We have seen that faith comes by hearing of God's rhema Word (Romans 10:17). Please read my earlier message: "The Nature of God's Word" concerning the nature of Logos and Rhema. Once faith has come, there are three phases of development through which it must pass:
Confession - Faith must be confessed with the mouth.
Outworking - Faith must be worked out in action.
Testing - Faith must be tested by tribulation.
Faith must be confessed
The word "confess" in Greek is "homologeo" (a verb) which literally means "to say the same as". Thus the word "confession" is "saying the same as". In Scripture, "confession" is always related directly to God's Word. Confession is saying the same with our mouth as God says in His Word. It is making the words of our mouth agree with the written Word of God.
The psalmist said, "I believed, therefore I spoke ...." (Ps. 116:10, NKJV).
Paul applied this to the confession of our faith when he said: "And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed and therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore speak" ( 2 Cor. 4:13, NKJV).
Speaking is the natural way for faith to express itself. Faith that does not speak is dead.
The entire Bible emphasizes that there is a direct connection between our mouth and our heart. What happens in the one can never be separated from what happens in the other.
Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34).
In other words, the mouth is the overflow valve of the heart. Whatever comes out through that overflow valve indicates the contents of the heart.
Basic requirements of salvation
Paul said, "(V. 8) But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith which we preach); (V. 9) that if you confess with your mouth that Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (V. 10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:8 - 10, emphasis added).
Notice that in each of these three verses Paul speaks about the mouth and the heart, but the order in which he does so is significant. In verses 8 and 9, it is the mouth first, then the heart. But in verse 10 the order is reversed - the heart comes first, and then the mouth.
I believe that this corresponds to our practical experience. We begin with God's Word in our mouth. By confessing it with our mouth, we receive it into our heart. The more persistently we confess it with our mouth, the more firmly it becomes established in our hearts. Once faith is thus established in our hearts, no conscious effort is needed any longer to make the right confession. Faith naturally flows out in what we say with our mouths. Thereafter, as we continue to express our faith through our mouths, we confess our way progressively into the full benefits of salvation.
Fact, faith and feeling
There are three words, each beginning with "f," that we must put in the right order: fact - faith -feeling.
Fact - found in the Word of God, and they never vary.
Faith - as we have already seen, relates us to the invisible realm of God and His Word. It takes its stand with the facts of God's Word, and confesses them as true.
Feeling - based on our senses. It may waver. But ultimately, if faith stands fast, feelings will come into line with the facts. On the other hand, if we start at the wrong end - with feeling rather than fact - we will always end up in trouble. Our feelings change hour by hour and moment by moment. If our life is based on them, it will be as unstable as they are.
Faith must be worked out in action
The Scripture indicates that faith that is confessed with the mouth must be backed up by appropriate actions. Faith without works - that is, without appropriate action - is dead.
Faith works by love
Paul said, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love" (Gal.5:6).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Paul here establishes four vital points which follow each other in logical order.
2. First, taking circumcision as an example, Paul says that no outward ritual or ceremony can by itself commend us to God. God is primarily concerned with the internal, not the external.
3. Secondly, the one essential element in true Christianity is faith. This is the inner condition of the heart which alone is acceptable to God and for which there is no substitute.
4. Thirdly, faith works. It is the very nature of faith to be active. Where there is no appropriate activity, there is no genuine faith.
5. Fourthly, the way in which faith naturally acts is by love. Where there is no love manifested, ther is no genuine faith. Love is strengthening, comforting and upbuilding.
Relationship between faith and works
The Epistle of James emphasizes the relationship between faith and works. There is actually no difference or contradiction between James' view of faith and Paul's view of faith even though some Bible teachers suggest that their views ar different and contradictory. In actual fact, their views are two obverse sides of the same truth.
We are justified by faith without works, because there are no works we can do that will earn us righteousness. But once we are justified by faith without works, we must then express our faith by our works, or else our faith is not valid. So Paul tells us how we receive righteousness (or justification) from God and James tells us what results follow when we receive righteousness from God. There is no conflict between thse two views; only a difference in emphasis. Furthermore, it is completely wrong to suggest that Paul lays no emphasis upon works. In Galatians 5:6, as we have already seen, he shows that the very nature of faith is to work - and to work through love. He brings out the same truth also in 1 Corinthians 13 - commonly known as the "love" chapter.
The main part of James' teaching concerning faith and works is found in James 2:14 -26. James turns to the life of Abraham (Vs. 21 - 24) and Rahab (V. 25) as examples of "justified by works."
James concludes by saying: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (V. 26). The only thing that can give life to a body is the spirit. Likewise, the only thing that can give to faith is works - appropriate actions from faith.
Faith is a Walk
Paul said, "And he (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that the righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised" (Romans 4:11, 12, NKJV, emphasis added).
The phrase "walk in the steps of the faith" indicates that faith is not static; it is not a condition, or a position. Rather it is a progressive walk that we take step by step. Each step springs out of our personal relationship with God. Different believers are in different stages of the faith walk. A believer who has been in the faith many years should be further down the road than a new convert. What God requires of a mature believer is different from what He requires of a beginner. Each step, regardless of the degree of maturity, is an act of obedience. Through a whole series of such steps, faith is developed and finally brought to maturity.
Faith must be tested by tribulation
Paul said, "Therefore haveing been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (V. 2) through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. (V. 3) And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; (V. 4) and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; (V. 5) and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:1 - 5, NAS, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. At first sight, this seems ridiculous. Who could ever imagine "exult in our tribulations" - in our hardship, persecution, loneliness, misunderstanding, or in poverty, sickness, and bereavement? Why should Paul suggest, or God expect, that we should exult in such things as these?
2. Fortunately, Paul gives us a reason, for he continues on in verses 3, 4 and 5. The reason for exulting even in tribulation is that, when received as from God and endured in faith, it produces results in our character which cannot be produced in any other way.
3. There are four successive stages in character development that result from meeting the test of tribulation:
Perseverance (or endurance) - This is an essential aspect of Christian character. Without it, we will not be able to enter into many of God's choicest blessings and provisions for us.
Proven character - The Greek word here translated is "dokime" which means "strength of character" or "a mature character" or "God approved character" or "proof that we have stood the test".
Hope - Steady confident hope - not mere daydreaming or wishful thinking. Hope of this kind is a strong, serene, confident expectation of good - the good that will ultimately result from the process of testing.
The love of God - The final objective of God in dealing with our character is to bring us into the enjoyment of His divine love.
Tested by fire - through various trials
According to James - "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2 - 4, emphasis added).
Paul tells us that we are to exult in tribulations; James tells us that we are to count all our trials as joy. Each is equally contrary to your natural thinking, but each has the same reason - testing alone can produce endurance or patience. Endurance is the only way that we can enter into the fullness of God's will for us - "perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
According to Peter - "In this (the expectation of salvation) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6, 7, emphasis added).
Peter here compares the testing of our faith to the way in which, at that period, gold was tested and purified by fire in a furnace.
According to prophet Malachi - Here Malachi paints a vivid picture of Jesus, as a long-waited Messiah, coming to His people and dealing with them as a refiner deals with gold and silver:
"But who can endure the day of His coming? and who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like launderers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness" (Malachi 3:2, 3, NKJV, emphasis added).
