Difficulties Concerning Consecration

CHAPTER 5 

Hannah Whitall Smith begins the second section of her book confronting difficulties that can cause us to stumble in the Christian walk. The difficulty introduced in chapter five made me think of a recent phenomenon I have experienced. 

I haven’t been diagnosed as a hypochondriac, however, throughout this pandemic, I have wondered if I would be if I saw a specialist. My wife has told me on more than one occasion that I’m certifiable. So, I wouldn’t be surprised. 

This past month I’ve had friends reach out to tell me they had tested positive for COVID. Prior to them telling me I felt fine. But within an hour or two after their phone call or text message, I began to feel symptomatic. I’ve been tested four times in the past month, each time I have tested negative. It is interesting, as soon as I get the negative result I feel 100% better. Isn’t it strange how a suggestion or a doubt can create a feeling that has no basis in reality? 

Mrs. Smith explains how doubt can create symptoms that present themselves as a weakened or a sick Christian life. She also prescribes the proper point of view and the cure for such attacks. She presented three stimuli that can affect one’s view of their position in Christ—feelings, fact, and faith. The reader is led to think through which came first (feelings, fact, or faith), and then second and which brings up the caboose of the F Train (btw, the F Train is the subway route that connects Queens to Brooklyn in New York City). Once you know where to get on the train, you are ensured to reach the desired destination. 

Enough with the train analogies. The point of Mrs. Smith is, once you know which should come first, you will be equipped to avoid the difficulty of doubt and on your way to the joyful life every follower of Christ is meant to experience. 

If you haven’t read chapter five yet, I encourage you to take some of your free time and spend it thinking through the topic she presents. And then call a Christian friend and talk through the following questions.

Have a blessed week! 

THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS FOR INTERACTION 

• Hannah Whithall Smith shares these three RESPONSES (Feelings, Fact, and Faith) to our decision to follow Christ. Which response did she say should come first, second and last? Why? 

"Today you have declared the Lord to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. And the Lord has today declared you to be His people, His personal possession, just as He promised you, and that you are to keep all His commandments; and that He will put you high above all the nations which He has made, for glory, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.” Deuteronomy 26:17–19 

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. If anyone sees his brother or sister committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will, for him, give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death; I am not saying that he should ask about that. 1st John 5:14–16 

• From the above passages, what is our role, and what does God do? 

        1.                                                         1. 

        2.                                                         2. 

        3.                                                         3. 

        4.                                                         4. 

        5.                                                         5. 

        6.                                                         6. 

• In what personal life situations do the above lists help you understand and advance in a sanctified life?