-- Personality differences. Personality differences. We're all unique. Some of you are We're all unique. Some of you are really really unique. If you ever meet me, you'll probably think unique. If you ever meet me, you'll probably think I'm I'm pretty strange. That's OK! The sad thing is that we resent and criticize each others' weaknesses while G.o.d "will rejoice over [us] with shouts of joy" (Zephaniah 3:17). pretty strange. That's OK! The sad thing is that we resent and criticize each others' weaknesses while G.o.d "will rejoice over [us] with shouts of joy" (Zephaniah 3:17).

-- Cultural differences Cultural differences. One of the healthiest experiences we can have as Christians is to visit other cultures to worship and live with believers. In those contexts, we discover that what we think is superspirituality is a pretty superficial collection of "dos and don'ts" that add up to a lot of minors and don't really address essential issues of life and faith. Even sin issues-hear me-can be minor things we should accept in each other. Pray for others about the minor things. Turn them over to G.o.d. "G.o.d's at work in her life." "G.o.d's going to change him." If it's not a critical path, if it's not a chronic problem, if it's not in close proximity to you-maybe you just ought to accept and pray for the person, meanwhile praying for Holy Spirit conviction. As they say, "Let go and let G.o.d."

It's essential that the followers of Christ be the most accepting people on the face of the earth. The world desperately needs to see Jesus, and we're the only picture they get. We should be the most loving, accepting people in the world. Often we're not, but we should be. On the minors-you see it here in the text-acceptance. Just look at verse 4, The world desperately needs to see Jesus, and we're the only picture they get. We should be the most loving, accepting people in the world. Often we're not, but we should be. On the minors-you see it here in the text-acceptance. Just look at verse 4, "Love is patient." "Love is patient." Let the wind of that beautiful breeze blow across your mind. Love is patient. It waits for people to change. Love is long-tempered; G.o.d help us! Love is persistently compa.s.sionate in the face of opposition. Let the wind of that beautiful breeze blow across your mind. Love is patient. It waits for people to change. Love is long-tempered; G.o.d help us! Love is persistently compa.s.sionate in the face of opposition.

ONE OF MY HEROES.

By now you know I admire the life of President Abraham Lincoln. One of his earliest political enemies, Edwin M. Stanton, was extremely harsh and critical. In one speech, he called Lincoln a "low cunning clown." He also called Lincoln "the original gorilla." In fact, in another speech Stanton said, "It was ridiculous for people to go to Africa to see a gorilla when they could find one just as easily in Springfield, Illinois." How hurtful would that be if that was said publicly about you? Yet Lincoln never responded to that slander. He never spoke a word against him. He never retaliated. He never criticized him! Why? Because love is patient.

But that's not all; "Love is kind," "Love is kind," as well (verse 4). This means: as well (verse 4). This means: -- Not just pa.s.sive endurance, but active goodwill.

-- Not just pa.s.sively accepting people, but actively accepting people.

-- Not just standing on the other side of the room and saying, "She drives me nuts, so I'm going to just steer clear of her," but actually going across the room and finding ways physically or in conversation to embrace that very person.

Love is kind. It looks for ways to express acceptance to people that we might otherwise choose to be targets of our criticism.

THE REST OF THE STORY.

Lincoln never responded to Edwin M. Stanton, who attacked him repeatedly. He refused to reciprocate the slander. But when he was elected president and he needed a secretary of war, guess whom he chose? He chose Edwin M. Stanton, the man who heartlessly defamed and disgraced Lincoln. When his incredulous friends asked Lincoln why he had made this choice, he said, "Because he is the best man."

Years later, as the slain president's body lay in state, Edwin M. Stanton looked into the coffin and said through his tears, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen." 1 1 His animosity was finally broken by Lincoln's long-suffering, nonretaliatory spirit. Love is patient, kind, and a powerful antidote to a critical att.i.tude. His animosity was finally broken by Lincoln's long-suffering, nonretaliatory spirit. Love is patient, kind, and a powerful antidote to a critical att.i.tude.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?.

Is someone injuring you? Has someone chosen a place of opposition in your life? How have you been responding? Have your att.i.tude choices taken you to the dry and deserted wasteland that we call the wilderness? Do you want to get out of the wilderness? Do you want to get victory over that critical spirit? Displace a critical spirit with an att.i.tude of love! Move toward those people who are hurting you and injuring you and, in the power of G.o.d's Spirit and in the fullness that only He can give, love those people!

