Living Out Our Faith

I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warrior's sword.

 

Zechariah 9:13b

In the third and fourth centuries followers of Socratic teaching and other Greek scholars began to influence the Church in ways that were different from the Hebraic roots of the early Church. The Greek influence appeals more to the intellect, whereas the early Church Hebraic model appealed to the heart. The Greek influence resulted in more emphasis on oratory skills and cognitive knowledge of God. Over the many centuries, this influence has shown itself in a more programmatic approach to the gospel rather than a process of living out our faith.

 

So why is it important for us to understand this?

I realized in my own life that I was a product of this Greek system. My walk with God focused more on what I knew rather than on an intimate and powerful walk with Him. I know what it means to talk the talk, but when it comes down to walk the walk I tend to struggle at times, and have come to realize that it is faith that will allow me to walk the walk.  

 

Knowledge without power to express the life within is of little value.

 

The more programmatic the focus, the less emphasis we place on building a deep and caring relationship with God that results in a changed life for all to see. Our early Church fathers knew there was a cost to living out the Word of God, not simply giving mental assent to it, but they lived by faith regardless of the final outcome.

Are we in fact walking with God in an intimate fellowship?

 

Or, are we only involved in programs and activities designed to do good things in the name of God, but in the end we are not living out our faith and walking in step as the Spirit leads. We need remember and reflect on Proverbs 23:12: "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge." Whatever service we give to God or take part in, should be a result of our relationship with Him, not an end unto itself—we need to listen and respond with a heart to the instruction which the Spirit is stirring within us and then live it out in faith.