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Faith – The most common definition is having complete trust or confidence in a person or something. All said, however, what does it mean to have faith in Jesus?
In my journey of salvation and life in general, I have learned that it is impossible to develop trust or confidence in a person I do not know.
My Faith in Jesus Christ comes from knowing him and learning who he is, what he stands for, which is love, and the sacrifice he has made for us on the cross.
I also believe that Faith in Jesus Christ continues to grow as we dive deeper into knowing Him, into knowing his extravagant love for us that drove Him to endure the cross.
There once lived an Indian man who had this intimate knowledge of the Lord. He tasted of Him and knew that He was indeed God, and all he wanted was to follow Him no matter the cost.
This story is about a man who endured to the very end, and because he had tasted a Love, no one could deny him in the end. Faith in Jesus Christ brought a transformation that was so tangible in his life.
Over a hundred years ago, missionaries went to Northeast India to share the gospel. Unfortunately, some landed in a region known as Assam, comprising hundreds of tribes that had never heard about Jesus. As you can imagine, they were not received well by these hostile and aggressive communities. Finally, however, one missionary converted a man, his wife, and two children.
Nokseng, from the Garo tribe, could not contain His joy of knowing the Lord. Before long, he told his fellow Villagers about His newfound Faith in Jesus Christ, and many began to accept Christianity in a Hindu practicing culture.
Full of anger, the Chief of the village summoned the villagers. Nokseng and his Family were called to renounce their Faith publicly or face their death.
This simple Indian man had a belief in the Lord Jesus that could overcome anything; he trusted the Lord even with His life, and so led by the Holy Spirit, he responded:
“I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.”
Full of rage, the Chief gave a command to his archers to kill Nokseng’s two children. He watched with tears in his eyes as his children twitched on the floor as life left their little bodies. Immediately, the Chief demanded that he deny his faith in Jesus, or else he would also lose his beloved wife. Then, with a heavy heart, he replied:
“Though no one accompanies me, still I will have to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.”
The Chief was so furious, and he ordered that the arrow kill his wife, and just like that, she joined her children, leaving her husband still unshaken even as his heart grieved.
The Chief saw Nokseng as a disgrace to their community, and he was not going to stop until he proved it so. So, finally, the Chief asked him, seemingly giving him the last chance to redeem himself, “Will you choose your faith in Jesus or death?” Facing death, Nokseng spoke his final none forgettable lines that left a mark even in the Chief’s heart:
“The cross before me, the world behind me. No turning back, no turning back.”
Immediately, he faced his death while at the same time coming face to face with His Life, Jesus Christ. However, one of the greatest miracles happened. Nokseng’s Faith moved the Chief, and after asking himself many questions, he wanted to taste what this man had eaten to the point of dying for something he believed. The Chief ended up accepted Jesus into his heart, and soon all the villagers were inspired by the Faith of Nokseng and his Family also to follow Jesus.
Today, this song is sung all across the world. I hope that the conviction of a simple Indian man inspires Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is real, the son of God, and he loves you, and he desires to walk with you on this journey of life no matter what challenges you find along the way.
You are an Overcomer; He is with you, cheering you on every step of the way, and so am I.
Originally posted 2021-06-05 15:46:08.
