One of the reasons that the charismatic movement is so popular is that it seems to offer an almost immediate answer for prayers, always an emotionally based one that generally leaves the participant with good feelings. It is nothing less than a cult in many respects, promising much but delivering little of any substantial Spiritual truths. It is a works-based theology, certain prayers said in certain ways with the proper frame of mind is called faith, a heightened emotional state is called the answer to the work done.
Those who adhere to these ideologies live on an emotional roller coaster, and still think as one of those that spoke with Job did, that if a good thing happens to you, then God is pleased with you, if a bad thing, then you have committed some sin towards Him. Yet far too many are deceived by this, even in what was once considered Evangelical circles.
I offer you here a personal analogy, I have an infected tooth at the moment that must be pulled, but I was not aware of the infection until I went to a dentist. Now, I was attempting to live by faith, the faith that either the Lord would kill that tooth and nerve, and thus the ever-increasing pain, or that He would speak to me in another manner about it. I finally went to the dentist and was informed that if the tooth is not pulled, there could be serious complications, and so that is my intention, to have it pulled.
Was I living in what could be considered a charismatic state concerning this event, was it wrong for me to wait on the Lord and then stop waiting and go to the dentist? Did God fail me because He did not heal my pain?
If the just indeed live by faith, is it wrong for me to go and have the procedure done instead of giving God more time? He did not answer me, after five days of praying, questioning and seeking His face, He remained silent. “And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Luke 17:19) My faith did not heal me; God did not honor my request.
Can you understand why those who are in any works-based religious organization have little assurance of their salvation, little desire to remain on the path when the path ensures pain and suffering, when those prayers are not answered as they would like them to be?
This may be difficult for some of you to understand, but the just live by faith, not by answered prayers.
Too many answered prayers and we start to attempt to employ the Lord as a magic genie, a tool for our own wants and needs, expecting all our requests to be answered, and that immediately. Not enough answered, especially not in the way we would desire, and we will drift away from Him, for He has not met our expectation of what we want our God to be.
Perhaps this short letter will help you to understand a little better the depth of the words that righteous Job spoke, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15) If this poorly written letter and the example that I am being used for one or more of you increases your faith and trust in the Almighty, then the pain has been worth it.
He is not going to take away all your physical pains in this life, in some of them we need to be taught humility, and in that teaching assist others that may also be on that path of pain. A toothache is nothing compared to what some are enduring at this very moment for Him, and I rest assured that their prayers are the same as mine are, that in some way it would be used for His glory. Remember Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Faith is not an emotion, but a fact.
