Articles
Will He Find Faith?
Barbara L. Klika, MSW, Undershepherd, Life Coach
April 2022
Written for Wisconsin Christian Newspaper
It is likely true for all WCN writers that we carry a burden of some kind to be a part of the voice that calls to Elohim’s people to turn to Him! We know that the hour is late and the enemy is bold.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
Ephesians 5:11 NKJV
We have different viewpoints and priorities but the call to look to Yeshua Messiah/Jesus is consistent throughout.
Our SAM articles in early 2022 have been focusing on the Priesthood of all Believers and what it looks like today. There, we see a physical picture of the spiritual truths of being set apart, made holy to be ready for our soon coming King. Our understanding is informed by the view of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus being obedient to the plan of our Father to purchase us back from sin and restore our relationship with the Father, thus the continuity of “Old” to “New” Testaments. We believe that this approach clarifies what it means to follow after Him and to obey His commands so that we will be ready when He returns. We who serve Messiah want to be found among the Five Wise Virgins who knew His ways and knew how to prepare for His return. (Matthew 25) We’d rather not be found among the Five Foolish Virgins, who knew that He was coming but had no idea what to do in advance to be ready when He did come. Thus, they came late and were turned away.
So in the light –and false light--of all the confusion and chaos that continues to flood our senses and our daily lives, what is the most essential thing that people need today so they won’t be turned away by Messiah? As an undershepherd/pastoral leader and a personal life coach, I want to understand so I can effectively exhort and encourage others, not to mention bearing up in the midst of confusion myself!
What is most needed so that people will be able to endure through trials and tribulations? Can it be reduced to just one simple topic?
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
Is faith a singularly important “simple topic” for us to consider?
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 ESV
Perhaps this IS a very central thing since Scriptures present an important question:
And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:7-8 NKJV
If unseen, where do we find what is needed to establish faith?
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8 ESV
How do we get the gift of God?
The Bible has a “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11 which pointblank lists those who were saved by faith and pleased God in the process. Their testimony and witness to the power of our God is one way that He speaks to people today.
But what happens if you have no family history in the church and no knowledge of the Word?
Barna Research Group has demonstrated how far away from even awareness of the Word, let alone knowledge of it, we are in America today. Biblical metaphors are no longer universally understood, regardless of the presence or absence of faith. So we can write and exhort and encourage and speak what we understand to be His Truth, but many do not share that basic conviction so it can fall on ears that cannot hear.
WCN occupies a unique place in that it is accessible to many people, both believers and unbelievers alike. It is available to people through some church bodies and in some cases against the wishes of a church body….some of them arguing that it is too harsh or too political for their tastes or for their people. On the other hand, some welcome the perspectives offered, even when blunt. In many situations, WCN is the only publicized validation they may have for their viewpoint about what is happening today. Those who haven’t attended a church are getting the viewpoint of believers they may not ever have seen before, too.
We so often think of those who are not “churched” as those who do not believe. I observe that some of us have already left the institutional churches long ago because we recognized the infiltration of false teachings. In our case, we were also called to understand the Bible from the perspective of the Whole Word in its Hebraic context and walk after Messiah in His ways, returning to the ancient paths. In similar manner some very strong believers are already outside the institutional church in the growing house church movement or independent Bible churches. They have found the shepherd/pastors raised up by our Abba who ARE carefully teaching the Word.
I will appoint shepherds over them who will shepherd them; then they will no longer be afraid or disgraced; and none will be missing," says ADONAI. Jeremiah 23:4 CJB
It also occurs to me to add that in recent months, beginning in the covid shutdowns, many ministry efforts within prison or correctional institutions have been effectively shut down, and methods of communication with inmates has become more restricted than ever. There IS a population there of “unchurched” people facing extremely difficult situations which our Abba has used to draw their attention to Him while the authorities have made it more difficult to minister to them! (WCN is one resource that can still be mailed in.)
Shouldn’t we be looking to churches to find an avenue to instill faith?
Even when you get “In” to the Household of God there is division and strife. Perceptions and teachings are quite different, despite all being interpreted from the same Word. All churches are NOT equally reliable in teaching the Whole Truth of the Word. And of course, people are at different levels of maturity and ability to discern what is holy and what is not.
