Commended for their faith
The Prophet Isaiah speaking to the people of Israel states,
"Come now, "let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient, you call eat the good of the land;
" but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken" Isaiah 1:18-20.
Here Isaiah explains why God’s people are in crisis. They don’t realize they have forsaken God. Their worship is hollow and their society corrupt.
This is happening today. While secular society is far from God. Many calling themselves Christians are also far from God. Their worship is as hollow as that of Judah in the day of Isaiah the prophet.
Even a quick look at what passes for Christianity here in North America, shows that many so called Christian pastors and evangelist are nothing more than religious versions of secular teachers.
The prosperity doctrine is essentially nothing more that a group of talking heads promising you will be healthy and wealthy. If you follow their teaching and give to them. Sadly many times with at times tragic consequences.
Sadly the face of Christianity in North America has become the charismatic personalities of the “name it claim it” crowd.
This is not what God wants.
Jesus while speaking to the Samaritan woman said,
"God is spirit, and his worshippers
must worship in spirit and in truth."
John 4:23.
Sadly in this day and age many miss this point.
C. S. Lewis noted,
"I didn't go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don't recommend Christianity." C.S. Lewis.
Christianity is one of the most persecuted faiths in the world today. Even in the days of the Jesus and the apostles there was persecution. Jesus was crucified. All but one of his apostles suffered a martyrs death.
Being a Christian is some parts of the world can lead to imprisonment or even death. That is why believers in Christ Jesus must be certain of what they believe.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1,2.
This is what we as believers in Christ Jesus must be commended for. Only true faith in Christ Jesus, true faith in God will get us through the trouble that life places in our way.
So the question be comes; When you stand before God will He commend you for your faith?
Please think about it.
