That Mysterious, Controversial Puzzle - FAITH

                 That Mysterious, Controversial Puzzle Called FAITH
INDEX:
- FAITH IS THE KEY GOD GIVES US TO CONNECT WITH HIM
- THE GROUND AND ATMOSPHERE THAT FAITH THRIVES IN
- FAITH IS ACTIVATED AND ENGAGED BY....
- FAITH, A SPIRITUAL FUNCTION
- BELIEF OR FAITH?
- CONCLUSION
 

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…But without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him (GOD).” Hebrews 11:1,6.
 In layman's terms, faith is the ability to believe, perceive, grasp, see God.
 FAITH IS THE KEY GOD GIVES US TO CONNECT WITH HIM.

  Faith is given upon conception along with hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13) as part of the human package, as with all the other tools necessary for existence and survival in this life. But specifically, Faith, Hope, and Love, are critical for fulfilling His purpose for us, and determining our eternal destiny. “…according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12: 3.

  For this reason faith is most apparent in children. Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” Luke 18:17. 

  As we run the gauntlet of life, these three in particular are bombarded constantly by attacks of temptations, fears, doubts, diversions, distractions, and hurts. Nevertheless, the fruits thereof are what God our Heavenly Father will be inspecting, which will ultimately determine our success or failure before Him (all things justly considered). Friends, please understand, it is not about how well we perform, but that we hold on in spite of all the struggles.

 The faith that God requires is that unshakable trust in His Word and in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith can be lost through yielding to fears, doubts, but especially unbelief = BEWARE OF WHO YOU LISTEN TO AND WHAT YOU BELIEVE – THE STAKES ARE ETERNAL!!!

The Ground and Atmosphere FAITH thrives in is LOVE; “…faith, which works by love.” Galatians 5:6 “…love… thinks no evil, rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”1 Cor. 13:5-8
 NOTE - Speaking of the last days, Jesus said, "Because iniquity (lawless sinful behaviour) shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."  Matthew 24:12, Therefore sin undermines faith, because sin (which is in actuality self-gratifying behaviour) quenches love, and consequentially faith is compromised.

Faith is Activated and Engaged by Responding to and Acting on (Accordingly) the Word of God. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18, “If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

  By the faith of Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) we reach out beyond the physical world, past the *spiritual realm, and lay hold on the counsel, salvation, and promises, of God Almighty (actually it is He Who lays hold on us).

*Spiritual Realm – stops short of the Kingdom of God and is where, through deception, the devil attempts to intercept people who are either deliberately or accidentally trying to reach GOD our Creator. It is disguised in religion, spiritism, witchcraft, magic, and the like.

FAITH, A SPIRITUAL FUNCTION

  The faith that God requires is a function of our spirit and not just a bias or consent of our reason. (“God is Spirit.” John 4:24) "With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early;" Isaiah 26:9, yet for functionality in this natural world it also requires the co-operation of our natural mind and actions. 1 – We need to process the information given (but may not necessarily understand it initially). 2 - We must make a conscious decision regarding the information ie. the Gospel/Word of God (by which we are saved and brought into right standing with God). 3- We must be able to apply the instructions and commands of the Lord in our every day life. 4 – We must be able to not only relay, but often instruct others with that knowledge and information. A mature Christian is expected by God to know, understand, and apply in the physical world the Word of God. “Brethren, be not children in understanding, howbeit in malice be children, but in understanding be men.” 1Corinthians 14:20

 NOTE: A child (or anyone) may not understand the doctrines of the Gospel, but by believing the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ is able, nonetheless, to receive the promises by faith because they are not at all dependent on human wisdom, understanding, and ability, but rather depending alone in God’s Grace. This is what separates true faith from all other forms of human ability. Consequently, this faith enables everyone, young or old, simple, handicapped, or wise, to be able to lay hold of the promises of God and receive from Him the Salvation and life that Jesus purchased for us.

  For this faith to be valid, there must be an achievement of purpose = connection with God, answer to prayers, fruit of promises achieved, and most of all, a new person in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). All of which will be in agreement with the Word of God, the Bible.

 BELIEF OR FAITH?

 Belief in God alone does not mean He has connected with you. The sin that separates us from Him is only removed through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ His Only Begotten Son, Who paid for our sins on the cross at Calvary. The initial evidence of your faith is that you connect with God and become a new person in Christ 2 Corinthians 5:17, and are at peace with HIM Romans 5:1. There should be answers to prayer, a love for His people, a love for His Word (the Bible), a love for others, and a desire to serve and follow Him. There should be a distaste for what He calls sin, especially for your own sin, and a corresponding change of lifestyle. Most of all, you know Him! "...for all shall all know Me, from the least to the greatest." Hebrews 8:12, "...for I know Whom I have believed...2 Timothy 1:12, "...and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3  When we believe in Jesus Christ truly, we can confidently say as a matter of fact, "I know Him." Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice." John 10:27  Jesus Christ bridged the gap of sin between us and God - IN CHRIST JESUS it is now a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!!

Conclusion Faith, the kind that pleases God, actually brings us into a personal and intimate relationship with Him through faith in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. THAT IS WHAT TRUE FAITH ACCOMPLISHES!