Ollie, this is true. The problem is, our faith sometimes fluctuates in strength. If you've had three members of your family die within a couple of years, if you've battled a serious illness, etc., there will be times when you do wonder. Because we all do have this thing called the flesh. If even Job was brought to the point of questioning, if Jeremiah did, the apsotles did, and Peter even denied Christ in a moment of weak faith, it raises the troubling question: is anyone safe?
The higher we go in our faith, the more severely it is tested. The more knowledgeable we become, the more tricky the evil one becomes in his deceptions, the more vicious his assaults.
One example I find so helpful is the example of Peter. I'm sure he didn't realize what Jesus meant when He acknowledged Peter's undeniable willingness, but then pointed out the weakness of his flesh. I used to think Jesus was talking about the apostles' sleepy physical flesh. They couldn't stay awake long enough to pray. But now I know Jesus was pointing out to Peter that he was mistaking in himself willingness for strength. The two do not necessarily coincide. Such zeal as to pull out a sword and lop off an ear in front of an armed band did not translate into the same zeal in front of a mere servant girl just a while later, because Jesus was no longer with Peter. Thrice Jesus told the apostles to wake up and pray, and thrice Peter denied Christ. And thrice Jesus asked him if he loved Him (using a word meaning sacrificial love). And thrice Peter was forced to say he loved Jesus with a lesser, affectionate love. And yet this man was one of Christ's inner circle and later learned to love Jesus with this sacrificial love.
You made a great point about the connection between faith and trust-I loved that.
Could it be that some of the denial found in Peter was God's way of protecting Him for the work ahead?
I find Peter's lack of faith when Christ asks him to come out on the water with Him, and when Peter does it begins to storm and Peter is afraid and sinks, very endearing and encouraging. Here is this human man with all the weakness of man and he doubts when filled with worldly fear that he can be with Christ and walk on water, but Christ pulled him out and took him for a great work for which Peter laid down his life.
The lesson here being that when worldly doubt sets in and we wonder if we can make it and become so afraid. Christ is there to pull us out. We overcome our human frailties through Christ. We must turn to HIm as Peter did.
Matthew 14:22. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?[/u]
32. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
