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Wednesday,
November 19, 2008
Through Faith
Hebrews 11:5-6 By faith Enoch was
translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had
translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he
pleased God. (6) 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. (KJV)
Enoch through faith was translated, taken
from this realm into the heavenly one. We too have been raised up and are
able to sit with Christ on a daily basis to hear His message of love and
walk the path He chose for us. As we see in verse 6, without faith (our
ability to hear this message and then act and follow through with what God
is asking of us), then it is impossible to please Him. If you were hired to
do a job, then upon your hiring you would go through a training process
where they show you how to operate the way they would like things done; if
you don’t listen to the instructions and then practice what is being
preached, you probably won’t last long, maybe not even past your training
time. Spiritually the same holds true, there is only one Lord and one faith
that is pleasing to Him, while anything else falls short into the realm of
impossible. You as a believer in Christ need to keep the line of
communication open, so that you can hear the message being delivered by
Christ and then become a doer as well as a hearer.
Colossians 2:5-8 For though I be absent
in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your
order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. (6) As ye have
therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (7) Rooted and
built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught,
abounding therein with thanksgiving. (8) Beware lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the
rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (KJV)
“But last night the people on the
religious channel said they were getting together with people of all faiths
and they were going to have a prayer service” Well let me give a couple of
hints that will hopefully eliminate any doubts about which faith is of God.
First of all, the vain deceit and philosophy of man comes in the form of
denominations, adding something to the Word that wasn’t intended to be
there in the first place. Secondly, when dealing with faith, or the faith,
you will find consistently throughout the Word that it can only be
established in and through Christ, while anything else is in the realm of
impossible. As you receive this message of faith as verse 6 points out,
then step out in what you know for yourself and not try to imitate others,
but rather know who you are in Christ and where He has you placed in His
body. Many try to walk in areas they haven’t been called to and then fall
short because it wasn’t by faith, being led by the Spirit.
Colossians 2:9-12 For in him dwelleth all
the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which
is the head of all principality and power: (11) In whom also ye are
circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the
body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (12) Buried
with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith
of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (KJV)
You are complete in Christ, because He is
the author and finisher of your faith. Christ Himself was raised from the
dead and so were you; so that now you can hear His message and do those
things that are pleasing in God’s sight. Remember God is a Spirit, so those
that desire to please Him must do so on His turf, that being in the
Spiritual realm and according to His truth. He wrote the book, not only the
beginning but the end as well. In other words, that same voice you heard
that got you into His kingdom in the first place is the same one you need
to be giving ear to as well if you desire to make it to the end.
Philippians 3:7-9 But what things were
gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count
all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them
but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine
own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith
of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (KJV)
The reason Paul was able to endure to the
end was because he gave ear to the author and finisher of his faith, that
being someone who walked this earth and was able to live a life pleasing to
God, that being Jesus Christ. Paul found out that those things that he
thought would draw him closer to God were actually things that needed to be
discarded and counted as loss. There is nothing you can do that is going to
impress God or make you more righteous in His sight. However there is one
way to please Him and that is through the faith of Christ, being in right
standing with God by hearing His message and then following through with
what He is asking.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things
through Christ which strengtheneth me. (KJV)
Are you following a can do person, or are
you listening to a message that is not of faith, which according to the
Bible is sin? Your strength, your ability to do those things that are
pleasing to God is only through Christ, letting Him lead and guide you on
the path of life.
Psalms 108:12-13 Give us help from
trouble: for vain is the help of man. (13) Through God we shall do
valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. (KJV)
Are you still trying to do things by your
own strength and might, or are you relying on a sure thing, the complete
answer? Through faith all things are possible to them that believe, while
without faith it is impossible to please God. God bless and keep the faith.
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