What is Faith?

One way the bible describes faith is in Romans 4:20-21,

But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised.

That verse is talking about Abraham's faith in God's promise to be the father of many nations even though he had no children with his wife Sarah.  Abraham looked beyond where he was and saw with eyes of faith, believing in God for the impossible.  We should try every day to do the same.  Abraham had no reason to hope, but he hoped in faith that God's promise to him would be fulfilled.  A hopeful mind and attitude lead to peace and joy, while fear and discouragement steal peace and joy.

It costs nothing to be positive and believe God can change you and your life. Jump-start your blessings by saying you love your life, and be thankful in all things, no matter what the circumstances may be. Sometimes being positive feels like the last thing we can do during difficult times of waiting, but God will meet us there in those times and revive our hope if only we would ask Him.

Romans 4:20 states that Abraham did not doubt God's promise, and he was not disobedient to God by giving up. In fact, he waited on God, which caused his faith to become stronger and more empowered.  He felt confident that God would keep His word.  We should all try to take Abraham's example and keep our hearts filled with faith and our actions filled with obedience.

What is faith? It is being fully convinced that God has the power to do what He promises.  What is obedience? It is not giving up on God's promises.

Pride

Pride is one of life’s greatest vices and the Bible has a lot to say about it. Pride will keep a person from having a relationship with God. The person that is full of themself has no room for God. Humility, not pride, is the posture we take so we can know God.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” -James 4:6b, ESV

Pride is often the attitude that precedes some of life’s greatest errors and blunders. It is a recipe for disaster when we think we know it all, have it all figured out, or that we are the exception to the rule. It is easy to overlook the dangers before us when we are consumed with ourselves.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. -Proverbs 16:18, ESV

Pride will make you miss out on the things most meaningful in life. Life’s greatest joys are not found within us, they are found when we get outside of ourselves. From God’s perspective, a humble and lowly spirit is tremendously more valuable than any riches of the world or personal achievements made with a proud spirit.

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. -Proverbs 16:19, ESV

We find ourselves living in a culture where many cling to their pride. We have even begun what some celebrate as pride month. I encourage you to live counter to the culture. When others may think they themselves are the center of truth, humble yourself and look to God for wisdom. When others think that they are not accountable for their actions, choose to live responsibly in the light of God’s truth. When you are tempted to make life all about yourself, choose to love and serve just like our blessed Lord Jesus. Martin Luther said,

The god of this world is riches, pleasure and pride.

So then, we each must make up our own mind, whether we want the god of this world or God himself, whether we walk in self-sufficiency or the grace of Jesus Christ, whether are we will be filled with pride or humility.

Are We Ready to Share Christ?

Are we rooted-in and sold-out to Christ to the point that we will meet the world? Will we show someone who Christ is, what He can do, and why He died for them? Have you felt His presence in your life to be able to share the good news to others?

Before ascending to Heaven Jesus ordered His disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father (the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:4). They were ready to share Christ with the world only after the Holy Spirit had cleansed their motives and morals. Have you been to Christ to the point all your motives and morals are in tune with the Holy Spirit? I see it as living a holy life; a life that is authentic, practical and real.

Only the Holy Spirit can cleanse us and empower us to face our giants, and the storms coming our way. As Christ followers, one of our primary purposes is drawing others to Christ and telling them about Him. The Holy Spirit enables us to discern good from evil, to make right choices, and to live free from sin. If we are convinced we need to pursue living a holy life, look at these steps.

1 – Surrender: Totally surrender to God’s will for all your life, all areas.
2 – Ask: As a child of God, ask him for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
3 – Obey: Be obedient to all of God’s Word. Walk in the light of truth.
4 – Believe: The Holy Spirit is able and willing to do all God has promised us.

When we allow this to happen and pursue it, people will see a change in our attitudes, be blessed by our compassion, and be drawn to the Lord.  The song “Build My Life” says,

Holy there is no one like you, there is none beside you, open up my eyes in wonder and show me who you are, and fill me with your heart and lead me in your love to those around me. I will build my life upon your love and its firm foundation. I will put my trust in you alone and I will not be shaken.

Encouragement: Safeguarding Our Hearts

12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
-Hebrews 3:12-15, ESV

The heart is the center of our being. We ought to watch over it with great care. The scripture passage from Hebrews reminds us that our heart can be tainted with evil. It can be filled with unbelief. It can be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. We can even choose to harden our own hearts. These all have the same outcome; they lead us away from the living God and our salvation in Christ Jesus. It is the constant work of the devil to lead us away from God, to turn us back to old ways and attitudes. Our hearts are under attack from many angles.

What do we do in response to this? How do we safeguard our hearts so that we continue in this new life we have found? One of the simplest and most direct solutions is encouragement. We speak strength, truth, and love into one another’s lives. We help each other up when we fall. We check up on one another. We love through adversity. We tell of God’s faithfulness. We stick together and hang onto the cross of Christ. And we make sure to do this every day.

How has your heart been lately? Keep taking time to listen to God and be receptive to what He is saying. When He speaks don’t harden your heart. How are the hearts of your brothers and sisters in Christ? If any need encouragement, step out and make a difference. God may very well use your words or actions to help another keep the faith.