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183 When does the “stuff” happen?
Pastor Vic’s Nuggets of Truth183 When does the “stuff” happen?
/RSS FeedWhen’s the Stuff Going to Happen?
Many people believe they need to become better people before they can get close to Jesus. However, the truth is, if you draw closer to Jesus, He will make you a better person. The Lord doesn’t want to put you into a mold and make you look like a Christian. The Lord wants to change you from the inside out to make you a Christian. This process is called transformation. Look at Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The Lord’s perfect will is that you become like Jesus and that in life’s situations, you would do what Jesus would do. Jesus empowered us, through the Holy Spirit, to do the following in Mark 16:15-18, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Show More
There was a pastor in the early 1980s who was a musician-turned-Christian leader who had a deep hunger for experiencing God’s power. After becoming a Christian, he started attending church regularly. But after weeks of services, he asked a question that would shape his ministry: “When do we get to do the stuff?
He had read in the Bible about Jesus healing the sick, casting out demons, and performing miracles. But in church, all he saw was singing, sermons, and people shaking hands. He was looking for the same supernatural power that Jesus and His disciples had.
This question led him on a journey to discover the real, living power of the Holy Spirit—a power available to all believers today. This journey begins with salvation, followed by water baptism and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Salvation: The Beginning of the Christian Journey
Salvation is the starting point of a relationship with Jesus. It begins when we acknowledge that we were wrong and that God was right. It’s not just about following rules but about knowing and trusting Jesus personally.
Imagine you are lost in a huge forest with no way out. You try to find your own path, but every direction leads to more confusion and danger. Then, someone appears with a map and a flashlight, offering to guide you out. That person is Jesus. Accepting salvation is like deciding to trust the guide instead of wandering aimlessly. It’s realizing you need help and choosing to follow the One who knows the way.
What Does the Bible Say?
Acts 2:38-39, “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’” Salvation is available to everyone who turns to Jesus. It’s an invitation to a new life, filled with the presence and power of God.
My personal testimony of how I came to the Savior began when I went from trying to understand God to simply trusting Him and His Word. I was trained in the sciences and became a high school chemistry and biology teacher. Science, as you know, has to do with being able to see, taste, hear, smell, and touch the physical world. You cannot effectively understand the spiritual realm using scientific methods. However, this is exactly how I approached God! and it did not work. I was leaning on my own understanding instead of admitting I was wrong and that I needed Jesus in my life; that’s repentance. I had what some refer to as an “Ah-ha moment” or “Eureka” I got it: Jesus is who God says He is, He is the way, the truth and the Life!
Isaiah 55:8-9 also was very influential in my life. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” My conclusion was, how can the created fully understand the creator? All we can do is trust and obey the Lord!
Baptism in Water: A Public Declaration of Faith
Water baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. It represents dying from our old way of life and rising into a new life with Jesus. Jesus does not rehabilitate He re-creates. Rehabilitation is about building a new structure on the old foundation. Re-creation is about building a new foundation and a new structure. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Notice that all things have become new!
Imagine a dirty, stained shirt that has been worn for weeks without washing. No matter how much perfume or deodorant you use, the smell remains. But once the shirt is washed, it becomes fresh and clean. Water baptism is like that—it doesn’t save you, but it is a sign that your old life has been washed away, and you are now living a new life in Christ.
Romans 6:1-4, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Not too long after receiving Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I was told that I needed to be water baptized. My natural self rebelled against the idea of baptism; it didn’t make any sense to me. Here again, I slipped into “leaning on my own understanding” instead of trusting the Lord and His instruction from the Bible. I thought to myself baptism was just a ritual and there was no benefit to being baptized, and in part, I was embarrassed to be baptized.
After a season of time, I did get baptized, and it turned out to be a glorious experience! I remember going down into the water, and after being fully submerged, there was a part of me that did not want to come to the surface. Something spiritual happened in the waters of baptism.
Baptism is a powerful step of obedience. It’s a way of telling the world, “I belong to Jesus.”
Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Power for the Christian Life
Water baptism is important, but Jesus also discussed another kind of baptism: the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Imagine trying to ride a bicycle up a steep hill. You pedal with all your strength, but the climb is exhausting and slow. Then, someone gives you an electric bike. Now, with the push of a button, you have extra power that helps you move forward easily. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is like that—it gives you supernatural strength, boldness, and guidance to live the Christian life effectively.
Acts 1:4, “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’”
Before Jesus left the earth, He told His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. He didn’t want them to try to live the Christian life in their own strength. Instead, He promised them supernatural power, a spiritual Helper. In the same way, each of us needs the help of the Holy Spirit to live the new life God has given us.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus says, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
This power wasn’t just for the early church—it’s for all believers today. The Holy Spirit gives us boldness, wisdom, and the ability to experience God’s presence in our daily lives. All you have to do is believe what Jesus promised and step out by faith; then, you will see the Lord working through you to perform the miracles only the Lord can do. The Holy Spirit needs a vessel to work through- say yes to Him!
Even after I was baptized, I did not believe that God did miracles for today. I was not taught that healing was for today and I had not seen a miracle until my father-in-law came to live with us. My father-in-law had suffered a stroke and was partially paralyzed on his right side. He walked with a cane and could not use his right arm, his arm just hung by his side.
My father-in-law heard about a healing service and told me he was going with a group of friends. I remember thinking that he was wasting his time. That evening, my father-in-law came into our home walking without his cane and excitedly asked for a pen. He leaned over the table with the pen and signed his name for the first time since his stroke. He was healed! He could walk and use his right side again, hallelujah! He received a miraculous healing, and I received the truth, which I hold to this day: God is still in the healing business! Since then, I have seen God work miracle after miracle in the lives of countless people.
