The Walk of Faith: Part 2

“Without Faith it is impossible to please Him…..” Heb.11:6

Our heavenly Father we have come again to continue with this difficult discourse on such a profound and priceless virtue called Faith. We thank You that You are all together just and righteous in all Your ways and dealings with mankind. You dwell in unapproachable light. There is no evil or wickedness with the God of Jacob. You do not require of us what is not in You or what You have not already accomplished in us. You are indeed a God of Faith. We proceeded out of You and thus must learn of You and live like You. We therefore invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts at this hour to teach us and help us to embrace Your teachings, change our thoughts and move in the power of Your Spirit In Jesus mighty name. Amen.

What is biblical Faith?

 

The concept of faith is universal. Faith in someone or something is often what drives us into making decisions that impact our lives and that of others. The object of our faith is what we see in the person or product that inspires our confidence in positively interacting with whatever the object may be. It is our perceived quality or integrity of the object that is the foundation of such relationship.

 

 

Biblical faith is defined in the same line of thought. However, it transcends towards the originator and source of all things—God.

“ Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. NKJV

“ Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” Heb. 11:1. HCSB

Faith is the product of a strong belief that influences our thoughts, decisions, judgments and ultimately, our behavior. It is an active entity and never a stagnant or dormant concept. God in Christ redeemed us out of a faithless existence and ushered us into a glorious life of trust in God who made us. The substance and reality of God’s intent for mankind is found in the ultimate Reality of all things…God Himself!

 

“….for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.NKJV

 

This is clearly the foundation of biblical Faith. We will now attempt to dissect the two established imperatives from the verse quoted above.

 

Imperatives of biblical Faith

 

God is who He says He is:

• The beginning and end of all things.
• The Creator and Maker of all things.
• The Source and Sustainer of all flesh and spirit.
• The Righteous Judge of both the natural and spiritual worlds.
• He is the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresence Lord.
• God is Spirit and the totality of His person cannot be seen.
• Jesus Christ is the exact representation of the unseen God.
• The essence of God’s love is fully revealed in Christ.
• His law is exalted and magnified even above His name.
• God is Holy, Pure and Beautiful. No evil resides in Him.

God is Love. 1 John 4:8

 

God is forever faithful to His Words:

• He is light and there is no darkness in Him.
• He is the embodiment of perfect truth.
• He is the essence of integrity and cannot lie.
• He has the power of everlasting life and almighty power to keep promises made.
• He will never forget a promise made even to thousand generations past.
• He is never late and never too early. His timing is perfect.
• His spoken words have the authority and majesty of His Lordship.
• He will never abandon His people and faithfully showers grace and blessings on true worshippers, enabling them fulfill His purposes.
• Although He metes just punishment on the rebellious, God priorities mercy over judgment, especially over the humble and contrite souls.

He is Good! His mercy endures Forever. Psalm 107:1

 

In essence, biblical faith is that critical grace granted man that empowers him to respond responsibly to God, his Maker. Faith is a state of rest of the heart from which implicit trust and confidence in the unshakable integrity of God arises. Faith underscores your knowledge of the magnificent nature and character of God. In this glorious condition, the redeemed soul can confidently affirm his hope on God’s unchanging promise: “ I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Gen. 15:1.

 

Who is the Source of Saving Faith?

 

There is so much about God and His ways that continues to perplex our intelligent and rational thoughts. How could a loving God subject His only Son to such a cruel and barbaric form of death on the Cross. What we struggle to appreciate is the authority and majesty of the commands of a king. Rebellion against the word of an earthly king is met with immediate stiff penalty, sometimes death. God’s law and commands transcends the laws of earthly monarchs. It is the same spoken word of God that brought the unseen into manifestation, even all created things. He spoke all things into existence.

 

Just as Adam broke God’s law, and sin and condemnation became our heritage through him, Jesus Christ, being fully God and fully man[ for our sake ], exemplified perfect faith in the Father. But God’s wrath that had not been fully unleashed must have an outlet. Lucifer and his fallen demons have been judged and God must and will never show double standard. The Devil is restlessly pointing accusing fingers that God must judge mankind to the same extent; eternal separation from Himself. However, the Bible clearly reveals that we are the offshoot of God. We are His greatest project or handiwork. There must be a way to redeem mankind and yet God’s righteous requirements of the law be fulfilled.

