0105 - Righteous, Yet Unbelieving!
|
Barnabas Bulletin ~ 105
RIGHTEOUS, YET UNBELIEVING!! In the last Barnabas Bulletin (104) we looked at the power of doubt that was in John the Baptist’s life. This time we look at the power of unbelief in John’s father, a national leader by the name of Zacharias (Luke 1). The Bible describes both Zacharias and his wife (Elizabeth) as being“righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (v.6). Yet, in spite of that statement, we go on to read how unbelief in Zacharias’ heart was such that God had to strike him dumb in order to answer their prayers for a son: “But behold, you will be mute (“silence, involuntary stillness, or inability to speak” – Strong’s) and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe My words which will be fulfilled in their own time” (v.20). We would question how could such a man in his position of priest be so filled with unbelief? Yet the Bible declares that it was so. Zacharias had prayed and prayed for a son, and when God answered and told him he would have a son, he could not believe it would happen! He allowed his natural, logical reasonings, and circumstances, to make him doubt and not believe the promise of God! This gives us all a very great challenge. To be “righteousness and blameless,” etc. does not mean that we will not battle with doubts and unbelief. Somehow Zacharias could not believe the promise of God for himself. He could believe and proclaim it for others (that was his position and responsibility), but he could not believe the promise of God for himself! (Have you noticed that many Christians are “experts” at knowing the will of God for other people, but quite “destitute” when it comes to knowing it for themselves?) Unbelief is a silencer! It prevents us from believing the truth of the Gospel, and stops us from boldly declaring what the Lord is saying today. It reduces us to that of a “silent witness.” But Christianity is not a “silent witness.” It is the Gospel ~ and the only Gospel that is to be proclaimed in all the world! The Great Commission is for us to “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15-20). That has not changed! We are commanded to spread the Gospel (Good News) to every person! So, why, generally speaking, are we Christians so weak at proclaiming the truth of the Gospel? Why are we not more bold in our witness for Jesus? Could it be that doubt and unbelief has wound their insidious tentacles around our hearts and caused us to become mute (like Zacharias)?
Zacharias remained that way until John was born. At eight days old he was named John. To name John “John,” Zacharias had to break with family tradition (no one in the family had ever been called John before). When Zacharias obeyed the word of the Lord and named him “John,” the Scripture says: “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God . . . Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied . . .”!! (v.64-67).The power of unbelief was broken when Zacharias obeyed God! A great release came into his heart ~ he not only spoke, but he prophesied the Word of the Lord over the nation and concerning his son, John. Praise the Lord! What a lesson! Let us learn from this. Doubt and unbelief are two of the devil’s chief strategies against us to silence us, to “close us down” and to make us ineffective in the Kingdom of God. A Christian is a Christian because he/she BELIEVES what Jesus says, and then acts upon what He says! Let us so believe Him that we can be the recipients of His answers to prayer through signs, wonders and miracles in the doing of His will. It is time to rise up in the boldness of the Holy Spirit, conquer every doubt and unbelief, and proclaim the Greatest Message of the Greatest Person Who ever lived: Jesus Christ the Living Lord! ~ Rodney W. Francis. Bible Readings: Luke Chapter 1 Please Pray This Prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus, I submit my thoughts and life to You afresh. Please put Your finger on any doubts and unbelief that are hindering my faith and walk with You. Convict me of any negative thoughts and words that I speak; those things that cause unbelief to grow in my heart. I do not want to be among those who doubt Your word to them. Help me to serve You fully in faith day by day. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen." The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry, , New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
|