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184 Why is it so hard to obey God?
Why Is It So Hard to Obey God?
I am sure that all of us have faced the age-old question of, “Why is it so hard to obey God?” The truth of the matter is that we cannot consistently obey the Lord in our own strength and discipline alone. We need help, we need power!
That is why Jesus ascended to the Father, so that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to us as the “Helper” John 14:15-18, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” Show More
Many see the Holy Spirit as power, and He is that. The Holy Spirit has the power to transform us to be Christlike. The Holy Spirit is available to us because of what Jesus accomplished for us on the Cross. We see in the birth of the Christian church in the book of Acts the release of the Holy Spirit, 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.” This is a promise of God!
The power of the Holy Spirit is made available to us so that we can be witnesses to Jesus. To be a witness in this sense means that we testify of His goodness, comfort, and healing in our own lives. Our testimony causes others to see what the Lord has done in us, which will, in turn, attract them to Jesus. Not only does surrendering to the Holy Spirit change us, but the Holy Spirit also enables us, by faith, to perform the miracles of God. 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.”
The work of the Holy Spirit
Imagine the Holy Spirit working through you to do the following:
The Great Commission, Mark 16:15-18, “And Jesus said to them, ‘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.” The Holy Spirit gives us boldness to represent Him, the King of kings! People are drawn to our confidence in our relationship with God and the power of the Gospel message.
Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control…” The Holy Spirit is the agent of change to manifest the character of God. Others are drawn to Jesus because of the change they see in us.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” Still others are drawn to the Gospel because they see the Holy Spirit as the power of God to do miracles.
All of these spiritual abilities and gifts are available to us as we recognize that the Holy Spirit is not a thing or just a power, but a person who can help strengthen us in our daily lives to do the things that honor the Lord. Because the Holy Spirit is a person, we can have a relationship with Him; after all, He is also God, one part of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Let’s examine the scriptural evidence that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, not just a power.
1. The Holy Spirit Has a Mind, Will, and Emotions
- Mind – The Spirit thinks and knows: “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10)
- Will – The Spirit makes decisions: “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:11)
- Emotions – The Spirit can be grieved: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
2. The Holy Spirit Speaks and Teaches
- The Spirit speaks to people: “Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot.’” (Acts 8:29)
- The Spirit teaches and reminds: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit… He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26)
3. The Holy Spirit Can Be Lied To and Resisted
- In Acts 5:3-4, Peter says Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit and then equates lying to the Spirit with lying to God—demonstrating both personality and divinity.
- Stephen rebukes the Sanhedrin for resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51), again pointing to the Spirit as someone who can be opposed—not something passive or abstract.
4. The Holy Spirit Has Relationships
- The Spirit relates to the Father and the Son within the Trinity. Jesus spoke of sending the Spirit (John 15:26), showing relationship and mutual interaction. The Spirit also relates to believers—He comforts, guides, convicts, and intercedes for them (Romans 8:26).
5. The Holy Spirit Is Addressed as “He”
- Jesus consistently referred to the Spirit using personal pronouns: “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13) This use of “He” (Greek ekeinos) is grammatically unnecessary unless the intention was to communicate personhood.
The only conclusion one can come to is that the Holy Spirit is not just a divine power or mystical energy. He is a divine person—the third Person of the Trinity—who loves, speaks, teaches, feels, and relates. Recognizing the Spirit as a person deepens our relationship with Him and allows us to respond not just with obedience, but with fellowship and worship. You see, that is the key to obedience: a relationship and fellowship of mutual love. We love Him. He loves us. Therefore, we want to be pleasing to him.
Now, back to the topic of “Why is it so hard to obey God?” I hope that you can see that without the work of the Holy Spirit, it is difficult, if not impossible, to overcome certain barriers to obedience. Without the Holy Spirit of God, we must try to overcome these common barriers in our own strength, and that doesn’t work because the battle is spiritual.
A lack of desire does not always hinder obedience to God, but unseen barriers within the heart and spirit often cause it. These obstacles can keep us from fully aligning with God’s will, no matter how sincere our intentions. Here are some areas to consider:
Inability to Sustain Change
Lasting transformation requires more than willpower—it requires inner healing and continued reliance upon the power of the Holy Spirit. Without addressing the root causes of our struggles, any outward change becomes temporary and unsustainable. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” — Romans 12:2
Emotional Injuries and Broken Trust
Wounds from past experiences—especially betrayal, abandonment, or rejection—make it difficult to trust others or even trust God. A heart that has not been healed can unknowingly resist the very love and guidance it needs. The Holy Spirit can reveal those hidden areas if we surrender to Him. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3
Demonic Strongholds
Strongholds are spiritual strong points—habitual patterns of thought or behavior—where the enemy has claimed ground. These areas are often rooted in lies we’ve believed about ourselves, others, or God. They must be exposed and broken through the truth of God’s Word and calling out to the Holy Spirit for guidance and help. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” — 2 Corinthians 10:4
Temptation: The Threefold Attack
In 1 John 2:15-17, Scripture reveals that the world draws us into sin through a three-pronged strategy:
- Lust of the Flesh – Desires that appeal to physical gratification.
