A Commentary On Faith Continued
gtcotr/ws071206
Tonight we continue our commentary on faith.
According to Ephesians 6:16, faith is a part of the armor of God.
Faith is a shield, not a pair of tweezers.
Faith is best used to keep the enemy’s darts from getting to us … not to pull the darts out.
These fiery darts can be missiles of subtle conversations, thoughts, doubts, attempts to get us to move off of believing God’s word. Darts like: “hath God said?”
There is a battle in the mind for the mind. The mind is the primary field of battle upon which an individual’s spiritual warfare is waged.
The battlefield of the mind and the struggle within us is spoken of by the Apostle Paul in an account of his own life in Romans 7 & 8. He speaks not only to the problem but to the solution as well. There is a war within each of us as we wrestle to keep the word dominant.
2 Corinthians 10
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations … , and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought … to the obedience of Christ;
Faith is exercised through the process which Romans 5 describes.
Tribulation works patience(while we fight the good fight of faith)
Patience works experience(while we fight the good fight …)
Experience works hope (while we fight the good fight …)
Hope makes not ashamed (while we fight …)
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
