A Thought for the Day – 083 –
Faith
Psalm 119:9 – How
can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word.
Comments and
challenges
Faith is the substance of things
hoped for, (it is) the evidence of things unseen; Hebrews 11:1-2. It does
matter what we talk about in this world and whatever we talk about we should
have knowledge of it, for if we do not and we speak, we are like foolish
babblers and soon our ignorance is found out. None would argue that the biblical
definition of “faith” is the dividing line between the “domain of darkness” and
the “kingdom of heaven”.
In Colossians 1:9-14 we are
reminded by the apostle Paul that there was a day in the domain of darkness that
he heard the message of the kingdom of heaven. He like all of the apostles heard
the same message and it is the same one that is shared by them and prayed over
by them to present to us who read of their knowledge of God. The writers of the
Epistles in the New Testament are strengthened with all might in this subject
with spiritual wisdom and understanding, additionally they too are praying that
we would be filled and strengthened with the same spiritual
blessing.
Also, we must be mindful that
even though many hear the message and of the many; even though equipped with the
facts, not all will heed the message since it is not mixed with faith. Always
when the facts are presented; one remaining ingredient is needed to provide
substance and produce evidence; that ingredient is faith. The best Biblical
example of biblical faith at work is Martha’s encounter with the LORD Jesus
after the death of her brother Lazarus recorded in the Gospel of John; John
11:17-27 and the best encounter of biblical failing faith is found in Matthew
27:3-10.
The first produces everlasting
life to those who believe God and the second produces everlasting death to those
who fail to believe (trust or faith) God who is the Author of Faith. Hebrews
12:1-2. So with all that said, let me go back to Hebrews 11:1-2 – Faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. The substance is
the GOSPEL of the grace of God (Acts 20:17-27), who gives us what we do not
deserve; that which we all NEED. For those of us who believe the gospel (the
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God) that need is fulfilled.
We who believe, receive from God
the gift of salvation, the gift is not deserved thus it is grace. Grace is then
the substance of things hoped for, but cannot be acquired by any human reasoning
or accomplishment. Finally, faith is the evidence of things unseen. As our faith
increases in God’s grace we see that we are His workmanship, created in the
Author and Finisher of our Faith (Jesus) to produce good works, works that are
foreordained by God, that is which were prepared by Him in eternity where time
has no past, no present and no future. For me this is not mystical, but is the
way (it is).
Hebrews 9:28 - so Christ was offered to bear
the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear a second time
without sin unto salvation. Jesse <><
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