Unshakable Faith: Moving Beyond Contract Christianity
In our walk with God, we often find ourselves at a crossroads between what we expect from our faith and what God truly desires. Many of us have grown up with a “contract faith” mentality – the idea that God will reward us with blessings and comfort if we do good. But what happens when life doesn’t unfold as we anticipated? When our obedience isn’t met with the outcomes we expected?
The Faith Hall of Fame
The book of Hebrews, mainly chapter 11, paints a vivid picture of faith that goes beyond mere transactions. While the chapter begins by highlighting heroes of faith who saw tangible rewards for their belief – like Noah being saved from the flood or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being delivered from the fiery furnace – it takes an unexpected turn:
“Others were tortured, refusing to accept release so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword… of whom the world was not worthy.” (Hebrews 11:35-38)
This passage challenges our conventional understanding of faith. It speaks of believers who held fast to their convictions despite facing immense hardship, persecution, and even death. Their faith wasn’t contingent on receiving earthly benefits or escaping difficulties. Instead, they exhibited what we might call “unshakable faith” – a steadfast trust in God that transcends circumstances and outcomes.
Unshakable Faith Defined
This concept of unshakable faith aligns closely with what Revelation 14:12 describes as the “faith of Jesus.” It’s a faith that goes beyond merely keeping God’s commandments (though that remains important). It’s a faith that can withstand physical, emotional, and mental hardship – even in God’s apparent silence or hiddenness.
Consider the story of Job. Without his knowledge, God allowed Satan to test Job’s faith by stripping away his wealth, health, and family. Job wasn’t privy to the heavenly conversation that led to his suffering. Yet, even in the depths of his anguish, Job declared, “Though He slays me, yet will I trust Him“ (Job 13:15). This is the epitome of unshakable faith – trusting God not because of what He does for us, but because of who He is.
The Faith of Jesus
Jesus Himself modelled this unshakable faith during His time on earth. Despite having unlimited divine power, He chose to rely completely on the Father for His needs. When tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus responded, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God“ (Matthew 4:4). Even in His moments of greatest need and abandonment, Jesus’ faith remained unshakable.
So why is developing this kind of faith so crucial? James 1:2-4 provides insight: “Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
In other words, the only way to truly know if our faith is unshakable is to be shaken. Trials and challenges refine, mature, and strengthen our faith. This process moves us from a self-centred, transactional relationship with God to one of deep trust and unconditional love.
This shift in perspective has profound implications for how we live out our faith in everyday life. For business owners and professionals, it might mean making difficult choices that align with God’s will, even if it costs us financially. For church members, it could mean serving faithfully even when we feel unnoticed or underappreciated. In our personal lives, it means trusting God’s goodness even when our prayers seem to go unanswered, or our circumstances don’t improve as quickly as we’d like.
Many of us have what I call a contract faith. A contract faith that says, if God treats me well and comes through for me by rewarding me or coming through for me when I don’t deserve it, then it will facilitate my desire to obey him.
Faith in a Changing World
Developing unshakable faith doesn’t mean we’ll never struggle or doubt. Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, longed for the support and prayers of His disciples. But when that human comfort wasn’t available, He still pressed forward in obedience to the Father’s will. This teaches us that while community and support are valuable, our ultimate dependence must be on God alone.
As we navigate the complexities of life in the 21st century, the call to develop unshakable faith becomes increasingly relevant. We live in a world of instant gratification and constant change. Our faith is tested daily by cultural pressures, personal hardships, and global uncertainties. In such an environment, a “contract faith“ based solely on what God can do for us will quickly crumble.
Instead, we’re invited to cultivate a faith grounded in who God is – His unchanging character, unfailing love, and eternal purposes. This kind of faith allows us to declare, like the prophet Habakkuk:
Habakkuk’s Declaration of Trust
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.“ (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Developing unshakable faith is a lifelong journey. It requires us to continually surrender our expectations, trust God’s wisdom even when we don’t understand His ways, and choose to praise Him in both plenty and want. As we do so, we’ll find ourselves growing in spiritual maturity and experiencing a deeper, richer relationship with our Creator.
A Lifelong Journey of Trust
Let’s challenge ourselves to move beyond contract Christianity. Instead of asking, “What can God do for me?” let’s ask, “How can my faith in God remain steadfast, regardless of my circumstances?“ As we cultivate this unshakable faith, we’ll discover a peace and joy that transcends understanding – a faith that can weather any storm and shine as a beacon of hope in a troubled world.
Jesus demonstrated that it is indispensable. That if he, having all power, could put aside that power to wait for God to supply his needs, how much more should we also depend on that power?
Leaving a Legacy of Faith
May we, like the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11, leave behind a legacy of unwavering trust in God. May our lives be a testament to the transformative power of an unshakable faith, come what may.