Love them and watch G.o.d bring a powerful victory that heals and makes whole in a way that we never could. On the majors-action. On the minors-acceptance. Verse 4 also tells us that love "is not jealous." "is not jealous." Often the greatest obstacle to putting off a critical spirit is when those around us seem to prosper more than we do. "I was fine with her until she got . . ." "I was fine with him until . . ." How do you handle the successes of the people whom you love? Love is not jealous. Love says: Often the greatest obstacle to putting off a critical spirit is when those around us seem to prosper more than we do. "I was fine with her until she got . . ." "I was fine with him until . . ." How do you handle the successes of the people whom you love? Love is not jealous. Love says: -- I accept you even when you are more successful than me.

-- Even when you are more prominent than me.

-- Even when you are more recognized and more rewarded than me.

-- I am for you. I have always been for you.

-- I rejoice in your success and will not let a jealous outlook sour my love.

-- I accept your prosperity-no, I revel revel in your prosperity because I love you I will not be caught up in a jealous spirit. in your prosperity because I love you I will not be caught up in a jealous spirit.

As hard as that is, the next phrase in the definition of love is even harder. What about when you're you're the successful person? Can you continue to love people, or do you leave them behind? the successful person? Can you continue to love people, or do you leave them behind? "Love does not brag and is not arrogant," "Love does not brag and is not arrogant," Paul explained. "Well, we used to be close, but I have a little more in this world. He's not as important to me as he used to be." No! Instead, I say,"I accept you even when you are less successful than me, even when you are less prominent, less recognized, less rewarded. I will not make you uncomfortable by boasting in my success. I will not highlight my life in any way that embarra.s.ses or belittles you." Paul explained. "Well, we used to be close, but I have a little more in this world. He's not as important to me as he used to be." No! Instead, I say,"I accept you even when you are less successful than me, even when you are less prominent, less recognized, less rewarded. I will not make you uncomfortable by boasting in my success. I will not highlight my life in any way that embarra.s.ses or belittles you."

LOVE ON THE BASKETBALL COURT.

I got a great blessing recently from my son Landon and one of his closest friends, Michael Muller (who, with his family, attends Harvest Bible Chapel). The two were trying out for the seventh-grade basketball team. It's called the Feeder Program. All the interested junior high kids who were planning to go to a certain high school tried out for the team. Forty went. On Thursday night, the coach would cut the practice roster to twenty. On Friday, he'd cut it down to just twelve. So I just knew that there wasn't a strong possibility that Landon was going to make this team. But off went both of them to the tryouts.

The next day, the players were supposed to phone for the results. Each kid had a number-Michael's was 13, Landon's, 12- and the phone message listed the numbers of the kids who had made the first cut. So, during the Friday lunch hour at school, Michael and Landon were on the phone, together. They both wanted to make the team so much. The recorded voice announced that the following people should report to practice that evening: "Number 1, number 2, number 3, number 4, number 6, number 8, number 9, number 11, number 13. . . ." Michael made the first cut; Landon didn't.

When Landon came home, he shed some disappointment tears and we talked. He said, "You know, Dad, as soon as we hung up the phone, Michael turned to me and said, 'Landon, you're a better basketball player than I am. You You should have made the cut. And if you don't want me to go to this practice tonight, I won't even go.'" should have made the cut. And if you don't want me to go to this practice tonight, I won't even go.'"

Landon turned to him and said, "Do you know what? I want you to go. I hope that you make the team."

Ding! That's love for sure, and I was amazed and thankful for the maturity of their responses. When you love the people in your life, there is no way in the world that you're going to let your your success or success or their their success get in the way. success get in the way.

HANDLE THE MINORS WITH ACCEPTANCE.

Verse 7 is a good summary of acceptance: Love "bears all things, believes all things." "bears all things, believes all things." Love bears the weight of misunderstanding, and it defends the heart. Love finds itself saying on a regular basis, "That's not what she meant." It believes the best about the other person. "You don't know what you're talking about. That's not why he did that." Love bears the weight of misunderstanding, and it defends the heart. Love finds itself saying on a regular basis, "That's not what she meant." It believes the best about the other person. "You don't know what you're talking about. That's not why he did that."

When Jesus said, "Judge not lest you be judged," He was specifically dealing with motives. Of course, we have to judge actions. What we're not to judge are motives. We don't know why people do what they do.