Jesus is the healer, and He can heal you or work through you to bring healing to others. All of this through the Holy Spirit. Remember what Jesus said in the gospel of John 14:12, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
Experiencing God’s Power Today
That pastor, I mentioned in the beginning, eventually realized that the “stuff” he was looking for was real. When he and his church started praying for people, they saw miracles happen. The sick were healed, people were set free, and lives were changed.
The same Holy Spirit that worked through Jesus and the early disciples is still at work today. All we have to do is seek God, surrender to His will, and step out in faith.
How Can You Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit?
1. Ask God for It – Jesus said in Luke 11:13, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
2. Spend Time in God’s Presence, Worship, prayer, and reading the Bible to help us grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit.
3. Step Out in Faith, Sometimes, we don’t experience God’s power because we’re afraid to take risks. But when we pray for others, share our faith, and obey God, we will see Him move in amazing ways.
Conclusion: Are You Ready to Experience the “Stuff”?
Christianity isn’t just about knowing the right things—it’s about knowing Jesus personally. Salvation is just the beginning. When you choose to follow Jesus, get baptized, and seek the Holy Spirit, you open the door to an amazing life filled with God’s power.
The question I asked in the beginning is still relevant today: “When do we get to do the stuff?” The answer? Right now! If you’re ready to experience more of God, don’t wait. Pray, seek Him, and step out in faith. He’s ready to work in and through you!
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182 – The Christian Journey of Salvation
As Christians, we commonly use the word salvation to mean being “born again.” We talk about being saved or not saved, but what does that really mean? In its most straightforward understanding, it means that by putting our faith or our trust in Jesus Christ, we are saved. Our faith is in Jesus alone, and as a result of that faith, we believe that His crucifixion, death, and resurrection purchased something that we could never obtain on our own. We believe that faith in Jesus has caused the following: our sins to be forgiven, a restored relationship with God the Father, His Holy Spirit to come live in us and that we will have eternal life with God in Heaven!
If the above is what you believe, then you are absolutely correct; however, there is more! These facts of being forgiven, in a proper relationship with the Father, and knowing you have eternal life are the beginning of understanding what being “born-again” means. As the term born again implies, you have been spiritually reborn, and this rebirth not only changes your spirit, but it also changes your soul and body. Show More
In the gospel of John chapter 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus that to see the kingdom of God, you must be “born again.” The key to successful living as a Christian is to see yourself as born again or a new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. As long as Nicodemus tried to understand with his mind what Jesus was saying, he remained confused. The key is not simply understanding what Jesus said; the key is to believe and then act as if you believe. In other words, to be a doer of the word is the definition of faith. Knowing something to be true is not the same as applying that truth to one’s life. For example, if I believe that I am forgiven of all my sins, then I should never allow guilt, shame, or condemnation to control me. I know that example may be difficult to apply, but I need to be moving in that direction of trust. As I like to say, “We are works in progress!”
Abraham of the Bible is called the father of faith, and it was accounted to him as righteousness. God told Abraham to leave his home and go to a place he did not know. When Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were old, God told them that they would have a child. The scriptures say that Abraham did not waver in faith but believed in God. Romans 4:19-22, “And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Abraham believed in the Lord and did those things that demonstrated that he believed.
To see yourself as a new creation, it is helpful to understand that the concept of being born again is deeply intertwined with righteousness, justification, holiness, and sanctification, alongside the balancing ideas of grace, mercy, and justice. Together, these elements help us understand God’s redemptive work in us; God is at work in our spirit, soul, and body.
These mentioned terms are not simply theological precepts or concepts; in fact, they declare that we are standing in a new position with God. Once, we were separated from God, and now we are joined with Him. Now we must learn to walk by faith and not lean on our understanding.
God’s justice requires a sacrifice for sin, and Jesus became that sacrifice, once and for all, for those who would trust Him. Because God’s justice has been met He extends us mercy, withholding what we all deserve: Death! God’s gift of grace declares that you are righteous, justified, holy, and sanctified. These terms describe our new position in Christ. You see, it is not about how you feel or think; it is all about what Jesus has done and what God says about you. Justice, mercy, and grace all through Jesus Christ and Him alone!
Righteousness
Righteousness, in Christian theology, is the quality of being morally right or justifiable in the sight of God. People, according to Scripture, fall short of God’s standard of righteousness due to sin. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” However, righteousness is not achieved by human effort but is imputed to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. The word imputed means that God’s righteousness is credited or attributed to us as Believers. As Paul writes, “For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This righteousness is not earned or deserved but a divine gift, enabling believers to stand justified before God. Remember, Jesus paid the price for sin on the cross. At the same time, we should always choose the path of righteousness as a reflection of the righteousness God has given us.
Think of a clean white shirt or robe that has no stains. This is how God sees you after Jesus takes your sin away on the Cross of Calvary; Jesus takes away sin and replaces it with righteousness. Righteousness represents being pure and right in God’s sight.
- Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, Says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’”
- Romans 3:22, “Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.”
Justification
Justification is the act by which God declares a sinner to be righteous. It is a legal term meaning clearing from guilt and sin. In Christian theology, justification is achieved solely through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works. As Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ, believers are justified and reconciled to God, marking the beginning of their journey in faith.
