Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - UNBELIEF

 UNBELIEF

It is not uncommon to speak of the extent to which faith can effect change. The well known phrase from the Bible says:

…if you have faith as a mustard seed, 

you will say to this mountain, 

‘Move from here to there’ and it will move…

(Matt 17:20)

indicates how much power true faith can have.

But sometimes we don’t realize how much influence unbelief or lack of faith can have. There are many examples in Scripture to indicate just that, including the lack of faith Eve had in God when she disobeyed God’s edict regarding the forbidden tree. And the lack of faith demonstrated by the populace in general at the time of Noah when only Noah and his immediate family were saved. And of course, the lack of faith demonstrated by Pharaoh which led to the 10 plagues being thrust upon Egypt. 

Dr. John MacArthur listed 4 ways in which unbelief can be  shown to exist.

First - Refusal to accept either the obvious or supporting evidence. One of the ways in which this is evident is ilustrated in the book of Romans.

For since the creation of the world 

His invisible attributes are clearly seen,

being understood by the things that are made, 

even His eternal power and Godhead, 

so that they are without excuse. 

(Romans 1:20)

Second - Emphasizing the trivial over the things of importance. This is in turn evident in the book of Mark where Jesus is trying to preach and teach in Nazareth. But instead of concentrating on what He had done in Capernaum, the people were more concerned about the source of His learning and His immediate family.

“Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, 

and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?

And are not His sisters here with us?”

So they were offended at Him. 

(Mark 6:3)

Third - Criticizing the messenger rather than concentrating on the message. This is also demonstrated in the same passage in Mark. Instead of focusing on the message that Jesus was teaching, those in the synagogue were amazed that He had such knowledge and again were commentating on His family and even that in a derogatory type of way.

And many hearing Him were astonished, saying

“Where did this Man get these things?”

Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, 

and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? 

And are not His sisters here with us? 

(Mark 6:2,3)

Fourth - Denying the supernatural. Unbelief is often shown by a tendency to deny the existence of anything other than what one can perceive with the five senses and can be understood by science. And with only this, faith does not excel; and because of this, Christ could and can do nothing.

Now He could do no mighty work there…

And He marvelled because of their unbelief. 

(Mark 6:5,6)

How much God cares for us is often repeated in Scripture and we are also often admonished by Him when it is said:

O You of little faith

(Matt 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; Luke 12:28)

Again, just something more to think about.