Don't ever say, "I know why she's up there. I know why he does that." You probably do not. When you hear somebody criticizing someone you love, just say, "I don't believe that, and I won't believe it until I check with him myself."

Love always believes the best about people. Love bears all things, believes all things, and love "hopes all things" "hopes all things" (verse 7). Love sees people not as tey are, but as they will be by G.o.d's grace. Wouldn't it be great if G.o.d could just download that into your church? Then we would not see each other as we are today, but as G.o.d is making us. We're not the people that we were. G.o.d is changing all of us. What's the last item in the definition of love? Love (verse 7). Love sees people not as tey are, but as they will be by G.o.d's grace. Wouldn't it be great if G.o.d could just download that into your church? Then we would not see each other as we are today, but as G.o.d is making us. We're not the people that we were. G.o.d is changing all of us. What's the last item in the definition of love? Love "endures all things" "endures all things" (verse 7). (verse 7). Endure Endure is actually a military term. It means that we drive a stake in the ground. Isn't that great? It's like, I will stand my ground loving you. You can retreat if you want, but I'm never going back from this place right here. I'm going to be there for you. In his book is actually a military term. It means that we drive a stake in the ground. Isn't that great? It's like, I will stand my ground loving you. You can retreat if you want, but I'm never going back from this place right here. I'm going to be there for you. In his book Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness, Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness, Jerry Cook describes a church out in Washington State that grew in fourteen years to more than four thousand people. The book is a story of a commitment, and it includes the commitment people at that church made to each other. It moves me every time I read it: Jerry Cook describes a church out in Washington State that grew in fourteen years to more than four thousand people. The book is a story of a commitment, and it includes the commitment people at that church made to each other. It moves me every time I read it: You will never knowingly suffer at my hands. I will never say anything or do anything knowingly to hurt you. I will always, in every circ.u.mstance, seek to help and support you. If you're down and I can lift you up-I'll do that. If you need something and I have it, I'll share it with you. If I need to, I'll give it to you. No matter what I find out about you, no matter what happens in the future-either good or bad-my commitment to you will never change. And there is nothing you can do about it. You will never knowingly suffer at my hands. I will never say anything or do anything knowingly to hurt you. I will always, in every circ.u.mstance, seek to help and support you. If you're down and I can lift you up-I'll do that. If you need something and I have it, I'll share it with you. If I need to, I'll give it to you. No matter what I find out about you, no matter what happens in the future-either good or bad-my commitment to you will never change. And there is nothing you can do about it. 2 2 Wow! When believers are willing to make that kind of commitment to each other, they are going to be a powerful force for G.o.d.

KEEP THE MAJORS AND THE MINORS IN PERSPECTIVE.

This may seem obvious, but the overriding att.i.tude that keeps the majors and the minors in their proper place is the third point in our 1 Corinthians 13 summary: In all things, love. Paul expresses the big picture in these words, "Love never fails" "Love never fails" (verse 8). Not wishy-washy sentimentalism and not harsh brutality, but truth and love-perfectly combined-G.o.d's selfless love. That kind of love never fails. Never! A poem that I'm quite fond of says this: (verse 8). Not wishy-washy sentimentalism and not harsh brutality, but truth and love-perfectly combined-G.o.d's selfless love. That kind of love never fails. Never! A poem that I'm quite fond of says this: Of the themes that men have known Of the themes that men have known One supremely stands alone.

Love is the theme, Love is supreme.

Sweeter it grows, glory bestows.

Bright as the sun, ever it glows.

Love is the theme, The eternal theme.

-- AUTHOR UKNOWN.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.

When Kathy and I started Harvest Bible Chapel, we'd been praying, "G.o.d, we'll go anywhere You want us to go, but we want to stay wherever You send us. We want to put our roots down deeply." G.o.d has answered that prayer with twelve wonderful years in the same church, with dreams for many more.

I don't normally do the baptisms in our services. We have others who can serve in that way. But I specifically did the baptisms in one service recently because there was a young boy who, nine years earlier, I had dedicated as a little baby in a Sunday worship service. Now he was getting baptized. That's doing life together. That's walking with people through the pa.s.sages of life. And by G.o.d's grace, I would lov e e to stand at the front of the church someday when that young man makes a vow to spend his entire lifetime with one woman. to stand at the front of the church someday when that young man makes a vow to spend his entire lifetime with one woman.