Trials or afflictions are the crucible in which God refines and purifies His people (including "sons of Levi" - New Testament priesthood, the Christians) until they meet the requirement of His holiness.
The Bible teaches that tribulation is a neccessary part of our total Christian experience. Once we understand the purpose of our tribulations, we will embrace them with joy. Even if we fail temporary under extreme pressure, we must never give up our faith. God will see us through.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Nature of God's Word
In the original Greek of the New Testament there are two different words both of which are normally translated "word" - one is logos; the other is rhema. At times the two words are used interchangeably. Yet each has a distinct, special significance of its own.
Logos and Rhema
The full meaning of logos extends beyond a word that is spoken or written. It denotes those functions which are the expression of a mind. A Greek lexicon defines logos as " The power of the mind which is menifested in speech and reson." In this sense, logos is the unchanging, self-existent "Word of God." it is God's counsel, settled in eternity before time began, due to continue on into eternity long after time has run its course.
David said, "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven" (Ps. 119:89, NKJV, emphasis added).
On the other hand, rhema is derived from a verb meaning to "speak," and denotes specifically a word that is spoken - something that occurs in time and space.
Paul said, "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17, NKJV, emphasis added).
The word, "word" used by Paul is rhema and not logos. This agrees with the fact that he relates "word" with hearing. Logically, in order to be heard, a word must be spoken. God's rhema Word is both specific and personal.
Application of rhema
Solomon said: "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh" (Proverbs 4:20 - 22, NKJV, emphasis added).
Here are som statements of truth:
1. "God's Words" followed by "God's Sayings" indicate than Solomon refers to the rhema Word.
2. Rhema Word gives life and physical health (health to all their flesh).
3. "Give attention" and "incline your ear" indicate the act of focused "hearing." As a result of hearing God's Word faith comes (Romans 10:17).
The hearing of God's Word
Proverbs 4:20 -22 (the above verses) indicate that the hearing of God's Word consists of four elements:
1. We give close, undivided attention to what God is saying to us by His Holy Spirit. By a firm decision of our will we exclude all extraneous, distracting influences.
2. We incline our ears. We adopt a humble, teachable attitude toward God. We renounce our own prejudices and preconceptions and we accept what God says in its most plain and practical meaning.
3. We focus our eyes on the Word to which God has directed us. We do not allow our eyes to wander to statements from other sources that may conflict with what God is saying.
4. Even when the Words are no longer before our eyes, we continue to meditate on them in our hearts. In this way we retain them continually at the center of our being and their influence permeates every area of our lives.
The nature of God's rhema Word
God's rhema Word comes to each of us directly and individually from God. It is appropriate to a specific time and place. It presupposes an ongoing personal relationship with God. By each successive rhema. God guides us in the individual walk of faith to which He has called us. A rhema that is given to one believer may not be appropriate for another. Or again, it may not be appropriate even for the same believer in another stage of his experience.
The life of contnuing dependence upon God's rhema is clearly set forth in the words of Jesus when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness:
Jesus answered Satan and said: "It is written, 'Man shall not live by read alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4, emphasis added).
The word "proceeds" is in the continuous present tense. Jesus here speaks of a specific word proceeding directly from God's mouth, a word energized by "the breath of His mouth," which is the Holy Spirit - This is the nature of God's rhema Word. As we live in continuing dependence upon it, it imparts to us, day by day, the faith by which "the righteous (the just) man will live."
The relationship between logos and rhema
Rhema takes the eternal - logos - and injects it into time.
Rhema takes the heavenly - logos - and brings it down to earth.
Rhema takes the potential - logos - and makes it actual.
Rhema takes the general - logos - and makes it specific.
Rhema takes a portion of the total - logos - and presents it in a form that a man can assimilate.
Rhema is like each of the broken pieces of bread with which Jesus fed the multitude; it is suited to each individual's need and capacity; often it comes to us through another's hands.
From the eyes of the Lord through prophet Isaiah
Prophet Isaiah presents the relationship between logos and rhema in a beautiful graphical vivid way:
"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord, 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways highter than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I set it'" (Isaiah 55:8 - 11, NKJV, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Isaiah presents two different planes - the heavenly and the earthly. On the heavenly plane is the divine logos - God's ways and thoughts, the total counsel of God, settled forever in heaven. On the earthly level are man's ways and thoughts, far below those of God.
2. There is no way by which man can rise from his level to that of God, but there is a way by which God's ways and thoughts can be brought down to man. Like the rain and the snow that bring heaven's life-giving moisture down to earth, God says, "So shall my word ...." This is the same "word" that Jesus replied Satan in Matthew 4:4 - the Word (rhema word) by which man lives. It is a portion of the heavenly logos coming down to earth as rhema. It imparts to us that portion of God's ways and thoughts which applies to our situation and meets our need at that moment.
Isaiah continues to tell us the benefits of rhema when received and obeyed:
"For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off" (Isaiah 55:12, 13, cmphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. The rhema of God, when received and obeyed, brings forth in our lives the activity and fruit that glorify God. All the above high-lighted phrases are the outworking benefits of God's rhema in our lives.
2. "Thorn" and"brier" typify our ways and our thoughts. As we receive the rhema from God's mouth, these are replaced by the "cypress" and the "myrtle," which typify God's ways and thoughts.
Biblical examples of the rhema of God received and obeyed
To further illustrate the way that rhema being received and obeyed, and the result it produces, we are going to take two beautiful incidents from Scripture - one from the Old Testament, concerning David, and the other from the New Testament, concerning the virgin Mary.
David (1 Chronicles 17)
In 1 Chronicles 17 we see David established as king over Israel. He shared his desire with Nathan to build the Lord a house (temple) for Him to dwell. At first Nathan gave David warm encouragement (V. 2). But the following night Nathan received a different message from the Lord: "God and tell My servant David, 'Thus says the Lord: 'You shall not build Me a house to dwell in. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house" (Vs. 4, 10).
Here is an example of the difference between the ways and thoughts of God and of men. Whatever conceived in David's mind - to build a house for the Lord, was on the earthly plane. The Lord's mind was on the heavenly plane when He told Nathan that He would build David a house. Notice that David use the word "house" in the material sense, merely as a dwelling place. But God in His promise, used the word in its wider meaning of an enduring posterity - a royal line that would continue forever!
Nathan had brought to David a rhema - a direct, personal Word from God. Read the rest of the Chapter (V. 16 onward) you will notice that David set aside his own plans, preconceptions and gradually began to meditate with focused attention on God's message (rhema). He came to a place of hearing with faith, God's promise (rhema).
Then David replied the Lord: "And Now, O lord, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said" (V. 23, emphasis added).
David received the rhema - "The word which You have spoken" - from God. It come down from heaven, bringing God's way and thought down to David. Having "heard" this rhema and allowed it to produce faith within him, David appropriated its promise by a short prayer - "Do as You have said." These 5 words represent the most effective prayer that anyone can pray. Once we are truly convinced that God has said something to us, and we in turn ask Him to do what He has said, no power in heaven or earth can prevent ist fulfillment!
