Texts: Hebrews 11; Hebrews 3:12-14
On day two of the CMFI PPFC 2023, the key message resonated with another profound truth: Unbelief is a sin that blocks; it is a hindrance to Faith.
Unbelief: A grave and dangerous disaster
At the root of unbelief is dishonesty; it is not a matter of a lack of evidence, rather it is the manifestation of a wicked heart that refuses to acknowledge the hand of God.
As a Ministry (CMFI), we have received many promises and answers from God, as well as numerous interventions of God. Yet, there are some who are stricken by unbelief and consider these to be mere luck or simply by chance; always seeking or providing alternative reasons for these and not simply acknowledging GOD as the Source or Reason for such interventions.
Beware of the dishonesty and the wickedness of Unbelief!
Unbelief: An Opposition to Faith
Faith illuminates the heart and clarifies vision while unbelief darkens the mind, bringing darkness, blindness, and confusion. Unbelief steals and destroys commitment – to the vision, to leaders, to everything.
Understanding is a function of Faith, of believing; therefore, an unbelieving mind cannot understand.
Unbelief: An Excuse for Uninvolvement
Faith gets involved! Faith swings into action without waiting for evidence or results.
Faith is a living thing; to lose it is to lose everything; you come down to ground zero.
BTA’s goal for day two is that faith will accompany our prayer and fasting this year; and that we expect something from God through our praying and fasting or when we pray and fast. Those who pray should be expectant and on the lookout for answers to their prayers.
Look at the example of Elijah in 1 Kings 18:41-46. He continually prayed and checked until a small cloud appeared, which was a great encouragement.
Let us be like Anna [and Simeon] in Luke 2:22-38 – able to see the answer to your prayers in a baby, because you are attentive and on the lookout for answers to your prayers.
Expectant people get involved; such involvement is a manifestation of your faith/belief in your prayers and projects. Matthew 9:29 ‘Let it be done to you according to your faith.’ What have you done to indicate your faith in that which you claim or believe?
For example, for a person who has faith to get married, the next question is, ‘What have you saved towards it?’ If nothing, then you are a prostitute who does not believe in marriage.
When you believe, you manifest your faith!
Without faith, you waste your praying and fasting!
Discouragement: A Manifestation of the Sin of Unbelief
Discouragement is a loss of the initial confidence you had – due to sin; it is losing the assurance you had at the beginning because of attacks/setbacks, and the deceitfulness of sin.
In a state of discouragement, God is far, your confidence has weakened and your expectations have been dashed, making you lose your initial momentum.
Discouragement is not a disease; it is a manifestation of unbelief; a need created by being cut off from God. It reveals that sin has touched your heart, thereby cutting you off from God and the brethren.
Discouragement, along with its companions – Depression, Worries, Cares, Isolation, Hypersensitivity, etc. – are all manifestations of the sin of unbelief. Many brethren are in the grip of discouragement; they are tired and weary – believing that it is because the Christian life is full of challenges. However, it is only proof that sin has hardened the heart, so, a person expects nothing anymore [from God or anyone else].
One of the cures for Discouragement is the Ministry of the Brethren. That is why the enemy attacks the relationships among brethren in order to isolate them from the cure. As believers/brethren, we are companions of Christ and we [together] inherit all that God has promised us in Christ Jesus on condition that we maintain our initial confidence.
Prayer Topics
- Pray that faith will accompany the prayer and fasting of this year (2023), for you and for all the brethren of CMFI.
- Pray that the Lord will grant you (and each one of us) the faith to advance with Him and with the Ministry where we are now.
- Pray that our faith will be manifested by each one being expectant; attentively looking out for answers to prayers, and getting involved.
Amen! God bless you!