Making that kind of lifetime commitment to one church can be very difficult for a pastor and his wife. As for my own character formation, the leaders and most of the people at Harvest have no illusions about me. They know where I am strong and where G.o.d's still got a lot of work to do. There's no use trying to fake it, because people know who I really am.

Many times I have been tted to pick up life's lessons, take my family, and start over somewhere else. You know, be on a new page where the weaknesses I have left behind could be just that-behind! But in my heart I know that is a compromise of the vision G.o.d has given our fellowship. Biblical community means learning to really really love one another. When ministering here has brought messages to us that we didn't want to hear, we have chosen to remain under the pressure and love one another through the pain of personal change, because that is what the body of Christ is really all about. love one another. When ministering here has brought messages to us that we didn't want to hear, we have chosen to remain under the pressure and love one another through the pain of personal change, because that is what the body of Christ is really all about.

How thankful I am for a fellowship of believers who have embraced that vision. It's also been heartbreaking at times to see others who signed up for the same vision and stuck with it until the truth had to do with them. Too often, they have walked away as they did from Jesus' ministry, saying, "This is a hard saying; who can [accept] it?" "This is a hard saying; who can [accept] it?" (John 6:60 NKJV). But I have come to embrace that pain as part of the price that must be paid to build a church seeking to experience all that 1 Corinthians 13 really teaches. It's the kind of love that unbelievers will wake up and watch because they have never seen it before. (John 6:60 NKJV). But I have come to embrace that pain as part of the price that must be paid to build a church seeking to experience all that 1 Corinthians 13 really teaches. It's the kind of love that unbelievers will wake up and watch because they have never seen it before. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you . . ." "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you . . ." What? Teach them? Help them? No, What? Teach them? Help them? No, " . . . if you have love for one another" " . . . if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). (John 13:35).

A FINAL THOUGHT.

The promise is that love will never fail. Think about the implications of the promise that G.o.d is making in this verse. He is saying, "Love will never fail! If you will embrace with your whole heart what it means to love another person . . ." Ultimately, G.o.d's love will not fail.

You may say, "But my husband . . . or my wife..." But if you will love him or her, G.o.d will use that. Love will never fail. Love will never fail to accomplish G.o.d's highest and best purposes. If the thing goes south, it wasn't because of love. Love always takes things to a better place. If you will pursue it with your whole heart and embrace the people in your life as they are-warts and all-even when they hurt you, G.o.d will use that. Love will never fail-not at work, at home, nor in the church. Where can you take me in Scripture to a better promise than that? Love never fails. Never!

LET'S TALK SOLUTION To find the solution to a critical att.i.tude-that biblical, loving att.i.tude-let's once more answer three questions. The first one is primary: Am I a loving person? Am I a loving person? That's the question that has to get answered. Am I a loving person? Years ago, evangelist D. L. Moody sensed that the Lord wanted him to grow in this matter of love. He wrote this more than one hundred years ago: That's the question that has to get answered. Am I a loving person? Years ago, evangelist D. L. Moody sensed that the Lord wanted him to grow in this matter of love. He wrote this more than one hundred years ago: I took up that word Love, and I do not know how many weeks I spent in studying the pa.s.sages in which it occurs till at last I could not help loving people. I had been feeding on love so long that I was anxious to do everybody good I came into contact with. I got full of it. It ran out of my fingers. You take up the subject of love in the Bible! You will get so full of it that all you have to do is open your lips and a flood of the Love of G.o.d [will flow] out. I took up that word Love, and I do not know how many weeks I spent in studying the pa.s.sages in which it occurs till at last I could not help loving people. I had been feeding on love so long that I was anxious to do everybody good I came into contact with. I got full of it. It ran out of my fingers. You take up the subject of love in the Bible! You will get so full of it that all you have to do is open your lips and a flood of the Love of G.o.d [will flow] out. 3 3 Here are two additional questions to ask that lead to a loving att.i.tude in your life: -- Am I seeing the benefits of love in my life? Am I seeing the benefits of love in my life? Do the relationships in my life evidence that love is pouring forth from me upon the people around me? And remember all that love is. Love that is shown on the major issues and the minor issues. Both. Is there evidence of love in my life? Am I seeing the benefits? Do the relationships in my life evidence that love is pouring forth from me upon the people around me? And remember all that love is. Love that is shown on the major issues and the minor issues. Both. Is there evidence of love in my life? Am I seeing the benefits?