For example, picture a courtroom where you are guilty of breaking the law. The judge, instead of declaring you guilty, says, “You’re free to go—your debt is paid.” Jesus paid your debt and took the punishment you deserved upon Himself. Justification in Christianity is being declared righteous before God because Jesus paid the penalty for sin. As it says in Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Holiness
When we think of holiness, we often think of those who are pious, saintly, or religious. That is NOT the scriptural definition of holiness. Holiness refers to the state of being set apart for God’s purposes. It is both an attribute of God and a calling for His people. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” For Christians, holiness is not merely about moral purity but a life devoted to God. This involves transforming character and conduct, aligning one’s life with God’s will. This transformation takes place when we partner with the Holy Spirit and learn how to be led by the Spirit of God.
For example, think of a special, beautiful plate or bowl set aside for important occasions—it’s not for everyday use. In the same way holiness in Christianity means being set apart for God and living a life that reflects His character. 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
Sanctification
Sanctification is the ongoing process of being made holy, a work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. Unlike justification, which is a one-time act, sanctification takes place over time. It involves daily growth in grace, faith, and obedience as believers are conformed to the image of Christ. Philippians 1:6 captures this idea: “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Sanctification equips Christians to live in a manner that reflects God’s character and furthers His kingdom on earth.
For example, imagine planting a seed and watching it grow into a strong, fruitful tree over time. In the same way, sanctification is the process of growing spiritually and becoming more like Jesus with the help of the Bible and the Holy Spirit. We are all “works in progress.”
The apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Grace, Mercy, and Justice
Grace is God’s unmerited favor, freely given to humanity. It is through grace that salvation is made possible, as demonstrated in Christ’s atoning sacrifice. As the Bible states, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). The person is not only forgiven but also given an unexpected gift. Grace is God giving us eternal life and blessings we don’t deserve.
Mercy, on the other hand, is God’s compassion in withholding the punishment that sinners deserve. Lamentations 3:22-23 declares, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” The person deserves punishment but is forgiven instead. Mercy is God withholding the punishment we deserve.
Justice reflects God’s righteousness and the need of addressing sin. As Isaiah 30:18 states, “For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.” At the cross, these three attributes come together: God’s justice is satisfied through Christ’s sacrifice, His mercy is displayed in forgiving sinners, and His grace is extended in offering eternal life. As Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly proclaims, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Conclusion
The Christian belief in salvation is a deep expression of God’s love and sovereignty. It includes righteousness, justification, holiness, and sanctification, each revealing a side of God’s redemptive plan. Through the relationship of grace, mercy, and justice, salvation is made available to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ. However, knowing that the Bible says that you are righteous, justified, holy, and sanctified is not the same as seeing yourself that way.
Seeing yourself as righteous will strengthen your relationship with the Righteous one, Jesus. Seeing yourself as justified will prevent the devil from trying to heap guilt, shame, and condemnation upon you. Recognizing that you are holy in God’s eyes will keep you mindful of His plans and purposes for your life. Finally, seeing yourself as being sanctified will help you realize that the Holy Spirit is doing a lifetime work that will produce the character and nature of Jesus. This transformation journey will lead you into deeper communion with God, shaping you to reflect His glory and preparing you for eternity in His presence.
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181 Walking by Faith, Pt 4. “Faith working through Love!”
Pastor Vic’s Nuggets of Truth181 Walking by Faith, Pt 4. “Faith working through Love!”
/RSS FeedMustard Seed Faith: A Journey of Transformation
The writer of the book of Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that it is impossible to please God without faith! The writer says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). It is wonderful that all we need is the smallest measure of faith to start our faith walk, and Romans 12:3 tells us that the Lord graciously gives us that seed of faith. Like any seed, the destiny of that seed is to grow. Show More
Faith in seed form, in its purest form, is as small as a mustard seed but holds the power to transform or change lives and move mountains. The mustard seed is considered to be one of the smallest seeds in the plant kingdom and yet can grow into trees ten feet tall. Jesus, in Matthew 17:20, uses this profound imagery to highlight the power of unwavering faith, stating, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
In the same way, Jesus uses this metaphor to encourage His followers to forgive repeatedly. You may recall that the disciples struggled with the question of how often you must forgive someone. However, Jesus emphasized that even the smallest amount of faith can uproot deeply entrenched challenges like forgiving those who repeatedly ask for forgiveness. Luke 17:6 “So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Jesus was stating that what was impossible with man was possible for “God in us,” as the scriptures state:
- 1 Corinthians 6:19, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
- Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- 1 John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
These three verses are worth memorizing and then recalling when facing our challenging times.
But how do we grow from seed faith to greater faith?
The Apostle Paul provides a roadmap in Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Paul declares the gospel as “the power of God to salvation” and explains that righteousness is revealed as we live “from faith to faith.”This faith growth is a journey – like a mustard seed that starts small yet grows into a tree that provides shelter and support for others (Matthew 13:31-32, Luke 13:19). Our faith, when cultivated, grows to produce not only belief but action and change from within or what we call transformation.
Faith as Trust and Relationship
The Bible often describes faith as a relationship with God. It’s not just following a set of rules or knowing facts about Him. It’s about leaning on Him when life is hard and trusting Him to guide you even when you don’t see the whole picture. For example:
- Abraham is called the “father of faith” because he trusted God enough to leave his home and follow God’s instructions, even though he didn’t know where he was going (Genesis 12:1-4).
- In Hebrews 11:1, faith is described as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This means we trust God even when we can’t see how things will work out.
Faith also means accepting God’s promises about salvation. The Bible teaches that we are saved by faith in Jesus, not by our own efforts. When we believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, we are putting our faith in God’s plan for us.
So, faith is like saying, “I trust You, God, no matter what happens.” It’s about giving Him control over your life and believing He knows what’s best for you. This kind of trust changes how we live—it gives us peace, hope, and courage, even in difficult times. However, this growth depends upon faith being “worked through love,” emphasizing that love is the fertile ground where faith takes root.