Mary (Luke 1:26 - 38)
There was, in the city of Nazareth, a peasant maiden named Mary who was a humble descendant of David's royal line. To her appeared an angel with a message direct from the Throne of God:
"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:31 - 33).
When Mary questioned how this could come about, the angel explained that it would be by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, concluding with the words, "For with God nothing will be impossible" (V. 37, emphasis added). In the original Greek, the word "nothing" in the context means, "No Word (No rhema)." And so Verse 37 means literally, "No Word (rhema) from God shall be void of power." And Mary knew that the angel had brought her a rhema (a direct, personal Word) from God.
She then responded: "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! let it be to me according to your word" (V. 38, emphasis added).
By these words Mary unlocked the supernatural power of God in the rhema and opened herself to its fulfillment in her physical body and demonstrated the greatest miracle of human history - the birth of God's eternal Son from the womb of a virgin.
The parallel responses of David and Mary
In its simplicity, Mary's response was parallel to that of David. David said, "Do as You have said." Mary said, "Let it be to me according to your Word." Each of these simple replies unlocked the miracle-working power of God to fulfill the promise that had been given. In each case, the rhema, received by faith, contained in it the power to its own fulfillment. Faith expressed in this way made room for the power of God, within the rhema, to bring about the fulfillment of what was promised.
Conclusion
I believe God still works the same way today with His believing people. By the Holy Spirit, He takes out from His eternal counsel (logos) a rhema - a specific word that fits our particular situation in time and space. As we "hear" this rhema, faith comes. Then as we use the faith we have thus received to appropriate the rhema, we discover that it contains in itself the power need to work out its own fulfillment.
Logos and Rhema
The full meaning of logos extends beyond a word that is spoken or written. It denotes those functions which are the expression of a mind. A Greek lexicon defines logos as " The power of the mind which is menifested in speech and reson." In this sense, logos is the unchanging, self-existent "Word of God." it is God's counsel, settled in eternity before time began, due to continue on into eternity long after time has run its course.
David said, "Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven" (Ps. 119:89, NKJV, emphasis added).
On the other hand, rhema is derived from a verb meaning to "speak," and denotes specifically a word that is spoken - something that occurs in time and space.
Paul said, "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17, NKJV, emphasis added).
The word, "word" used by Paul is rhema and not logos. This agrees with the fact that he relates "word" with hearing. Logically, in order to be heard, a word must be spoken. God's rhema Word is both specific and personal.
Application of rhema
Solomon said: "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh" (Proverbs 4:20 - 22, NKJV, emphasis added).
Here are som statements of truth:
1. "God's Words" followed by "God's Sayings" indicate than Solomon refers to the rhema Word.
2. Rhema Word gives life and physical health (health to all their flesh).
3. "Give attention" and "incline your ear" indicate the act of focused "hearing." As a result of hearing God's Word faith comes (Romans 10:17).
The hearing of God's Word
Proverbs 4:20 -22 (the above verses) indicate that the hearing of God's Word consists of four elements:
1. We give close, undivided attention to what God is saying to us by His Holy Spirit. By a firm decision of our will we exclude all extraneous, distracting influences.
2. We incline our ears. We adopt a humble, teachable attitude toward God. We renounce our own prejudices and preconceptions and we accept what God says in its most plain and practical meaning.
3. We focus our eyes on the Word to which God has directed us. We do not allow our eyes to wander to statements from other sources that may conflict with what God is saying.
4. Even when the Words are no longer before our eyes, we continue to meditate on them in our hearts. In this way we retain them continually at the center of our being and their influence permeates every area of our lives.
The nature of God's rhema Word
God's rhema Word comes to each of us directly and individually from God. It is appropriate to a specific time and place. It presupposes an ongoing personal relationship with God. By each successive rhema. God guides us in the individual walk of faith to which He has called us. A rhema that is given to one believer may not be appropriate for another. Or again, it may not be appropriate even for the same believer in another stage of his experience.
The life of contnuing dependence upon God's rhema is clearly set forth in the words of Jesus when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness:
Jesus answered Satan and said: "It is written, 'Man shall not live by read alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4, emphasis added).
The word "proceeds" is in the continuous present tense. Jesus here speaks of a specific word proceeding directly from God's mouth, a word energized by "the breath of His mouth," which is the Holy Spirit - This is the nature of God's rhema Word. As we live in continuing dependence upon it, it imparts to us, day by day, the faith by which "the righteous (the just) man will live."
The relationship between logos and rhema
Rhema takes the eternal - logos - and injects it into time.
Rhema takes the heavenly - logos - and brings it down to earth.
Rhema takes the potential - logos - and makes it actual.
Rhema takes the general - logos - and makes it specific.
Rhema takes a portion of the total - logos - and presents it in a form that a man can assimilate.
Rhema is like each of the broken pieces of bread with which Jesus fed the multitude; it is suited to each individual's need and capacity; often it comes to us through another's hands.
From the eyes of the Lord through prophet Isaiah
Prophet Isaiah presents the relationship between logos and rhema in a beautiful graphical vivid way:
"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord, 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways highter than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I set it'" (Isaiah 55:8 - 11, NKJV, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Isaiah presents two different planes - the heavenly and the earthly. On the heavenly plane is the divine logos - God's ways and thoughts, the total counsel of God, settled forever in heaven. On the earthly level are man's ways and thoughts, far below those of God.
2. There is no way by which man can rise from his level to that of God, but there is a way by which God's ways and thoughts can be brought down to man. Like the rain and the snow that bring heaven's life-giving moisture down to earth, God says, "So shall my word ...." This is the same "word" that Jesus replied Satan in Matthew 4:4 - the Word (rhema word) by which man lives. It is a portion of the heavenly logos coming down to earth as rhema. It imparts to us that portion of God's ways and thoughts which applies to our situation and meets our need at that moment.
Isaiah continues to tell us the benefits of rhema when received and obeyed:
"For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off" (Isaiah 55:12, 13, cmphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. The rhema of God, when received and obeyed, brings forth in our lives the activity and fruit that glorify God. All the above high-lighted phrases are the outworking benefits of God's rhema in our lives.
2. "Thorn" and"brier" typify our ways and our thoughts. As we receive the rhema from God's mouth, these are replaced by the "cypress" and the "myrtle," which typify God's ways and thoughts.
Biblical examples of the rhema of God received and obeyed
To further illustrate the way that rhema being received and obeyed, and the result it produces, we are going to take two beautiful incidents from Scripture - one from the Old Testament, concerning David, and the other from the New Testament, concerning the virgin Mary.
David (1 Chronicles 17)
In 1 Chronicles 17 we see David established as king over Israel. He shared his desire with Nathan to build the Lord a house (temple) for Him to dwell. At first Nathan gave David warm encouragement (V. 2). But the following night Nathan received a different message from the Lord: "God and tell My servant David, 'Thus says the Lord: 'You shall not build Me a house to dwell in. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house" (Vs. 4, 10).
Here is an example of the difference between the ways and thoughts of God and of men. Whatever conceived in David's mind - to build a house for the Lord, was on the earthly plane. The Lord's mind was on the heavenly plane when He told Nathan that He would build David a house. Notice that David use the word "house" in the material sense, merely as a dwelling place. But God in His promise, used the word in its wider meaning of an enduring posterity - a royal line that would continue forever!
