An Unquestioning Faith

"Closeness to God is not about feelings, closeness to God is about obedience." --Rich Mullins

We Christians today have been assailed and battered with countless doctrinal debates, inheriting a sad lineage of Church splits and denominational disputes. In the midst of human pride and false religion, it is quite easy to forget the simple truths and lessons revealed in Scripture. The story of the virgin Mary as found in Luke's Gospel is one such example. Looking back on the Catholic Church's veneration of her, it might be tempting to steer clear of singing Mary's praises, but I intend to do so anyway. The shining example she gives us in Scripture ought not be ignored or minimized because of fallen man's infatuation with crafting idols for his own sinful convenience. The Mary of the Bible provides the Christian with a beautiful picture of what obedience to God looks like, and specifically in the face of uncertainty.

"And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her". --Luke 1:28-38

Mary's initial reaction to the angel's words was fear, though he had quite plainly stated that she was highly favored of the Lord and blessed among women. I find in her reaction a similarity to how I myself often respond to what God has said. In his Word he has declared me his child, a joint-heir with his son Jesus, and a recipient of the salvation born of his love for me. But often my reaction to those precious truths is uncertainty and fear--"Can God be serious when he says these things? And if so, what does it mean for me?" Despite her troubled mind, Mary listens to the angel's message and learns that she will give birth to the Son of God. I imagine that most young women would doubtless faint with shock at such a statement, or at the very least seek more information. However, Mary's response was one of unquestioning obedience. It is probably safe to say that she did indeed have questions in her mind, and perhaps her earlier fear had not entirely subsided, but she chose to exercise complete faith in the spoken words of God. She trusted the angel when he said that, "for with God shall nothing be impossible." How opposite from my often first-reaction to God's Word! Sometimes I try to wiggle out of obedience, doubting the Lord and blaming my unbelief on his supposed unwillingness to 'meet me half way'. I allow my human feelings and emotions to dictate my faith in God. Equating healthy spirituality with positive human feelings and emotions is a deadly trap for the faithless Christian. So many are in Church for the emotional thrill of it, and should their current group cease to tantalize carnal desires, they are soon off to greener pastures. Similarly, the Christian who is 'searching' for God in fuzzy feelings and emotional fulfillment will always come up disappointed and disillusioned. He shuns the path of pure obedience because it is hurtful to his flesh, and in the end he either leaves Christ entirely or merely gives him lip-service. Perhaps we have all neglected the crucial role of unconditional obedience in the Christian life. So many of us are like the stony-ground hearers that Jesus speaks of in Mark chapter four, receiving his word with gladness only to then fall away when affliction arises. God has promised in his Word that he will never leave us or forsake us if we abide in his love. Jesus promises that joy will result from obedience to his commandments, not a carnal joy born of self-fulfillment, but a heavenly joy that springs from a oneness of relationship with God the Father:

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." --John 15:9-11

Mary chose to abide in faith, and her obedience was rewarded with joy and praise for God. A little further on in Luke's Gospel, she has this to say:

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name." --Luke 1:46-49

As Christmas approaches once again, may I choose to follow Mary's example, and look for the righteousness that comes only through obedient faith in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour.

Merry Christmas