Faith working through love
The phrase “faith working through love” comes from Galatians 5:6, where Paul writes, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” In a biblical sense, this phrase, “faith working through love.” captures the principle of a genuine, living faith that shows in acts of love and compassion. Let’s take a deeper look into this type of faith:
Working Through Love
Love is how we show that our faith in God is real. It’s the outward proof that something has changed in our hearts because of our relationship with Him. If we truly trust God and are connected to Him, it will naturally lead us to love others.
The Bible teaches that love is central to living as a follower of Jesus. Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). This kind of love isn’t just about feelings—it’s about actions. It’s how we treat people, even when it’s hard.
The Bible also says that love is the most important quality for Christians. In 1 Corinthians 13:2, Paul writes, “If I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” This reminds us that no matter how much we claim to believe in God, it doesn’t mean much unless it leads us to love others.
In short, love is the evidence that our faith is alive and real. When we trust God, His love fills our hearts and overflows into how we treat the people around us. Whether it’s through kindness, forgiveness, or helping those in need, love is the way we reflect God’s goodness to the world.
Faith and Love Go Together
Faith and love are like two sides of the same coin—they always go hand in hand. If you truly trust God and believe in His promises, it will naturally lead to love. Love is the fruit or result of real faith. Without love, faith becomes empty or even meaningless.
Let me repeat how Paul explains this clearly in 1 Corinthians 13:2, where he says, “If I have a faith that can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.” This shows that faith by itself isn’t enough; it has to lead to actions that are loving and kind. True faith isn’t just believing in God—it’s allowing that belief to change how we live and interact with others. Think of it like this:
- Faith is the root, firmly planted in God’s grace.
- Love is the fruit, showing that the tree (our faith) is alive and healthy.
- James also emphasizes this connection, saying that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). Faith working through love means your trust in God inspires you to care for others, treat them kindly, and live in a way that honors Him.
Faith is Not About Rules or Legalism
In the book of Galatians, Paul was writing to people who were confused about whether following Jewish laws, like circumcision, was necessary for salvation. He wanted them to understand that these rituals and rules don’t make someone right with God. Instead, salvation comes through faith in Jesus.
- This is why Paul says in Galatians 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” It’s not about following a checklist of rules to earn God’s approval. Instead, what matters is trusting in Jesus and letting that faith transform your heart, so it leads you to love others.
- This truth frees Christians from legalism—the idea that we have to follow strict religious rules to be accepted by God. Instead, faith working through love focuses on the relationship we have with God and how that relationship changes the way we live. It’s not about trying to earn salvation but about responding to God’s grace by loving Him and others.
How to Show Faith Through Love
Faith working through love is something we can live out in practical, everyday ways. It’s not just about big, dramatic actions—it’s about small, consistent choices to care for others and reflect God’s love in everything we do. Here are some ways we can show faith through love:
- Helping Others: When someone is in need, whether it’s a friend, family member, or even a stranger, offering help is a way to show love. This could be giving food to someone who’s hungry, comforting a friend who’s sad, or supporting a charity that helps people in need.
- Being Kind and Patient: Love shows in how we speak and act. Being kind, even when others are rude, or showing patience when someone is difficult, are powerful ways to live out faith. These actions reflect the fruit of the Spirit.
- Forgiving People: When you forgive someone who hurt you, you’re showing God’s love. Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but it’s a way of trusting God and letting go of anger.
- Encouraging and Building Others Up: Words have the power to lift people up or tear them down. Use your words to encourage others, speak kindly, and remind people of God’s love for them.
- Living with Humility: Serving others without expecting anything in return is a powerful way to show love. Jesus Himself served His disciples by washing their feet (John 13:12-15). Following His example, we can look for ways to humbly care for those around us.
In short, faith working through love means letting your trust in God inspire you to love others in real, practical ways. It’s about showing God’s love in everything you do—whether big or small—so that others can see His goodness through your life.
Conclusion
“Faith working through love” captures the heart of what it means to live as a follower of Christ. Faith is about trusting God completely, believing in His promises, relying on His grace, and building a relationship with Him. But faith is not meant to stay hidden or private. True faith is alive and active, and its clearest evidence is love.
Love is how our faith comes to life. It’s seen in the way we care for others, show kindness and patience, forgive those who hurt us, and humbly serve those in need. It’s not about following a set of religious rules or rituals; it’s about letting God’s love fill our hearts and overflow into our actions.
Faith and love are deeply connected. Faith is the root that anchors us in God, and love is the fruit that grows from it. Without love, our faith is empty, and without faith, our love cannot reflect the selfless, sacrificial nature of God’s love for us.
Living out “faith working through love” is a daily journey. It’s a way of life that frees us from legalism and points us back to the simple yet profound truth that God’s love transforms everything. When we trust in Him and let His love guide us, our faith becomes a powerful witness to His goodness and grace in the world.
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180 – Walking by Faith, Part 3
Faith Is Required To Believe What God Says About You.
Walking by faith means trusting God completely, even when we don’t understand everything. Faith helps us live the way God wants us to. It gives us the strength to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. This message explains how faith makes us right with God, how it helps us live holy lives, and how it changes us to become better people. Show More
Faith and Doing What’s Right
What Is Faith?
Faith means believing in things we can’t see yet. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It’s like trusting that the sun will come up tomorrow, even though it’s still night.
Abraham showed strong faith when God promised him a vast family, even though he and his wife Sarah were barren and very old. Abraham believed God would keep His promise, and he was right! God gave Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac, when Abraham was about 100 years old! This kind of trust is what God wants from us.
