by Jessica
Let us here observe, that three things are necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation:
First, the idea that he actually exists.
Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes.
Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will.
For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness, unto the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ (Lecture 3 of Lectures on Faith).
Faith is the most important thing that a man or woman can have in life. A faith in themselves, in mankind’s ability to do what’s right, and more importantly in the Lord Jesus Christ and his church.
Most of the articles I write come from experiences that I have had in my life. The reason is I feel that my experiences have taught me a lot and I want to share those experiences, in hopes that the reader can relate to them. The most profound experience of my life is when I was in 11th grade. I have a strong love for the theater, so even though I did not become a cast member, I often worked with the stage hands. That year’s main production was a show called “Children of Eden.” It’s a basic reenactment of different stories in the Bible, starting from the time of Adam, to the story of Noah and his Ark.
Af
ter I had opened the curtain for the beginning act, I hung around on the side of the stage and watched the play from there. The first story that they reenacted was the story of Cain and Abel. Cain and Abel were two sons of Adam and Eve, who were born after they left the Garden of Eden. Cain was a worshiper of Satan, while Abel had a strong love of God. As they reenacted in the play, Cain and Abel were out in the fields alone. Cain was jealous of Abel, and hated him. The more they talked, the more that Cain grew angry towards Abel, to the point where Cain slew his brother.
When they acted this out, I was on the side of the stage watching it all play out. After Cain slew his brother, the Lord appeared.
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground (Genesis 4:8–10).
The actor who was playing the Lord spoke that line and had such a sad and disappointed look on his face, that it was hard not to be hit emotionally. I began to think about the Lord, and about how hurt he must feel when He sees us doing things that hurt ourselves or others. It was then, in that moment that I thought of the Lord as a Father in pain, and not just a person that I’d read about in the scriptures, that I realized how strongly my belief in Him was.
As I stood there, shaking and crying quietly to myself, I thought more and more about the Lord. My faith in him grew so much, in that short amount of time, because I thought of him as a Father whom I knew and loved. From that point on, I strive to think of him as that, as a loving Father that I can talk to whenever I need him.
Living up in a cabin on my own, can be scary some nights. But on those nights, when I feel scared and alone, I lie in my bed and talk to the Lord, like I’m talking into a cell phone. I tell him about my day, about my worries, about how I feel and what I need help with. Having a personal relationship with the Lord means seeing him as a Father, not as an incomprehensible spirit in the clouds. We need to know that we can turn to him whenever we are in need.