Unwavering Faith

​During the 1970’s, the Jesus movement swept across America. Multitudes of people came to a saving knowledge of Christ. I was one of them. On October 6, 1972 I received Jesus Christ into my heart as my Lord and Savior.
Bumper stickers were a big deal in the 70’s. If you remember that, I know how old you are! Some people plastered their bumpers, trunks and rear windows with myriads of stickers. I am pretty sure some old rust bucket, beater cars were held together by duct tape and the stickers!  
As a young believer in Christ, I remember a bumper sticker that declared “KEEP THE FAITH”.
Today, 2020, when many are struggling with faith in God, maybe Christians should plaster “KEEP THE FAITH” stickers on their bumpers. Sadly, in our day, some folks are jumping ship on the Lord, while others are silently caving into unbelief. Alarmingly, misguided people, who have been deceived by the devil, are outright denying their faith.
Faith is essential to salvation. Salvation is about faith in Jesus Christ.
Without faith, belief in God’s Son who died on the Cross and rose again from the dead to provide forgiveness for our sins, you, me and every human can’t be saved. The Good News is “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, but that no one should boast.“
 Initial faith in Christ saves us.  Continuing, unwavering faith, keeps us. Faith that falters is faith that fails.
Let’s discuss for a moment unwavering, constant, steady, unfluctuating, non-vacillating faith that God rewards.
Imagine you are one hundred years old. Your wife is ninety.  God sends you a news bulletin: Abraham and Sarah, you are going to have a son. You will not adopt one. Sarah will get pregnant by you old man and deliver one. How ridiculous, right? Not exactly.
Study carefully Romans 4: The stunned seniors hoped against hope. Faith fueled their hope. For over twenty, at times very long years, they waited, wholeheartedly believing God’s promise to them. Yes, they questioned the Lord, scratched their heads a few times, even laughed at the prospect that they would have to set up a nursery! You and I would have done the same.
KEEP THE FAITH looks like this. It is recorded that Abraham believed God. He and Sarah hoped against hope. Abraham did not waver in unbelief. He did not become weak in faith. He gave glory to God, for through faith, unwavering faith, he was   assured that the Lord would perform what He had promised.  
In the Hall of Fame of faith, it is recorded about Abraham that when God called him, by faith, Abraham went out not knowing where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8). When his faith was severely tested, Abraham did not waver in unbelief, as he offered up Isaac, his only begotten son of promise to the Lord on Mt. Moriah. (Hebrews 11:17). Throughout his life, Abraham believed God.
No doubt in my mind Abraham and Sarah would be worthy of a “KEEP THE FAITH” bumper sticker for their camels.
Abraham’s faith was deeply, securely, profoundly rooted and grounded in God and His promise. It was not faith in faith, nor faith in some creed or religious rule or ritual. Abraham’s faith was simple, unwavering faith in Almighty God, his heavenly Father, who is faithful to keep His Word.
Ways To Keep Unwavering Faith

• Study the Word of God.  Meditate upon the biblical characters stories in the Hall of Fame of Faith (Hebrews 11).  Be inspired and challenged by their real-life faith testimonies.
• Keep doubt out. Slam the door on unbelief. Tell doubt to take a hike and don’t bother to come back.
• Stand tall when Satan tempts you to doubt. Resist the enemy of your soul. Firmly rebuke the evil one’s attacks on your faith. Remember you are covered by the blood of God’s Son Jesus Christ. The devil can’t touch Christ’s holy, precious blood.
• Pass faith tests every single time your belief is tested. Without fail, pass every test!
• Believe when it is the hardest to believe. Dig deep. Hope against hope with unwavering faith in God’s promises.  
• Hang around with brothers and sisters in Christ whose faith is steadfast, unwavering. Fellowship with godly folks that encourage and edify your faith.
• Thank God for the faith He has given you and ask Him to help you to “keep the faith” without a bumper sticker!

Wishy-washy faith never sees the fulfillment of God’s promises. Unwavering faith always does.
My fellow Christian, never compromise or apologize for your faith. No concession or apology tours concerning your belief.  Believe in God’s promises whether anybody else does or not.
When unbelievers and weak Christians challenge your faith, adamantly refuse to cave in, capitulate, or retract what you believe. Truth, righteousness and love does not retreat in the face of opposition. On the contrary, “KEEP THE FAITH”. Be bold about your belief because Jesus was bold for you on the Cross.
 How will lost souls hear about Jesus Christ and turn to Him if His professed followers waver in their faith?
Who and what do you believe in? Why do you believe what you believe?  If you believe in God, why do you keep believing in Him and His promises? Maybe it is time for you and me to do a faith check-up. Maybe our belief needs a tune up, hopefully not an overhaul. 
Keep on keeping on with your faith. Those “KEEP THE FAITH” bumper stickers may not be such a bad idea after all.  
 “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence in your faith, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.’ Hebrews 10:35-36
 “And because lawlessness is increasing, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-23
A Word For Your Week: Keep the faith because God keeps His promises.