A Commentary On Faith Continued
gtcotr/ws071906
Tonight we continue our commentary on faith.
Last week we took a detour and ended up looking at Romans 7 & 8 and 2 Corinthians 10, concerning the battle field of the mind. Scriptures came into play that gave us the key to winning the spiritual battles in our mind, over our thoughts and our imaginations.
We found out filling our minds with spiritual things instead of fleshly things will give us the edge we need to overcome the sin nature. It is a law that when we want to do good, we also are faced with the opportunity to do evil. If we feed our flesh with corrupt thoughts and carnal appetites and imaginations, our flesh will win the battle and we will lose out to sin. However, if we feed our spirit with God’s word and spiritual appetites and meditations, our spirit will win and set us free from sin. Sin will have no more dominion over us.
Let me say a word here about: The Reprobate Mind
Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (KJV)
Easton’s Revised Bible Dictionary says Reprobate here used means:
This word is used with reference to persons cast away or rejected because they have failed to make use of opportunities offered them #1Co 9:27 2Co 13:5-7.
God sends us His word and shows us His will and offers us His way. If we continue to reject God’s help, pushing God out of our consciousness, then He may turn us over to a mind which no longer feels guilty for being wrong, no longer retains God’s judgments and we might become worthless or ‘adokimos’ - reprobate, unable to make a good decision in moral, ethical or eternal issues, sold out to our own appetites, approving others to live without conviction as well.
We must respect the word of God, accept it, believe it and act on it.
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
The word must be mixed with faith in order to work. And don’t forget:
Point #34: What we 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 types of 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.
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
It’s all about the word, running it’s course, doing it’s part and becoming fruitful.
The struggle is for the word’s fruitfulness.
When we hear the word and the word begins it’s work 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.
The only contention was over the Word of God and it’s right to rule.
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, in His mind and in His mouth. (Luke 4)
“It is written …” means “The Word says …” This was Jesus’ strength. It kept Him focused, affirmed His shield and struck a blow to His enemy.
This word is the sword of our spirit. Ephesians 6:17
Faith is our shield to keep the enemy from disarming us, (taking our sword).
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
