Faith Without Trouble.
"Faith, without trouble or fighting, is a suspicious faith; for true faith is a fighting, wrestling faith."
-RALPH ERSKINE-
posted by Doug E. @ 8:01 PM
13 comments
Godward Thoughts
"Remember that it is not hasty reading, but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths, that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the mere touching of the flower by the bee that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most, that will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian." (Thomas Brooks)
Monday, December 26, 2005
-RALPH ERSKINE-
About Me
- Name: Doug E.
- Location: Orange County, CA
My desire is not merely to know theology, but to live it. But you can't live it if you don't know it!
Previous Posts
- Let Your Sins Be Strong!
- Peace on Earth
- The Benefits of Adversity
- Study the Word -Jonathan Edwards-
- A Famine of the Word! -Martin Luther-
- God's Purposes in Suffering
- A Word of Encouragement From Pilgrims Progress
- A Serious Warning from Pilgrim's Progress
- God's Rod of Discipline
- Self-Acquaintance
13 Comments:
Hi Doug E,
I hope Christmas was a great time of bleesing, fellowship, and reflection fo you!
I like this quote. At the moment I am reading Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling in which Kierkegaard wrestles with what it means to have faith like Abraham. He says the struggle Abe. must have been going through when God commanded him to sacrifice Isaac would have been tremendous. Kierkegaard also struggles with the complexities of the event.
Kierkegaard's struggle relates to understanding the scripture and having faith, himself; yet, I guess this quote, "Faith, without trouble or fighting, is a suspicious faith; for true faith is a fighting, wrestling faith," could refer to hard circumstances, trials, and suffering as well. What was Erskine refering to when he said this?
You are right on it. I could be any of the trials and troubles we face. Most importantly though, Faith is at war against the world.
Scripture tells us that this is the power that will overcome the world; our faith. The world, which is, sin, pain, trials, and everything that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, is what our faith is fighting against.
Hope this helps,
Doug
Thank goodness we live "by the faith of the Son of God" rather than our own.
Thanks for an encouraging blog, Doug. I really respect bloggers who desire to uphold the name of Jesus and proclaim God's sovereignty and love. God bless!
Juli
Hello my brother Doug,
Just had to say "hi" and hope you had a wonderful Christmas celebrating our Savior's birth. i actually spent Christmas evening with my twin brother David H. Kim. (haha) Anyway, i really do appreciate your daily quotes. And i have to agree and totally consent to the last quote regarding our true Faith to struggle and to fight with this sinful world. But let us not forget the power of Prayer as well. i believe that they (Faith and Prayer) go together like the hand which has both sides -- front and back. And one cannot do without the other. in any case, i wish you and your family a very blessed New Year in 2006!
DCK from Seoul
David,
Glad to hear from you. How is Seoul (and your friend). Looking forward to seeing you at the beginning of the year.
PS I'll get back to regular posting when I get back from my trip on the 30th.
Doug
wow, i needed that today! thanks for allowing the Spirit to work through you!
hope you have a blessed trip!
I like the writer of Hebrews description better:
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Heb 11:1)
Faith is assurance and certainty. If you make it out to be anything else, you subtly (and fatally) include works into your definition of faith, and thus abrogate grace.
Antonio
Thanks for your post Antonio,
I actually agree with your post, but also have to remember what the writer of James said, "a faith without works is dead" Faith is certainty, but that certainty produces in us works. That is where the fighting come in. It only becomes legalism if the fighting is what produces the faith, but as I'm sure we both agree that is not how it is. It is the faith that produces the works.
God bless,
Doug
Amen Doug. We need not be afraid of connecting the words "fight" and "faith", for this is only Biblical. Paul in 1 Timothy 6:12 encourages the man of God to fight the good fight of the faith, and the rest of Hebrews 11 speaks of such fighting that involve works done out of reverent fear, obedience, and love. There are other motivations to working than a legalistic earning of God's favor, and these are empowered by God, please God, and actually occur through God's people.
After reading Hebrews 11, move on to chapter 12, which says "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Keep running, keep enduring, and fight for the greater joy.
Brian
By the way ... I love the quote.
Brian
great quote . . . I can related from direct experience on that one brother.
Doug, this quote is absolutely refreshing! It spoke to the very depths of where I am. Thank you for shining brightly!
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