Jesus' Shared Wisdom

21: A Reflection on Faith's Value

I have not written a chapter here in over 2 years. Looking back at this wonderful collection of wisdom, I smile at my flourishing optimism, my unreformed writing style, and my old spiritual beliefs. I am truly thankful to write another refreshing and empowering chapter.

In my two year hiatus from this book, I spent most of my spiritual life locked in discussion and argument with nonbelievers. I attempted to persuade them with logic alone, since I believed nonbelievers refused to follow Jesus solely because they didn't have enough evidence for His existence.

However, most of my attempts to convert people with logic failed. People would ask infinite questions, I would respond with infinite answers, discussions would shift from topic to topic, and people would give up. Frequently, I reflected upon my spiritual progress and questioned why I had not brought anyone to Jesus I covered my weaknesses by obtaining more and more knowledge about morality, philosophy, science, and theology. Yet my efforts remained futile. People would not accept God's existence from logic alone. After a long period of struggling, I believe Jesus saw my confusion and offered an unlikely solution. I met a nonbeliever here who would ask excellent questions about Jesus and would always remain open minded and respectful in her responses. In various discussions, she helped me realize the folly of my logic-oriented approach.

I now understand that all people ultimately make decisions with their hearts. People are more inclined to accept or reject ideas based on how they feel towards them, rather than if the ideas are valid or not. Wise King Solomon even writes in Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Although we make decisions based on our hearts, Jesus acknowledges the heart's potential for evil, teaching that "But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander" (Matthew 15:18-19). According to Jesus, human hearts are the key producers of sin. But if logic and emotions will prevent a person from following God, what is the solution?

I believe faith in forces beyond ourselves is ultimately the most effective way to bring a person to Jesus, rather than just logic, which creates countless questions that often serve as distractions, and just emotions, which spring from the easily corrupted heart. Consider the power of faith in Jesus' Parable of the Mustard Seed.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches" (Matthew 13:31-32).

And also consider the disciples' question about their faith:

"Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:19-20).

Faith, like a mustard seed, may start small. Faith at first may be accepting a friend's invitation to go to church, or reading the Gospels out of curiosity, or asking your religious friend what Christianity teaches. But this tiny step of faith can result in tremendous transformation within you. When you place even the slightest amount of faith within Jesus, He will help you find Him and will invoke spiritual transformation within you.

To the believers moved by my words: remember that logical and emotional arguments can be convincing, but helping someone bolster their faith and express their spirituality will produce powerful growth, like how a minuscule mustard seed grows into a towering tree. To the nonbelievers moved by my words: remember that Jesus will bring you closer to Him when you act upon your curiosity about Christianity and take a step of faith towards Him, since your faith can metaphorically move mountains.

Do not forget the value of faith. I had forgotten it and had therefore lost sight of Jesus. Most importantly, do not forget that Jesus loves you.