The aspect of 'FAITH'
, is an exercise that we involve ourselves with, on a daily basis. Briefly, some examples
are:
(1) OUR RELATIONSHIPS
with other people.
(2) OUR USE OF THE SENSES
, that is, walking, talking, smelling, seeing, hearing, touching, etc.
(3) OUR RELIANCE IN THAT WHICH IS HIGHER AND MIGHTIER THAN WE ARE
, such as; flying in an airplane; driving or riding in a car; being a passenger on
a steamship, as it cruises across the waters.
(4) OUR LIVING FOR TODAY
, even knowing that, tomorrow has no guarantees of life itself.
I am sure that the 'FAITH'
or 'TRUST'
list, could go on and on; but nevertheless, before we go any further, let us look
into THE WORD OF GOD, as to the true
and proper
definition of FAITH
. In Hebrews 11:1, we read, "...Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen." The eleventh (11th), chapter of Hebrews gives us a
fairly good insight into the matter of FAITH!
Take for example the creation of the World, that is, heaven and earth and all that
is therein! In verse 2, of our afore mentioned Chapter, we are reminded that, "THROUGH FAITH
we understand that the Worlds were framed by THE WORD OF GOD". Now once again, I
would like to bring out the necessaries of FAITH according to The Scriptures; FAITH
has SUBSTANCE
as well as EVIDENCE
. It is not BLIND
faith, so-called
by unbelievers and ungodly individuals!
The ALMIGHTY GOD, ALWAYS
provides us with enough evidence and substance that prove, beyond any doubt, what
He is either, presenting to us, or, requiring of us!!! Therefore, an individual that
has NO
faith in GOD, CANNOT
understand, or, comprehend in any way, shape, or form that, GOD's WORD had anything
to do with the inception, creation, or formation of the very planet on which he or
she is living. On the other hand, an individual whose life revolves around THE HOLY
BIBLE, and has an active "FAITH
" in The ALMIGHTY GOD, through Jesus Christ our LORD, will have NO DIFFICULTY ACCEPTING
THE creation of the World, as an act of GOD Himself!
In respect of 'FAITH'
or 'TRUST'
we further understand that, without this wonderful commodity, then, we cannot
please GOD. In Hebrews 11:6, we read, "...But without FAITH
it is impossible to please Him (GOD): For he that cometh to GOD MUST BELIEVE
THAT HE IS
, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." How amazing, that the
very quality that GOD requires of us, that is, FAITH
, is a gift from The ALMIGHTY HIMSELF.
GOD is the Grantor
of FAITH, as well as THE ACCEPTOR
of it. No wonder, we are told in The WORD OF GOD that, He is the beginning and the end; the alpha and omega; the first and the last
; All things proceed from Him, and through Him. Amen!
Even in our 'deed' life, it must be done by faith
; no matter what we do, it all must be done with simplicity and as unto our LORD and
SAVIOUR. The prerequisite
for this, is to 'love'
The LORD GOD with 'ALL'
of our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and our neighbor as ourself. I would like
to share with you my home made definition of 'FAITH' and 'TRUST' in our relationship
with our Lord.
F - Full A - Assurance I - In T - The H - Holy-One
T - Total R - Reliance U - Upon S - Scriptural T - Truth
Faith is interconnected with the JERUSALEM OF GOD
, since it was in the GOLDEN CITY OF JERUSALEM that the highest form of FAITH
was manifested, that is, GOD's Son's life as payment for all sin. For Jesus of Nazareth
to follow through with His Sacrifice, even to His death
, indeed, took on His part, the most courageous act of FAITH ever demonstrated in
'ALL'
of HUMANITY!!!
Therefore, our LORD Jesus Christ, said, on one occasion as He was speaking to a multitude
of people, "...O Ye Of Little Faith!" (Matthew 6:30). He perceived
that, they were more taken by what they would; 1. eat
; 2. drink
; 3. wear
; than for the things of GOD.
Jesus our LORD reminds us in Matthew 6:33-34, "...But seek ye first the Kingdom of
GOD, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore
no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself."
Now, Jesus our LORD, is not
teaching us that we should be unruly, or irresponsible, or without priorities in
life, but rather, that we should direct our lives around Him, and not around our,
food, drink,
and clothing
. All one has to do, in listening to the radio, watching television, reading the newspaper,
is to be aware of the bombardments in advertisements in regard to, 1. food; 2. drink;
and 3. clothing! How interesting, that, what Jesus our LORD said almost two-thousand years ago, is not being practiced today!
Man will never, be able to change his heart or habits, but GOD can
, and He uses
the means of faith, by which to effectuate His PLANS and PURPOSES! Both the heart
of man, and the habits
of man proceed from his fallen state. By the way, by habits
I don't mean; smoking, drinking, dancing, chewing, spitting, whittling, skipping,
or any such thing, but rather, habits directly associated with what JESUS OUR LORD
spoke about, that is, not having one's heart seeking first
the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness! The ALMIGHTY GOD, delights in our 'FIRST'
of everything, that is, to give Him the best
of all that we have in our lives, and NOT
the LEFT-OVERS
! In our FAITH LIFE
, He deserves THE FIRST
AND BEST
! You may ask, how
can I give unto THE LORD the first
and best
in my faith life???
If you have received Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOUR you are on the right road of success
in giving, your first
and best
in your FAITH LIFE
to HIM. Secondly, as The LORD calls upon you to serve Him; if you respond and, put
into action, the first
and best
in your FAITH LIFE
, to do whatever He has called you to do, then, you have responded with the first
and best
in your FAITH LIFE
! Thirdly, in direct relationship to: 1. eating; 2. drinking; and 3. clothing; Would
you give the first and best to The LORD's work, so that your FAITH LIFE
will be acceptable to HIM? Or, do you give as it is convenient to you, that is, the
second best
; or the left overs
; or the clothing
that doesn't fit any more; or, you just simply don't want it any more.
Jesus our LORD said in Matthew 6:21, "...For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also." This verse does have a positive ring to it, and that is; make sure
that your treasure is in heaven, and not on earth! If you are intending on doing,
saying, or giving on the SECOND BEST
level rather than the FIRST AND BEST
; you might save yourself a little TIME
and effort, The LORD is NOT
accepting it! SORRY
!
If you had two cars, would you give your best car to a needy individual, or the worse
one??? WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE
?
If you had a ROAST and some GROUND MEAT, and someone was needy, would you give them
the BEST (THE ROAST), or the GROUND MEAT (THE SECOND BEST)??? WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE
?
If you had a BANK ACCOUNT, and met someone needy, would you help them as much as possible,
or would you simply say, I'll pray for you?
WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?
I hope that you catch a glimpse of what I am writing. Don't try to fool GOD: YOU CAN'T
. He will only accept from us 'A TOTAL FAITH LIFE', plus nothing, minus nothing; and
it all begins in our heart. Please seek THE LORD's guidance and direction in your
FAITH LIFE
!
We read in Romans 14:23, "...For whatsoever is not of faith is sin"
. Therefore, FAITH is the most crucial ingredient in our RELATIONSHIP TO GOD
, as well as our continuing FELLOWSHIP
with HIM! In the OLD TESTAMENT, in Proverbs 16:20, we read, "...Whoso trusteth (PLACES his-faith-totally and unconditionally in
) The LORD, HAPPY IS he." That says it all.
O we of little faith; may The LORD increase our faith, and in turn may we demonstrate
this increase in our FIRST
and BEST
in our FAITH LIFE for HIM, our BLESSED SAVIOUR.