Just this past week, I watched a documentary entitled “Enemies Within the Church” which displays the infiltration of Marxist and communist ideology through most major American seminaries and how this has penetrated deeply into the church culture at large. This type of teaching concentrates on social justice themes and states that the Scriptures need to be understood through a “lens of oppression” because “Jesus was a socialist.” I would call that a victim perspective. (It is available at enemieswithinthechurch.com ) The documentary addresses “already surrendered ground” and what must happen within the church to restore it, if possible, God willing.
There is also a study entitled: “Let us Prey, Revised Edition: The Plague of Narcissist Pastors and What We Can Do About It “ by Darrell Puls. It examines the extent of narcissism among one Canadian denominational leadership but I think that it applies in America as well. It is an example of wolves in shepherd’s clothing and documents the damage and suggests preventative helps.
Woe to the shepherds[pastors] who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:1 NKJV
Unfortunately, there are a good many people in churches who are there for another reason than heartfelt faith. Some attend to placate family members. Some attend because their family always did so they repeat the behavior without the personal faith. Some appear to keep up a semblance of belief for approval of the community at large. Some attend for the emotional “high” they get from the entertaining worship.
One can espouse belief but really still be ineffectual: wrapped up in fear bonds, and unable to walk in confidence. Their prayers come from a position of being a victim, and thus lack conviction or spiritual power. This kind of testimony is not hidden and tends to erode the overall faith of a body of believers if it is prevalent…but it seems to fit in with the “lens of the oppressed,” doesn’t it?
I have seen people identified as Christians who have no base of knowledge of the Word at all, no awareness of how sin is defined, but who are well able to speak catch phrases. Unfortunately, I suspect that this shallow expression of faith isn’t going to stand the tests to come either!
As a therapist with a Judeo-Christian perspective, I have observed over several decades of working with various people-within and without churches, lay people and leadership-- that there are a larger number of those who are there for some other reason than deep personal faith than I had ever expected to see. In full time ministry for two decades now, I also see a similar “range” of faith within the Hebrew Roots or Messianic assemblies.
Recently, I have called your attention to the physical pictures of the spiritual truths taught us in the Levitical priesthood considering application for today. In our assembly, we have understood how important this is for our current and future spiritual safety. We so much appreciate the positive feedback that has been coming to us! BUT this focus presupposes that the reader will already have a foundation in which they know that the Whole Word is from Him, the One Who knows the end out of the beginning.
What about those readers who aren’t yet certain?
If one has no reason to believe that there really IS a Creator of the Universe Who has provided His guidelines for his people why would it matter? If it is unclear if the Bible is really from the Heart of a Creator God, why would any explanation even make any difference? If you don’t know or believe that there IS a Messiah Who has provided atonement for you, talk about remaining faithful through tribulations just seems bogus.
On top of that, the divide between those who think that Jesus started a new church and those who believe that He carried out the Father’s plan to make a way to return to the Father creates a dilemma, too. Some have even postulated that the Jewish people are for the Father and the Christian/gentile people are for the Son. (Have they forgotten that Jesus IS the Lion of the Tribe of Judah? That John, known as “the Baptist” was a Levitical Priest? The lines really are more blurred than has been apparent.) Can both perspectives be correct? Is it important for people to believe one way more than another? We think it is but of course, not all agree!
The topic of “faith” may be of singular importance but it is NOT simple! It opens a great divide in how we understand the genesis of faith, the building of faith and the outcome of faith!
So this topic will require additional parts to even begin to address it thoroughly!
- How is “faith” defined in the Bible?
- Isn’t simple faith in Jesus/Yeshua Messiah alone enough? Jesus loves me, this I know…
- Where is faith in Jesus in the “Old Testament?”
- What about “Sola Scriptura” By Word alone, or “Grace alone!” Or “Faith alone?”
- How is “church” or “assembly” defined in the Word?
- Why are God’s “Teachings on Righteousness” called “The Law” and what does it have to do with faith?
- Why do we think that the bedrock of genuine faith needs to be grounded in the Whole Word or it will not stand?
For more on these kinds of topics check us out at https://www.set-apart-ministries.org
Will_He_Find_Faith__April_2022_WCN.pdf