This kind of trust is not based on emotions or feelings; it is based on deciding to believe what God says. Once we have made the decision, we must act or perform according to the decision. A phrase I often use in my life is the following, “I don’t want to be a legend in my own mind!” This means that I may have noble and courageous thoughts, but if I don’t do what God has called me to do, I let God down and let myself down and those around me.
Walking by faith produces righteousness in us. Faith is the key to being close to God. For example, in the Bible, Abraham trusted God so much that God said he was “righteous,” which means he was living the right way. Listen to what Romans 4:3 says,” For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now see what God saw in Abraham; Romans 4:19-21, “And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” Abraham believed what God said, even when it seemed impossible. Because of his faith, God blessed him.
We must decide that since we have a God for whom nothing is impossible and we belong to Him, nothing is impossible for us if God has called us to it; the Lord always equips those whom He calls.
Being righteous doesn’t mean being perfect. It means trusting God and letting Him lead us. When we have faith, we follow God’s direction and try to make good choices. This makes us more like Jesus, who always did what was right.
Keep this in mind, you are not righteous because you are good, you are righteous because of your faith in Jesus. The cross of Jesus is a public demonstration of God’s righteousness. God accounts for or transfers Christ’s righteousness to those who trust in Him. Again, I say, we do not become righteous because of our inherent goodness; God sees us as righteous because of our identification by faith with His Son.
You are Justified
The Bible teaches that we are “justified” by faith. This means that God forgives us and sees us as good people because we believe in Jesus. In Romans 5:1, it says, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This peace comes from knowing God loves us, no matter what.
We don’t earn God’s love by doing good things. Instead, God gives us His love as a gift when we believe in Him. Faith is like a bridge that connects us to God. It helps us feel close to Him and gives us hope. Here are three scriptures that speak to the issue of faith and justification.
Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”
Romans 3:28-30, “Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.”
Romans 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
You are Righteous
Because of your faith in Jesus Christ, you are declared righteous, and the Holy Spirit has enabled you to know what is right and what is wrong. The Holy Spirit living in you is your compass in life; the Word of God, the Bible, is your map. With the Spirit of God and the Word of God, you can know what is right.
Here are some scriptures on righteousness.
Romans 1:17, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 3:22, “Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;”
Romans 4:5, “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,”
2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”
You are Holy
Living a Holy Life
God wants us to live holy lives. To be holy means to be special and set apart for God and His purposes. The Bible says we should give our lives to God and live in a way that pleases Him. This means making good choices, treating others kindly, and staying away from things that are wrong. Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
God helps us live holy lives through His Spirit. The Bible calls us His “temple” because He lives in us and works in our hearts. 1 Corinthians 3:17 states, “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” When we make mistakes, God forgives us when we repent and helps us do better next time.
Holiness is God’s plan for usListen to Ephesians 1:4, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,” And now 2 Timothy 1:9, “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,”
You are Sanctified
Becoming More Like Jesus
Faith helps us grow and change. This is called “sanctification,” which means becoming more like Jesus. When we believe in Jesus, God starts to change our hearts. We learn to love others more, forgive people who hurt us, and make choices that honor God.
The Bible says in John 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” This means the Bible helps us grow closer to God. When we read it, we learn how to live the way He wants us to.
God also gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us. The Holy Spirit is like a teacher who helps us know what is right and gives us the power to do it. Sanctification isn’t something that happens all at once. It’s a journey, and God is with us every step of the way.
The Apostle Paul gives his personal testimony of Jesus’ call on his life and said in Acts 26:18, “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”
1 Corinthians 6:11, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
The power of the Gospel is that it changes you from the inside out. That is the meaning of being transformed, as we find in Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” We begin to think differently because the Holy Spirit reveals the truth in the Bible, and we now want to please God.
Our nature has been changed. We are no longer sinners unable to help ourselves, but our sin-nature has been replaced by a nature that is able to be led by the Spirit of God. The Apostle Paul confirms this in Romans 7 when he says that human nature is weak; he says that when I want to do the right thing, I wind up not doing it, and when I want to avoid doing the wrong thing, that is the very thing I do! Haven’t we all experienced that? Paul says in, Romans 7:24-25, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” The Bible confirms the wonderful truth that in Jesus Christ there is deliverance. Then Paul makes a wonderful statement in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” The Devil will try to use guilt and shame to separate us from the Lord. However, the Lord says you are not condemned but that you are free! In John 8:31-32. & 36 Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
Conclusion
When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, a spiritual transaction took place. Because of your faith in God, you are made righteous; that is, you are standing rightly before God. Because of your faith in Jesus, you have been justified, and all your sins are forgiven. Because of your faith in Jesus, God declares you are holy, this means you are fit to be used by God. Finally, because of your faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is at work in you, sanctifying you as you are transformed into the image of God’s son, Jesus.
Walking by faith is all about trusting God and letting Him lead us. Faith makes us right with God, helps us live holy lives, and changes us to be more like Jesus. When we walk by faith, we can feel God’s love and share it with others. Faith isn’t just believing in God; it’s living for Him every day. It’s a journey of love, trust, and growth. As we walk by faith, we show the world how great God is and how much He cares for everyone.
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179 Walking by Faith – Part 2
In the last episode or post, we defined the difference between natural faith and spiritual faith. Spiritual faith is what moves the Lord. Spiritual faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as,“Now faith is the substance (guarantee) of things hoped for, the evidence (convincing proof) of things not seen.”
Faith enables us to treat the future as present, the invisible as seen!
