Thursday, January 3, 2013

Faith

What is faith? Where does faith come from? Why doesn't everyone have faith?

Faith is a part of man that is used to focus in on God our Savior. When man is enlightened to the things of God faith can be utilized. Faith is exercised when the power of God's Word "stirs" the human soul to turn to our Savior for personal Salvation. Faith allows man to be touched by the forgiveness of sins that comes from Christ. Man is convicted when realization of Christ shows the hidden darkness of unbelief and rejection within. Man is "prodded" by God to dig deep and give up the concealed darkness of rejection of a Savior's love for fallen man. Faith comes to man by hearing. Faith gives consent to God through acceptance of the truth behind God's Word. Realization and understanding of the power of Christ (heard in the message) gives man something to put his faith into. Faith in Christ gives man something hold on to. Christ gives man something to never let go of. Faith works out "after" God works in. The outward work of man's faith in Christ is termed as "faithfulness". The eyes of faith see Christ as Savior and Redeemer. Christ's person, Christ's  power, and Christ's presence is understood by faith and not by sight.  Faith is the practice of a child of God. You become faithful when the reality of Christ takes you over. Salvation comes in when you trust Christ. Faith trusts Christ's redemption for holiness in this life and Heaven beyond the grave. Faith allows man to get away from self. Faith allows man to do the will of God. The attitude of faith is renunciation of sin. Faith is produced in confirmation of the truth about Christ. Faith pays attention to the things of God. Faith makes men "whole". A faithful man is a persuaded man, a confident man, and a man given to Christ. Resisting the Devil is a part of faith. Faith reaches out and touches God's Grace so much that it allows the sinner to become a new creature in Christ. A man of faith "realizes" that God's Grace found in Christ is the most important thing in life.  Faith is placed in the will of God. Faith is built on the Promises of God. The hearing of faith "increases" man's knowledge about Christ. The Bible is man's Word of Faith. Learning the Bible "adds to" our faith in Christ. Christians "continue" in the faith as they desire to learn, hear, and be taught in God's Word. Romans 3:24-25 tells us the heart of a faithful man is "Justified freely by the power of God's Grace"...

Romans 10:14-17...How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.