Nathan had brought to David a rhema - a direct, personal Word from God. Read the rest of the Chapter (V. 16 onward) you will notice that David set aside his own plans, preconceptions and gradually began to meditate with focused attention on God's message (rhema). He came to a place of hearing with faith, God's promise (rhema).
Then David replied the Lord: "And Now, O lord, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, let it be established forever, and do as You have said" (V. 23, emphasis added).
David received the rhema - "The word which You have spoken" - from God. It come down from heaven, bringing God's way and thought down to David. Having "heard" this rhema and allowed it to produce faith within him, David appropriated its promise by a short prayer - "Do as You have said." These 5 words represent the most effective prayer that anyone can pray. Once we are truly convinced that God has said something to us, and we in turn ask Him to do what He has said, no power in heaven or earth can prevent ist fulfillment!
Mary (Luke 1:26 - 38)
There was, in the city of Nazareth, a peasant maiden named Mary who was a humble descendant of David's royal line. To her appeared an angel with a message direct from the Throne of God:
"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:31 - 33).
When Mary questioned how this could come about, the angel explained that it would be by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, concluding with the words, "For with God nothing will be impossible" (V. 37, emphasis added). In the original Greek, the word "nothing" in the context means, "No Word (No rhema)." And so Verse 37 means literally, "No Word (rhema) from God shall be void of power." And Mary knew that the angel had brought her a rhema (a direct, personal Word) from God.
She then responded: "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! let it be to me according to your word" (V. 38, emphasis added).
By these words Mary unlocked the supernatural power of God in the rhema and opened herself to its fulfillment in her physical body and demonstrated the greatest miracle of human history - the birth of God's eternal Son from the womb of a virgin.
The parallel responses of David and Mary
In its simplicity, Mary's response was parallel to that of David. David said, "Do as You have said." Mary said, "Let it be to me according to your Word." Each of these simple replies unlocked the miracle-working power of God to fulfill the promise that had been given. In each case, the rhema, received by faith, contained in it the power to its own fulfillment. Faith expressed in this way made room for the power of God, within the rhema, to bring about the fulfillment of what was promised.
Conclusion
I believe God still works the same way today with His believing people. By the Holy Spirit, He takes out from His eternal counsel (logos) a rhema - a specific word that fits our particular situation in time and space. As we "hear" this rhema, faith comes. Then as we use the faith we have thus received to appropriate the rhema, we discover that it contains in itself the power need to work out its own fulfillment.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Faith and the Sin of Unbelief
The writer of Hebrews said: "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, NKJV).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Left to ourselves, if we were asked what we need to do to please God, few of us would offer the answer which Scripture here gives. Most often than not, people try to please God on some basis other than faith: by morality, by good works, by Church membership, by charitable contributions, by prayer or other religious activity. But without faith, none of these is acceptable to God. No matter what else we do, no matter how good our motives, no matter how sincere or zealous we may be, there is no substitute for faith. Without it we cannot please God. It is impossible!
2. God's single requirement is - "He who comes to God must believe ..."
3. The two things that we are required to believe are: First, we must believe that God is - that He exists. Secondly, we must believe that God is "a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him".
The ultimate object of faith
It is true that faith relates us to two invisible objects - God and His Word. The ultimate object of faith is none other than God Himself. It is true that we believe in God, but we do so because His Word is an extension of Himself. Our confidence in His Word rests on our confidence in Himself as a Person. If we ever cease to believe in God we will eventually cease to believe His Word also.
It is most important to see that, those whose faith goes no further than merely believing a form of doctrine or theology, will never get to know the fullness and richness of life that God offers us. His final purpose is to bring us into an immediate, intimate, person-to-person relationship with Himself. That is the ultimat object of our faith.
The sin of unbelief
We have seen in my previous message: "The just shall live by faith" that righteousness proceeds always and only from faith. The reverse is also true - sin has only one ultimate source - unbelief.
Jesus said, "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; ..." (John 16:8, 9).
Therefore, the primary sin, of which the whole world is guilty, is unbelief. This the basis of all other sins.
The writer of Hebrews said: "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today.' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:12, 13, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Most believers tend to view unbelief as something regrettable, but comparatively harmless. But we are here told that an unbelieving heart is an evil heart. Unbelief is evil because it causes us to fall away from God. Just as faith establishes a personal relationship with God, so unbelief destroys it. The two are exactly opposite in their effects.
2. Unbelief causes our hearts to be hardened toward God and thus expose us to the deception of sin and of Satan.
3. The word "Today" is use deliberately to emphasize the fact that the effects of hardening of hearts for believers today are same as for those children of Israel who came out Egypt. They are just as deadly for us as they were for them.
The writer of Hebrews said further: "Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but in those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unfelief" (Hebrews 3:17 - 19, emphasis added).
Notice that those children of Israel committed many sins - idolatry, complaining, and rebellion and so on. But the specific sin which kept them from entering their inheritance was unbelief. Unblieve is the source of all sins. An important spiritual principle reveled is - "Faith unites us to Him; unbelief separates us from Him." Both are mutually exclusive.
The writer of Hebrews confirmed this spiritual principle:
"'Now the just whall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.' But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:38, 39).
Once we have committed ourselves to this life that is based on faith, we cannot afford to turn away from it again. To go back into unbelief leads only to darkness and destruction. To go forward we must continue as we began - in faith!
The definition of faith
Hebrews 11:1 give the only definiton of faith found in the Bible: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. The above verse consists of two parts - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for" and "(Faith is) the evidence of things not seen." These two parts consist of two basic principles of faith.
2. The first principle is "hope". "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for" indicates that faith begins with hope - confident expectation. We hope for things not yet attained, things not yet in our possession, with the unshakable confidence that the promises of God - "things hoped for" - whether they be for the distant future, or for the hours and days that lie immediately ahead, will be realized.
3. The second principle is "awareness" of the unseen spiritual world. This spiritual world, though not seen, is as real as the physical world which we relate to our physical senses. "(Faith is) the evidence of things not seen". It is easy to believe in things we can see, but not easy to believe in the things we cannot see. Yet this is exactly where faith operates. We do not need faith to operate in the realm of things we can see; it is sight, and not faith that operates there.
The operation of faith
The writer of Hebrews, having given us a definition, now proceeds to draw some interesting deductions from it.
"For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible" (Hebrews 11:2, 3).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. The "elders" were the ancient Hebrew patriarchs. They bore testimony under the influence of their faith because, even in trying circumstances, they had unwavering confidence in God.
2. Note carefully what this statement says - "By faith we understand". It does not say, "By faith we accept", or even "By faith we affirm". The word "understand" in the context simply means, "the exercise of the mind under the influence of God". Men who shut out God from their thinking, and then exercise their minds to try to discover the origin of the universe, even using scientific study and research, believe that all this happened by chance! Men will never understand the origin of the universe unless they begin to think from God's perspective.
