The Crisis of Faith

The Crisis of Faith

Posted: 19 Feb 2015 04:37 AM PST

As I explained in Jesus Now, the beginning of the Christian faith is fairly easy. And so is the last part of the journey.
It’s the middle that’s incredibly difficult.
There are usually two points in a believer’s life where they encounter a crisis of faith. This is especially true if God is using the person in powerful ways.
One is when they are around 30 years old. The other is when they are in their 40s.
I’ve watched many people fall away from the Lord during those two periods, some even becoming atheists.
It’s no accident that the writer of Hebrews says,

“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.” Hebrews 12:32.

Note that it’s after we receive the light that we have power to endure. That’s the beginning of the journey.
The writer goes on to say,

“You need to preserve so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised, For ‘in just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’ And, ‘But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.’ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” Hebrews 12:36-39.

In chapter 11, the writer of Hebrews makes this comment about Moses,

“he persevered [endured] because he saw him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:27.

The question is not how well you begin. It’s whether or not you endure until the end.

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

Mark it down: As you go on with the Lord, your faith will be sorely tested.
You will be tempted to “shrink back” into unbelief.
But you — dear child of God — do not belong to those who shrink back.
Learn to see Him who is invisible. And lean into Him.
By this, you will endure until the end.