Faith is one of those forces in human life, like love and hope, that can be illustrated better than defined.
Only one endeavor is found in the New Testament to define faith. In Hebrews the author says that faith is "the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." It is a great definition, but even the writer was not satisfied, for he at once leaves it behind and goes on to describe faith in terms of what it does to life. “By faith Abraham… by faith Moses,” and he illustrates faith through the lives of the great people in the Bible. Faith that lives on the inside should certainly be visible on the outside!
Along with our faith, goes our loyalty and love. If a man gives himself to a woman whom he loves, he has faith in her. If a man gives himself to Christ as his Lord and Master, it is because he has faith in Him. Too many lives end like a broom, in a multitude of small straws instead of like a bayonet in point and power. It is faith that brings this focus.
The New Testament (especially Galatians, Thessalonians, and Corinthians, as these were written within twenty-five years of the Crucifixion) portrays the great faith of the apostles. They didn't have faith in a formal creed, for no creed had yet been written. It was not faith in a New Testament for it was not yet in existence. It was not faith in an authoritarian church for the church was still unorganized.
This faith was personal. Christ had come. He had brought life. He had revealed what God was like. He told them how life ought to be lived to obtain the fullness and joy that was meant for them. Men had seen Him and fallen in love with Him and given themselves with trustful loyalty to Him. They placed their faith in Him.
Faith makes God real to the soul. The deepest, truest, most abiding and reliable power for life is faith - faith in Christ alone, faith with nothing added, faith that indicates our loyalty and love for Him.
Take a look past your circumstances today. Look into the Word of God. Look deeply into the heart of God through prayer. Focus on Him - that's where joy, and peace, and love are revealed.
Father God, Thank you that my relationship with You does not depend on anything but You. My joy in You does not depend on my circumstances, my faith in You does NOT depend on this world. I want to be a bold, constant testimony for You. Thank you for the gift of faith, enlarge it in my soul I pray, Amen.
With Faith in HIM!
Cara & Patti
Based on:
Classic Christianity
Only one endeavor is found in the New Testament to define faith. In Hebrews the author says that faith is "the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." It is a great definition, but even the writer was not satisfied, for he at once leaves it behind and goes on to describe faith in terms of what it does to life. “By faith Abraham… by faith Moses,” and he illustrates faith through the lives of the great people in the Bible. Faith that lives on the inside should certainly be visible on the outside!
Along with our faith, goes our loyalty and love. If a man gives himself to a woman whom he loves, he has faith in her. If a man gives himself to Christ as his Lord and Master, it is because he has faith in Him. Too many lives end like a broom, in a multitude of small straws instead of like a bayonet in point and power. It is faith that brings this focus.
The New Testament (especially Galatians, Thessalonians, and Corinthians, as these were written within twenty-five years of the Crucifixion) portrays the great faith of the apostles. They didn't have faith in a formal creed, for no creed had yet been written. It was not faith in a New Testament for it was not yet in existence. It was not faith in an authoritarian church for the church was still unorganized.
This faith was personal. Christ had come. He had brought life. He had revealed what God was like. He told them how life ought to be lived to obtain the fullness and joy that was meant for them. Men had seen Him and fallen in love with Him and given themselves with trustful loyalty to Him. They placed their faith in Him.
Faith makes God real to the soul. The deepest, truest, most abiding and reliable power for life is faith - faith in Christ alone, faith with nothing added, faith that indicates our loyalty and love for Him.
Take a look past your circumstances today. Look into the Word of God. Look deeply into the heart of God through prayer. Focus on Him - that's where joy, and peace, and love are revealed.
Father God, Thank you that my relationship with You does not depend on anything but You. My joy in You does not depend on my circumstances, my faith in You does NOT depend on this world. I want to be a bold, constant testimony for You. Thank you for the gift of faith, enlarge it in my soul I pray, Amen.
With Faith in HIM!
Cara & Patti
Based on:
Classic Christianity
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