3. The second part of Hebrews 11:3 is: "The things which ar seen were not made of things which are visible". In other words, we can never explain the things which are seen until we come to understand the things tha are unseen. That is the reason why so many scientists and philosophers struggle over the mysteries of the universe. They fail to recognize the existence of unseen things, and therefore they are unable fully to understand the meaning of the things that are visible. Unless these scientists are "converted"; unless they come by faith to the cross, they will not be able to discover something greater than the creation - the One and only Creator! And the more they understand God and fellowshipped with Him in the world of the unseen, the more clearly they come to understand the secrets of the material world aroung them.
4. The above gives the reason why the writer of Hebrews said, "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).
Everyone believes in God
As we have seen, we need faith to believe that God exists. But, strange may it seems to be, believing in God can be the easiest thing in the world. God created in the human spirit to relate to God. He also created in all of us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). In fact, I believe it requires much effort to disbelieve, but it requires little effort to believe. Even though we are all born sinners with a sinful nature, but the fact is that each one of us starts out by believing God exists. It is only when we are trained not to believe, that we come to the place of declaring God does not exist. That is why children have very little difficulty with the concept of God. With their childlike faith they believe that God exists.
Someone had said, "The soul is naturally Christian". This does not mean that conversion and regeneration are unnecessary. The fact is that, the soul is created in such a way that left to itself and without the influences of secularism and atheism, it will come to the conclusion that Paul's words: "All thigs were created through Him and for Him" (Col. 1:16), are imprinted on it.
Living illustrations of faith
The writer of Hebrews, having given us the definition and opreration faith, goes on the give us a few living illustrations - beginning with Abel and ending with Jesus (Hebrews 11:4 to 12:3). Some Bible teachers call them "heroes of faith".
It is interesting to note that the writer of Hebrews did not pull these names out, as illustrations of heroes of faith, at random. Each name illustrates a particular aspect and characteristic of faith. Our task, as we look at each of these characters in turn, is to test ourselves to see how many of their distinguishing marks of faith are present to our own lives. Let us briefly consider each of these living illustrations.
Abel (Heb. 11:4)
The first name we encounter is that of Abel. Why? Because it is in Abel the primary note of faith is struck - in coming into God's presence an atoning blood sacrifice is required. Cain's offering of fruit and vegetables was not acceptable by God. Abel was the first man to learn this truth.
Enoch (Heb. 11:5)
Enoch was one of the only two men in the Old Testament who went to heaven without dying - the other being Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). Enoch walked so closly with God that he found a fellowship which death could not interrupt. Enoch has become forever a picture of what death is to the Christian - not a termination, but a transition.
Noah (Heb. 11:7)
Noah feared God and by faith, built the ark as commanded by God. Faith acts on what God says, even though circumstances seem to say that it is all futile. Noah was led on by faith to become an heir of righteousness.
Abraham (Heb. 11:8 - 19)
Abraham is held in high esteem, not only by Christianity but also by Judaism and Islam. There are three great movements of Abraham's faith - one, Abraham obeyed God's call (Gen. 12:1 - 9); two, he sojourned in the land of promise (Gen. 13:14 - 18); three, he offered up his son Isaac (Gen. 22:1 - 18). Abraham may not know where he was going, but he knew with whom he was going! Abraham was called the friend of God (James 2:22).
Isaac, Jacob and Joseph (Heb. 11:20 - 22)
Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are linked together in the list of heroes of faith. In ech case, the illustrations of faith given are drawn from the latter part of the patriarchs' lives.
Moses (Heb. 11:23 - 29)
Most of us are familiar with the wonderful story of Moses' life - a life which spanned a period of 120 years. The significant characteristic of which Moses illustrated is - he evaluates every situation before he exercised his faith. For example: "(Moses) esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward" (Heb. 11:26).
The faith of others (Heb. 11:30 - 40)
Who are these "others"? Obviously this refers to the multitudes of people who, down the ages, have lived their lives by the principle of faith. If you are truly one of Christ's disciples, includes you also.
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:1, 2)
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:1, 2, NKJV, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. "Cloud of witnessed" refers to those heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11.
2. We should fix our eyes upon Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith instead of fixing our eyes upon any of the heroes of faith.
3. Jesus sat down at the right hand of the throne of God because His work had been completed.
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Left to ourselves, if we were asked what we need to do to please God, few of us would offer the answer which Scripture here gives. Most often than not, people try to please God on some basis other than faith: by morality, by good works, by Church membership, by charitable contributions, by prayer or other religious activity. But without faith, none of these is acceptable to God. No matter what else we do, no matter how good our motives, no matter how sincere or zealous we may be, there is no substitute for faith. Without it we cannot please God. It is impossible!
2. God's single requirement is - "He who comes to God must believe ..."
3. The two things that we are required to believe are: First, we must believe that God is - that He exists. Secondly, we must believe that God is "a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him".
The ultimate object of faith
It is true that faith relates us to two invisible objects - God and His Word. The ultimate object of faith is none other than God Himself. It is true that we believe in God, but we do so because His Word is an extension of Himself. Our confidence in His Word rests on our confidence in Himself as a Person. If we ever cease to believe in God we will eventually cease to believe His Word also.
It is most important to see that, those whose faith goes no further than merely believing a form of doctrine or theology, will never get to know the fullness and richness of life that God offers us. His final purpose is to bring us into an immediate, intimate, person-to-person relationship with Himself. That is the ultimat object of our faith.
The sin of unbelief
We have seen in my previous message: "The just shall live by faith" that righteousness proceeds always and only from faith. The reverse is also true - sin has only one ultimate source - unbelief.
Jesus said, "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; ..." (John 16:8, 9).
Therefore, the primary sin, of which the whole world is guilty, is unbelief. This the basis of all other sins.
The writer of Hebrews said: "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today.' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:12, 13, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Most believers tend to view unbelief as something regrettable, but comparatively harmless. But we are here told that an unbelieving heart is an evil heart. Unbelief is evil because it causes us to fall away from God. Just as faith establishes a personal relationship with God, so unbelief destroys it. The two are exactly opposite in their effects.
2. Unbelief causes our hearts to be hardened toward God and thus expose us to the deception of sin and of Satan.
3. The word "Today" is use deliberately to emphasize the fact that the effects of hardening of hearts for believers today are same as for those children of Israel who came out Egypt. They are just as deadly for us as they were for them.
The writer of Hebrews said further: "Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but in those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unfelief" (Hebrews 3:17 - 19, emphasis added).
Notice that those children of Israel committed many sins - idolatry, complaining, and rebellion and so on. But the specific sin which kept them from entering their inheritance was unbelief. Unblieve is the source of all sins. An important spiritual principle reveled is - "Faith unites us to Him; unbelief separates us from Him." Both are mutually exclusive.
The writer of Hebrews confirmed this spiritual principle:
"'Now the just whall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.' But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:38, 39).
Once we have committed ourselves to this life that is based on faith, we cannot afford to turn away from it again. To go back into unbelief leads only to darkness and destruction. To go forward we must continue as we began - in faith!
The definition of faith
Hebrews 11:1 give the only definiton of faith found in the Bible: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. The above verse consists of two parts - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for" and "(Faith is) the evidence of things not seen." These two parts consist of two basic principles of faith.
