Anyone with a clear head who has been walking with God a while will recognize that there are areas of unbelief in our lives. Areas where maybe the bible says something very plainly but like the disciples we say, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”. And if we’re not careful, we may walk away from Jesus as nearly 5000 people did right there by the Sea of Galilee. I think we who believe, must make room for our unbelief.
We must come to grips with the fact that we simply don’t have all the faith that is required to follow the teachings of Christ. I hope to come to the point where I can both be honest and say, “this is a hard saying” but rather than walking away, continue by asking “but will you teach me”, or in more dire situations, “will you help me!”
There’s a story of a man who has a demon afflicted child. The father has brought his son to Jesus and his disciples hoping that they will be able to heal the boy. The disciples fail but then Jesus arrives:
Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Jesus then casts the spirit out of the boy. But you see, there is a way that this man believes and yet is full of unbelief. He believed enough to bring his boy to Jesus and his men. But there were still huge areas of unbelief. And Jesus directs the man to put his trust in God. And the man rightly exclaims and petitions Jesus to help his unbelief.
May we be a people who turn and trust God, who believe, even in our unbelief.