#4 If you don't stand for something then you'll fall for anything. ... if you don't stand firm in your faith, you won't stand at all. (Isaiah 7:9b)
FAITH What is it?
There is the Holy Bible that is an awesome compilation of the works and commands of a just, merciful, and righteous God. When the gospel (the good news of salvation through Christ) was first preached then written, there were people who did not believe. The apostles could easily refute them saying "here are the names and addresses of those people that were eyewitnesses to Christ's miracles and resurrection." It was because of this that the gospel was so accurate.
Israel has born testimony of a foretold resurrected Christ. It is so surprising to me Israel is not a fully devoted Christian nation. After all it was Israelites who wrote down the commands of God as well as Jesus. As a nation - Israel has shown a lack of faith.
So what is faith? It's defined as a firm belief and complete confidence. What is missing is - confidence in what? Belief and confidence in a command. Having an accurate Bible we see the commands of God clearly. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."(Mat 4:17). We have faith that we are to repent.
Let's say I am blindfolded. If I say "by faith I'll walk across this freeway." I may love and trust God but I'm going to get killed. But if God is next to me and He says "it's clear, go ahead and walk." Then I walk by faith. The most common misconception about faith is that God can do something so one believes He will. They then blame God for not coming through. The only problem is they did not have a command to do so in the first place.
In Matthew 14 it talks of the disciples caught in a storm on the sea. Jesus is walking on the water towards them. Peter says "since it is You - command me to come to You on the water." Peter wouldn't walk out on the water until he got that command. Jesus says "come." So, Peter, having faith in Jesus' command, walks out on the water to Him.
Now Peter also became distracted at the world, the wind and sea rose up, and he started losing his confidence - his faith. That is why he started sinking. It is only when we are in a contrary situation that our faith is revealed to be true.
Another example was with Abraham. He was told to sacrifice his promised child, Isaac, to God. Makes you wonder. These were two conflicting commands. But God used it as a test to let Abraham know his faith was genuine with a conflicting situation to His promise.
A man was walking along the edge of a cliff, slipped and fell over. A distance from the top he hung from a tree root sticking out. He shouts for help. God's voice calls back," Let go and I will save you." The man looks down and cries, "is there anyone else up there?" We don't want to hear what does not seem practical in our eyes; especially when it conflicts what we know is common sense. This is what it means to have faith. Not that God doesn't make sense but perseverance and trust in what God has said.
Here are a few of Christ's commands:
Mat 6:13 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
Mat 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul but fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.
Mark 8:34 If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up the cross, and fallow me.
Most people are afraid to operate under faith because they are scared God will ask them to give up something or do something they dislike. But God's ways are better than our ways and the path God chooses may not seem like it at the time but are so much better for us. Some would rather go to Hell than acknowledge God.
For as through the one man's disobedience (Adams eating the apple) the many were made sinners (the fall and curse of man), even so through the obedience of the one (Christ's sinless life) the many will be made righteous (Rom 5:19).
Your choice in choosing the resurrection and the true King for the assurance of eternal life is a decision between you and God. I won’t condemn anyone, but He may take it personally.
God Bless You