2. The first principle is "hope". "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for" indicates that faith begins with hope - confident expectation. We hope for things not yet attained, things not yet in our possession, with the unshakable confidence that the promises of God - "things hoped for" - whether they be for the distant future, or for the hours and days that lie immediately ahead, will be realized.
3. The second principle is "awareness" of the unseen spiritual world. This spiritual world, though not seen, is as real as the physical world which we relate to our physical senses. "(Faith is) the evidence of things not seen". It is easy to believe in things we can see, but not easy to believe in the things we cannot see. Yet this is exactly where faith operates. We do not need faith to operate in the realm of things we can see; it is sight, and not faith that operates there.
The operation of faith
The writer of Hebrews, having given us a definition, now proceeds to draw some interesting deductions from it.
"For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible" (Hebrews 11:2, 3).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. The "elders" were the ancient Hebrew patriarchs. They bore testimony under the influence of their faith because, even in trying circumstances, they had unwavering confidence in God.
2. Note carefully what this statement says - "By faith we understand". It does not say, "By faith we accept", or even "By faith we affirm". The word "understand" in the context simply means, "the exercise of the mind under the influence of God". Men who shut out God from their thinking, and then exercise their minds to try to discover the origin of the universe, even using scientific study and research, believe that all this happened by chance! Men will never understand the origin of the universe unless they begin to think from God's perspective.
3. The second part of Hebrews 11:3 is: "The things which ar seen were not made of things which are visible". In other words, we can never explain the things which are seen until we come to understand the things tha are unseen. That is the reason why so many scientists and philosophers struggle over the mysteries of the universe. They fail to recognize the existence of unseen things, and therefore they are unable fully to understand the meaning of the things that are visible. Unless these scientists are "converted"; unless they come by faith to the cross, they will not be able to discover something greater than the creation - the One and only Creator! And the more they understand God and fellowshipped with Him in the world of the unseen, the more clearly they come to understand the secrets of the material world aroung them.
4. The above gives the reason why the writer of Hebrews said, "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).
Everyone believes in God
As we have seen, we need faith to believe that God exists. But, strange may it seems to be, believing in God can be the easiest thing in the world. God created in the human spirit to relate to God. He also created in all of us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). In fact, I believe it requires much effort to disbelieve, but it requires little effort to believe. Even though we are all born sinners with a sinful nature, but the fact is that each one of us starts out by believing God exists. It is only when we are trained not to believe, that we come to the place of declaring God does not exist. That is why children have very little difficulty with the concept of God. With their childlike faith they believe that God exists.
Someone had said, "The soul is naturally Christian". This does not mean that conversion and regeneration are unnecessary. The fact is that, the soul is created in such a way that left to itself and without the influences of secularism and atheism, it will come to the conclusion that Paul's words: "All thigs were created through Him and for Him" (Col. 1:16), are imprinted on it.
Living illustrations of faith
The writer of Hebrews, having given us the definition and opreration faith, goes on the give us a few living illustrations - beginning with Abel and ending with Jesus (Hebrews 11:4 to 12:3). Some Bible teachers call them "heroes of faith".
It is interesting to note that the writer of Hebrews did not pull these names out, as illustrations of heroes of faith, at random. Each name illustrates a particular aspect and characteristic of faith. Our task, as we look at each of these characters in turn, is to test ourselves to see how many of their distinguishing marks of faith are present to our own lives. Let us briefly consider each of these living illustrations.
Abel (Heb. 11:4)
The first name we encounter is that of Abel. Why? Because it is in Abel the primary note of faith is struck - in coming into God's presence an atoning blood sacrifice is required. Cain's offering of fruit and vegetables was not acceptable by God. Abel was the first man to learn this truth.
Enoch (Heb. 11:5)
Enoch was one of the only two men in the Old Testament who went to heaven without dying - the other being Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). Enoch walked so closly with God that he found a fellowship which death could not interrupt. Enoch has become forever a picture of what death is to the Christian - not a termination, but a transition.
Noah (Heb. 11:7)
Noah feared God and by faith, built the ark as commanded by God. Faith acts on what God says, even though circumstances seem to say that it is all futile. Noah was led on by faith to become an heir of righteousness.
Abraham (Heb. 11:8 - 19)
Abraham is held in high esteem, not only by Christianity but also by Judaism and Islam. There are three great movements of Abraham's faith - one, Abraham obeyed God's call (Gen. 12:1 - 9); two, he sojourned in the land of promise (Gen. 13:14 - 18); three, he offered up his son Isaac (Gen. 22:1 - 18). Abraham may not know where he was going, but he knew with whom he was going! Abraham was called the friend of God (James 2:22).
Isaac, Jacob and Joseph (Heb. 11:20 - 22)
Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are linked together in the list of heroes of faith. In ech case, the illustrations of faith given are drawn from the latter part of the patriarchs' lives.
Moses (Heb. 11:23 - 29)
Most of us are familiar with the wonderful story of Moses' life - a life which spanned a period of 120 years. The significant characteristic of which Moses illustrated is - he evaluates every situation before he exercised his faith. For example: "(Moses) esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward" (Heb. 11:26).
The faith of others (Heb. 11:30 - 40)
Who are these "others"? Obviously this refers to the multitudes of people who, down the ages, have lived their lives by the principle of faith. If you are truly one of Christ's disciples, includes you also.
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:1, 2)
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:1, 2, NKJV, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. "Cloud of witnessed" refers to those heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11.
2. We should fix our eyes upon Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith instead of fixing our eyes upon any of the heroes of faith.
3. Jesus sat down at the right hand of the throne of God because His work had been completed.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
The Just shall live by Faith
This Biblical phrase: "The just shall live by faith" (NKJV) or "The righteous shall live by faith" (NIV) appears four times in the Bible - once in the Old Testament and three times in the New Testament. It tells us a lot about the need of living by faith as believers in Christ. Here are the Books in the Bible where we can find this brief phrase:
Habakkuk - the Lord said to Habakkuk, the prophet: "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4, NKJV, emphasis added).
Habakkuk was confused and frustrated by the continuance of evil and injustice within Judah or the evil nations around him. He was frustrated by God's apparent slowness in dealing with this issue. But later on, after questioning the Lord twice, he decided to give up questioning Him and let Him has His way. The Lord's answer to Habakkuk's complaint is in Habakkuk 2:4, admonishing him "to live by his faith".
Romans - Paul said: "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith'" (Romans 1:17, emphasis added).
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul deals with the great truths of salvation, showing how God has accomplished the task of justifying sinners and making them appear as if they had never sinned. The emphasis in Romans is therefore on the word "just" - "The just shall live by faith".
Galatians - Paul said: "But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for 'the just shall live by faith'" (Gal. 3:11, emphasis added).
Galations is the epistle of freedom. Here Paul proclaims the truth that in Christ, the Christian is set free from every yoke of bondage which can be placed upon the human soul. There were those in the Galatians Church who felt that Christ alone is not enough. They wanted "Christ plus something" because to them without Christ and something (for example, circumcision) their salvation was not complete.
Hebrews - The writer of Hebrews said: "Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10:38, emphasis added).
Hebrews is eminently an epistle of faith, and it reveals how, living by this principle, enable us to triumph over all kinds of difficulties and problems. Unquestionably the purpose of the writer was to establish and strengthen the early Hebrew Christians who felt that they had lost so much, having turned from the grand ritual ceremony of the Hebrew religion to the simpler but more effective things of Christ.