-- Am I choosing love over criticism moment by moment? Am I choosing love over criticism moment by moment? Att.i.tudes are patterns of thinking formed over a long period of time. Am I choosing love moment by ? Att.i.tudes are patterns of thinking formed over a long period of time. Am I choosing love moment by ?

Remember, whether the issue is major or minor, whatever action or att.i.tude we choose, it is all to be done in love. On the majors, take action; on the minors, show acceptance; in all things, display love.

Look Up Lord, thank You for this meaty pa.s.sage of Your Word. It's all there! It is as relevant today as the day it was written. And it speaks to my experience. It calls me to less criticism and more love, sometimes speaking truth, most often accepting and embracing people who, like me, are in the process of transformation.

G.o.d, forgive my negative, critical, faultfinding ways. Give me a heart to love people and bear with them, to speak truth when it's needed, whatever the cost. But most often, a heart to accept others. Bring to my mind a specific person or two with whom I could apply these truths. Help me to confront halfhearted att.i.tudes. Remind me that two thousand years ago Jesus Christ came into this world. He is love. He died on a cross and rose from the dead for me. His love is stronger than death! I want to let Christ love others through me. He can give me a supernatural endless capacity to love the very people that exhaust me.

Lord, thank You for Your love that has been shed abroad in my heart. Thank You for the capacity to love others, given by You and sustained by You. I rejoice and delight in that. You are a good and faithful G.o.d. I celebrate Your love. Thank You that You love us perfectly, unconditionally. I accept Your love right now, right here. I am not worthy of it, but I worship You and thank You in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

NOTES.

1. Michael P. Green, Ill.u.s.trations for Biblical Preaching Ill.u.s.trations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989), 25859. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989), 25859.

2. Jerry Cook with Stanley C. Baldwin, Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness (Ventura, Cal.: Regal, 1979), 13. (Ventura, Cal.: Regal, 1979), 13.

3. As quoted in George Sweeting, Who Said That? Who Said That? (Chicago: Moody, 1995), 309. (Chicago: Moody, 1995), 309.

CHAPTER 7:.

REPLACE A DOUBTING ATt.i.tUDE...

NUMBERS 13:1411 SAY IT IN A SENTENCE: SAY IT IN A SENTENCE:.

Those who make doubting their lifestyle will spend their lifetimes in the wilderness.

Keep going-we're making big-time progress on our att.i.tudes. Now we're going to wilderness att.i.tude number four: "Replace a Doubting Att.i.tude..." "Wait a minute! Is doubt an att.i.tude? Really?! I mean, I can see complaining and coveting-but doubting?"

Yes, the t.i.tle of this chapter is "Replace a Doubting Att.i.tude..." That's my conviction, and I'm sticking to it! Wilderness att.i.tude number four is doubt. doubt. Here's a definition of doubt: Doubt is the Here's a definition of doubt: Doubt is the absence of faith. absence of faith. I worked on that one for hours . . . OK, no, I didn't. Here's a fuller definition: Doubt is I worked on that one for hours . . . OK, no, I didn't. Here's a fuller definition: Doubt is a lack of confidence or a.s.surance that G.o.d will keep His promises. a lack of confidence or a.s.surance that G.o.d will keep His promises.

Doubt is the mind-set that keeps saying, "Well, I just don't know if G.o.d will keep His promises . . ." Doubt involves a settled and persistent choice to live with uncertainty. It's not the stubborn "show me" of Thomas, that went looking for answers, but the steady unresolved att.i.tude of Jonah that said, in effect, "I don't know and I don't care. I don't believe and n.o.body can change that."

Such doubt is dangerous. It's destructive and completely detrimental to any kind of relationship with G.o.d. I mean, if you don't have confidence that G.o.d will keep His promises, what do you have?

IRREVOCABLE PROMISES.

Let's get on the table some sample promises G.o.d has made, so we can push our definition of doubt a little further.

G.o.d has promised to provide for us. Philippians 4:19 says, "My G.o.d will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." "My G.o.d will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." "No, no-maybe G.o.d won't provide for all of my needs. Maybe I'll end up poor, and even dest.i.tute." That's doubt. "No, no-maybe G.o.d won't provide for all of my needs. Maybe I'll end up poor, and even dest.i.tute." That's doubt.

