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I would like to do a series on Faith, which is one of the most talked about, misused and misunderstood subjects in the bible. The subject is too vast to be presented in a short devotional. That which we offer is just our thoughts and not meant to be exhaustive of the subject, by any means. It would be pretty arrogant if we thought that we could do that. Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. The writer of Hebrews quotes Habakkuk 2:4 and states that the just shall live by faith. We find this repeated in the New Testament in Romans 1:16-17 that tells us the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel of Christ and that we walk from faith unto faith. In other words, we don’t get it all at once. Like a baby we crawl, we totter, we fall, and then we walk and finally run. Galatians 3:11 tells us that no man is justified by the law, but that we are to walk by faith. Pray all day and go to church 10 times a week. That’s good, but that isn’t what saves you. Faith in Jesus does. The question then arises: Who are the just? Romans 3:6 tells us that God is just (righteous) and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus. Note the keyword "believe." Hebrews 11:6 tells us just how important it is, He that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Paul’s desire was that he not be found in his own righteousness, which was of the law, but that he be found in the righteousness of God which was by faith in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:9). There is a big difference between the two. This is reiterated in Romans 3:22. Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Another question arises: What must I believe to have the righteousness of God given to me? Romans 4:23-24 gives us the example of father Abraham, the father of the faithful. He believed God and his belief was imputed to him for righteousness. This promise of God’s righteous is extended to us "if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead." And as stated before, we first of all must believe that God is: Period. Hebrews 11:6 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. We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Not just as a theological creed or statement but that He is the One who came as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. Simply put: We must believe that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh for the purpose of our redemption (John 8:24). An example of this is the Ethiopian Eunuch. Phillip met him in the desert and preached Jesus to him from Isaiah 53. Isaiah 53:4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. After hearing this, the Eunuch desired to be baptized and at his baptism he simply stated, "I believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37)." We must recognize that we stand in need of a Savior; that we are sinners and that Jesus is our only hope. We would like to continue next week into Hebrews 11 where faith is defined as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The chapter gives us many stirring examples of the faith of the faithful. Song: The Love of God "Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe." - Augustine "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading." - Oswald Chambers Our Expository Studies Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries
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