Paul addressed in Romans 14 some as being “weak in faith,” which we must recognize as being in contrast to those who actually possessed the faith which comes from an unmodified or polluted hearing of God’s Word. Such faith is the reward given only to hearts that are diligently seeking to hear from God’s Spirit and such hearts are then required to walk the path to obtain a true and growing understanding of God’s will. (Surely I need not expound on the error of those with double mindedness, or such as have eyes that are not singled towards Jesus Christ our King.)
Having said all that, I feel I must address the natural tendency of people when hearing such words immediately assume I am contrasting myself with the “weak in faith” and making bold claims of personal insight and clear understanding of God’s will, however that is not my claim or point, and to try to refute with many words is simply a waste of time to all.
Nonetheless, according to Paul’s word, there are those who are accepted in the Lord even though they are “weak in faith” which is evident by their actions being limited in areas of consumption or by their energy or focus being given to a specific day or time. Paul counters such with those who have what I would call an effective faith, (for the Holy Spirit did not compel Paul to contrast the “weak in faith” with the strong in faith). It should be evident to all that those with an effective faith are those who are having ears to hear and are consequently walking by the Spirit untangled from the affairs of this world and effectively laboring for the gory and Kingdom of God.
Sometimes we might need to remind ourselves that God’s Kingdom is not here or there, as some tangible place that we can point to or say to a non-believer, “See, there is the Kingdom of God.” No, rather the Kingdom of God is just like the earnest of the Spirit, it abides in the heart of man when the King is clearly given the throne of one’s heart. At that point, since one has obviously understood the need to forsake his own life and ambitions for those of his King’s, the life he now lives should be solely spent for the will of the King. Such a life will prove, through clear hearing and obedience to royal directives, what is the good and acceptable will of the King/God . . . or prove an effective faith evident through faithfulness.
The lives of those weak in faith are continually manipulated by their sense of right and wrong to engage/disengage out of fear of offense actions/positions/things which rest in direct conflict with those who have effective faith and are in fact doing as noted above; walking as children of light (seeing/hearing/knowing) and proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Nonetheless, Paul insinuates there is an acceptance that God has for the weak of faith in that what they do, they are doing as unto the Lord . . . but that cannot change that what they do is still in evidence of imperfect faith and therefore cannot prove or convince men of the will of God since their own actions are not based upon a clear understanding of God’s will. At best they are but laboring in their own might from a religious perspective tainted by the notions of this world to which they are affixing the Name of the Lord, performing a labor of wood, hay, and stubble that cannot bring them into a true liberty in Christ. It has never been, nor ever will be, that God’s Kingdom is known or established by the might or wisdom of men, but only by the power of His Spirit in consecrated and sanctified servants of the Most High.
Just because this land of America boasts of rights given to men and responsibilities from them back unto itself, that does not mean those that are God’s should embrace them or labor under them. We are called out of this world; we are in it but not of it. We should be seeking a new City whose builder and maker is God and if the Lord tarries, then like all those in Hebrews 11 we too will die “having not obtained the promise” . . . for flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, which we seek. We must never forget, as the redeemed we are bought with a price and we are not our own, we have no rights unless we are first responsible to walk in the light of the King’s will. Jesus clearly told Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world, else would His servants fight. This world waxes old and is soon to be rolled up like a garment by its Creator so that a new heaven and earth may reveal for those that love His coming, those to whom He will clearly say “Well down, good and faithful servants.”
All the great awakenings around the world have been of people exasperated by the vanity of their own labors towards God’s Kingdom because they had weak faith, and were thus brought to a place of real brokenness and an absolute surrender to God’s will and wisdom. Until then they truly did not know, understand or surrender themselves fully to the Lord, but once they came to that place, God saw fit to pour out afresh His Holy Spirit anew and both those in the church and the world were pierced through their hearts with the conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment because they witness once again the divine fruit of holiness in that remnant of God’s people.
I simply do not have a faith which allows me to be entangled in the political means of this world; I cannot escape viewing them as vain attempts to be an effectual or responsible witness, as labors or weapons which cannot work a lasting change for the glory of God. My recently reading of Hudson Taylors’ answer to God’s call to China and of the consequent effectual working of the Spirit of God there, or pondering the life of William Booth and the global impact of his effectual faith/faithful service to the King of his heart leaves me desirous of something much greater than a man of similar morals or economical prowess leading living in the White House. Such a man as Mitt Romney cannot make a nation head when their actions by God’s wisdom and judgments have made them the tail. Every good gift comes from above; it is only by the King of kings living on the surrendered throne of people’s hearts that true change is wrought in men, families, communities and nations, and this through the working of their effective faith trusting His Spirit to make those willing into new creatures.
Perhaps now before the dwindling night is completely spent and after so many of God’s people having suffered the loss of futile labor of vanity by trying to vote in a reprobate as a leader for America out of darkness… perhaps now, they will give themselves fully to seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, for His glory and not their own selfish wants and desires. It is a time like never before for prayer and fasting and seeking the Lord while He may be found. A time to stand in judgment with God against ourselves first, that God may refine us and give us ears to hear. May we all humble ourselves and seek to come to such an effective faith that we might successfully work for His glory and Name’s sake while we still have some time left. Effective faith, or faithfulness, if it is truly wrought in obedience to God’s will always work a change. For faith comes by hearing and that hearing God’s word . . . and God’s word doesn’t ever return to Him void.
Brother William
(This post was generated by a response to a friend who sent to me this article (which has its merits) after the loss Mitt Romney, who they voted for.)
Live for the King!
Gates of the City 