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Pastor's Blog November 12, 2020
"Rejoicing in the Lord II"
{Scroll over scripture reference to read the scripture or reference.
For the past several weeks, our friend Ellen has had a lot to say about "doubt" and "unbelief"; she encourages us to avoid it and she advises that we don't entertain those questions or those issues that will cultivate doubt and unbelief in us. Nevertheless, have you ever thought about how Ellen defines doubt and unbelief? We can pick out from the context of her pages in "Steps to Christ" what her definition is, but Ellen gives an explicit characterization of these malevolent twins when she discusses the joy of the Christian life.
The devil, she points out, is the one who delights to lead us "into unbelief and despondency" (82; 1977 edition). But her description of what it is the devil leads us into is very telling: "He [Satan] delights to see us mistrusting God, doubting His willingness and power to save us. He loves to have us feel that the Lord will do us harm by His providences. It is the work of Satan to misrepresent the Lord as lacking in compassion and pity" (82). Notice all the relational elements in Ellen's definition of doubt and unbelief!
The kind of doubt and unbelief Ellen is talking about is less about doctrine and biblical information and more about whether or not you believe that God really loves you and wants to have a healthy relationship with you. Directing all our attention to our past sins (which have already been forgiven) or our current hang-ups with God (which God already knew about before he began this relationship with you) - will only kill the joy and life of your relationship with God (82-83).
No matter how many hardships we've each faced, there is always some demonstration in our Christian experience of God's saving presence and love for us (83). So what should we focus on instead of these things? "The Son of God leaving His Father's throne, clothing his divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan" - including, Jesus' cross and resurrection, whereby he opened to us eternal life and everlasting communion with God; the glory of being saved by Jesus and being transformed into his image and likeness; and Jesus clothing us with his righteousness and exalting us to God's throne (83).
Friends, if you are struggling with doubt in your relationship with God, fix your attention on Jesus and let him solve your uncertainties.
(*) Steps to Christ, Chapter 13—Rejoicing in the Lord, 1977 edition
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
