Doing the Same Things

It can be uncomfortable to hear that unbelief is a sin. Unbelief feels like something that we can’t really control. We can easily take the blame for other types of sin, but unbelief feels effortless—we either believe or we don’t, but we feel like we can’t control it either way.  But if we can’t control it, why would Hebrews 3:12-13 say, “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (NIV)? Why would we be commanded to encourage one another, every day, to keep one another from the sin of an unbelieving heart? If we can encourage one another out of unbelief, then we can control what we believe in. And what we truly believe in will always be revealed in times of trouble. Are we complaining, criticizing, and dividing, or are we rejoicing, encouraging, and unifying? When we put our belief in something or someone that will fail, we will inevitably succumb to complaints, criticism and division, but if our belief is in the solid foundation of Jesus, we can rejoice in all circumstances, encourage one another daily, and bring unity in the most unlikely places.  Jesus says, “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1, CSB). We can be surrounded by trouble without a troubled heart if we can turn our belief away from a person or a future circumstance and turn our eyes toward Jesus, choosing to believe that he is always in control.  Reflection/Discussion Question: When do you most often struggle with the sin of unbelief?

How can the disciples listen to Jesus when he tells them not to be troubled in their hearts? Because his command is backed up by evidence. Not only has Jesus displayed constant peace in all situations, he is about to display a peace that surpasses understanding as he endures the cross. Jesus has performed signs and miracles to prove that he is God in the flesh, therefore, everything he says can be trusted. Although Jesus promises that his disciples will be surrounded by trouble in this world, he can confidently tell them not to let their hearts be troubled, because they can believe in him. It may feel cliche, or trite, or insignificant for us to hear that the way to peace is to just believe in Jesus, but it can’t be any of those things if Jesus is the one who said it first. What Jesus says holds more weight than any other words we may hear, because Jesus is the Truth. If we are tempted to roll our eyes at the command to “believe in Jesus” then we need to look at what we really believe in. Maybe we believe in a Jesus that teaches us the difference between right and wrong and expects us to always get it right. Maybe we believe in a Jesus who is distant, apathetic, and uninvolved. Maybe we believe in a Jesus who was just a good example for us to follow. If we don’t know the real Jesus, then our belief is based on a lie and we will crumble. But if we believe in the real Jesus—one who is compassionate, empathetic, loving, kind, gentle, patient, affectionate, humble, merciful and gracious, then our belief in this Jesus will give us the peace we need in times of trouble. Reflection/Discussion Question: What kind of Jesus are you believing in?

My husband has been my wise counsel for 34 + years. He knows he has the privilege to tell me when I am off base, but usually he will wait for me to ask. Last fall was such a time. I was doing a Biblestudy on 1Peter and one of the assignments was to ask your husband if he saw you as being submissive. Now I really thought that I was. When I asked him he said there was one area I fell. He had asked me to lay out his Juice Plus for him every morning for many years. Mind you I did it, but I told people about it in a criticizing way. “I have to lay my husbands Juice Plus out for him everyday or he won’t take it.” I also thought to myself, “he’s a grown man, why can’t he do it himself.” That thought alone should have given me a clue that my heart was not right, but it didn’t. It took my husband to tell me that he did not see this as submission I new he was right. It truly was a blind spot. I was so humbled after being so prideful, because I thought I was doing such a good job at being a submissive wife. I asked for his and the Lord’s forgiveness and they graciously did so. Now I happily lay it out and don’t say anything about it. I am also grateful for the Biblestudy that makes you grow.