Faith Anomaly

The hierarchy of faith as normally perceived by worldwide community of believers is:

• First, the lowest grade is those who do not know about, believe in and experience God’s power and miraculous deeds. We may call them as unbelievers.

• Second, next to that lowest grade is for those who intellectually know about the miraculous deeds of God, but do not believe in and experience that mighty power. Some may point this characteristic to the agnostics and the atheisms.

• Third, higher than that is for those who know about and believe in the power of God. Unfortunately their belief and knowledge are limited to the level of theory. They never see or first handedly experience God’s miraculous power. The Pentecostals and the Charismatics tend to accuse scholars and the academy as the common representative of this category.

• Fourth, the final level is for those who know about, believe in, see and experience God’s mighty power.

Against the traditional view, and from a different angle, I offer a modified of the third model as the highest in faith hierarchy. What if someone who never see or experience God’s miraculous power persists and faithful to believe in God? He or she does not yet see and does not yet taste God’s power, but decides to keep his/her faith in God boldly. This sounds stupid and crazy, yet this is truly a faith that is unconditional, bold and at the same time genuine. A faith that is completely free to believe in God no matter what happen around and to us. A faith that is not blind, but founded on the ground of conscious and mature decision. This kind of faith has its ultimate subject and ultimate ground in the true knowledge of God, rather than simply in His power or miracles.

Beatitude in Psalm 1

Joy or happy or blessed are those who do not follow…, who do not stand around…, and who do not join in… The state of our blessedness is determined by at least three factors: (1) our orientation, (2) our position, and (3) our community. If our orientation is to listen to the advice of the wicked, then we will not enjoy the fullness of God’s blessing. The same devastating result will happen if we invite and allow ourselves to continually live around the sinners. And still, God’s blessing is far away for those who enjoy the fellowship with scoffers. Now let us review our lives! What is the direction of our life? In what kind of place do we enjoy to live our life? And with whom do we enjoy to live our life?

Happiness, joyfulness and blessedness are to be found in listening and obeying the will of God stated through His words in all times (lit: the Torah). Happiness, joyfulness and blessedness are according to verse 3: a sufficient life (v. 3a), an effective life (v. 3b), an efficient life (v. 3c), and a successful and prosperous life (v. 3d). A tree planted along the riverbank will sufficiently live forever. A tree that bears fruit each season is an effective tree. A tree with leaves that never wither is an efficient tree in using the water and solar energy around. And finally whatever the righteous does, it will result in success.

On the contrary, for those who do not listen and obey God’s word, happiness, joyfulness and blessedness should not even be their dream. They are worthless and nothing (worth of nothing) (v. 4); they will be judged, condemned, punished and placed separately from the righteous (the happy, the joyful and the blessed) (v. 5).

The true power however lies not on human decision but on Yahweh’s. The Lord watches, guides and protects the path of the righteous. All happiness, joyfulness and blessedness come from the Lord. The path of the wicked, on the other hand, leads to destruction, partly because without listening and obeying God’s word we are lost from blessing, and partly because without listening and obeying His word, come the judgment of God.

Examine Yourself: A Short Reflection

Yesterday, I have learnt something very important in life. And I thank God for His wisdom. Listen to these words: ‘the outcome of exposing the weaknesses of others is the exposure of your very own weaknesses; The more you speak about and spread (or publish) other people’s weaknesses, the more your weaknesses will be known and opened to others; When you protest against or complain on others (because of their weaknesses), even more people will soon protest against or complain on you (because of your weaknesses.’ Therefore, keep our heart pure and humble. Do not point to others’ weaknesses - before you examine your very inner life! God himself is the one who is without weaknesses, and to Him alone all the glory.