Faith
The title of this blog is ‘Faith.’ One word. No strings attached.
In all of its simplicity, faith is loyalty to, belief in, and trust in something. It is the essence of part of our lives. Maybe you’re a boss and have faith in your employees. Maybe you’re a child and have faith in your parents. Maybe you’re a teacher and have faith in your students.
But above all else, transcending any person or thing here on earth, do you have faith in the One?
If you do…
You are radically blessed!
The first couple of chapters in Romans are oozing with talk of faith, and I encourage you to take a look at them! Chapter 4 focuses a lot on Abraham. Verses 2, 3, 13, and 14 tell us that:
“2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ … 13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless. ”
Breaking this down a little, it is noticeable that Abraham was made right with God not because of his good deeds or his accomplishments here on earth, but because he had faith in God and acted upon his beliefs! Abraham was put in right standing with God because he trusted Him! Abraham was declared righteous because he believed God!
Isn’t that astounding?! We are made righteous through faith.
Thinking of the word righteous, some attainable, unreachable standard comes to mind. It comes off as being for a select few. But the amazing thing is that righteousness is for all of us! All because faith levels the playing field!
Anyone can choose to believe! Faith in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, is for everybody! Regardless of where anyone has been or what has been done, anyone at all is free to believe in God and take Him at His Word.
God’s Word… so full of promises. God’s Word… so full of life. It is all there. Believe in Jesus and you believe in God’s Word made flesh (John 1:14). Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Through the Truth in God’s Word we are pointed in the Way we should go, which leads to Life. If we would believe this Word at all costs, imagine what glorious things await!
Faith takes away any selfish ties. Faith puts it all on our Savior Jesus. Faith has everything to do with a focus on God. When we live our lives constantly beholding the One Who is righteous, in turn we are made righteous! No, we will never have perfect performance. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But God is righteous, holy, and always faithful to us. So when we keep our hope set on the One, we become like Him! All we have to do is believe God at His Word. Trust that what He says is true. We are in right standing with God when we trust in Him—perfect and spotless. There is nothing in and of ourselves! Search the Scripture and see how God has shown Himself faithful to us! He will never fail us, forsake us, or let us down (Hebrews 13:5)!
God can truly be trusted!
We are told that faith without works is dead (James 2:17-26). However, the works we do should not be out of striving for acceptance or approval from the Lord. I want to share with you something by Joyce Meyer. I feel that it brings faith and works into a very healthy perspective.
If we have real faith, we will do good works, but our dependence will not be on works. Our works will be done as acts of love for God—in obedience to Him—rather than as “works of the flesh” by which we hope to gain right standing and acceptance with Him. (Pg. 1806, The Everyday Life Bible)
I believe that if we truly believe the Lord and are secure in our place as God’s own children, then we will act in accordance with our beliefs. By walking in obedience to God’s calling, we act in faith because we trust in His Word to reign in our lives.
Keep the faith!!!
