Gtcotr/ss053115
John 12
42 ¶ Nevertheless even among
the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not
confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;
43 for they loved the praise
of men more than the praise of God.
James 2
19 You believe that there is
one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O
foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
The
effect of faith need not be salvation. Even the trembling faith and conviction
of some who believe in God does not automatically lead to the submission of
heart and character. This element of submission is always found resident in the
life of a born again Christian.
Romans 10
6 But the righteousness of
faith speaks in this way … , "Do not say in
your heart, ’Who will ascend into heaven?’" (that is, to bring Christ down
from above)
7 or, "’Who will descend into the
abyss?’" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). [Note: I know what faith does not say …]
8 But what does it say? … "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your
heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):
9 that if you confess with
your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him
from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
Romans 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats,
because he does not eat from faith; for whatever
is not from faith is sin.
Perfection is not a requirement for salvation; submission clearly
is.
Faith
says, “I know there is a God.”
Faith
is the power to save a soul providing that soul submits themselves to God and
His plan of redemption based on the sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus.
Faith
is also the power to condemn a soul or a spirit to eternal separation from the
God if they refuse to acknowledge and/or submit themselves to God during the
period of time God allows them individual opportunity to access this grace.
When the door is closed, it’s closed. The door for angels and spirits has
already closed. The door for mankind closes at the point of each person’s death
and ultimately at the close of this age for everyone.
Each
spirit and every soul is without excuse to claim there is no God.
Romans 1
18 For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who
suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 ¶ because what may be
known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of
the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by
the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that
they are without excuse,
21 because, although they
knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became
futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise,
they became fools,
It’s
foolish to imagine you don’t know there’s a God – and it’s foolish to know He
exists and imagine you don’t need to know Him.
You
believe … so to the devils - the only thing left for your salvation and deliverance
is to for you to “Follow your faith.”
Hebrews 11:6 But without
faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God
must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him.
Each
person mentioned in the Hebrews 11, known as the faith chapter, were people who
had faith and followed that faith and accomplished great things for God.
Miracles begin to happen when we follow our faith!
I
challenge you who believe to follow on to know God by submitting your life,
your character and the practice of your faith to the Lordship of Christ. It is
as simple as a heartfelt prayer, as powerful as the blood of Jesus and as
eternal as God.
You
can have an abiding and eternal relationship with Creator of the Universe
through the faith you already have in God. Here’s how:
Following
Faith
1. Recognize your faith in God
2. Realize you are lost without His help
3. Repent of your sins
4. Receive His forgiveness through Jesus His Son
These
same steps ought to be continually taken each and every day of a believer’s
life and especially during trying or difficult times and when mistakes,
failures or disappointments have occurred and we find ourselves in need of
God’s love, forgiveness and grace.
Won’t
you stand and pray with me now and let’s acknowledge our trust and commitment
to God through Jesus, His Son.
