Increasingly, people that profess faith in God and Jesus Christ suffer derision and in some cases death for their faith. The term often used identify those who believe is people of faith. Daily their faith is tested in everyway imaginable. Who are those who challenge the believers in God and Christ? They are people of faith.

That may appear to be a strange answer until the fact is considered that there are two kinds of faith or two paths of life. One path is the path of God following Christ and the other path is the human path that follows the false wisdom of men denying God. Make no mistake those who deny God and follow their own wisdom are people of faith. They have faith in man’s ability to find a path of life that locks out God.

Those who don’t believe in God are fervent in their belief in human wisdom being able to solve problems, created by humans who don’t follow God’s precepts. However, Paul has an answer for those who won’t follow God and at the same time the message is one of faith for the believers. He wrote in I Corinthians 1:18-28:  [1 Cor 1:18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [1 Cor 1:19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. [1 Cor 1:20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [1 Cor 1:21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. [1 Cor 1:22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: [1 Cor 1:23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; [1 Cor 1:24] But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. [1 Cor 1:25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. [1 Cor 1:26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [1 Cor 1:27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [1 Cor 1:28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

The foundation of wisdom is plainly God; and the foundation of saving faith is Jesus Christ which Paul makes plain as the wisdom of God. To those who deny God, Paul’s words are foolishness and from that belief comes the testing of the believer’s faith. How foolish they say that anyone would believe in something they can’t see and who put His own Son on a cross for a sacrifice to a condition called sin. How foolish they rail.

Christians are blamed for the strife that is in the world. Why? The answer is given by Jesus in the following way. [Mat 5:14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [Mat 5:15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

[Mat 5:16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

When people give credit to God; do good things in the name of Jesus; and behave properly in all ways, such conduct troubles the conscience of those who deny God and who try to substitute their human wisdom for God’s. That creates the tension felt by those who don’t believe. They will either give into God or blame Christians for causing trouble. Peter’s words which follow give solace, and again God’s word strikes at the unbelievers: [1 Pet 3:15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: [1 Pet 3:16] Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. [1 Pet 3:17] For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.  

As people of God we can fight the battle of faith against those people who have faith in their human wisdom. God will prevail in spite of their best effort. As Paul told the Romans: [Rom 8:31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  

© 04-21-2006 DEC

                           Next Lesson People Claiming Faith