Faith is the Foundation!

“Faith is taking the first step, even when

you don’t see the whole staircase.”

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Scripture:

Now, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction

of things not seen.

~Hebrews 11:1

Perspective:

The dictionary definition of faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

The scriptural definition of faith is the assurance that the things revealed and promised in the Word are true, even though unseen.

Wikibooks calls faith, “the basic ingredient to begin a relationship with God.”  It is what connects us to the spiritual realm and makes God a tangible reality.

Life’s trials may seem overwhelming and unfair, but they do have a purpose!  They are actually meant to both test and strengthen our faith.  However, many use their trials as a reason to lose faith, feeling that bad things would not happen to them if there was a God who loves them.  That is simply not true.  We must love, be faithful to, and trust God because of the grace, unconditional love, forgiveness, and acceptance He shows us daily.  And, because He gave up His only son to save us from death, to give us the opportunity to have eternal life in paradise with Him.  Can you even begin to imagine sacrificing your child in a cruel death for the world’s sinful people?  I cannot. 

Never did God say life would be easy.  He is not a vending machine, giving us whatever we want or ask for when and how we want it.  He sees and understands what we cannot in this world and knows what is best for each of us long before we are able to.  By living life in obedience to Him, we grow in ways we cannot even begin to imagine, we grow in His love.  Through faith, life unfolds in ways we could not have predicted, and not because we get our way or life becomes easy, but rather for how we are able to grow and change immersed in God’s love.

Throughout the Bible, those showing immense faith are depicted, as well as those who had little to no faith, all in an effort to teach us lessons about who God is and how He wants us to live.  Noah, a 10^th generation descendant of Adam, was an honorable man in his time.  Based on God’s instructions, he constructed a huge ark to save his family and God’s creatures before God flooded the earth, due to how corrupt it had become.  Abraham obeyed God and moved his family to “the land of promise” where they had to live in tents and later, was even prepared to offer his son Isaac as an offering to God.  His wife Sarah on the other hand, who believed she was too old to conceive, demonstrated her doubt in God when she told her husband to sleep with her servant, Hagar, so they could have a baby as God told them they would.  Her lack of faith leading to Abraham’s child with Hagar then caused strife in her life.  Moses was obedient to God and went before Pharaoh repeatedly to fight for the release of his people, and then ventured across the Red Sea with more than two million Israelites following him.  The Israelites spent 40 years, as opposed to just days, in the desert due to their continued inconsistent faith in and disobedience toward God; only two faithful members of the original group made it into the promised land, Joshua and Caleb. 

In obedience to God’s instructions, Joshua and the Israelites marched silently around the city of Jericho for six days while seven priests blew their trumpets.  On the seventh day they marched seven times while blowing their trumpets, and then shouted on command, causing the walls of Jericho to fall.  Their obedience to and trust in God’s instructions, despite their lack of understanding of His unusual plan, allowed them to win this battle that otherwise would have been impossible.  Joseph kept the faith after being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and then later thrown into jail because of lies against him.  He later rose to second in command in Egypt and saved his brothers!  Job lost everything, including his children, and was covered in sores, but never blamed God or lost faith despite the urging of his wife to do so and his friends telling him God was punishing him.  In time, he gained back all he had lost, plus some.  Paul continued to preach even while in prison and spread the Gospel regardless where he was or how much or little he had.  Faith is a choice.  In life we are free to choose, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices.

Through life’s many trials and if we are willing to, we are able to work out those things interfering with our faith such as worry, resentment, and hopelessness.  Working through life’s fires, or our troubles, is much like what heat does to precious metals.  The extreme heat allows the Smith to get rid of the impurities that rise to the top till he or she can see their own reflection in the liquid metal.  The stronger our faith becomes, the stronger our love toward our Savior becomes, and the more we grow in His image, the more we trust Him over our self and lean on Him for guidance and strength.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

How do we walk in faith?

• Take the first step…choose to give your life to Christ, your salvation does not come from being raised in a religious family or being baptized as a baby, it comes from your personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Savior.  Commit to walking in courage according to God’s will for your life, trusting what you cannot see, and stepping out in faith. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

• Develop your spirit daily…pray, talk to Jesus as though He were your most trusted friend (He is); listen and look for God’s soft voice and guidance in your daily life; read and meditate on the Word of God (it truly is transformative); trust in God’s perfect timing; show gratitude in all things and all situations; cherish and care for all that God gives you/your blessings; serve others, especially those in need; and seek fellowship with other believers, we are not meant to live the Christian life alone.  “But Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

• Seek to learn and grow in your faith…think, choose, and act for eternity, do not prioritize the things of this world that will bring you only temporary pleasure; live according to God’s Word and commandments; accept that you may appear to look different, even irrational, to those living for this world; know that you will face trials along the way, the Bible promises us struggle; walk through this life knowing the Holy Spirit is in you every step of the way; commit to all you do bringing glory to God, even your mistakes, repent of and seek to learn from them.  “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Life Application:

>Have you personally made the decision to give your life to Christ?  Contemplate and journal about what that means to you…

*You can even do so online; at the end of sermons online, viewers are always invited to give their life to Christ.  Check out my favorite Bible-based Churches online (or on their Apps.):

Fresh Life Church, Life Church, and Elevation Church!

>>What do you think, say, and do in your daily life to not only show your faith to Christ but also to grow your faith in Christ?

>>>What changes can you make in all areas of your life (spiritual, family, relationships, health and fitness, growth and learning, professional, and financial) to grow and show your faith in Christ, so others may know that you are a follower, or disciple, of His.  God does not require works for us to be saved, but rather we naturally begin to say and do kind, compassionate things the more we know and love God, as we seek to be more like Him.  “But someone will say, You have faith and I have works.  Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)