- Lust of the Eyes – Cravings stirred by what we see and covet.
- Pride of Life – Arrogance, self-reliance, and the pursuit of status.
These same tactics were used in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-7) and continue to plague humanity today. What’s more, these temptations are not just ancient history—they can be seen in the lives of even the wisest among us. Let’s look at a case study: Solomon, the Wise man who fell.
Lust of the Flesh
Solomon “loved many foreign women,” which directly led him away from God’s commandments and into idolatry. “For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods.” — 1 Kings 11:4
Lust of the Eyes
His pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and extravagant beauty consumed him. He built great works and amassed riches, yet found them ultimately empty. “Whatever my eyes desired, I did not keep from them… Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done… and indeed all was vanity.” — Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
Pride of Life
Though subtle, Solomon’s pride is reflected in his later years, as he relied more on his accomplishments and status than on obedience to God. The kingdom he built began to crumble after his death, revealing the fruit of misplaced priorities. Solomon relied on alliances and human strategies rather than obedience to God. (1 Kings 11:5-8)
You may think that these biblical examples of King Solomon’s fall show that these tactics of Satan don’t happen anymore, but that would not be true. As a pastor, I have seen Satan use these strategies to hinder and cripple Christians in their walk with Jesus.
There Is Nothing New Under the Sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
Some think that the Lust of the Flesh is a struggle that only men have, but more and more, I have seen it in women as well, and that is the struggle with pornography. They justified it as “just a stress reliever,” but it created shame and distance from God. They eventually confessed to a mentor and entered accountability, finding healing through community and God’s grace.
The Lust of the Eyes is as much of a problem to us today as it was in Solomon’s time. Who has not wished their situation or circumstances were better in today’s modern societies? If only I had a car or a better car, a house or a bigger house, fancy clothes, and jewelry. The desire for “things” can cause us to take our eyes off the most important thing, the person of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Pride of Life is a crack in the armor for those who have had a measure of success in their careers and took pride in never needing help; these people are truly vulnerable. When they lost their jobs, they felt devastated. That experience made them realize they had placed their identity in their achievements instead of God’s love.
Hope for the Broken
Despite our frailty, God offers healing, strength, and restoration. Through forgiveness, truth, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome every obstacle. Here are some Steps Toward Obedience:
- Seek Healing: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any emotional wounds or spiritual strongholds that may be hindering your obedience.
- Renew the Mind: Fill your thoughts with Scripture and truth. (Romans 12:2) Invite the Holy Spirit to heal areas of mistrust and bitterness in your heart.
- Armor Up Daily: Prayer, Scripture, worship, and community keep your armor strong.
- Guard against the threefold temptation: by regularly examining your desires and motives.
- Learn from Solomon’s example: wisdom alone does not protect from compromise; only ongoing submission to God does.
- Walk in the Spirit: Let the Holy Spirit guide your steps (Galatians 5:16-25).
Obedience is hard because it requires surrender. But in surrender, there is freedom. In letting go, we are held. And in obedience, we find joy, purpose, and the power to overcome. “He who does the will of God abides forever.” —1 John 2:17
Conclusion: Why Obedience Is Possible Through Wholeness and Surrender to the Work of the Holy Spirit.
Obeying God is not merely a matter of discipline or willpower—it is the outcome of a healed and surrendered heart. As this study reveals, cracks in our spiritual armor—whether emotional wounds, pride, unforgiveness, or strongholds—can leave us vulnerable to temptation and disobedience. Even the most spiritually aware can fall prey to the ancient tactics of the enemy: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
Through the example of Solomon and countless modern believers, we see how unresolved pain and misplaced identity can erode obedience over time. But we are not left without hope. God offers healing for the brokenhearted, power for the weary, and grace for the fallen. Obedience becomes possible not by striving, but by allowing God to heal our souls, renew our minds, and guide our steps through the Holy Spirit.
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183 When does the “stuff” happen?
When’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!”
Mustard 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.
