Do you ever feel like something is just missing? Do you hold to the truth of the Bible but feel like there has to be more that you don’t yet see? That’s not a bad feeling to have, in fact, it is one that Christians as a whole should feel at times. As the Bible says, great is the mystery of Godliness. Being a Christian stretches far beyond just believing in the existence of God. There is much to be learned and even much to do as a believer. In the Bible, we read of many who had holes in their faith and how they responded when those gaps were filled.
Take the rich young man who came and asked Jesus what one must do to be saved. By simply asking the question he admits to feeling as though he has missed something. Because those who are confident in their salvation and know what is required to receive it don’t ask how to be saved. Jesus replies that He simply needs to keep the commandments. To which the young man asks which ones and Jesus kindly lays them out.
Matthew 19:17–19 (ESV)
17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
What’s interesting is that the young man goes on to say he has kept all those since his youth but still wants to know what he lacks. To most of us, it would have seemed as though the conversation was over. He asked what must I do to be saved. Jesus gave an answer yet something still caused him to question it. Because he knew that something was wrong in his life. He could tell that he needed to do something else and didn’t know what it was. Or didn’t want to accept what he needed to do.
Matthew 19:20 (ESV)
20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”
Jesus said he should sell all his possessions and give them to the poor. Then he would have treasure in heaven for the life to come. This was not what the young man wanted to hear and he left the presence of the Lord sad. Unwilling to give up the wealth he had. Scripture never mentions a time when he returns willingly to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. We can assume that he never received the salvation that he knew he was missing. Especially since Jesus goes on to tell of how difficult it will be for those who are rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 19:21–24 (ESV)
21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
The Bible tells us that on the day of Pentecost many devout men and Jews were gathered in Jerusalem. Just as the disciples of Jesus were. That day the spirit of God fell on the members of the early church causing them to speak in new tongues and various languages. As you can imagine this drew a large crowd and many accusations began to stir. Peter stood up before the crowd and laid out the gospel message in its fullness.
Acts 2:1–7 (ESV)
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
Acts 2:12–16 (ESV)
12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
Peter’s message struck the hearts of those gathered. We know they had faith as we have already seen the Bible refer to them as devout. Yet even they could tell something was missing. They could see a difference between them and those in the upper room. So they asked what they needed to do in order to be saved. Peter filled the gaps in their knowledge and laid out the plan of salvation. Many responded to this and were baptized that same day.
Acts 2:37–38 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:41 (ESV)
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Later in Acts, we read of an Ethiopian eunuch who traveled far from his homeland to try and find what he was missing. He knew of the God of Israel and had to come to worship in Jerusalem. The Lord sent Phillip to the man to explain what he was missing. It is clear the man knew he did not have it all figured out. When Phillip asks if he understands the scripture he is reading he says how could I unless someone explains it to me. Phillip did just that and opened the man’s eyes to the gospel of Jesus. Leading the eunuch to ask if he could be baptized after seeing that they came across water. That day the eunuch found the very thing he knew he had been missing.
Acts 8:26–31 (ESV)
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Acts 8:35–38 (ESV)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
All these people had gaps in their faith and they could tell something was missing so they searched it out. What they found was the answer they were looking for but then they had a decision to make. Do I accept this truth and live it or do I walk away. Some choose to accept it, while others were unwilling to accept what they found even though they needed it. If you feel like you are missing something in your faith, seek out the answers. Look for the more that you know must be out there.
Study the Bible, it contains every answer you need. Pray for God to lead you deeper into truth, and seek the help of elders in the church. As you can see from these few examples what you are missing could be key in salvation. When you find the missing piece don’t walk away from it. But accept it no matter the cost and grow closer to the God who loves you and only wants you to experience His best.
If you feel as though you are missing something in your walk with God chances are you are. Have you been baptized? Received the Holy Ghost? Are the gifts of the Spirit active in your life? Do you really know the God you claim to serve? Are you living out the fullness of scripture? When any of these things are missing it will often be apparent and you will often feel like something isn’t right.
However, there are times when you are missing something and don’t even realize it. Just look at Apollos who was living for God but didn’t have the fullness of truth. The Bible records that Priscilla and Aquila taught him a more accurate way. Indicating he knew some truth but was still missing some very important things.
Acts 18:24–25 (ESV)
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
The same is true for the disciples of John who Paul encountered one day. They had been out preaching the message they had received but their message was incomplete. They were missing the key ingredients of Jesus and the Holy Ghost. In fact, when asked they had not even heard that there was a Holy Ghost. Paul brought them what they were missing and they received the truth gladly.
Acts 19:1–6 (ESV)
1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
In both of these instances, they were missing information so important that the other believers were not willing to let them go forth without knowing it. From our perspective with the complete Bible, this truth is apparent. But to them, it would have meant altering their faith in some way. What’s interesting is that these people didn’t fight being taught something they didn’t know, instead they accepted the teaching. Because they were able to see how it aligned with what they already knew.
God may bring someone into your life as he did in these cases, who is meant to bring you the information you are missing. Don’t write them off as wrong believing you already know it all. But also be careful not to immediately accept a new teaching either because many false teachers exist. Instead, be like the Berean church who when Paul first brought them the gospel consulted the scriptures to see if all he said was true.
Acts 17:11 (ESV)
11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Another believer could bring you the truth you haven’t seen or been taught before that provides what you have been missing. If that happens be willing to accept it but only if you are able to see that it aligns with the fullness of scripture. In fact, the same is true when something seems as though it has been revealed to you in the word. Don’t just build your faith off one verse or passage but in the context of the whole Bible. All in all, check what you believe compared to God’s word because only it contains the truth on which our life should be built.
With the magnitude of our faith and all the teaching, both false and correct, that exists today it is possible you are missing something in your faith. You may be able to fill it within you. Or you may not even realize it. Either way, ask yourself what’s missing in your faith? Then seek the Lord and His wisdom. Allow Him to guide you ever closer to Him and to the relationship He desires you to have with Him. Paul often prayed that those he taught would always grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God. This means finding what is missing in your faith, don’t settle for less but seek out more truth.
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