Belief and Faith

What would really happen if we really believed and lived by faith and not by our own accomplishments?  We could accomplish so much more if only we would just truly live by faith and believe what we profess.  Jesus made this statement, “When I come will I find faith on the earth?”  How many of us truly believe and live by faith or are we getting by through our own means?  Why was it said of Paul and the others disciples that they turned the world upside down?  It was because they were filled with the Holy Spirit and power.

Read what was said about them in Acts 17:1-9, “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.”

We can’t say that there wasn’t as much sin then as there is today, it was just as rampant in Paul’s day; but why isn’t the world saying the church is turning the world upside down today?  That is easy because many live in unbelief or very shallow faith.  It seems like most of the vibrant congregations are in the places where the congregations are suffering persecution.  It seems like in the United States many congregations are closing their doors and many have only one service each week and very little prayer time.  It seems like jealously, competition, back biting, slander and gossip go on and I am as guilty as anyone else, but it has got to stop.

You may have been set free of drug addiction and even alcohol and maybe porn but if you are involved in one or more of these other sins or others that I haven’t mentioned, it’s just as bad.  Sin is sin and God hates it in any form from the big sins to the little foxes some relate to.  Big or small sins are still sins in God’s eyes and when we continue in them they erode our faith and cause us to be separated from our God.

God’s Word says in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

It is when we conform to the world and many of its influences that we get into trouble, so resist these things and the evil one and he will flee from you and humble yourself before the Lord and repent of whatever sin you are into and He will lift you up in His time.  If you put these things into practice that Paul spoke about in Romans 12:3-21 it would be a tremendous help to you also:

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Read 3-21, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”        

I hope this has been an encouragement and a blessing to you.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may all of you have a super day!!  And for your own good, thank and praise the Lord for He loves it when we do it sincerely and He is worthy!!