Are you deconstructing or reconstructing your faith ?

2 Corinthians 13:5

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith”

 

I lived in Turkey from 2003 to 2004. In 1999 there was a devastating earthquake in the Izmit region of Tukey. Approximately 20,000 died in a day. Buildings simply collapsed in a very short time. An earthquake of 7.6 tests anything built by man. When I arrived in 2003 you could see that much of the devastation was still visible.

 

Earth quakes happen all over the world. Some in wealthy areas some poorer. Wealthy areas tend to have buildings constructed with the right materials and with deep foundations. The poorer areas often bypassed these.

 

So what do I mean by “Are you deconstructing or reconstructing your faith ?”

I first heard about this from the USA and more recently in the UK where often well meaning believers have possibly absorbed unhelpful elements of culture.  I’m not talking about struggling with sin in general which all do. Rather I’m talking about a path that can lead to questioning key aspects of salvation relating to areas like salvation by grace alone, salvation through Christ alone etc.

 

1.0 Deconstructing

All of us as Christians can be vulnerable.  Even those who were brought up in a Christian culture but were shielded from the outside world can face challenges. In the USA, there are strong Christian cultures where believers perhaps don’t search the scriptures for themselves but rely on what others have told them.  The deconstruction of faith can start in an area where we don’t have those firm personal foundations, and something we used to know as wrong becomes something we embrace.

 

2.0 Reconstructing

Sometimes, there are times when we need to allow God to pull down wrong thinking in our lives to allow God to reconstruct in that area. Not necessarily much because of sin, but perhaps because of structural strongholds. A possible example might include racial prejudice either consciously or unconsciously over the years. A reconstruction can require practical healing. We all need healing.

 

One area of life where we need attention is humility. If we humble ourselves before the Lord we will be protected from deconstruction and we are ready to reconstruct.   We need to examine ourselves humbly, and prayerfully reflect if we are aligned to the purposes of god.  This includes giving over all areas of our lives to Him,  including areas of disappointment when we sense it. Failing to address this can bring danger.

 

Spiritual earthquakes are inevitable because “in this life you will have trouble” John 16 v 33.   Let us seek to avoid deconstruction, and instead ask the Lord if he wants to reconstruct a part of your life.

 

Jon Gledhill