Faith and Grace are two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, God has extended grace through Jesus Christ. Grace, in this sense, means that God offers us free gifts. In the biblical sense, grace isn’t something you can work for; grace is not earned or deserved; grace is unconditional. Show More
All of our natural lives, we have had to work for approval or acceptance. When you were good, you were rewarded. The Old Covenant showed us how impossible it was to observe the Law perfectly to be good enough for God. However, as New Covenant believers, what was impossible for us to accomplish, God did for us through Jesus Christ. Jesus did all the work for us; all we need to do is believe that what Jesus did was enough.
As I said, grace and faith are two sides of the same coin; as I have explained, grace, now, let’s look at how faith (belief) is attached to thatgrace. God’s grace or gifts are like unopened boxes; faith is how we open the boxes.
For example, if you had a winning lottery ticket for some great prize, wouldn’t you claim it? As long as you keep the lottery ticket in your pocket, you don’t have the prize money. You must surrender the ticket to receive the prize. Grace works in the same way; you may know that you have grace, but as long as you don’t act upon that grace, it is simply an idea or concept.
You see, faith is action! Knowing what is true is not the same as acting as if it were true. Now, here is the challenge: Faith requires action before what you believe for comes to pass.
Of course, the greatest gift of God is our salvation. Jesus offers us the gift of heaven, the washing away of our sins, the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and the promises found in the Bible. This means that guilt, shame, and condemnation are no longer part of our lives. We are made clean and free through the Cross of Calvary.
The following Bible verses reveal that true faith, and grace are wrapped up in one.
Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Romans 4:16, “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.”
Grace is what the Lord has provided through Jesus Christ; our task is to take what has been promised and apply the truths of those promises to our lives; it is believing and living God’s promises in everyday life. So, the logical question is, what has God promised?
Bible Promises
The Bible contains thousands of promises. According to one account, there are over 3500 promises in the Bible. The promises are to all Believers who will believe that these promises are “yes and amen.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” The promises of God are “yes,” which means that they are true, and “amen,” which comes from a Hebrew word, which means that the promises are trustworthy!
Often, our minds are challenged to believe the promises of the Bible because we tend to look at our natural circumstances instead of looking to our supernatural God! We want proof before we act, but the Lord says, “Act, and I will give you proof.”
Another possible obstacle to believing the Bible’s promises is that we consider ourselves unworthy to receive such great promises. Let me remind you that Jesus thought you were worthy and died for you. If you were the only person on earth, Jesus would have died for you!
You are precious in His Sight. Yes, it is true that you are imperfect, but then all of us are imperfect; that is why it must be of grace and not of our efforts to be good. Before I am misunderstood let me say that we should try to be good according to the standards of the Bible. We are all works in progress, and the work of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit is to renew our minds and transform us into the image of Christ. Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
The Bible is filled with examples of imperfect men and women walking by faith, not sight. Hebrews chapter 11 names the following as examples of faith: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rehab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and countless unnamed men and women. These examples are given to us to encourage us to know God’s promises and then to hear from His Holy Spirit when to believe as one who has already received the promise.
Look at what the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (the witnesses mentioned in chapter 11), let us lay aside every weight (anything that would hold us back such as fear, shame, guilt), and the sin (sin is, in essence, disbelief in what God has said, lack of faith) which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus (here is our focus), the author (Romans 12:3 says that He has given all a measure of faith) and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus did not look at His circumstances but looked to the Father. Jesus knew He had to endure some terrible hardships, but He also knew that He had the victory even before He started. The Bible says you are more than a conqueror and that you can do all things through Jesus Christ, who strengthens you. Trust Jesus and walk by faith and not by sight.
Faith works, but faith must be God’s way!
Here are some faith principles to consider as you grow your faith in the Lord.
- Get Serious – What I mean is that you consider prayer as a primary means of communication with God and not just a religious act. James 4:2b says, “Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” The prayer of faith is not something you “toss up” to heaven and hope for the best. Listen to James 5:16b, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Can you see that there is nothing casual about this statement? It takes a passionate yet confident attitude that the Lord hears us and this can only happen when we are confident that we are right with God. Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Remember, it is not faith in faith, but faith in the person of the One who made the promise, our Lord God.
- Get Right Motives – As humans, we tend to think that the world revolves around us and that it is all about us. However, James 4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” In other words, we have a personal agenda or our own wants. Instead, we should be thinking of bringing glory to Him, the One who saved us. When the Lord fulfills prayer, we need to testify and praise Him to all around us so that they may see that the Lord is real and at work in our lives.
What are the right motives? Personal revelation through His Word. You can never go wrong when you pray the Word of God, the Bible’s scriptures, as the Holy Spirit leads you. It is so true what someone once said, “Faith is impossible unless the will of God is known.” Make sure what you are praying for is scriptural. - Get on Solid Ground – The greatest enemy of faith is doubt. The enemy of your soul, the Devil, comes to steal, kill, and destroy your faith in God. The Devil does his evil work by planting lies in your mind about the love, forgiveness, and acceptance you have in the Lord. The Devil wants to put a “wedge” between you and the Lord. In John 10:10, Jesus promised us an abundant life—a more abundant life! However, at the same time, he warns us about the Devil, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”We must resist doubts when they come by focusing on God’s goodness and the fact that nothing is impossible with Him. A final warning from James 1:6-8, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
- Walk out your faith! Act as if you have already received what you have prayed for. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Faith always starts with a decision to believe what God has said regardless of the circumstances or the doubters around us trying to undermine our faith. If the Lord has spoken to you, believe and receive the promise.
