THE JUST AND HIS FAITH
"Now the just shall live by faith and if any man draws back my soul shall have no pleasure in him" Hebrews 10:38-39
WHAT IS FAITH?
Faith is absolute belief/trust in God that what He says is as He said it is. The Bible describes it as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
To be just means to be righteous, in other words, to be declared free, innocent, not guilty of any offence as alleged.
One can be described as righteous by law if some one, such as a governor, the minister or God or court of law with competent jurisdiction/authority acquits him of any wrong doing or allegations.
The Futility of the arms of flesh in life's Battles.html
Being just before God is not humanly attainable, except by divine pardon. Jesus said "with man, this is impossible, but not with God".
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" Romans 3:23-26
This is the essence of the Gospel, which is the "Riches of God at the expense of God (Christ)"
Through faith in the works of Christ, anyone who believes and confesses and receives the Lord Jesus as the son of God, who died, rose from the dead and ascended to heavenly glory (Acts 1:9-11); thesame shall receive God's forgiveness by mercy and adjudged a new creation of God, John 1:12-13, 2Cor.5:17 and hence called into the family of God and His Church through faith.
This new believer is justified by Faith in God's grace, not by works or effort and thereby called to live on by the same faith in Christ Jesus.
When a person has been Justified by God, through his faith in Christ, his life afterward is based on nothing but the Faith.
In other words, the justified's lifestyle, conduct, character, desires, aspirations, intentions, judgements and principles of life thereafter naturally becomes a by-product of "the faith" into which he has been adopted.
"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness" Romans 4:16-18,21-22
"Life in the faith" is a life lived within the boundary of God's instructions, commandments, principles, ordinances, statutes and laws as written in the holy scriptures, the Bible!
The Faith is the lifestyle of the kingdom of God. Mat.28:18-20, Jude 1:3.
"And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily" Acts 16:4-5
Therefore, any way of life contrary to the faith is not of or from God,
hence He warns backsliders
"if any man draw back, my soul will have no pleasure in him" Heb.10:38
By this statement, God opts out of His covenant with any individual who breaks his covenant by failing to keep to the principles of the faith.
WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES OF FAITH?
Faith is based on some fundamental kingdom principles.
1. Faith is spiritual:
Faith is spiritual and operates by the law of the Spirit in all it's ramifications. It can only be discerned, i.e understood, appreciated and applied by the eyes of the spirit not might.
"Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:5-6
2. Faith is the way of life in the kingdom:
Faith is more than just a confession, it's the definition of the Christian walk,
"For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord". 2 Corinthians 5:7-8.
Faith is the nature and lifestyle of all who belongs to the kingdom of God. It is the complete definition of a regenerated life, hence,
"Whatever is not of faith "is sin" before God, Romans 14:23
3. Faith comes by hearing:
The foundation of faith is in the hearing of the word of God. Your competence in the world of faith is a direct function of how much of the word of God you're exposed to. This was Jesus and His apostles' secret of first preaching before the performance of miracles.
"And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked" Acts 14:8-10
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17
4. Faith only responds to the word of faith:
The Psalmist said deep calls unto the deep, so also does faith. Faith only obeys the word of God. Faith does not stagger at the word or promises of God, no matter how things seems to run contrary in the way.
"And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform" Romans 4:19-22.
The operation of faith is truncated by the absence of a responding faith.
"And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:21-24.
The man was about to loose out by his doubtful response to the released faith but for the change of mind.
Faith answers to God's word.
5. Faith does not abolish God's law:
Faith does not abolish God's law, rather it fulfills them through Christ Jesus.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven". Matthew 5:17-19.
Any act purportedly done in faith but violates any principle of the word of God- the Bible, is "anything but faith!".
6. Faith is made perfect by works:
Faith is a kingdom mystery. Faith is alive! It grows, matures, multiplies, diminishes, and can be made dormant if left used. It is the secret of all possibilities in the kingdom.
However, faith without works is defective and impotent.
There are two components of faith, they're are:
i) The words of faith - 1Timothy 4:6, Romans 10:8
ii) The works of faith - 1Thessalonians 1:3, James 2:21,24.
These must be given their places in a balanced manner for faith to be effectual.
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James 2:17-24.
7. Faith is not denying the Facts:
Many people in ignorance of faith thinks it's a way of denying the Facts, it's is not. Faith is rather a disaggreeing with the facts in favour of the ordained word of God, the truth. It's disagreeing with Satan/man that the tree will make us wise in favour of the truth that " thou shall die in the day that thou eat of it" Jesus demonstrating faith said to Satan when he was tempted,
"And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God".
Matthew 4:3-4, Genesis 39:7-10
This was the approach of Joseph, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Moses and the heroes of faith recorded in Hebrews 11. They disregarded the facts before human eyes in favour of the spiritual reality of the word of God, thereby condemning the world and conquering it in their generations. Amen
HOW TO I LIVE BY FAITH?
