Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers, - Deu 1:35
The backdrop for this verse is when Moses (facing death) reminded the new generation of the children of Israel how their fathers failed the test of Faith in God and were not allowed to enter the PromisedLand.
God called the people who spoke in Unbelief about their ability to take the PromisedLand as an EvilGeneration.
Now, it is not reasonable to think that everyone of that generation was a militant unbeliever, but the militant ones held sway over the weak ones so that none of that generation inherited the Promise except for Joshua and Caleb.
Since God does not punish the Righteous with the Wicked, then there must have been pervasive Unbelief in the generation of Israelis that left Egypt.
How can multiple millions of people who have seen plagues come upon Egypt and not them, walls of water open up for them to pass on dry ground, water come out of a rock, manna to fall from Heaven, massive numbers of quail to amass where they could be taken for meat, a pillar of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night... how can every one of those people fall into Unbelief?
Answer: They did not Love God.
When there is no Love, there is no Faith, no Trust, no Obedience, no Fellowship, no Thanksgiving, no Praise, no Worship.
Now, it is impossible for those who have seen all the miracles that the Israelis saw to be faithless - void of faith. After all, "seeing is believing".
So, what really was going on with them? There lack of love for God opened the door for them to hear Satan, just as Eve did. Satan undermines Faith by introducing Unbelief through Doubt and Fear.
As we look at our generation we must ask the question: "Do we have Faith?"
I suspect there are many who would shout: "Yes!" in answer.
But what was Jesus talking about in this verse?
Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth? - Luk 18:8b
He was talking about the Faith which He taught on throughout His Ministry. Mat 17:20 Mar 11:22-24
He was talking about the FaithOfGod, the FaithOfChrist.
He was talking about the Faith that pleases God. Heb 11:6
Here is the math of Faith:
1. Faith + Faith = Faith
2. Unbelief + Unbelief = Unbelief
3. Faith + Unbelief = Unbelief
Everyone can agree with 1) and 2) above. But 3) doesn't sound right!
Arise therefore, and get you down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. - Act 10:20
And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brothers accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: - Act 11:12
for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. - Rom 14:23
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. - 1Ti 2:8
Jesus answered and said unto them, Truly I say unto you, If you have faith, and doubt not, you shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if you shall say unto this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; it shall be done. - Mat 21:21
Do you see the importance of "not doubting"?
God is Holy. Which means He is Pure, 100% true, consistent and perfect. He is Faithful. His Promises are yes and amen.
God has given us His Spirit so that we may be like Him.
Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, You shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. - Lev 19:2
In order for any other aspect of Holiness to manifest in us, we must first be Holy in our Faith. Our Faith is Holy when it is not degraded by Doubt and Unbelief.
"Right believing produces right living." "A good tree bears good fruit."
So, I ask the question again. "Do we have Faith?"
If the answer is not a resounding "yes" with the knowledge that Doubt and Unbelief nullify our Faith we are part of yet another EvilGeneration.
We may not be militant in our Doubt and Unbelief but, but not renouncing it and determining to WalkByFaith, we are weak followers of the Enemy.
As hard to swallow as this is, it speaks to the evidence that is all around us. The Evil in this world is a result of Unbelief. The Weakness in the Church is a result of Unbelief. The Fear that grips your heart is a result of Unbelief.
When we Repent of Unbelief we will be Healed. We will stop being part of this EvilGeneration.
You can't Believe for others but you can Believe for yourself.
Choose to Believe God by believing His Word.
Choose to "Have Faith in God" by believing His Word.
Choose to WalkByFaith by trusting God's Word.