When we put faith in something or people we trust them. Often we expect great outcomes. When great outcomes come, we put more faith in them.
For example, my first assignment of Carey Baptist College last year was doing an analysis of Luke’s Gospel.
I thought it was going to be hard since I moved from level five into level six.
However, I put my faith into what I have learned before when I was doing the diploma level, which is level five. Also, I used knowledge from what I gained when I was writing devotionals as the Bible was the main source we had to use for the assignment.
Surprisingly, I got 75%. I got no help theologically but still received that high mark. This proves that I can do the bachelor level if I put faith in myself.
For the second assignment, Exegesis which happens to be my favourite one, I got 85%. I got no help theologically for this as well. My first Exegesis was marked as 70%.
Of course, I am not bragging about the improvement of the mark but I am proud of it. The main reason for this is that my theological level of understanding has been increased.
Also, I got a compliment that I have shown a great potential as a Bible Scholar. This illustrates me being a Biblical Commentator is possible. I found this dream out through Exegesis assignments.
Christian Perspective
As I wrote part one of ‘Childlike Faith-Walking,’ there is another part I want to write about. The main reason for this is that the process of Christian faith is a challenge to most of us (Matthew chapter 7, verses 13-14).
Another part I want to discuss is worrying, one of the life preventions. Sometimes, we concern about things too much that concerns become worries.
A long time ago in the seminar or something at the church, I heard that concern comes first, worry second, anxiety third, and then depression as the last.
Although there are some people who reach anxiety or depression level, Jesus Christ preaches about worry and tells us to stop at the second level (Matthew chapter 6, verses 25-34). Otherwise, we cannot live an abundant life He has called us to live.
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew chapter 6, verses 27)
Concern
There are two kinds of concern. One is positive and another one is negative.
We all know what negative concern is, right? An example of this is what happens to me after I experience physical death? Will I go to heaven to be with the Lord, or will I go to hell to be tormented?
I used to have that kind of thought when I was young, so I was already worrying about my afterlife.
However, I realised that worrying about it got me nowhere and knew 1 John chapter 4, verse 18 by heart.
Therefore, I stopped concerning about my afterlife. After all, Christian living is living confidently with the presence of the Lord, Jesus!
This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidenceon the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John chapter 4, verses 17-18)
Positive concern, for instance, is about selecting an opportunity, out of two goodwill opportunities and thinking which one will glorify God the most.
The two goodwill opportunities for me was doing another paper next semester and applying for an internship with the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society in Carey Baptist College.
After a while, my decision had been made clear. It was doing two papers a semester.
Although I might be busier than doing only one paper, my passionate heart is grounded on Jesus Christ. Doing two papers a semester may help me to gain more knowledge of Him.
I also have to know that I can write Christian Today articles ahead of time in the end of term holidays. So, I will not have to write articles during school times. I noticed that doing theological study as well as writing articles can be quite busy.
Abundant Life
The reason that Jesus Christ came into the earth to be crucified and resurrected back into life again is to bring us to eternal life through faith in Him.
The eternal life that Jesus brought to the whole world is not meant to only happen in the afterlife. It is here and now. We can experience eternal life if we only put faith in Him.
However, to experience the abundant life Jesus has planned out for us, we have to become an obedient follower of Jesus and do what the Holy Spirit has led us to do confidently.
So, let our negative thoughts and worries go to God through prayers. And let us enjoy our eternal life abundantly (John chapter 10, verse 10).
An example of my abundant life would be through Christian-writing as this is what the Spirit has led me to do and through this, I can experience the presence of God the most fully.
So, what is yours? Remember, everyone is different!