Too many times Christians are limited in their walk with God because their mind limits the faith of their heart. We have to get to a place of pure faith if we want to accomplish all the Lord has for us, because that is the only way He operates.
Romans 14:22-23 says "Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."
Now that's a pretty strong statement, because it's so matter of fact. Let's face it though, while God is rich in Mercy, He is also black and white with no shades of grey! NO SHADES OF GREY!! However, we live in a time when almost everything is shadowed in suggestion!
Back to the point, we must do everything by faith! And it is totally possible! I'm writing this article by faith, that it will be a help and that it will also provoke to thought! Contrary to what some believe, I don't get offended by people dis-agreeing with me or even insulting me and what I say. If you are going to be a public figure, get used to it. You're never going to please everyone and quite honestly, you shouldn't want to. If you live by the compliments of men, you'll die by their criticism and if you please everyone all the time, you're doing something wrong!
It takes faith to say controversial things and then be willing to stand behind those statements without blowing up in retaliation. If I remember correctly, Jesus was fairly controversial in His day, not because He intentionally tried to offend, but because the Gospel is offensive. For instance, God is Good and He is good all the time!
If that's so, then He doesn't kill people or bestow disease on folks to teach them a lesson, as some people believe! It's against His nature, He can't give what He doesn't have! If there is no cancer in Heaven then He can't send it to live in someone on the earth. But many times, people say "He took my loved one and I don't understand!" I'd like to suggest that He receives people to himself in death, but He doesn't inspire death! If He does then He is an abusive Father and needs to be fired from His job!
It's true! Here on earth an abusive father like that would be arrested, put in jail and the keys thrown away! But somehow, when we don't have all the answers to eternal questions, we shift the blame to "God's Sovereignty" or "It was just God's will!" That seems to bring ease to a hurting soul, but it actually turns them against a good God and creates bitterness in their heart towards a Loving Savior. It also keeps them in a place of grief, because the faith that it takes to call God Good all the time is the same activating faith for healing of the soul!
I would never want to diminish anyone's tragic event in life, so I'm not saying "just get over it"! However, I am saying that whatever the circumstance, it can be overcome through faith in God. But think about it, how can I say I have faith in someone who I believe has mercilessly taken from me, regardless of what it is? You see, it's wonderful to hear people say, God is Good all together in church, but it's entirely another thing to believe it in the darkest hour of your life! It takes Great Faith.
John 10:10 says 'The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy! But I (Jesus) have come for you to have life and life more abundantly!" So there are your two categories for every moment in life! If it's good, it's Father God, if it's bad then it's only source is satan. He is the enemy of our soul, not Jesus!
So, let's resolve by faith that God is good no matter what and all the time! It's then, when we stretch ourselves in faith concerning this certainty that healing for everything begins.
Hope this helps!
Barry