Category: Faith

Faith Is Loyal

 

 

 

 

 

Faith is sometimes it is associated with mental assent to doctrines of salvation, such as the statement that Christ died for our sins. We are told that if we believe that truth we will be saved. At other times faith is equated with trust. This takes faith beyond agreement with a doctrinal statement into something personal. It indicates that we consider the person in whom we trust to be deserving. In the case of God, we believe that he is loving, kind, truthful, powerful, and wise, to name of few of his attributes.Trust in God enables people to put the utmost confidence in his promises, giving them strength to go through difficult trials while maintaining the conviction that God will take care of things. Trust in God propels people to take action in the knowledge or conviction that God will uphold us. Faith understood as trust goes to the heart of things, but perhaps does not go as far as Jesus wants us to go in our definition.

"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33  "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 (NASB)

Faith produces a character quality called faithfulness, which is often understood as loyalty. Faithful people can be relied upon in times of difficulty. They are not “fair weather” friends whose allegiance shifts with the circumstances. Faithful people remain loyal no matter what, which Jesus highly praised in his words quoted above. What is pictured here is not merely a confession of faith before other Christians, but one made under duress, when the temptation to deny Christ in order to save oneself is present.

Confession of our faith before other believers is required to prove the faith we have in our heart. Confession combined with heart trust is the formula Paul gave us in his often quoted passage from Romans.

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)

Confessing allegiance to Christ before men is one of the basic elements of water baptism. Those who are water baptized confess aloud before witnesses their present and ongoing allegiance to their Lord and Savior. But tests of our loyalty to Christ do not stop when we come up out of the water. They have just begun.

For the rest of our lives, Jesus expects us to show allegiance to him before men by publicly and privately confessing his name.

This means we refuse to be silent regarding him and the gospel out of embarrassment or fear, which may be considered a passive form of denial. If we want Jesus to be “proud” of us and confess us before his Father at the last judgment, we must be loyal to him before men in the here and now. This aspect of faith is not talked about enough.

The loyalty of faith also extends to our Christian family. Christ expects us to be “our brother’s keeper” in whatever ways are appropriate.

We can show our loyalty through love, encouragement, prayer, assistance, visitation, etc. It also means we will not sit idly by if our brother or sister is in danger or dire need. It means we will stand with them in persecution and trials. No one should have to go it alone, as did Paul.

At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17  But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. 18  The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:16-18 (NASB)

Most of the time the early Christians stood by their persecuted brethren, even if it ended up costing them their own lives, and so must we when and if the time arrives. Faith is known by its loyalty.

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Faith Worships

 

 

 

 

 

In previous articles I pointed out that faith gives us the ability to see what is otherwise invisible, understand God’s wisdom, and it convinces us that what God says he will do. Faith opens our eyes to the reality and wondrous awe of Jesus, the risen Messiah King of Israel, who is Lord of Lords. Faith knows that God is sovereign over all things and is working everything out for our good and his glory.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NASB)

In addition, it follows quite logically that God is also working out everything for his own glory. The full expression of the glory of the Lord in the earth is God’s ultimate intention. (Habakkuk 2:14) Faith opens our eyes to this wonderful reality and elicits from us the desire to cooperate in the process by becoming faithful worshipers.

Combining the knowledge that God holds our lives and circumstances in his hands and is working everything out for our good and his glory causes worship to well up in our hearts.

In contrast, doubt and unbelief carp and complain. Unbelief finds fault with God and circumstances. It does not believe that God is good, loving, kind, and in control. It accuses him of allowing evil into our lives. Like faith, unbelief is known by its fruit. Faith worships. Unbelief complains.

When our eyes are opened to the reality of who Jesus is, worship will flow like a river. This is what happened to Thomas the doubter. When Jesus appeared to him after the resurrection, he cast aside his doubts and worshiped.

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29 (ESV)

If you wonder whether or not you have faith, check your worship. If you are not a worshiper, you are not a believer.

Maybe you once worshiped, but perhaps you have allowed the things of this world and the distractions of life to rob you of the purity and passion of your faith. If that is what has happened to you, it’s time to repent and ask God to restore your first love.(Revelation 2:4) If you have never been a worshiper, it is time to ask Jesus to be your Savior and Lord and to open your spiritual eyes so that you can see him at last. Then you will become a worshiper.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I now see clearly that worship is a sure evidence of faith. Forgive me for my unbelief. Open my heart and my spiritual eyes to know who you are in a greater way. I want to be full of faith. I want worship to flow out of my heart like a gurgling spring, a fountain of eternal life springing up from within. Holy Spirit, I repent from my unbelief and hardness of heart. Make me a true worshiper. Amen.

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38  "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" 39  But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39 (NASB)
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Faith Sees and Understands

 

 

 

 

 

Faith has the ability to see or know what would otherwise be invisible.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

We might call it spiritual sight or understanding. Jesus said that “lost” people have no ability to know who he is or to recognize God’s work all around them. They are spiritually blind.

This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14  Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15  For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17  For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. Matthew 13:13-17 (ESV)

Sin blinds us spiritually and keeps us from understanding the Gospel and seeing who Jesus really is.

