A Commentary On Faith Continued
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Tonight we continue our commentary on faith, picking up where we left off last Wednesday evening in the book of Romans, Chapter 5.
Romans 5
1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Last time we discussed access by faith into this grace. This gives us the picture of the process of obtaining through faith. Remember, we said:
Grace Provides
Hope Envisions
Faith Lays Hold On
Patience Possesses
Hebrews 6:12 tells us that it is through faith and patience we inherit
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Faith works throughout the process of testing, tribulations, trials and temptations.
Tribulations work (work means to cause or accomplish, to work out)
What do they work? --- Patience!
This patience is a steadfastness or sustaining perseverance
Patience works
What does it work? -- Experience!
Experience here means proof; even used in the sense of a tried and approved character
Experience works
What does experience work? --- Hope!
Hope is the joyful and confident expectation of fulfillment.
So, here is the process of the building of faith.
Remember point #34 from my 122 point sermon.
Point #34: What you believe will be tested.
This comes from the scripture reference in Mark 4 where Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower and the different people who hear the word.
Mark 4 (KJV)
14 The sower soweth the word.
15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
When we hear the word and the word begins it’s work on in us and on us with the hope of working through us, we become dangerous to satan’s kingdom goals.
This is what happened in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. They had received the word of God and that is what satan come to steal. “Hath God said?” He came for the word.
When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness, satan came to steal the word of God from Him. However, Jesus kept the word of His Father in His heart, His mind and His mouth.
This word is the sword of our spirit. Ephesians 6:17
Here is the process.
We hear the word
Temptation, testing, trials, pressures, questions and deceptions of life come to steal the word and render it unfruitful.
We hold onto the word in the midst of our tribulation and that works in us a greater sustaining perseverance.
Our perseverance accomplishes the task and we receive what we believed into our heart and life.
This process leaves us with hope for future battles, believing that if we continue to hold onto the word, despite the circumstances or disappointments, that the word of God will have it’s final say.
James, the pastor of the church in Jerusalem and the half brother of Jesus said it to his congregation this way.
James 1 KJV
2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
How does faith work?
Galatians 5:6 Faith works by love
This speaks to the necessity of a proper motivation.
Philemon 6 Faith works by acknowledging every good thing which is already in you in Christ.
James 2:20 & 26 Faith works by application