 

“ And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

 

“ And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.” Heb. 9:27-28.

 

“ For the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23.

 

Natural death has become the portion of all mankind; so the death implied here is a state of separation of soul and spirit from the life of God. It is a condition of condemnation, hopelessness and unfulfilled existence. With all the beauty, glamour, wealth, riches and luxury or the contrast; a state of abject poverty, we all still fall short of God’s eternal plan and design for His precious creation. The only way out of this impasse is the way of the Cross. No person born of a woman could redeem the situation. God’s wisdom moved into the scene. A covenant was then struck between the Father and the Son.

 

Jesus Christ, as the Spiritual Adam, filled with the fullness of God’s Spirit humbled Himself to fulfill God’s righteous demand of the law. For God cannot break His own law, otherwise how can the powers of the universe be sustained. All things are sustained by the majesty and integrity of the word of God. There is no partiality with the God of Israel. Only the Son of God, without the spiritual DNA of the natural Adam, meets the criteria to save the soul of man and usher in the ability of friendship with God the Father. Christ accomplished His own part of the bargain and rested His hope on the power and integrity of the Father to raise Him up the third day. And so it was. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead as agreed upon and so our trust in God is grafted to belief in Christ and His finished and perfect way towards God.

 

“ Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of Faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience [forgiven] and our bodies washed with pure water[ lover of truth ]. Heb. 10:19-22.

 

What must I do to be Saved?

 

Salvation of the soul is a personal decision. We cannot continue with the relativity mentality. Everyone must give an account to God, the Judge of all humanity. What did you do with the greatest gift from God, even Jesus Christ? Did you accept God’s verdict that you are a sinner and cannot help yourself, even when you truly want to stop sinning. The sinful nature is intrinsic, woven into our fabric. Man must humble himself and accept the glorious grace freely granted us in Christ Jesus.

 

However, the Kingdom of God, with Jesus as King, cannot come into your heart without acknowledging that God is true and righteous in His judgment of man. No excuses and no justification for my ungodly lifestyles. Godly sorrow over sin leads to true repentance and denunciation of the Devil and his offers. From thence one can then run to Jesus Christ and prayerfully receive mercy, forgiveness and a new life of trust, confidence and growing intimacy with God, the Creator.

 

“ Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way. And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.” Isaiah 55:6-8.

 

No doubt, our thoughts, imaginations and conceptions of God, ourselves, and other people have been corrupted by the agent of perversion and deception; the Devil. The old ways and associations must be denounced in order for the sure and steadfast way of the Kingdom of heaven to begin. No amount and gravity of sin can withstand the omnipotent power of forgiveness and cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ.

 

“ Come now [ Today ], and let us reason together, says the Lord, Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 1:18-20.

 

Please, I plead with you reading this message. Don’t let the devil or your mind or anybody rob you of this opportunity to reconcile with your Maker. Your eternal destiny depends seriously on the grace given in and through Christ Jesus. The resources of my time, energy and money to share these truths come freely to you because of God’s personal revelation to me of the rage of the Enemy, and the absolute need of salvation of souls from the wrath of hell. Your soul is precious to God and you are highly valued. But it is only by embracing God’s prescription for healing and restoration of your soul that your real you, a revamped soul can be realized!!!

 

 How do I Receive this grace of Salvation?

 

Just as in all things worth the experience, there is always a process. The method to cross over from darkness unto light; from the power of Satan unto the loving embrace of Jesus Christ is clearly written in the Bible. Whereas the Devil desperately wants us to be befuddled, and hence ignorant of the ways of God, Jesus Christ, as the Light of the world, yearns for us to see clearly and reconcile with the Father. Jesus made the way of our Salvation absolutely very simple.

 

“ For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” Romans 10: 3.

 

God’s appeal extends to the wise ones of this age, both the philosophers of other religions and adherents of Judaism. Many truly have a zeal for God. The problem is how can you really worship who you have not seen and do not know. It is only the Son who proceeded out of the Father has revealed the Father. The voice of the One people seek after, but not according to His revealed way, spoke from heaven commanding everyone to listen and submit to the Son Jesus who paid the ultimate and final price, and thus deserves the honor and worship!!!

