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To the Editor:

We have heard it from our youth; we were told by our parents to have faith in our abilities, and to trust our judgment. That is all well and good as long as it is based on Christian principles. Let us take some time to examine these two principles and maybe we can better our understanding of just what is involved.

In today’s world we are seeing politicians that are running for a place in our government lie as if it is a virtue. They take the oath of office to protect the Constitution and the citizens of this nation and as soon as they take office they proceed to do the very opposite. They immediately violate the faith that their voters had in them to do as they promised. There was a time when good men held office. There was a time when we trusted the schools to protect and teach our children how to be good and productive citizens. There was a time when we enjoyed justice and protection under the law, when police officers could do their jobs and take evildoers into custody and separate them from the innocent and law abiding citizens. There was a time when our government recognized the sovereignty of God and respected His Commandments. There was a time when we loved our nation and the principles on which it was founded and our borders were secure. We had faith in our leadership and trusted them to abide by the standards set forth in our Constitution and we expected them to be God fearing people. That is no more.

According to Webster, in his dictionary, defines “FAITH,” as : the act or state of wholeheartedly and steadfastly believing in the existence, power, and benevolence of a Supreme Being, of having confidence in His providential care.

Webster’s definition of “TRUST” is-: to place confidence in.

The world’s bestselling book, THE HOLY BIBLE, has a much fuller and more enlightening definition or definitions of these topics. Let’s look at some of them.

In Matthew 14 verses 22 thru 32 NIV we read,” Verse 22- Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. Verse 23- After He had dismissed them He went up on a mountainside to pray. Later that night He was there alone. Verse 24- And the boat was a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Verse 25- Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. Verse 26- When the disciples saw Him they were terrified, “It is a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. Verse 27- But Jesus immediately said to them,” Take courage, it is I, Don’t be afraid.” Verse 28-“Lord, if it is you, “Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Verse 29- “Come, He said.” Then Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Verse 30- But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “lord, save me!” Verse 31- Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “Why did you doubt?” Verse 32- And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Verse 33- Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying,” Truly You are the Son of God.”

I can emphasize with Peter. I want so much to be a Christian and put all my trust in Christ, but sometimes, when life gets stormy and the winds of hell seem to be directed at me I sometimes stumble. When I was attacked recently in the past by agonizing pain and physical distress, I faltered and came to a bad place in my life. That is when the hand of God in Christ reached out to me and I heard Him say, “Hang on to me, you’ll be OK”

Today I am OK! Praise God!

Faith is indispensable, Jesus said, “Everything is possible to one who believes.” Mark 9 : 23 NIV

Daily we show acts of faith that have nothing to do with the salvation and the strengthening of our relationship with God, things like boarding a plane, not knowing anything about the pilot. We trust him to fly safely and get us to our destination. We marry and we expect our spouses to be faithful and true to us ‘til death us do part. Some of these situations turn out well, others do not, but God’s promise to us NEVER FAILS. His promise of salvation is the basis of our faith and He has never been unfaithful or untrue. He is TRUTH itself.

So, in closing, I say to you, “Step out on the water! Do not fear the wind!” 

I can say this with confidence. If you choose to “step out on the water” in your coming to Christ, there is nothing that can keep you from Him if you keep the faith. You will find support and strength in places and people you never expected. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father but through Me. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

J. Edward Howell Jr.

Franklin