Unconvinced

If we are faithless, He remains faithful  2 Timothy 2:13

Faithless – What does it mean to be “faithless”?  How do we know when we are skirting the edge of failure to believe?  What are the alarms and the warning signs?  Perhaps we get a little bit of insight if we look at the other uses of this Greek word apisteo.

Mark 16:11 uses apisteo for disbelief.  These people refused to accept the evidence that Jesus rose from the dead.  Luke 24:11 uses the word to describe discounting and minimizing a report.  Acts 28:24 employs the verb to describe those who put no credence in the message.  Romans 3:3 uses apisteo to portray the disobedient disregard of the Jews.   In each case, the ones who were faithless refused to put their confidence in the proclaimed truth.  They were ones who remained unconvinced.

We are just like those disbelieving, disobedient scoffers.  Not always, thankfully, but sometimes in crucial situations, we too fall victim to disregard.  We fail to be convinced that God really cares, that God is really in control, that God is really just or that God is really benevolent.  Why are we unconvinced?  Usually, it’s because we are not getting what we want from the circumstances.  We have our own agendas.  We assert our “rights”.  But things turn out differently and suddenly we find ourselves questioning the stated truths about God.  Suddenly we are off on our own tangent, trying to bring about our own plans – and discovering that faithlessness is wrapped in the ribbon of disobedience.

Paul knew only too well what it meant to be unconvinced.  He also knew how hard it is to kick against the Lord’s armor.  So, he tells his pupil Timothy, that even if we are deliberately and rebelliously unconvinced, Jesus never withdraws.  Jesus remains faithful to His purpose – the redemption of those who believe in themselves.  I need to hear this because there are many times in my life when I stop acting on the truth of God’s word.  I start trying to control my own fate.  I complain about my circumstances.  I begin to doubt God’s sovereign benevolence.  My alarms are usually obvious – to everyone but me.  I think I am just acting naturally when it is clear to others that I have begun taking charge.  If they just came to me and said, “I noticed that you are doing such-and-such.  Do you think God is directing you in that way?” I would have to confront my faithlessness.  I might see that I have been unconvinced about His perfect love, His tireless encouragement and His continual calling.  If I am to avoid apisteo, I need you to help me.  My eyes have disbelieving blinders.  You’ll have to get in my face for me to see what I am really doing.

Jesus is calling.  He’s calling you to be the faithful representative of the truth for me.  Are you willing?  Do you see clearly enough to help?