The State of Faith

      Faith matters.  It matters because Jesus taught to have faith in God (Mk. 11:22), that faith in Himself would result in the forgiveness of sin (Lk. 5:20) and could move mountains (Mt. 21:21).  Faith matters because we cannot experience a relationship with Christ, spiritual growth, or influence the world without it.  It matters because it is necessary to please God in all areas of our lives (Heb. 11:6).  

      Faith in relation to Christ means believing that He only is Savior and Lord and trusting Him with all aspects of our lives.  This is an obvious statement to those of you who have grown up in Christian families and churches.  This is a statement in which the church would acknowledge as vitally important because faith matters.  However, do we live like it matters?  Are we fulfilling God's expectations of living lives of faith?  Are we avidly striving to be faithfully obedient to God?  How are we doing in the area of spiritual growth? What is the state of faith in my life and in the church?

      In order to begin answering such questions, we must honestly survey ourselves and the church to observe our present attitudes and growth.  Recent research has discovered that around 75 to 80 percent of those claiming to be believers say that their faith in Christ is the top priority in their lives and futures.  That of course means that 20 to 25 percent have something in their lives that is more important than being faithfully committed to Christ.  The church is often critical of the world's lack of faith, but it has been the church that has put faith in Christ in the background.  From the first disciples to the church today, Jesus has been saying, "Why is your faith so small?"

      Recent research has also discovered that when believers are asked to identify the single most important thing that they desire to achieve over 80 percent identify something that is not directly connected to their faith in Christ or spiritual growth.  This reveals the state of faith in the American church:  We say faith matters, but we do not live our lives in a manner that reflects it.  We are in pursuit of financial gain, comfort, health, popularity, happiness, retirement funds, education, and material wealth; but we are not in pursuit of Christ.  Our faith seems to be so weak because we are so distracted.  Our dreams for God's glory are so small because our dreams of vain pursuit are so big.

      So, how can this state of faith change?  There is no complex formula or systematic equation.  Its simple. God must be first in our lives, and we must truly believe that He is enough.  He is worthy of our lives because Jesus gave His for us.  He is strong enough to save us, give us fulfilling lives of purpose, deliver us from pain, and move any obstacle that hinders us from pursuing Him faithfully.  When we are focused and always looking to Him, when we are satisfied by nothing other than Him, and when we fully embrace His dreams for our lives then the state of faith will change.  Faith in Christ matters.  If we allow Him to consume our lives through faith, He will change us and use us to change the world.