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear". Hebrews 11:3
Our righteousness is in the school of Faith predicated on obeying God and living by His word, not on the rules, regulations or boundaries set by human philosophies.
"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Colossians 2:20-23.
Therefore, living in practical faith requires:
1. Discern the will of God on every matter.
"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" Romans 13:2
View and interpret everything through the eyes of faith by the help of the Holy Spirit. This can be achieved by searching things out of the book of the law(Holy Scripture), through daily study, by meditating day and night on the word to know what is well pleasing, acceptable, perfect will or way of God.
Knowing what to do is key to doing it right.
2. Make up your mind to walk and obey him:
Commit yourself to learn and transit from doing your things to His things, on His terms, by the help of the holy Spirit.
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith". Hebrews 11:7, Hence Apostle Paul cried, "that I may know.. ", Phil.2:13-15.
Only a willing mind can determine what one has, can do, can be and what one has not or can do or be at any point in time.
3. Practice your new found faith:
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" Colossians 2:6-7
Deliberately replace old habits, principles character emotions and way of life operations by the new definition of things as revealed by Holy Spirit through the Bible concerning a life in the kingdom of God found by His grace.
Christianity has to do with transformation that comes from the renewal of mind.
Since the scripture reminds us that we are newborn babes so we have to begin to learn to replace our old Life by our Newfound life. As children, we have to learn the language, character, expectations and aspirations of the kingdom based on the principle of the word of God.
As we seek to practice of our Faith in this world, we must remember Jesus' caution against the leaven of the world system, to beware of human justification at the expense of God's. Luke 16:15
Apostle Paul explaining his understanding of this new life declared,
"I have been crucified with Christ nevertheless I live but not i, "I live now in the faith of Jesus Christ who died and rose is the one living in and through me" Galatians 2:19-20.
Therefore, by faith, I live not by the way I think, what I like, or my definition of what is good or bad, necessary or unnecessary, profitable or unprofitable; since I am dead and buried, All my past is gone I am not thesame people used to know, I'm not the one who want to do this, with this kind of mindset or life's ambition, in other words, the history known of me is past, forgotten and gone. Hence what I'm doing is not what I want or like to do but what Jesus wants to do and he's doing it through me "with my full support as a new vessel".
This is living by Faith!
HOW TO STAY ON YOUR FAITH
Beloved, it's the application of the mystery of kingdom Faith that puts the just in a commanding position over all things on earth.
"Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand". 2Cor.1:24
The life of the Just is a Journey, it has a path in Faith through Christ and a destination which is the joy of our salvation here, on earth and an eternal life with the father,
as it is written.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls". (1 Peter 1:3-9)
As seen from the scripture above, it is only by standing on your feet in the way of faith that guarantees such blessedness.
But to stay on the path of Faith:
1. Make up your mind
You have to count the cost of walking with God and deliberately determine never to be one of those that turns back. Jesus once said to the disciples,
" which king intending to go to war will not sit down to first count the cost?Luke 14:26-33
"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life". Matthew 19:22-23,27-29
Every turning back of the just from the faith is to perdition!
2. Stay Committed to do
Commitment to a course is determined by our obedience to doing and following the rules and terms of the covenant conscientiously.
"He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth". Proverbs 10:17.
Staying committed entails cautiously working it out and living life based on your faith conviction and your new definition of life in relationship with yourself, people around and your God continuously.
Jesus said, if you do what I commanded you, then will I know you as my disciples,
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" John 15:14, John 8:31
Lack of commitment is a sign of dishonesty in relationship:
God does not take pleasure in such nor will be bound by such covenant. He said,
"I wished you were either hot or cold, but because you're lukewarm, I will spew you out of my mouth", Revelation 3:15-16
God is interested in every detail of our walk and in our relationship with Him because He will not share His glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8)
3. Prayer
Prayer provides the believers not only a means of communication but also an avenue to seek God's help, both to be and stay in the path ordained for him.
The easiest way to fall prey into the waiting arms of our adversary is through breaking the hedge. But since we do not have power to keep ourselves from "failing the Grace of God", faith through prayer becomes our stronghold when employed.
Pst E.A Adeboye, once stated emphatically,
"that failure or refusing to pray is a sign of pride against God. And though prayer may not change God, it changes things".
4. Stand by Faith
Faith, through the Grace of God is the success secret of every walk in the kingdom.
"Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand" 2Corinthians 1:24
It takes faith to stand!
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God": Ephesians 6:12-17
Remember, it takes a deliberate hunger and addiction to hearing and doing the word of God to build a foundation- standable faith.
The more word -filled a man is, the more faith-filled he gets to live and operate in the mysteries of the kingdom here on earth.
Daily feeding on the word- is the secret of the believers transformation into the image of Christ, from glory to glory.
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" 2Corinthians 3:18
Amen.
God bless you
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