The life that a just or righteous person shall live is a life of faith. Every Christian is made righteous by the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:19) and therefore every Christian is to live by faith. Notice that in the context on Romans 1:17 - "the righteous shall live by faith", the word 'live' means more than to have a normal, physical life. We know that even the wicked and the ungodly have that kind of life. But Scripture reveals that there is another kind of life - a life of righteousness - that has its source in God alone. The only way that anyone can receive this kind of life is by faith in Jesus Christ. Someone had said, "We live by faith or we do not live at all"!
Living by faith in Jesus Christ
The apostle John said, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but he wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36, NKJV).
John also said: "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:11 - 13, NKJV).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. John uses the present tense throughout.
2. The essence of the gospel message is - There is a divine, eternal life which has its source in God alone. God has made this life available to us in Jesus Christ. As we receive Jesus by faith in our hearths and yield our lives to Him in full obedience, we receive in Him the life of God Himself. This life is not something reserved for us in heaven. It is something that we can experience here and now and into eternity. Eternal life is ours to enjoy from the very moment that we truly put our faith in Jesus Christ.
Commonplace activities included in "living"
Let us focus on the word "live" in the phrase, "The righteous shall live by faith". From practical viewpoint, the verb "to live" is one of the most all-inclusive words we can use. Everything we do at any time is included in "living" - eating, drinking, sleeping, working and innumerable other activities necessary to life. Through faith, every one of these commonplace activities can become a way to express the life of God that we have received within us.
Let us examine how we can work out our faith in daily living in two of the most down-to-earth areas - food and finance:
Eating from faith
Paul said, "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Eating from faith means that we acknowledge our dependence upon God for our food. We receive it as a gift from Him, and if He did not supply it, we would go hungry. As a logical consequence we thank God for our food.
2. Whatever is not from faith, including eating, is sin.
The benefit of thanking God for our food
Paul said, "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer" (1 Tim. 4:4, 5).
As we receive our food from God with a prayer of thanksgiving, it is "sanctified"; it actually becomes something holy, designed by God to do us good. Even if there were originally impure or harmful ingredients in our food, their effect is nullified by our faith, expressed in our prayer of thanksgiving.
Our daily meals have the nature of a sacrament
"Eating from faith" has implications that go beyond the meal table. Our food is the source of our natural strength, and God is the source of our food. Therefore our strength is itself a gift from God. We are not free to use it in selfish or sinful ways, but we are under an obligation to devote it to God's service and God's glory.
Paul said, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).
Through faith, even our daily meals take on the nature of a sacrament, of which we partake of God's glory. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the meals of the early Christians became spiritual feasts of worship and praise to God:
"So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:46, 47).
By the way they ate their meals these early Christians won many of their unconverted neighbors to the Lord.
The consequences of failing to eat from faith
If the consequences of "eating from faith" are so far-reaching, what about the consequences of failing to eat in this way?
Solomon gives a vivid picture of a man who, through unbelief, lives his life without the grace and the knowledge of God. In Ecclesiastes he pictures such a man at his meal table:
"All his days he also eats in darkness, and he has much sorrow and sickness and anger" (Eccl. 5:17).
The Amplified Bible puts it more vividly: "All his days also he eats in darkness (cheerlessly, with no sweetness and light in them), and much sorrow and sickness and wrath are his" (Eccl. 5:17).
Anyone who is in the habit of not eating from faith is eating in darkness. His life will be full of strife, anger, wrath and sorrow. He lives with bad health and much sickness and infirmities.
Faith for financial and material provision
The entire Bible abounds with both assurance and examples of God's ability to provide for His people's needs - even in situations where there is no human or natural source of supply.
Paul said, "And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need, be self-sufficient - possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation" ( 2 Cor. 9:8, The Amplified Bible, emphasis added).
Notice that the level of God's provision for His people not merely sufficiency; it is abundance.
There are three levels of provision on which people may live - insufficiency; sufficiency; and abundance. When you do not have enough money to spend in everyday living, then you are living in insufficiency. If you have just enough money for your everyday needs, then you are living in sufficiency. If you have more than enough money to meet all your needs then you are living in abundance.
But the word "abundance" used by Paul does not necessarily depend on money or material possessions. Abundance means simply that God supplies all that we need - with something to spare for others. The perfect example of abundance is provided by Jesus Himself. He had no fixed dwelling, no material possession and no large sum of money. Yet Jesus never lacked for Himself or for those who were with Him.
The feeding of 5000 men (excluding women and children) with 5 loaves and 2 fishes from a boy after giving thanks to His Father, is a good example of abundance (John 6:5 - 13). It is also a startling demonstration of the supernatural effects of thanking God in faith for our food!
When Jesus sent His 12 disciples out to begin preaching the Kingdom of God, He forbid them to take any extra supplies with them (Luke 9:1 - 3). He did the same thing when He sent out 70 others also (Luke 10:1 - 4). At the end of His ministry, He reminded them of this and asked them whether they had lacked anything. They said, "Nothing" (Luke 22:35). That is abundance! The key to abundance is not money or material possessions. It is faith!
Some believers might be tempted to say that none of us could be given the same measure of faith as Jesus. But Jesus said: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also" (John 14:12).
Likewise the apostle John, who was an eyewitness of all that Jesus did, tells us: "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6).
Therefore, Jesus set the pattern for the walk of faith and we are invited to follow.
Principles that govern the operation of grace
The basis of our provision is not our own wisdom or ability, but God's grace. Therefore, in order to avail ourselves of it, we need to understand the two key principles that govern the operation of grace:
1. The channel of grace
Grace has only one channel - Jesus Christ. It is not received through observance of any legal or religious system, but solely and invariably through Christ.
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).
2. Grace cannot be achieved or earned by our own ability
Paul said: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, less anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8, 9).
The only means by which we can appropriate grace is faith. As long as we limit ourselves merely to what we deserve or what we can earn, we are failing to exercis faith and therefore we do not enjoy God's grace to the full.
Financial irresponsibility
Solomon said: "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich" (Proverbs 10:4).
Paul said: "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need" (Eph. 4:28).
Paul said more emphatically: "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10).
God never blesses dishonesty, laziness, or financial irresponsibility. God expects us, according to our ability, to engage in honest work, not merely to earn enough for ourselves, but also to have something to share with him who has need.
Habakkuk - the Lord said to Habakkuk, the prophet: "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4, NKJV, emphasis added).
Habakkuk was confused and frustrated by the continuance of evil and injustice within Judah or the evil nations around him. He was frustrated by God's apparent slowness in dealing with this issue. But later on, after questioning the Lord twice, he decided to give up questioning Him and let Him has His way. The Lord's answer to Habakkuk's complaint is in Habakkuk 2:4, admonishing him "to live by his faith".
Romans - Paul said: "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith'" (Romans 1:17, emphasis added).
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul deals with the great truths of salvation, showing how God has accomplished the task of justifying sinners and making them appear as if they had never sinned. The emphasis in Romans is therefore on the word "just" - "The just shall live by faith".
