this type of faith/feeling associated with so-called Christian rock bands, or concerts, and we do not have to look to far to find this same faith/feeling being demonstrated by the congregants in some churches. They have been mislead, in some cases for sinister reasons, mostly money, to keep the congregation intact, and the money flowing in to the coffers. For some have fallen into the trap of offering classes, or even schools that teach a form of religions beliefs that include a host of feelings that give credit of a person's faith. So we find that these two things, faith and feeling are inseparable at times and is especially true when the objects of faith are of moral and religious truths. It is the lack of congeniality, a suitable or adaptable to the truth of the Bible that produces insensibility to the evidence by which it is supported. How can this be you may ask? Our Lord stated of the Jews: "But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you" (John 10:26). These strong words by Jesus state: "If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority" (John 7:17). Paul in writing to the Corinthian church said: "...whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them" (2 Corinthians 4:4). It is Jesus that is the light of the world as John the Baptist so aptly put: "He (John the Baptist) was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. that was t Light which gives light to every an coming into the world" (John 1:8-9). The Light was present, Jesus was at hand with all the evidence necessary that He was that Light, yet they did not have the ability to perceive that Light. Where then was the defect? Not in their physical eyes, nor in the want of the Light, it was as the Scriptures have so clearly pointed out that the defect was in their hearts. They are not the true children of God, only all the true Children of God receive Christ as their God and Savior on the evidence that He gave of His divinity and mission. He was rejected by the wicked and unrenewed and that due to their wickedness. Therefore, the great sin is unbelief. Men and women are condemned by this lack of belief on the Savior Jesus Christ: "He who believes in Him is not condemned ; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18). This is true and is especially true of saving faith but is not true of various forms of faith, even religious faith a faith that does have religious truth as its object.
I shall continue in this vein of thought in the next blog. Take time to read the Bible, check out all that is said. follow 1 Thessalonians 5:21; be a Berean.
May the God of Peace be with you!
Richard L. Crumb
No comments:
Post a Comment