FAITH

 Without a doubt there have been many sermons preached on faith and numerous articles on the subject of belief. I have heard some people say that there has to be more. Others will ask,"How can you put Faith in something you never seen, heard or touched"?

 

We are in the last days and people are being conditioned to believe many lies of deceit that the world is promoting. They know nothing about the subject of true faith in Jesus Christ.

 

  Hebrews 11: 6 says ”But without Faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” When you ask most people if they have Faith in Jesus Christ the average response is, “Sure I have Faith.” Now comes the second part of the question. Do you actively seek Him? You might see a dumbfounded look on his or her face or you can just understand by looking at them and seeing the resistance in their spirit.

 

  It is interesting that people who want something will go all out to attain their dreams and ambitions. They will go the extra mile and then some. Why? Because it is for them. We are supposed to better ourselves but without God. It becomes nothing more than a works orientated salvation. ”For by Grace are ye saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

 

  Faith has always been the mark of the true servants of God since the beginning of Creation. Even before the law was given by God those who had faith in the one and only true God were saved and those who did not perished. All things we see in this world are temporal and the things not seen are eternal. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1.

 

  Faith is not our feelings.“The just shall live by Faith.” This goes right over the head of many people because they do not understand and have no spiritual discernment on the subject of real faith in Jesus Christ. People make all kinds of excuses so that they can justify themselves. Be careful of that because God does not see it that way. God has given us His simple plan of Salvation.

 

There are hundreds of cults, religions and false prophets that come into this world with other ideas to deceive people. They will received a greater damnation from God because they kept the truth hidden from people. " And He spoke a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind: shall they not both fall into the ditch?" Luke 6:39.

 

  Jesus Christ took our place when He died on the Cross for our sins. In like manner we will pay the cost of what it is to be a Christian. The Bible says, "And He said to them all, If any man come after Me, let him deny Himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."Luke 9:23. We will lose friends because of our beliefs and even family members. We might even lose other things just so very precious to us but that is part of the price when we follow Jesus Christ.

 

I have faced many loses in my walk with Jesus Christ and it is painful. The world does not understand us because they are walking in the flesh. We are going the other way in the Spirit. Jesus said that it was not easy for Him and it will not be easy for us to obey God. Our faith is ncreased every day if we are following Jesus Christ and we get stronger in Him. God will also refine us which is something that almost nobody wants but it is better than walking our own way and being lost.

 

  It can be very difficult to be a Christian. ”That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perished, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”1 Peter 1:7.

 

  It is important to be in the Word of God and in prayer all the time because the evil in today’s world is coming at us from every side. Christians are being persecuted every day all around the world. This is not by coincidence.

 

Satan has waged a battle with Christians because they believe in Jesus Christ and it is a tug of war for the souls of men and women everyday. ”Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”1 Peter 5:8.

 

  In these last days our faith is really being tested. I often say," Lord I am at my very end" but Jesus Christ always comes through. We Christians must be steadfast in our faith and putting our trust in the Lord because the days are evil and we need to lean on Jesus Christ and put on the whole armour of God.

 

Christians should read Ephesians 6:11-18. In these verses God tells us exactly what to do and how to put on the armor of God . It is interesting to note that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against evil powers and rulers of wickedness in high places. This verse is found in verse 12. We need to remember this when we are facing a strange situation.

 

  It is very simple. When we have true faith in Jesus Christ and obey Him which can be very difficult then God does the rest but He will do it in His way and in His timing.

 

 

  16 “ Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”

 

  17” Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”

 

  18” A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”

 

  19” Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

 

  20 “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

 

 

 

  It does not matter who you are in life. God has a purpose for you and His grace will be sufficient. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4 :7. God only requires that we trust Him with our whole heart and soul. There will be times when we will feel like we are all alone but we have a promise from Jesus who said, “I will never leave you or forsake you”. Hebrews 13:5.

 

  So now let us come down to what Faith in Jesus Christ is all about. Jesus was always emphasizing to believe in Him. In His public life He performed many miracles, healed the sick, cast out demons, raised people from the dead, changed water into wine, fed thousands of people and many more things that we do and do not know about but God knows what is in the hearts of men. Will you trust in Jesus Christ?

 

  Jesus gives us every opportunity to come to Him. No matter how terrible our sin is Jesus is willing to forgive us if we repent. With all this most people choose to live in darkness rather than the light. Many men and women today think they are gods and can determine their own destiny. How foolish. Most people I know have a hard time paying their bills.

 

  Christian keep enduring for Jesus Christ sake because I can assure you no matter what trial you go through it is what the Bible teaches in His Word. This is what Jesus has for you.

 

                     “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

 BOB D.