Dormant Faith

(Recommended reading:  2 Peter 1:3-9)

Is your faith a living breathing part of your daily life?  Of your existence?  Or, is it lying dormant accomplishing little or nothing?

One devotional I read this week caused me to think on this idea of dormant faith.  It was based on 2 Peter 1:4 and I’ll quote that verse from NLT:  “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

The author of my devotional, Chris Tiegreen, talked about how once we’re saved, having God’s nature is part of us; but, we need to claim it.  He talks about how it will just lie latent (hidden, unrealized, dormant) in us if we don’t claim His promises & live it out by faith.  Mr. Tiegreen said:  “…it remains useless to us if we don’t know who we  really are in Him.”  

Out of curiosity, I did just a bit of research about dormant seeds.  One source said that seeds will remain dormant “until favorable conditions arise.”  A comment in Wikipedia said:  “…the same seed that is dormant for one reason at a given point may be dormant for another reason at a later point.”  

I wonder, how many people once they get saved don’t claim God’s nature for themselves?  How many put it off “until favorable conditions arise”?  Maybe they don’t want to give up some of their worldly pleasures just yet – thinking that being a Christian and walking in faith will be boring.  Maybe that’s their thinking for a while, postponing their commitment, but then they change to “another reason at a later point” – finding another excuse for not stepping into a serious walk of faith.  (i.e., “oh, I’ve got time, I’ll do it later.”)   

A seed will lie dormant for a period of time but then it will finally sprout and become a living thing.  Maybe it’s a beautiful flower that brightens the world around it.  Maybe it’s some kind of vegetable or fruit that can be consumed & nourish the person that enjoys it.  Maybe it becomes a tree that offers shade and is a reprieve and protection from the bright sun.

Just as all those seeds blossom and fulfill their destiny, we should leave our dormant faith life behind and sprout into our destiny.  We need to allow our Godly nature to guide us into our life of faith, working to fulfill our life purposes.    

Some people’s Godly nature may be to brighten the world around them – like a beautiful flower – with a giving, pleasant personality.  They don’t take offense, no matter the circumstances and look on the positive side of all issues.

Some people’s Godly nature may be to spiritually nourish others  – like the fruit & vegetables do for the physical body – by being a great friend, teaching God’s Word with clarity, etc.     

Some people’s Godly nature may be to offer a reprieve and/or protection to others – as a tree can do – offering comfort to those that are hurting and/or grieving, offering guidance out of a life of sinfulness into a life of grace, mercy & salvation.

If people can look at non-Christians, then look at Christians and not be able to sense any difference, then there’s a problem.  Christians should reflect a joy & a hope that openly shines & makes it obvious that we have something good going on in our lives.  But, Chris Tiegreen said this regarding that issue:  “…our day-to-day actions and behavior don’t always show it.  That’s because many of us are not living from our divine nature.”  We need to “have the faith & the courage to step into his promises” then “the divine nature begins to emerge.”  

It matters not if you’re a new Christian or a “seasoned” Christian – if your Godly nature is lying dormant, it’s time to step up & step out.  It’s time to nourish that dormant faith seed by reading God’s Word, meditating on it, praying about it, then moving on it.  Now is the time to move forward in faith & obedience and sprout!

Written by Karran Martin – August 9, 2024

[All bold emphasis is mine]