Christian Unbelief
“Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
Do we not sympathize with this poor father? Do we not find in ourselves the same weakness, the same instability, the same painful recognition that sends us to our own knees? Each of us grab onto the handrail beneath us with ease; but when we must dangle from the rail above us, how quickly does our grip give way! When we are “in over our head,” unbelief floats to the surface. Haven’t you seen it so? Sick children, small checks, swarms and swarms of sin – all of these drive us to our knees. A few things, however, must be said.
One, this experience is normal. The idea of “Christian perfectionism” is far from the truth. Yes, believers experience a decisive break with the dominion of sin (Rom. 6:1-3); however, the power of sin continues to felt long after the penalty of sin has been paid. As Paul says, “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” (Ga. 5:17) Our “sinful passions” will continue to wage war against our souls, and we should expect no different until the presence of sin is put far from us in glory (1 Peter 2:11; Rev. 20:14-15). When you find unbelief rising in your heart, you should not fear that you are cast off forever. Our Father knows that we are but dust and shows great compassion (Ps. 103:13-14).
Two, what is most important is not the strength of our faith, but the strength of its object. When we take our young’uns swimming and they squeal and squeeze because of their fear of the water, let me ask a question. What is more important? Their grip on you, or your grip on them? They may lose their grip, but you do not. Yes, you may find your faith weak and your grip loosening, but our Jesus will never let us go. As you find yourself sinking as Peter did when he saw the winds and the waves, Jesus will save you, sustain you, and secure you from all the winds and waves of unbelief that seek to wash you away.
Reader, let the weakness of your faith drive you to Jesus, not away from Him. When unbelief casts a long shadow over your soul, let the light of His face chase all the shadows away.
