We are currently going through another statewide lock-down due to a mini surge in COVID-19 cases.
A couple of days prior to a recent Sunday service I received an email from the minister of our church:
I am planning on leading a series of services with themes which fit under the theme of "Keeping afloat as people of faith in today's world."
I wondered whether you might be willing to share a little about "the things" that have helped you remain afloat in the faith?
Without thinking, I immediately replied "yes".
But when I began to think about it, I realised what a challenge I had given myself.
Why?
Because I'd never thought about it before - my faith just seems to happen, just seems to be there.
Clearly, it must be a gift from God as it doesn't need me to rouse it into action, and it doesn't seem to be affected by the circumstances I am in.
Certainly there have been many challenges over the years that God has used to stretch my faith, often making me wait until the last minute to show His hand in some situation, but never to weaken it, or cause me to doubt Him.
To condense my response to just the one thing that helps me most is my belief in the sovereignty of God.
Indeed, I devoted a whole chapter to that topic in The Really Good News About God, so I won't repeat any of that discussion here.
I believe God created the world and is in full control of His creation.
So whatever He causes or permits, I trust God knows what He's doing, no matter how it looks from down here.
When God arranged for His Son to be brutalised and murdered, it looked like a disaster and tragedy from down here, but God knew what He was doing to guarantee the salvation of the world.
Even in the current COVID climate, there is disaster and tragedy down here, but God seems to be using it. More people seem focused on God, more are praying, more are demonstrating neighbourly love, care and support, and more are looking for the real purpose in life.
This position seems to agree with Paul's view in his letter to the church at Corinth.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
[1 Corinthians 10 : 13 NIV]
This verse makes more sense, and shows an even stronger connection to what I have shared above, using two translation options.
First, the Greek for "temptation" and "tempted" can just as accurately be translated as "testing" and "tested".
Second, the NIV (and most other translations) doesn't make logical sense.
How can providing "a way out" enable you to endure the testing?
Surely "a way out" enables you to escape the testing, not endure it.
If we replace "a way out" with "an outcome" the verse demonstrates that a planned outcome is provided with the testing.
In other words there is purpose in the testing.
Let me confess that I have only been able to find a couple of translations which include this optional translation: "outcome" for "a way out".
However, it is interesting to note that the Greek word from which "a way out" is translated is used only one other time in the New Testament.
Here it is:
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
[Hebrews 13 : 7 NIV]
And most translations agree, either literally or in meaning.
Clearly, in Hebrews "outcome" is the correct English translation and makes perfect sense, but "a way out" or "a way of escape" is used in Corinthians to produce an illogical statement.
So here is my translation of our verse:
No testing has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear. But when you are tested, he will also provide an outcome (purpose) so that you can endure it.
[1 Corinthians 10 : 13 BV = Barry's Version]
And this thought is supported by the familiar encouragement given by Paul to the church at Rome:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
[Romans 8 : 28 NIV]
Interestingly, Robert Frost, one of America's best-loved poets, has a similar statement to these from Paul.
"The best way out is always through."
This quote also reflects a famous Yiddish proverb, "If you're going through hell, keep going".
So, how do I keep afloat in the faith?
By trusting God is in full control and uses all my circumstances, good and bad, easy and tough, for a purpose or outcome He has already prepared for me, even when it mightn't look like it.
Just ask Jesus.
His view from "down here" was very similar to ours during tough times ...
"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death."
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
"My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
[Matthew 26 : 38, 39, 42 NIV]
... but knew His Father had a planned outcome that He was able to submit to.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
[Hebrews 12 : 1, 2 NIV]
That's another way of saying how to "remain afloat in the faith" - follow Jesus ! - because He trusted His Father was in full control of His circumstances.
Blessings, Barry