In conclusion, faith is a decision! It is not a feeling, emotion, religious rite, or ritual. Faith is believing God’s promises and then acting like they have been accomplished. So, get serious with God, make sure your motives are pure, don’t let doubt corrupt your thinking, and believe what you have asked for is done and give the glory to God!
- Get Serious – What I mean is that you consider prayer as a primary means of communication with God and not just a religious act. James 4:2b says, “Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” The prayer of faith is not something you “toss up” to heaven and hope for the best. Listen to James 5:16b, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Can you see that there is nothing casual about this statement? It takes a passionate yet confident attitude that the Lord hears us and this can only happen when we are confident that we are right with God. Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Remember, it is not faith in faith, but faith in the person of the One who made the promise, our Lord God.
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178 Walking by Faith, Part 1
Throughout Christian history, every Believer has been responsible for knowing Jesus and making Him known to others. Our first responsibility is to be in a relationship with Jesus through His Holy Spirit. This means learning what Jesus purchased for us at the cross of Calvary; we are justified, saved, forgiven, made righteous, and empowered to serve the Lord. It is our faith in the one who saved us, Jesus! who enables us to be healed and made whole in our souls.
Our faith must be in the Lord and Him alone. When we are in a relationship with the Lord, we get to know Him in a personal way, and with that comes a trust or faith in Him and His word. Jesus has called us to become faith walkers. 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us that we are to, “Walk by faith and not by sight.” Our relationship is spirit to Spirit. Someone once said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience!” How true that statement is, and once accepted as truth, it changes how we see ourselves and the world we live in. Show More
Our second responsibility is known as the Great Commission, which Jesus gave to His followers and is found at the end of each of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Notice that I said every Believer, not just prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. So often, we assume that the work of the Gospel is for what is known as the “five-fold ministry,” described in Ephesians 4:11, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,” While it is true that the Lord gave these ministry gifts for the benefit of the church, it is not true that they are the only ones responsible for the message of the Gospel. Every Believer is responsible and empowered to share the Gospel or “Good News.”
Too often, as Christians, we think, “Let the pastor do it,” when, in fact, the Lord is calling you to rise up and be His ministers of truth, light, and life. Jesus told his followers in Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Those who heard the message at that time knew Jesus in the flesh and had faith in Him and His words because of their relationship with Him. Today, we have a relationship with the resurrected Jesus by His Spirit, and we know that He is alive and has a plan for our lives. It is no different today than it was when Jesus walked the earth; the issue is faith! Will you believe?
Faith is central to our salvation, our relationship with the Lord, and our God-given destiny. So, what do we mean when we talk about faith? Is faith natural or supernatural? Let’s take a look at the difference between the two.
Natural Faith – Dictionary
- Allegiance to duty or a person: loyalty, fidelity to one’s promises, sincerity of intentions.
- Belief and trust in and loyalty to God, belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion, and firm belief in something for which there is no proof of complete trust.
- Something that is believed with strong conviction, a system of religious beliefs.
The kind of faith described here is based upon understanding, sometimes called intellectual assent. You agree that something is true, but are you willing to trust your life to that truth? For example, it is easier to fight for a principle than it is to live by that principle. I remember someone saying that most people are “legends in their own minds!” In other words, they picture themselves as strong and courageous in their imagination, but when it comes to action, they fail to live up to the truth. In the second part of Daniel 11:32 it says, “but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” You see, a strong Christian is one who knows the truth and does the truth. That’s faith in action
Spiritual Faith – Bible
Hebrews 11:1 States that “faith is the substance (guarantee) of things hoped for and the evidence (convincing proof) of things not seen (invisible).” There is a sense of certainty when we speak of faith in this sense. It is seeing the invisible.
- Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse”
- Colossians 1:15, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
- Timothy 1:17, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
- Hebrews 11:27, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Spiritual faith means that we believe what God has said in His Word, the Bible, and confirmed by His Holy Spirit. It is a knowing in our hearts that God is true and will never leave or forsake us or break His promises.
The Apostle Paul gives us an illustration of this kind of spiritual faith when he describes the faith of Abraham in Romans 4:19-22, “And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore it was accounted to him for righteousness.” From these verses, we see that Abraham did not look at the natural facts of his old age but could see the invisible workings of an all-powerful God.
The key to true spiritual faith is 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” It’s a simple statement, but so profound. It means that we don’t need evidence first to believe; we believe, and then the evidence of our faith appears.
Christian faith relies upon the Word of God—Jesus; the power of God—the Holy Spirit; and the love of God—the Father. This is our faith position.
- Not faith in faith, but faith in Him.
- Our faith is relational. Oswald Chambers said, “We blunder when we tell people they must believe certain things about Jesus Christ; a man cannot believe until he knows him, then belief is spontaneous and natural.”
You see, we don’t need more understanding; we need more trust and reliance upon Him! Hear what the scriptures says in Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
The human mind cannot understand God’s mind. No matter how brilliant a mind is, it cannot come close to God’s mind. The good news is that everything the Lord feels we need to know He graciously gives us. Deuteronomy 29:29 says the following, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Remember that God is not influenced by how we think He should work; His plan is always better than yours.
Faith is our position as Christians, having done all we stand!
Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 6:34 that we will experience troubles in this life, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” However, at the same time, Jesus makes it clear that He has overcome the world’s troubles. John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” We can trust the Lord because He always keeps His promises and that becomes apparent when we learn to walk by faith and not by sight.
Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
In other words, troubles, trials, and tribulations will fall on us, but we are called to stand in faith; when we do, we are not responsible for the results—God is, and He will give us the victory! The Lord does not create life’s problems, but He will use them to perfect our faith. Because faith is not simply an idea it is an action. The evidence of faith is found in the action or deed.