Galatians - Paul said: "But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for 'the just shall live by faith'" (Gal. 3:11, emphasis added).
Galations is the epistle of freedom. Here Paul proclaims the truth that in Christ, the Christian is set free from every yoke of bondage which can be placed upon the human soul. There were those in the Galatians Church who felt that Christ alone is not enough. They wanted "Christ plus something" because to them without Christ and something (for example, circumcision) their salvation was not complete.
Hebrews - The writer of Hebrews said: "Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10:38, emphasis added).
Hebrews is eminently an epistle of faith, and it reveals how, living by this principle, enable us to triumph over all kinds of difficulties and problems. Unquestionably the purpose of the writer was to establish and strengthen the early Hebrew Christians who felt that they had lost so much, having turned from the grand ritual ceremony of the Hebrew religion to the simpler but more effective things of Christ.
The life that a just or righteous person shall live is a life of faith. Every Christian is made righteous by the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:19) and therefore every Christian is to live by faith. Notice that in the context on Romans 1:17 - "the righteous shall live by faith", the word 'live' means more than to have a normal, physical life. We know that even the wicked and the ungodly have that kind of life. But Scripture reveals that there is another kind of life - a life of righteousness - that has its source in God alone. The only way that anyone can receive this kind of life is by faith in Jesus Christ. Someone had said, "We live by faith or we do not live at all"!
Living by faith in Jesus Christ
The apostle John said, "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but he wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36, NKJV).
John also said: "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:11 - 13, NKJV).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. John uses the present tense throughout.
2. The essence of the gospel message is - There is a divine, eternal life which has its source in God alone. God has made this life available to us in Jesus Christ. As we receive Jesus by faith in our hearths and yield our lives to Him in full obedience, we receive in Him the life of God Himself. This life is not something reserved for us in heaven. It is something that we can experience here and now and into eternity. Eternal life is ours to enjoy from the very moment that we truly put our faith in Jesus Christ.
Commonplace activities included in "living"
Let us focus on the word "live" in the phrase, "The righteous shall live by faith". From practical viewpoint, the verb "to live" is one of the most all-inclusive words we can use. Everything we do at any time is included in "living" - eating, drinking, sleeping, working and innumerable other activities necessary to life. Through faith, every one of these commonplace activities can become a way to express the life of God that we have received within us.
Let us examine how we can work out our faith in daily living in two of the most down-to-earth areas - food and finance:
Eating from faith
Paul said, "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23, emphasis added).
Here are some statements of truth:
1. Eating from faith means that we acknowledge our dependence upon God for our food. We receive it as a gift from Him, and if He did not supply it, we would go hungry. As a logical consequence we thank God for our food.
2. Whatever is not from faith, including eating, is sin.
The benefit of thanking God for our food
Paul said, "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer" (1 Tim. 4:4, 5).
As we receive our food from God with a prayer of thanksgiving, it is "sanctified"; it actually becomes something holy, designed by God to do us good. Even if there were originally impure or harmful ingredients in our food, their effect is nullified by our faith, expressed in our prayer of thanksgiving.
Our daily meals have the nature of a sacrament
"Eating from faith" has implications that go beyond the meal table. Our food is the source of our natural strength, and God is the source of our food. Therefore our strength is itself a gift from God. We are not free to use it in selfish or sinful ways, but we are under an obligation to devote it to God's service and God's glory.
Paul said, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).
Through faith, even our daily meals take on the nature of a sacrament, of which we partake of God's glory. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the meals of the early Christians became spiritual feasts of worship and praise to God:
"So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:46, 47).
By the way they ate their meals these early Christians won many of their unconverted neighbors to the Lord.
The consequences of failing to eat from faith
If the consequences of "eating from faith" are so far-reaching, what about the consequences of failing to eat in this way?
Solomon gives a vivid picture of a man who, through unbelief, lives his life without the grace and the knowledge of God. In Ecclesiastes he pictures such a man at his meal table:
"All his days he also eats in darkness, and he has much sorrow and sickness and anger" (Eccl. 5:17).
The Amplified Bible puts it more vividly: "All his days also he eats in darkness (cheerlessly, with no sweetness and light in them), and much sorrow and sickness and wrath are his" (Eccl. 5:17).
Anyone who is in the habit of not eating from faith is eating in darkness. His life will be full of strife, anger, wrath and sorrow. He lives with bad health and much sickness and infirmities.
Faith for financial and material provision
The entire Bible abounds with both assurance and examples of God's ability to provide for His people's needs - even in situations where there is no human or natural source of supply.
Paul said, "And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need, be self-sufficient - possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation" ( 2 Cor. 9:8, The Amplified Bible, emphasis added).
Notice that the level of God's provision for His people not merely sufficiency; it is abundance.
There are three levels of provision on which people may live - insufficiency; sufficiency; and abundance. When you do not have enough money to spend in everyday living, then you are living in insufficiency. If you have just enough money for your everyday needs, then you are living in sufficiency. If you have more than enough money to meet all your needs then you are living in abundance.
But the word "abundance" used by Paul does not necessarily depend on money or material possessions. Abundance means simply that God supplies all that we need - with something to spare for others. The perfect example of abundance is provided by Jesus Himself. He had no fixed dwelling, no material possession and no large sum of money. Yet Jesus never lacked for Himself or for those who were with Him.
The feeding of 5000 men (excluding women and children) with 5 loaves and 2 fishes from a boy after giving thanks to His Father, is a good example of abundance (John 6:5 - 13). It is also a startling demonstration of the supernatural effects of thanking God in faith for our food!
When Jesus sent His 12 disciples out to begin preaching the Kingdom of God, He forbid them to take any extra supplies with them (Luke 9:1 - 3). He did the same thing when He sent out 70 others also (Luke 10:1 - 4). At the end of His ministry, He reminded them of this and asked them whether they had lacked anything. They said, "Nothing" (Luke 22:35). That is abundance! The key to abundance is not money or material possessions. It is faith!
Some believers might be tempted to say that none of us could be given the same measure of faith as Jesus. But Jesus said: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also" (John 14:12).
Likewise the apostle John, who was an eyewitness of all that Jesus did, tells us: "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6).
Therefore, Jesus set the pattern for the walk of faith and we are invited to follow.
Principles that govern the operation of grace
The basis of our provision is not our own wisdom or ability, but God's grace. Therefore, in order to avail ourselves of it, we need to understand the two key principles that govern the operation of grace:
1. The channel of grace
Grace has only one channel - Jesus Christ. It is not received through observance of any legal or religious system, but solely and invariably through Christ.
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).
2. Grace cannot be achieved or earned by our own ability
Paul said: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, less anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8, 9).
The only means by which we can appropriate grace is faith. As long as we limit ourselves merely to what we deserve or what we can earn, we are failing to exercis faith and therefore we do not enjoy God's grace to the full.
Financial irresponsibility
Solomon said: "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich" (Proverbs 10:4).
Paul said: "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need" (Eph. 4:28).
Paul said more emphatically: "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10).
God never blesses dishonesty, laziness, or financial irresponsibility. God expects us, according to our ability, to engage in honest work, not merely to earn enough for ourselves, but also to have something to share with him who has need.
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