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life.
Many Evangelicals erroneously believe that all Christians are born unto a legacy of riches, success, health and prosperity in all they do. Only the lack of faith on our part, (they believe), will keep us from achieving our self-ordained goals. Unfortunately, in the light of scripture, these arguments just don't add up. Job was in the perfect will of God, being tormented, sick, despised and rejected. Hebrews (11 vs. 35-40) mentions many in the hall of faith who were "mocked", "scourged", "destitute", "afflicted", "tormented" "of whom the world was not worthy."
Christ declared "They that are whole need not a physician: but they that are sick." (Luke 5 v. 31). The "Faith Movement" has pressed the people of God into a false concept of what true Biblical faith is. When Peter saw Christ walking on the water in Mat. (14 vs. 28-29) he said, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me to come to Thee on the water. And He said; come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His Hand and caught Him, and said unto him; O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt."
Illustrated graphically in this story are the proper steps that should be taken to achieve, healing, direction etc. from the Lord.
(1) We must cry out to the Lord, and wait for His reassurance, that He is truly with us in all of our ventures.
(2) We should ask Him if He would have us step out of our boats, (symbolizing our security) onto the water (symbolizing that which is impossible in the natural).
(3) We must wait for the Lord to respond to our petitions -- if it is His Will he will say "come".
(4) If the Lord tells us to "come" we must not let the circumstances (i.e. the contrary appearance of events) put unbelief and doubt into our hearts but steadfastly let us cling to His "Word" for He is "Faithful and True."
Too often, Christians presumptuously venture outside the boat before hearing the Lord tell them to "come". True faith is a "gift from God" so even biblical faith for healing (from even within ourselves) must emanate first from Him. Sometimes, however, (in response to our petitions) the Lord may put us on hold, to test our faith and reactions, as He did to the children of Israel in the wilderness.
What we can glean therefore from the church of Smyrna is that suffering and testing are often the path chosen by God, for some of His children -- sometimes even unto death. (I Peter 2 v. 19) declares, "But this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully." Furthermore, in (Chap 4. vs. 12-13), he continues, beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings." To those who are "faithful unto death" Christ promises "the crown of life."
Christianity (contrary to popular opinion) is not a religion which promises earthly blessings (as promised to Israel); instead, the true path of Christ always leads us to the cross -- to self denial and persecution. Let us therefore, not weigh our faith by our personal success, but by our Savior's heavenly approval instead.
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