G.o.d has promised to protect us. Isaiah 54:17 says, "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper. . . . This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord" "No weapon that is formed against you will prosper. . . . This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord" (NKJV). G.o.d promises to protect you-against anything or anyone intent on your harm. "But maybe He won't protect me," you think. "Maybe something awful is going to happen." That's doubt, for sure. (NKJV). G.o.d promises to protect you-against anything or anyone intent on your harm. "But maybe He won't protect me," you think. "Maybe something awful is going to happen." That's doubt, for sure.

G.o.d has also promised to prosper us-though, as some are quick to add, that doesn't necessarily mean financially. But Psalm 84:11 says, "No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." "No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Your life will not lack one single thing that could increase your happiness if you will walk uprightly with the Lord. Now either you believe that or you don't. Your life will not lack one single thing that could increase your happiness if you will walk uprightly with the Lord. Now either you believe that or you don't.

All three of the above promises, along with hundreds of others, are signed by G.o.d Himself. Doubt is a lack of confidence or a lack of a.s.surance that G.o.d will keep those promises. When questions about G.o.d's willingness or ability to keep His promises persist, the att.i.tude becomes a lifestyle-and we are on a bus to cactus country. An att.i.tude of doubt can be traced back to our very walk with the Lord. But it may not be as easy to see in your own life as it is to see in the lives of those Israelites on the edge of the wilderness. What we find in their choices will help you see your own life more clearly.

Numbers 13 takes us back to the children of Israel, poised between the Promised Land and the wasteland. In their experience, we can find five specific principles that show us how G.o.d deals with doubt, and why He causes life to become parched to those who persist in this att.i.tude. Take a moment to prayerfully read Numbers 13:114:11.

PRINCIPLE ONE: G.o.d PLACES REGULAR TESTS OF FAITH BEFORE HIS CHILDREN.

Faith is so important and doubt is so detrimental that G.o.d places regular regular tests of faith in front of His children. These are not intended for our failure, but for our success. Similarly, when the children of Israel were at the halfway point of their journey, almost ready to enter the Promised Land, they faced a challenge that was meant for their success. The land wasn't vacant; there were other nations there. If they were going to take the land that G.o.d had promised, there was going to be some war. There was going to be some conflict and hardship. The questions create a choice: tests of faith in front of His children. These are not intended for our failure, but for our success. Similarly, when the children of Israel were at the halfway point of their journey, almost ready to enter the Promised Land, they faced a challenge that was meant for their success. The land wasn't vacant; there were other nations there. If they were going to take the land that G.o.d had promised, there was going to be some war. There was going to be some conflict and hardship. The questions create a choice: Will they trust and conquer, or will they doubt and despair and be defeated? Will they trust and conquer, or will they doubt and despair and be defeated?

In Deuteronomy 1, Moses recalled what happened on the edge of the Promised Land that day, pointing out that G.o.d's number one plan was that they would just go up and take the land. Just keep on marching; go right in and take over. "I've already won this battle for you," G.o.d told them. In fact, G.o.d says in Deuteronomy 1:2021, "'I said to you, "You have come to the hill country of the Amorites which the Lord our G.o.d is about to give us. See, the Lord your G.o.d has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the Lord, the G.o.d of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed."'" "'I said to you, "You have come to the hill country of the Amorites which the Lord our G.o.d is about to give us. See, the Lord your G.o.d has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the Lord, the G.o.d of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed."'"

In other words, "Don't doubt. You will win the battles. You will have the victory. G.o.d will take this land for you. Now get after it!" But, of course, lack of faith had their feet paralyzed, and they stayed where they were. Later G.o.d added, "Yet you were not willing to go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your G.o.d . . But for all this, you did not trust the Lord your G.o.d" "Yet you were not willing to go up, but rebelled against the command of the Lord your G.o.d . . But for all this, you did not trust the Lord your G.o.d" (verses 26, 32). There's the bottom line: The reason they didn't go up and take the land was because they couldn't trust G.o.d. (verses 26, 32). There's the bottom line: The reason they didn't go up and take the land was because they couldn't trust G.o.d.

They failed the test because they wouldn't trust G.o.d.

Now what's G.o.d going to do?

Cast them off, right? Wrong! G.o.d loves them, and so He gives them another opportunity to trust Him. That's where we are in Numbers 13. Plan A was, "Go take it." Plan B was, "All right, all right. I know you're weak, but I love you. I'm a G.o.d of grace. We'll send in some spies. They'll bring back a good report and then you'll be fired up with faith and you'll go get this done."

