Unorthodox faith

Have you ever believed in something completely unconventional? Studies in human nature reveal that we are products of our environment, creatures of habit and culturally bound. Thus it is quite rare to find a person embrace a faith or concept foreign to their pre-existing understanding.
Jesus message was unconventional. His teaching unapproved by the religious bosses of his day had a strange appeal to the masses. There was a man who believed in Jesus. Blind since birth, yet a religious adherent, his fate changed upon meeting Jesus. As he regained his eyesight from Christ’s touch, he knew whom he could put his trust in. Yet his belief in Christ was disapproved of by the Pharisees who were the religious authority of his day.
Organized religion can often be a stumbling block to faith in Christ. The Pharisees had to much to lose if they turned to Jesus. Today, our church leaders often suffer from the same fear. Some hold on to reigns of control by teaching biblical truth that promote denominational stance or by discouraging questioning of church taught doctrines. Like the Pharisees of old they monitor the intake of the spiritual diet of the masses, and all too often with mixed motives.
Eventually this new adherent of Christ was kicked out of the synagogue. His crime - belief in the unorthodoxy of Christ’s teaching.
Have you put Christ in a box? Do you expect him to move only in a way that has been prescribed for you? If you are then you are short-changing yourself. Scripture says all things are possible to him who believes, and with God all things are possible. God is a god of possibilities, and he wants us to simply believe. Are you burdened by unsaved friends? Have you lost hope concerning that intricate situation? Do you still believe there could be justice and social equality for the oppressed? Jesus answered Jairus whose daughter had died with those few powerful words “Have no fear. Just believe”.
The masses longed to believe in Christ because he preached hope with authority. Many were touched, many were saved, but only a few really believed in him. This was evidenced by the fact that he was deserted in his passion. As products of our environment, unorthodoxy of faith is rare. Yet that is what is required to follow Christ. I challenge you to love God, be passionate about your convictions, believe in the impossible, and take little steps. As you do, expect things to be unconventionally different for he rewards those who diligently and faithfully seek, trust and believe in him.