 

“ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, ‘ The man who does those things shall live by them.’ “ Romans 10:4-5.

 

The truth of the matter is that many of us do not really want to abandon or relinquish our old ways of thinking and doing things. We have gained and continue to benefit from the old patterns of conduct. Why can’t God just accept my good deeds. I am a good person and if God is good then my good and humanitarian gestures should count. Rationalizing arguments indeed! Good try but the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man! Only the foolishness of pride blinds someone to fruitlessly contend with the God of the spirit of all flesh! God is Spirit. His laws are spiritual laws. It is just humanly impossible for a flawed human to keep the laws of God. You may mean well but your motive will betray you. It is only through the grace in Christ that man could uphold the laws of God!!!

 

But the righteousness of Faith speaks in this way, “ Do not say in your heart, ‘ Who will ascend into heaven?’ “ [that is, to bring Christ down from above] or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ “ [that is, to bring Christ up from the dead]. But what does it say? “ The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” [that is the word of Faith which we preach].

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession [your open declaration to the court of heaven] is made unto salvation……..Forwhoever calls on the name [Jesus Christ] of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:8-13.

 

So then Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17.

 

This is the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Regardless of your station or situation in life, God’s invitation to this grace is beckoning and reaching out to you. The wrath of hell was ordained for the Devil and his fallen angels, not mankind that was created in the image and likeness of God. You came out of God, so how can God willingly destroy what He lovingly made out of His Spirit. Humans are spiritual beings with a covering of flesh made out of the soil. If your soul were not priceless then Christ would not have paid the ultimate price to redeem it back to God. Think about that always. That is the gospel truth. Hallelujah!!!

 

We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn[repentance]from these useless things[idolatrous lifestyle] to the living God who made the heaven, and the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,[ thus praying to mother nature is foolishness] “ who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways[wise in their own eyes]. Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. Acts 14:15-17.

 

Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now Commands all men[and women]everywhere to repent, because He has appointed  a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. Acts 17:30-31.

 

Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. Hebrews 3:15

 

For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29.

 

Today, God is longingly calling you through this message. Do not procrastinate. Tomorrow is not a promise for anyone. Do not make excuses or justify yourself or point fingers at the religious giants of our days. Everyone will and must give an account of his or her life to God. The Judge is Jesus Christ Himself. Heaven is real and hell fire is also real. The choice is yours. I have made mine: To follow Jesus all the way, through His special grace. Hallelujah!!!

 

“ If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chron. 7:14.

 

The Kingdom of God will not force itself into your heart. Jesus Christ is never a violent King. You must quickly, decisively and humbly respond to His knock at your door for Him to enter. You must repent and renounce your relationships and covenant made by our fathers with the powers of darkness!!!!

 

If you have genuinely decided to live by Faith in God through Jesus Christ, then follow these simple, but awesome steps:

 

A: Acknowledge that you are a sinner and live a powerless and purposeless life. You cannot deliver yourself from the power of darkness and miserable existence. You were born into sin and continue to sin against God and other human beings. God is just and right in His judgment against you. Psalm 51.

 

C: Confess your sins to God and genuinely repent from them. Make a resolve not to return to your old ways of thinking and speaking and doing things. Ask for His grace to keep you above temptations to return back to sinful practices. Isaiah 55.

 

T: Turn your gaze and focus on Jesus Christ.  Confess Him as your personal Savior and Lord. Call upon His name to deliver your soul from the grips of the power of darkness. Denounce the Devil and all his empty promises. Speak to the Lord and let Him know how sorry you are for your sins [confess them to Him] and ask for His mercy, forgiveness and justification. Ask for grace to never return to your past ways of thinking and doing things. Invite the Spirit of Jesus Christ into your heart to live with you always and be your helper. Romans 10.

 

And having been set free from sin, you became servant of righteousness!!!

 

Prayer

 

Precious Lord of heaven and earth. We thank You for such great a sacrifice wrought in Christ for the redemption of mankind. I thank You immensely for the grace provided in this message to highlight such an amazing concept of faith in God through Christ. I earnestly pray for all who the god of this age has blinded from understanding the glory of God for mankind in Christ Jesus. I pray You soften hearts, so that repentance will be inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and souls won over to the kingdom of heaven, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

 

Welcome to the Family of God and a walk of Faith. Hallelujah!!!