So G.o.d sent them in: "Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 'Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their fathers' tribes, every one a leader among them'" "Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 'Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their fathers' tribes, every one a leader among them'" (13:1). Here were the Navy Seals, spiritually speaking, the cream of the crop. G.o.d instructed Moses to handpick a twelve-man reconnaissance team to go behind enemy lines and spy on the land. (13:1). Here were the Navy Seals, spiritually speaking, the cream of the crop. G.o.d instructed Moses to handpick a twelve-man reconnaissance team to go behind enemy lines and spy on the land.

"So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran at the command of the Lord, all of them men who were heads of the sons of Israel" (13:3). Up they went for a sneak preview of the Promised Land. G.o.d was so faithful to provide that opportunity. They went to spy out the land, return with a scouting report, and then the people would have a choice. They could go up by faith and possess the land, or be filled with doubt and go back into the wilderness. G.o.d was saying, in effect, (13:3). Up they went for a sneak preview of the Promised Land. G.o.d was so faithful to provide that opportunity. They went to spy out the land, return with a scouting report, and then the people would have a choice. They could go up by faith and possess the land, or be filled with doubt and go back into the wilderness. G.o.d was saying, in effect, "Are you going to trust Me-or doubt Me?"

Think about how often in life it really comes right down to that. Am I going to trust G.o.d? Or am I not going to trust G.o.d?

It was really a choice that they were making. But more than a choice, they were expressing an att.i.tude. Doubt is an att.i.tude; faith is an att.i.tude. Remember that att.i.tudes are patterns of thinking formed over a long period of time. Maybe your life has been about doubting for so long that it has hardened into an att.i.tude. Even if you've trusted Christ for your conversion and forgiveness of sins, maybe you've continued to practice doubt. Maybe you don't really know how to lay hold of and embrace the promises of G.o.d as the fuel for your own victory. It's so important that each of us learns that lesson.

Faith is not just a part of the Christian life . . .

That's right! Faith is not a part of the Christian life . . . it's the whole thing! Faith isn't like love and joy and hope. Faith isn't something to add to your spiritual a.r.s.enal. Faith is is the gun that fires the bullet! Faith is everything! If you can't trust G.o.d; if you can't lay hold of His promises, expect a lot of defeat in your life. We'll say a lot more about this in the next chapter, which will be entirely about faith! the gun that fires the bullet! Faith is everything! If you can't trust G.o.d; if you can't lay hold of His promises, expect a lot of defeat in your life. We'll say a lot more about this in the next chapter, which will be entirely about faith!

The thing about faith is that you can't tell by looking at a person how much faith he or she really has. Faith in a person is like water in a bucket-you find out how much is inside when you b.u.mp it. When circ.u.mstances b.u.mp you, you spill what you're full of.

What are you full of? If you're filled with faith, then faith comes out. If you're filled with doubt, and circ.u.mstances b.u.mp you, doubt doubt comes out. G.o.d places regular tests of faith in front of His children. comes out. G.o.d places regular tests of faith in front of His children.

Splashes!

Maybe you've had a reversal at work with a bad quarter, and the sales are way off. b.u.mp! It's a test. What spilled? Doubt or faith? Maybe you got some bad news from the doctor, and you're going for some special tests. It se like dark clouds are gathering on the horizon. b.u.mp! What splashed out of you? "Oh, this is the end! Oh, no! Oh, no!" Or was it: "G.o.d is good! G.o.d is faithful! I'm going to continue to trust Him no matter what."

Maybe you have a child who is resisting and rebelling and breaking your heart and pressing you constantly. b.u.mp! When you're b.u.mped, you spill what you're full of. If you're filled with faith, that's what comes out. If you're filled with doubt, that's what comes out.

It's one or the other: faith or doubt. b.u.mps are going to happen. You will be tested. The purpose of the test isn't just to reveal your faith; it's also to refine your faith. G.o.d doesn't test your faith so He can know how much is there-He already knows. He tests your faith so that you can know how much is there and see it grow. Every good thing G.o.d wants to give to us comes through the funnel of faith. He refines our faith because He loves us and wants to bless us more and more.

PRINCIPLE TWO: THE CIRc.u.mSTANCES OF LIFE WILL EITHER SHRINK OR STRETCH YOUR FAITH.

Numbers 13:416 describes the twelve men who were chosen and sent out. Then in verses 17 and 18, Moses gave the men their marching orders: "Go up there into the Negev; then go up into the hill country. See what the land is like." "Go up there into the Negev; then go up into the hill country. See what the land is like."