Life by Faith

Post date: Apr 28, 2021 7:09:23 PM

Over four decades have passed since I first opened my heart to believe the truth of Gods’ word. The bible teaches; “but 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 diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11: 6) This desperate soul surrendered his will to the God of creation by trusting and believing that He is. Despite any previous offenses I was immediately met with divine acceptance.

Romans 10: 9-10 “that if you confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

The phrase “to err is human” is commonly used to describe ones’ humanness. Most people experience at least one moral lapse throughout their lifetime. Scripture teaches “…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3: 23) The original sin brought corruption, spiritual death and mortality. Humanities willingness to continue in the footsteps of Adam through the lure and “deceptiveness of sin “amplify their need for a Savior. “…For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8) Jesus taught “…except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6) Jesus’ selfless sacrifice has saved those who believe from the wrath of God and to them He “…brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1: 10)

Ephesians 1: 13-14 In Him you trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchase possession, to the praise of his glory.

The miracle of the new birth cannot begin to manifest until the Holy Spirit has entered the believer’s heart by faith. Christs’ atoning sacrifice made restitution for sin, reconciled mankind to God and enabled the Holy Spirit to enter, abide in and seal the believers’ righteous heart where “the Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.”(Romans 8: 16) The Apostle Paul writes, “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8: 9-10)

Acts 19: 2-6 “He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Ghost when you believed?” And they said unto him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit”. And he said unto them, “Into what then were you baptized?” so they said, “into Johns baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe on Him who should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”

Water baptism is a rite exercised by believers throughout the Christian church. After discovering that an outdated method was being used to baptize new believers the Apostle Paul immediately corrected this practice by sharing the benefits of being baptized in the name of Jesus. In his address to the Romans Paul continues this teaching by paralleling Christs’ death and resurrection to the rite of baptism. He writes, “Know ye not, that so many of us were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death. Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into His death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection.” (Romans 6: 3) Baptism by water immersion, performed in the name of Jesus, symbolizes the death to the old flesh and the rising to life of the spirit man. Scripture states that the new believers who after having been baptized in the name of Jesus had the apostle pray for them. The scripture states: “and when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19: 6) The spirit man within them awakened!

2 Corinthians 5: 17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.’

The bible describes the awakening of the spirit man within the believer as a mystery, “…which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made known to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1: 26-27) The boasting of religious accomplishment is slain when one puts their faith in the name of Jesus, as the scripture declares: “for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2: 8-10)

These words penned by the Apostle Paul seem appropriate for ending this writing as we are living in very difficult times and as believers, we must do all we can to uphold the faith and uphold each other. That is why God says in the scriptures, “Awake, O sleeper, and rise up from the dead; and Christ shall give you light, so be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make use of every opportunity for doing good. Don’t act thoughtlessly but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to do. Don’t drink much wine, for many evils lie along the path; be filled with the Holy Spirit and controlled by him.” (Ephesians 5: 14-15 Living bible)

Remember, who you are in Christ and act accordingly! YOU are RIGHTEOUS!!!