In last week’s column, I wrote that while we all have doubts and fears, we also have at least a little bit of faith, even if it is as tiny as a mustard seed.
Living by faith instead of fear and doubt transforms our lives. It also gives us the power to forgive our enemies and those who have hurt us. Faith, when acted upon, changes our inner nature and outlook.
Faith can empower us to overcome temptation. Every one of us faces temptations. We are tempted to follow the desires of the flesh instead of choosing to live as God has called us to live.
When we are young, the temptations we find so hard to resist may revolve around sex. When we are older, we are tempted to live for comfort and security more than for sacrifice. Whatever the temptations may be, we often give in to what the flesh wants.
We don’t want to fail, but we all do from time to time. I love the title of Pastor James Moore’s book, “Yes, Lord, I have Sinned, But I have Several Excellent Excuses.”
We all want to excuse our negative actions, words and thoughts, nevertheless, we all have within us the power to overcome temptation. We just have to exercise our faith. To say “no” to sin, we only have to say “yes” to God. We can choose to live God’s way and in His light.
Jesus gave us an example to follow, and when we love others the way Jesus loved us, we will naturally overcome temptation. Athletes become strong by exercising their muscles. As Christians, we become strong by exercising our faith.
Faith gives us a higher cause to live for than just ourselves. When we live for ourselves, our actions inevitably are selfish. We find ourselves enslaved to lying, cheating, violence, excuse-making, gossip, vengeance, greed, and all sorts of behavior that is inspired by the devil himself. But faith chooses to serve God rather than self.
As Christians, we serve as volunteers in God’s army under the command of our general, the Lord Jesus. We are sworn to obey Him, to do the things He has called us to do, to love others with His love, to tear down the kingdom of Satan, to work for good in the world, and to spread the Good News of salvation offered to all. We go into the prisons to spread the Gospel to those who need to hear it the most. We invite our neighbors to church and share with them what God has done for us. We care for the homeless, the poor, the hungry, the hurting, the sick, and all those in need. We choose a master other than our own egos and desires. Faith empowers us to serve God and love our neighbors with the love of Jesus.
Faith the size of a mustard seed also gives us the capacity to deal with the grief and suffering we endure in life. When we lose something or someone precious to us, faith enables us to hope in the power God instead of turning to despair. Things can look very, very dark when we lose a job, a spouse, a friend, or a dream.
If we plant even a mustard seed of faith, there pokes through the darkness the first ray of sunlight that shows us that there will be a tomorrow even though the night seems impenetrable. The foundation of the life of a Christians is not a spouse, a job, a dream, wealth, nor anything in this world.
A hurricane of trauma can take away all that we hold dear in this life, but faith enables us to rebuild our lives upon a sure foundation. With faith, there is always hope and belief in the providence and goodness of God.
Faith enables us to live wholesome lives and overcome the temptations we face. Faith calls us to serve something worth living for, instead of our own egos. Faith empowers us to grieve our losses in healthy ways and believe in an eternal future filled with the love of God.
Let’s put our faith to work.
Dr. Dan Darby is a retired United Methodist pastor.
