God does not suffer presumption in anyone but himself.
- Herodotus
We all want to fit in. To be appreciate for who we are and might become. When it comes to the subjectivity of faith, it's easy to exchange genuine for comfortable, real for imagined.
All the more so given the variety of modern Christian sects and denominations offering various versions of Christ and differing gospels. Christianity itself is filled with challenges and opportunities, all of which require growing in discernment, while continually working through the difference between living faith and presumption. Both individually and collectively.
It’s widely held that doubt is the greatest obstacle to faith. While often true among skeptics, within modern Christian circles discerning the obvious and even subtle difference between faith and presumption may present an equal or greater challenge.
Christ’s warning to “judge with righteous judgment” is as relevant in the 21st century as it was in the 1st. Perhaps even more so given unprecedented and growing levels of temptation and deception, entitlement and sin. Akin to His directive to “be careful how you hear” doing so requires a level of care and commitment often lacking even in we who call ourselves “Christ-ians:”
- “Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation. For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known. If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him perceive and comprehend. And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear. For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away by force].” Mark 4:22-25 Amplified Bible
There are also a variety of levels requiring discernment. As Jesus explained wisdom is built on or collapsed by how accurately we grow in spiritual insight, from elementary principals to the more subtle issues:
- “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” Matthew 7:24-27 The Message
1. Faith is Reasonable: God Exists: Creation requires a creator as proven by the simplest math equation possible: 0 + 0 = 0.
2. Ultimate Concerns: Given the glaring issue of mortality in the face of eternity, there are a handful of crucial issues each of us must deal with.
3. The Bible is God’s Word: There are at lest Ten Great Reasons to Believe in the Bible's Authenticity. In addition to these are mountains of evidence supporting the Divine inspiration of Scripture. There are amazing scientific discoveries described millennia ago in Biblical passages. These include a testable model of creation that encompasses modern discoveries in the areas of astronomy and physics, biology and human origins, earth science and understanding the universe.
4. Repentance: The question of questions is “What must I do to be saved?” Biblical salvation requires radical repentance and discipleship in the development of living faith.
Once the foundation of faith is clear, believers are called to build upon this understanding with diligence and care:
- “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 1If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 NIV
Sadly most modern believers would rather simply embrace the concept of “peace, peace” even “when there is no peace.” This long standing tradition among the people of God is warned against by such notables as Ezekiel and Jeremiah:
- “Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash…” Ezekiel 13:10 NIV
- “Everyone’s after the dishonest dollar, little people and big people alike. Prophets and priests and everyone in between twist words and doctor truth. My people are broken—shattered!—and they put on Band-Aids, Saying, ‘It’s not so bad. You’ll be just fine.’ But things are not ‘just fine’! Do you suppose they are embarrassed over this outrage? No, they have no shame. They don’t even know how to blush. There’s no hope for them. They’ve hit bottom and there’s no getting up. As far as I’m concerned, they’re finished. God has spoken.” Jeremiah 6:13-15 MSG
The current permissive mindset is the result of Churchianity being caught in the dangerous riptide of the original sin of entitlement popularized by various forms of Me-ism. Billions have and continue to reason that surely modern Christians enjoy favor and forgiveness through the love and mercy of God, not to mention the costly atonement of Christ. While having a ring of truth, such a vast over simplification of Scripture omits the clear and concise instruction of at least half the Old and New Testaments, including such unpopular topics as conditional salvation and additions to faith, presumption and the fear of God to name just a few.
Day to day efforts to grow in grace represent a kind of Mt. Everest excursion. Having arrived on site, those hoping to spiritually summit must first undertake the difficult journey to the foot of the mountain, climb to altitude and prepare base camp. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is essential in light of an endless array of choices along the way. The question then becomes how best to skillfully listen for and identify God’s still small voice among a throng of others all clamoring for attention.
For those endeavoring to know God’s will, discerning between faith and presumption is essential. Particularly when genuine faith by definition requires some level of expectation. The answer to the puzzle is this: presuming is not presumptuous to the degree we exchange our all for God’s. Yet be warned. while gifts of God like faith and grace are generally viewed as an encouraging forces for good nevertheless Scripture directly and indirectly repeatedly warns that God is not mocked. Many well meaning believers have at times willfully or even inadvertently moved beyond presumption to profanity (treating the holy as common). A serious and sometimes deadly mistake. For this and a myriad of reasons, it’s best to approach God with brokenness and contrition, repentance and reverent fear. Honesty, what God desires most from mankind, is always the best policy. Frequently confessing that Omnity is the great I AM, and I am nothing great is good start. As is creating and memorizing a strategic daily prayer that respectfully yet purposefully weaves back and forth in ever increasing levels of repentance to intercession. For examples see Rob’s Daily Prayer and Acceptable Worship.
