Isaiah 7:9 “…if you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”
I imagine you’re familiar with the acronym, RINO—Republicans In Name Only. It’s used as a derisive term to describe people affiliated with the Republican Party perceived not to adhere to conservative principles. The Democratic Party has their DINOs as well—Democrats In Name Only—those who fail to pass muster with the liberal wing of their party. I don’t consider myself a RINO or a DINO, but more important than either, I don’t ever want to be a CHINO—Christian In Name Only.
CHINOs profess faith in Jesus, but you would never know it by the way they act in time of crisis. Or how they regularly rely on themselves rather than God. They may use all the right words, but somehow those words don’t connect with their hearts.
When Ahaz ruled Judah, Syria and Ephraim joined together to conquer his country. Overwhelmed at the thought of such a powerful alliance, Ahaz shook like a tree in the wind (Isaiah 7:2). So the Lord sent Isaiah to encourage him not to be afraid. He promised their enemies would not succeed. God wanted the people to know he was with them. But Judah would never be able to stand against the trouble heading their way if they did not believe and stand firm in their faith.
Neither will we.
What lies ahead for followers of Jesus? I don’t know about alliances that lurk in the distance, but I do know the Lord continually gives us opportunities to strengthen our faith. To get rid of anything that sabotages our reliance on him. Anything that makes us CHINOs.
I act like a CHINO when I forget my faith. When I obsess over difficult situations rather than entrust them to God. Or when I doubt whether God will bring good out of heartbreak and devastation. Whenever I lean on my own understanding rather than believe the God of all power and love will make a way, I’m acting like a Christian in name only.
How about you? Do you ever find yourself sliding into unbelief, letting your circumstances turn you into a CHINO? You don’t have to. Heed Isaiah’s words and stand firm in your faith, friend. Don’t be shaken like a tree in the wind.