The Fear to Think!
Tom Faggart
Jesus said: “ … you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
This fear of theological knowledge will have to be overcome before one can grow in the faith. Faith based on ignorance is a false faith. The teachings of Jesus are true.
The Bible Study was dealing with who Jesus was. Someone wanted to know where the concept of Trinity came from, and was it biblical. Another of the members wanted to know if they had to know that? “I have encountered so many new things in this class that I don’t know if I want to know anything else. It causes me to think so much” , said one person: “It makes me uncomfortable. I am afraid I will lose my faith.”
Can we have a vital faith experience that will hold us in the difficulties of life and prod us into a continual growth in the faith unless we are anchored in a vital knowledge of the faith? Knowledge changes people!
She was about 50 years old, dying with cancer. Many of her vital organs had closed down and the room smelled of death. The doctor said she could only last a couple of hours and asked that I stay with her and the nurse. I agreed. She was conscious and wanted to know if I really believed in God, the teachings of Jesus Christ and an afterlife. For four years she had been a constant critic of my ministry. She refused to entertain a real theological understanding. For two days I sat by her side discussing basic theology. It was a horrible experience that I will never forget … even after 45 years. Since that day my sermons became more and more theological and teaching experiences. I have tried to make people think while they are healthy so they will not have this experience at death.
The real power of Jesus’ life was his teachings. His views were different from those being taught by the religion of His day. He believed in a God so personal that he could be called “DADDY”. This God demanded no sacrifices. The essence of his Being was love. He saved trough the gift of Grace. Jesus believed living out the truth led people to correct and happy living.
Matthew 8:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Historically every institutionalized religion seeks to control the minds of its adherers. They do so with denominationally approved creeds, and theological interpretation. Too many times these teachings do more to hold people in line than to set them free.
Jesus taught that knowing and experiencing the truth would set us free. The only way to know the truth is to study and check out the validity of the religious information we receive. Go to the primary source of the faith … Matthew, Mark and Luke. The best evidence that we are people of truth is how we respond to Jesus’ prime directive ….John 10:27 … “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Finally the concept of being set free denotes that a struggle is involved. God through Christ gives us the energy and strength to endure the struggle and become free!
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