To that end QC offers some points to ponder. While far from an exhaustive list, those interested in wholeheartedly embracing faith’s journey do well to carefully consider the following:
1. Will of God: Christian faith is required to be in sync with the expressed will of God as revealed in Scripture. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:13-15 NIV
2. Biblical Literacy: One can argue just about any point of view by selectively picking from among the Bibles over 31,000 verses. Determining God’s will, the foundation of faith, is best accomplished by those with a fairly extensive and accurate overview of Scripture. “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible
3. Scriptural Precedent: Finding a Biblical example of the same or similar request or action can provide insight between faith and presumption. “There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17 The Message
4. Promissory Condition: Looking carefully reveals that every one on the Bible’s over 1,200 promises is mitigated by Scripture’s 1,500 conditions and/or 6,000 commands. “When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own palace, the Lord appeared to him at night and said “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 NIV
5. Need: Identifying an issue’s level of need can help adjudicate between worldly and Godly pursuits. “Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way. You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” James 4:1-6 The Message
6. Honesty: If truth is the cornerstone of faith, honesty is the mortar that holds it in place. Developing an unusual degree of honesty is tantamount in admitting and confronting presumption in ourselves and others. “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:21-24 NIV
7. Difficulty: While “all things are possible to them who believe” spiritual undertakings range in difficulty, as do the abilities of believers. As in the physical world so in the spiritual, ninety eight pound weaklings need training and coaching before attempting to lift extreme weights. “…if you’re worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm, what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?” Jeremiah 12:5 The Message
8. Track Record: Those attempting great things, particularly in regards to healing the sick and other Gifts of the Spirit, need be all the more mindful of their past and current record of success. It’s presumption rather than faith that turns a blind eye to failure and worse. “Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 The Message
9. Investment: Their is a commensurate cost to everything in life, particularly advancements in Christianity. This includes time and energy, money and more… “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’ “Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce? “Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.” Luke 14:28-33 The Message
10. Commitment: Hundreds of millions trust in the glorious cross of Christ without embracing their own. Yet according to Jesus, is this more an act of faith or presumption? “One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.” Luke 14:25-27 The Message
11. Sanctification: Sins of commission are rampant within modern life and Christianity. From the original sin of entitlement to me-ism, immorality to abortion the list is endless. Yet Scripture warns that those who practice such deal breakers are not even part of the Kingdom of God. “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NIV
12. Discipleship Level: Many, particularly among Charismatics, assume that because great men and women of faith have moved mountains they can do so irregardless of having only a fraction of their commitment and dedication, holiness and sanctification. Such do well to develop extreme discipleship before attempting extreme feats. “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’” Matthew 7:21-23 The Message
13. Risk: Various challenges present different risks. Even well meaning but presumptuous believers sometimes ignore obvious facts, often to their own peril and even death. “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Proverbs 22:3 NIV
14. Strategic Value: Those hoping to accomplish great things for God need remember Satan guards his ground ruthlessly and relentlessly. Genuine faith is an essential piece of the armor of God. “…So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Ephesians 6:10-18 The Message
15. Prayer and Fasting: Prayer serves a variety of purposes, fills many roles and is essential to faith. It’s presumption to pray lightly and expect to be heard by God, much less overcome obstacles. Faith moves serious Christians beyond merely “praying for” people and things to deeper intercession levels of fasting and strategic “pressing in” with hopes of eventually “praying through” to victory. “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:19-21 NKJV
16. Measure of Faith: The Bible is full of stories of tremendous faith. Christ Himself assures that pure and undiluted “mustard seed faith” can move mountains. Still, judging between faith and presumption requires sober assessment. “For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.” Romans 12:3 Amplified Bible
17. Perseverance: To some degree faith and presumption, or in this case “insanity,” share a similar definition “Doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.” A chief difference may be found in diligently answering these kind of questions. ”Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!” Matthew 7:7-11 Amplified Bible
18. Mitigating Factors: In attempting any serious spiritual endeavor there are variety of visible and invisible factors in play. These including relationships and circumstances, support and resistance. “The religion scholars from Jerusalem came down spreading rumors that he was working black magic, using devil tricks to impress them with spiritual power. Jesus confronted their slander with a story: “Does it make sense to send a devil to catch a devil, to use Satan to get rid of Satan? A constantly squabbling family disintegrates. If Satan were fighting Satan, there soon wouldn’t be any Satan left. Do you think it’s possible in broad daylight to enter the house of an awake, able-bodied man, and walk off with his possessions unless you tie him up first? Tie him up, though, and you can clean him out.” Mark 3:22-27 The Message
19. Success Parameters: Spirituality without measurable goals is as fruitless as playing basketball without a rim. Levels of success should be clarified and evaluated honestly and regularly. “After a long absence, the master of three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’ “The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master’s investment. His master commended him: ‘Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.’ “The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’ “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest. “‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.’” Matthew 25:19-30 The Message
Having identified some of the major obstacles to discerning the difference between faith and presumption, would be disciples are far more prepared to tackle to even more challenging and rewarding task of growing in spiritual sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in more subtle areas of life.
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