THE EFFICACIOUS NATURE OF FAITH "FAITH" – the very word stirs up all manners of thoughts, persuasions, and religious opinion. However, when we are exposed to the mind of the Lord on the subject of faith, we at once see that here really is no room for opinion concerning it. Too much hinges on "faith" for it to be thrown into the arena of human judgment. When dealing with matters pertaining to life and godliness, the opinions of men, humanly devised principles of interpretation, and preconceived notions must be thrown upon the dung heap. They are not allowed in the citadel of Divine revelation, or the marvelous arena of God's "great salvation." -- Tomorrow:
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Cor 5:7)
Devotion 1 of 24
Faith is a reality that is in the category of which I speak. Because of its nature, and the things that are hinged to it, we simply cannot afford to be wrong about it. The church world may allow for variant views on the subject, but God will not. Because of the nature of faith, and what depends wholly upon it, no person can have a twisted view of it. This will become apparent as we walk through this series of devotions.
The purpose of this series is to expound faith itself – where it comes from, what it does, and the necessity of maintaining it at all cost. I will deal with what God has said about faith, and confess that I have no interest in any view of faith that clashes with or neutralizes what God has said about it. Some theologians have a tendency to oversimplify faith. Some have said it is simply believing the Bible. There is some truth to this, but it certainly does not exhaust the definition. Faith is not merely an exercise of the mind – it has to do with our spirits, or essential persons. It also is our exclusive means of access to God, Christ, and the "things God has prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor. 2:9). Given this situation, faith cannot be considered independently of Divine influence. Both the Object of faith and the effect of faith upon the individual transcend the natural abilities of humanity.
The affirmations of the Word of God are clear on this point, and worthy of unreserved acceptance by everyone. As we peruse them, remember: if there were no God or Christ, faith would not be possible. Faith presumes both power and realities that are outside of your person. It refuses to trust in the arm of flesh, doing whatever is necessary to maintain a lively awareness of God's Person and favor.
What is life all about? That is a question frequently asked in our time – and it is one receiving a variety of answers. For some, life is trying your best to be good. For others, it is a matter of doing the things that are most satisfying to the flesh. Still others consider the development of a career the preeminent matter. As the "offspring of God," however, we must obtain a higher view – one that will be valid when the world comes to an end. Our consideration of faith offers that higher view of life. It presumes the temporality of this world, the provision of salvation, and the inevitability of death and judgment. Given these postulates, there is no alternative to faith.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, open my eyes to see the truth on the matter of faith.