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)

It prevents people from seeing the clear evidence of the Creator in his creation. As David wrote in the Psalms –

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3  There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Psalm 19:1-3 (ESV)

Children readily understand that there is a God, but years of humanist propaganda in our schools and reliance on darkened human reasoning has convinced many that the universe in which we live spontaneously sprang into existence. The spiritually blind cannot see clear evidence of God’s existence anywhere and they refuse to honor Him. Many go so far as to deny the Creator’s very existence, which is the height of sin and arrogance. It is actually laughable, which is why God says he sits in heaven and laughs at those who try to overthrow his rule (Psalm 2:4). Conversely, those with faith understand the truth.

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:3 (ESV)

Jesus told the Pharisees, who could not bring themselves to acknowledge his identity as the Messiah, that they were among the spiritually blind, which they found deeply offensive. They imagined themselves to be among the spiritual elite.

Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” 40  Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” 41  “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see. John 9:39-41 (NLT)

Claiming to see, they rejected the Messiah, bringing great condemnation upon themselves and leading many others astray. Eventually their blindness led them down the path of murdering God’s Holy One. Jesus warned us about following such leaders.

Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 15:14 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit is the only person who has the power to open blinded eyes, spiritually and physically. Understanding this, Paul prayed for the church in Ephesus.

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16  I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20  that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:15-23 (ESV)

The Spirit opened the apostle Peter’s eyes to Jesus’ true identity.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16  Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:15-17 (ESV)

Seeing Jesus by the Spirit creates faith in our hearts, which saves us.

"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." John 6:40 (NASB)

Faith not only sees evidence of God in creation and understands who Jesus is, it also allows us to see what God is doing all around us and to lay hold of his promises by faith.

Jesus said that he only did what he saw the his heavenly Father doing. (John 5:19) He saw with spiritual eyes by faith, just as we must. Paul was also able to observe with the eyes of faith what God was doing.

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9  He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10  said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. Acts 14:8-10 (ESV)

The Spirit will show and communicate to us everything we need to know to be effective ministers of the New Covenant. Faith also sees by faith what God is going to do in the future. It maintains faithful hope in God’s promises until they come to pass.

Faith is the key to everything in God’s kingdom. it is the doorway into God’s presence and promises. It opens our eyes to God and all his blessings.

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What Is Faith?

 

 

 

 

 

Faith is concisely defined by the writer of the Letter to the Hebrew Christians.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

Faith is one of those things that can only be understood by those who have it. It is not something we can “gin up” on our own. It is not a blind leap in the dark which has no basis in reality or fact. Quite the opposite, faith is based on the truth about God and his promises.

Faith derives from a conviction about God’s character and integrity.

If God is trustworthy, loving, and powerful, he can be trusted fully to keep his word.

Faith is able to receive immediately because it knows that God will always follow through on his promises. Faith is confident that God will keep his word, even if it takes a while.

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21  He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. Romans 4:20-21 (NLT)

Hope can be thought of as elongated faith. Faith receives immediately what hope waits for patiently.

Faith does not need to see what it knows is coming because it knows the one who promised.

for we walk by faith, not by sight— 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NASB)

Hope waits with assurance until it finally arrives.

Faith is a gift from God.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8 (NASB)

It derives from God himself. In fact, the Holy Spirit is called the “Spirit of faith.” (2 Corinthians 4:13) In other words, it takes God’s help to believe in, trust, obey, and remain loyal to the invisible God. This is called “grace.”

Faith is a partnership between us and the Holy Spirit.

God never meant for us to be independent operators who are sufficient in ourselves. He desires to continually live Christ’s life in and through us.

Faith is demonstrated by what it does. (James 2:17)

We cannot claim to have faith but never act on it. Faith produces obedience to God. It is loyal to Christ. Faith is alive and active. People who are full of faith are called faithful. Today that word is translated as loyal or dependable. That is a good way to describe people of faith. As Jesus said, we can identify a tree by the fruit it bears. (Matthew 12:33)

In the following articles on this subject, I will examine various aspects of this most amazing thing called faith. I hope you will find them profitable.

My Personal Journey into Faith

I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church. I went through parochial school and was given a good education in every respect, including the doctrines of the church. However, when I reached high school, I began to doubt the truth of Christianity. I called myself an agnostic, which was popular at the time. I did not deny God, I simply did not know. But I wanted to know. When my girlfriend, now my beloved wife of 46 years, wrote me to share that she had become a true believer in Jesus, it shocked and provoked me to begin to earnestly seek God for myself. Eventually I prayed a simple and genuine prayer that I highly recommend. It went something like this…

Jesus, if you are real, come into my life. I want to know you, but I cannot pretend to believe in you when I do not. Please reveal yourself to me so that I can believe. Amen.

Within a week or two, he answered my prayer big time. In fact, looking back, I now realize that my life changed immediately. He did indeed come into my life. I was happier and spontaneously wanted to serve others. I did not, however, connect this new found condition with my prayer until one evening, after talking again to Martha, I was thinking about these things and suddenly remembered that prayer that I had prayed. All at once, the room seemed to be filled with God’s presence and I suddenly knew that Jesus is who the Bible says he is. He is real! I do not know how God revealed himself to me. It was as if he took the blinders off my spiritual eyes. I went from agnostic to believer in an instant. It transformed my life. Everything seemed new. I understood what the Bible means when it talks about being “born again.” (John 3:6-8)

No one told me that I needed to share this good news with others. I just did. How could anyone keep such a thing quiet? Immediately I walked to my dorm and began telling my friends what just happened to me, and I have been telling people about Jesus ever since. That was 48 years ago. My faith has never dimmed since that time. What God reveals supernaturally is ours forever.

God will help you become a believer, too, if you ask him.

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