Your faith must be tested.
“If your faith has not been tested, how can you trust in your faith? Are we “legends in our own minds,” or do we truly “walk by faith and not by sight?”
I believe the following accurately explains how God takes everyday situations to develop our faith:
- If you ask for Patience, God will allow Trials to develop your endurance
- If you ask for Strength, God will allow Difficulties to make you strong
- If you ask for Wisdom, God will provide Problems for you to solve
- If you ask for Prosperity, God provides you Wisdom and Strength to work
- If you ask for Courage, God will allow Perils to overcome
- If you ask for Love, God will provide Troubled People to help
- If you ask for Favor, God will give you Opportunities
You may not get everything you Want, but you will get everything you Need because our God is a faithful God.
You may ask, “What do I do when doubt or fear enter my mind?” Let’s go to the Bible. You may recall the time that Jesus healed a demon-possessed child in Mark 9. Listen to what Jesus said and the response of the child’s father. Mark 9:23-24, “Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Faith is the doorway to seeing God work, and there will be times when we can release faith in a situation. However, if we are honest, there may also be times when doubts enter our hearts. That is when we must be open with the Lord, confess our unbelief, and ask Him to help us overcome that unbelief. Doubt, fear, and unbelief are the enemies of genuine faith in the Lord because they prevent us from action, and action is the evidence of faith.
If we want to strengthen our faith in God we must be in the Word of God, the Bible. Because faith comes from hearing the Word of God. We must also be careful who we associate with. Friends, co-workers, and sometimes even family can be a negative influence if they are not strong Believers in Jesus Christ. Of course, it is impossible to avoid every negative person because we are in the world, but the Bible says we are not of the world. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” So, to the greatest extent possible, we must try to surround ourselves with people with righteous attitudes and behavior.
Finally, remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” If you let the Lord guide your actions, you will walk in His blessings.
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183 When does the “stuff” happen?
/RSS FeedWhen’s the Stuff Going to Happen?
Many people believe they need to become better people before they can get close to Jesus. However, the truth is, if you draw closer to Jesus, He will make you a better person. The Lord doesn’t want to put you into a mold and make you look like a Christian. The Lord wants to change you from the inside out to make you a Christian. This process is called transformation. Look at Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The Lord’s perfect will is that you become like Jesus and that in life’s situations, you would do what Jesus would do. Jesus empowered us, through the Holy Spirit, to do the following in Mark 16:15-18, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Show More
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182 – The Christian Journey of Salvation
/RSS FeedAs Christians, we commonly use the word salvation to mean being “born again.” We talk about being saved or not saved, but what does that really mean? In its most straightforward understanding, it means that by putting our faith or our trust in Jesus Christ, we are saved. Our faith is in Jesus alone, and as a result of that faith, we believe that His crucifixion, death, and resurrection purchased something that we could never obtain on our own. We believe that faith in Jesus has caused the following: our sins to be forgiven, a restored relationship with God the Father, His Holy Spirit to come live in us and that we will have eternal life with God in Heaven!
If the above is what you believe, then you are absolutely correct; however, there is more! These facts of being forgiven, in a proper relationship with the Father, and knowing you have eternal life are the beginning of understanding what being “born-again” means. As the term born again implies, you have been spiritually reborn, and this rebirth not only changes your spirit, but it also changes your soul and body. Show More
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181 Walking by Faith, Pt 4. “Faith working through Love!”
/RSS FeedMustard Seed Faith: A Journey of Transformation
The writer of the book of Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that it is impossible to please God without faith! The writer says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). It is wonderful that all we need is the smallest measure of faith to start our faith walk, and Romans 12:3 tells us that the Lord graciously gives us that seed of faith. Like any seed, the destiny of that seed is to grow. Show More
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180 – Walking by Faith, Part 3
/RSS FeedFaith Is Required To Believe What God Says About You.
Walking by faith means trusting God completely, even when we don’t understand everything. Faith helps us live the way God wants us to. It gives us the strength to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. This message explains how faith makes us right with God, how it helps us live holy lives, and how it changes us to become better people. Show More
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179 Walking by Faith – Part 2
/RSS FeedIn the last episode or post, we defined the difference between natural faith and spiritual faith. Spiritual faith is what moves the Lord. Spiritual faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as,“Now faith is the substance (guarantee) of things hoped for, the evidence (convincing proof) of things not seen.”
Faith enables us to treat the future as present, the invisible as seen!
Faith and Grace are two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, God has extended grace through Jesus Christ. Grace, in this sense, means that God offers us free gifts. In the biblical sense, grace isn’t something you can work for; grace is not earned or deserved; grace is unconditional. Show More
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178 Walking by Faith, Part 1
/RSS FeedThroughout Christian history, every Believer has been responsible for knowing Jesus and making Him known to others. Our first responsibility is to be in a relationship with Jesus through His Holy Spirit. This means learning what Jesus purchased for us at the cross of Calvary; we are justified, saved, forgiven, made righteous, and empowered to serve the Lord. It is our faith in the one who saved us, Jesus! who enables us to be healed and made whole in our souls.
Our faith must be in the Lord and Him alone. When we are in a relationship with the Lord, we get to know Him in a personal way, and with that comes a trust or faith in Him and His word. Jesus has called us to become faith walkers. 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us that we are to, “Walk by faith and not by sight.” Our relationship is spirit to Spirit. Someone once said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience!” How true that statement is, and once accepted as truth, it changes how we see ourselves and the world we live in. Show More
