First, I thank my God through Jesus
Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Romans 1:8 NKJV
We are living in difficult and tumultuous
days. Technology is fundamentally changing the world before our very eyes, and
the geo/political landscape with its religo-terrorism, despotic leaders overthrown, actual wars and rumours
of wars is changing almost as rapidly.
Now, more than perhaps in any other age, we who, in the words of Doctor Luke, “Strive to enter in at the narrow gate” (Luke 13:24) need to possess a faith that is robust and can withstand the almost continuous assaults hurled against our beliefs.
Now, more than perhaps in any other age, we who, in the words of Doctor Luke, “Strive to enter in at the narrow gate” (Luke 13:24) need to possess a faith that is robust and can withstand the almost continuous assaults hurled against our beliefs.
I have heard the expression, as I sure that
you have, that “Simple faith will save you.” Simple? One of Webster's
Dictionary definitions of simple is “plain, unsophisticated or uncomplicated.”
If we think that the faith that delivers us from the terrible consequences of
loathsome sin is unsophisticated, then just try to get hold of some of it. Of
course, human religion has it that faith is “in humanity”, and that we have
only to “exercise” it. No, brothers and sisters, the need is not EXERCISE,
but rather POSSESSION.
Far from being inherent in humanity, “saving
faith” is totally foreign to our base nature. The Lord Jesus Christ is the
Author of our faith… “Jesus the Author
and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
Jesus writes faith in our hearts. This is a
sovereign gift…. As Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Ephesus; “This
grace is given to me (who am less than the least of all saints) to preach the
gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ among the nations.” Ephesians 3:8
And not all of humanity posses it… “And pray that we may be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men; for all do not have the faith.” 2 Thessalonians
3:2
If faith is so “simple,” why don't all men
and women get some of it as a birthday present? They usually don’t want it and anyway
they can’t go and buy it. Man is without this faith, but he can fake it. Paul
wrote to Timothy that he was glad the faith he had was “unfeigned” (2 Timothy.
1:5). If faith is simple, just try explaining it to someone who has no grasp of
the concept. If it’s explainable, then it really isn’t faith. I certainly don’t
understand it, but whenever I see it in operation, I delight in it!
In the book of Daniel, chapter 3 we read
one of the most well known stories in the Bible… a trio of trusting souls who
proved their faith in a fiery furnace…. Theirs was not simple faith; it was 100%
pure faith.
The story of the Shunammite woman recorded
in 2 Kings 4:18-38 is another tale of pure faith. She looked upon the face of
her only son… dead; then she calmly went in search of Elisha, Prophet of the
Most High God, confident that all would be well. Well I don’t know about you,
but my reaction to such a situation would likely have been very different!
I can’t even begin to comprehend the kind
of faith that Noah exhibited… 120 years building a mammoth boat. 120 years
methodically following God’s meticulous instruction in the face of derision and
jeers of unbelief, surrounded by unbridled sin…. Could you demonstrate that level of faith?
What is the reward of those who exhibit
pure faith? “God is not ashamed to be called their God.”
But
now they stretch forth to a better fatherland, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city
for them. Hebrews 11:6
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