What is Faith?

1Corothains 13:13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

Faith is at the core of being a Christian, but what is faith? Jesus illustrated it this way; He took a small child and sitting the child on His lap, He said. Except that you have faith as a little child, you shall by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Hold that thought for a moment.

Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law, and New Testament teaching makes it clear that no man is justified by the law. If we could be justified by the law, then Christ would have died in vain. Jesus is our righteousness, which allows us to stand in God’s presence uncondemned. So, what has the faith of a child to do with gaining entrance into God’s presence?

When a young child needs something from their parents, what work do they perform to obtain what they need? Do our children work for their food, their clothes, or their shelter? They grow up knowing these things will be provided for them. This confidence is so much a part of their nature, that when they see an orphan that does not have this status they often make fun of them. Because I understand the orphan’s plight, I understand what the children that have parents have.

Jesus says that He is the door to relationship with the Father. Jesus is the way, the truth, the life and no man comes unto the Father unless they go through that door. If you have entered that door, there is nothing you can do to earn your status in His kingdom as sons of His. You just are His children and if you try to earn privilege through works, you do just what the Jews did that tried to obtain justification by the works of the law.

You make faith about works. This is why Jesus used the example of the little child’s faith, if you try to earn your status as His son then you try to define faith as work. In the “faith” chapter (Hebrews 11) we find: “ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” You must first understand that God is. Then you need to understand that God is a rewarder of those that seek Him.

To obtain faith you must study and learn about Jesus and all the scriptures about Him. Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Jesus delights in teaching us, ask Him to help you understand what it means for you to have faith in Him and He will give you understanding.

The Choice I Make

What is man that You take thought of him…

 Psalms 8:3-4  When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?

Mat 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

I recently read an article comparing the size of the sun to an 8” diameter bowling ball and the earth to the head of a straight pin (about the size of a muster seed). If you place that muster seed about 90 feet from the bowling ball, you get an idea of their approximate size and relative distance apart. If the earth is the size of a muster seed compared to a bowling ball, then man would be microscopic by comparison.  Uranus (the outer planet), at its greatest distance from the sun; would be placed about a half a mile from the above bowling ball and it’s relative size would be about half the size of a muster seed. Who is man, that the creator of the universe is mindful of us?

God has always existed, during this time He has created untold numbers of civilizations. I think it likely that most of the stars have inhabited planets associated with them, and that God is aware of what goes on in each of these worlds. Perhaps in all eternity, earth is the only planet where God created it’s inhabitants in His image, and perhaps the only planet where He came down and lived as one of them. Not only lived as one of them, but was killed by them to be the means of redeeming them so that they could choose to have a personal relationship with Him.

Mic 5:2  "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."

 God often chooses the most insignificant things to place the greatest honor on, the least of men to raise to the highest positions. Earth is therefore most likely the smallest of inhabited planets and man the smallest of intelligent creations. While it is beyond my comprehension that God acknowledges man, He choose to make us special to Himself. Those that choose to receive Him as their God; He gives the privilege to be called His sons.

Heb 2:3  how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,

Psa 24:1  A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.

Joh 1:11-12  He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

God created man and his solar system, we belong to God. Few of those that He created acknowledge Him, few choose Him as their Lord. It is a reasonable thing for me to bow my knees and more importantly my heart to my creator. God gives all men a choice and He has gone to great lengths to entice us to choose Him. God wants a people who willingly submit their selves to Him. That the majority of men do not choose to submit to their creator is a testimony of the free will that God gives man. It behooves one to choose wisely, for as God gives us a choice; He will not take away that choice we these bodies die. 

Deu_30:19  "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,

Heb 2:2-3  For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,

My friend, God has gone to great lengths not only to provide an eternal salvation for you, but also to give you an abundant life (both on earth and beyond). The creator of the universe wants a personal relationship with you! Wow! To date your experiences on earth may have left you feeling useless or it may have exalted you to the highest ranks of man. Beware; God is no respecter of persons! Whatever your class in this life, you stand before God as redeemed or as having rejected redemption. These are the only status you will carry with you, if you have chosen to reject the salvation provided through Jesus Christ, then God will not deny you your choice and make you spend eternity with Him.

Mat 11:28-30  "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Jesus offers you a relationship with Himself, not just salvation after your life on earth, but an abundant life, full of meaning and purpose while on earth. I hope and pray for you dear reader, that these words will guide your journey to the foot of the Cross and into the arms of God that are outstretched to receive you.