Faith

 Faith

Luke’s Gospel records,

“Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!  

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 

Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" 

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:24-27.

One commentary I read on this noted that many in the day of Jesus thought that the rich would get into heaven more easily than the poor. The thinking being the rich were blessed of God and the poor not so. 

Some calling themselves Christians even today say if you are not healthy and wealthy you are sinning and therefore cannot enter heaven.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The apostle Paul writes,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Scripture is filled with accounts of the poor getting to heaven. The parable Jesus tells of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) being an example.

In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews the writer tells us of great men and women of God who were all saved by their faith, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah.

Getting to heaven has nothing to do with the size of your bank account. Quite the contrary while there is nothing wrong with being rich it can have its down sides. The apostle Paul writing,

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.

It’s when your money or anything else for that matter comes before God that there’s a problem.

Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman states,

“God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”John 4:23.

Do you? 

Do you worship God in spirit and in truth?

Please think about it.

Faith

Faith
In the book of Acts we read this incident between Paul and Silas and their jailor,
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:30,31.
The writer of Hebrews make these two statements,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                              Hebrews 11:1

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." 

                                                                              Hebrews 11:6

Blaise Pascal said,

“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe 

and enough shadows to blind those who don't.”

                                                                     Blaise Pascal.

Thomas Aquinas wrote,

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. 

To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” 

                                                                                Thomas Aquinas.

So my question to you is when it comes to Christ Jesus, what do you believe?

Faith

Faith

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                   Hebrews 11:1

I believe having faith in anything is perhaps on of the hardest things an individual has to do. That is why I believe God asks us to have faith in Him.
God could have come with his angels in bodily form and shown his might calling on all the people of earth to worship Him.
Had he done it that way I firmly believe most if not all people would have worshipped Him. That however would not have produced true followers. Most would have worshipped God out of fear for what He could do to them.
On the other hand not showing Himself in bodily form requires and act of faith on the part of the individual. And people of faith are the strongest most dedicated followers no matter what they believe in.
Those who truly follow anything, be it God or any other cause will suffer and even die for what they believe in.
Having faith in God however costs us nothing and offers great gain. Blaise Pascal put it this way,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.
Thus the question becomes where will you place your wager.
Please think about it. 

You and God

You & God

In the book of Proverbs we read,

Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight. 

                                                   Proverbs 3:5,6.

Faith in God, for some, perhaps even for most people, is something that is difficult to have. Especially in something unseen. Yet God requires his followers to have faith.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and 

certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                 Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and 

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                                        Hebrews 11:6

Martin Luther King Jr. the American civil rights leader said,

Faith is taking the first step 

even when you don't see the whole staircase.

                                                        Martin Luther King, Jr.

God essentially asks each individual to take that first step even though they can’t see the whole stair case.
Have you taken that first step of faith with regards to believing in God?
The apostle Paul tells us,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  

not by works, so that no one can boast.” 

                                                       Ephesians 2:8,9.

Put simply we get to heaven by putting our faith in the Grace of God.
Writing to the Romans the apostle Paul states,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.
What Christianity asks the individual to believe by faith is expressed in what is called the Apostles Creed. While it was not written by an apostle of Jesus. It does express the core beliefs of Christianity. It reads,

I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; 

That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost

I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

 I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

I believe in the resurrection of the body.

I believe in life everlasting.

Do you believe this?
Please think about it. 

About God

About God,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                                                     Genesis 1:1.

The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers in God and as such debate is not needed.
Believers in God accept by faith His existence.
The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and 

certain of what we do not see.”  

                                              Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him

must believe that he exists 

and 

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                             Hebrews 11:6.

I know there are many people in the world that do not believe in God. That is their right. When God made mankind He did not make robots, He made individuals with a free will to believe act and do as they wish. That freedom extends to not believing in God.
As far as I am concerned God does exist. To say otherwise in my mind is foolishness for believing in God costs you nothing but in the long run offers great gain.
Blaise Pascal put it this way,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists". Blaise Pascal.
Please think about it.

Faith

Faith
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“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. 
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.  
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  
By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.  
And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  
People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.  
If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.  Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”Hebrews 1:1-16.
I have heard Hebrews chapter one called the roll of the faithful. It defines faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” then notes, “This is what the ancients were commended for.”
     Men and women who had faith in God even though they did not see in their lifetime the fruition of the promise God had given them.
Today in the twenty-first century faith in anything is hard to have. We live in a very if you will tactile world. We need to see and feel things otherwise we do not believe in it.
God however asks us to have faith in Him. The apostle Paul writes,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
In writing to the Galatians he states of himself,
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.
Faith in the twenty-first century is all around us. People believe in politicians, in philosophers, even in fad diets, herbal remedies and much more. All are promising a better way of life. Yet few offering any concrete proof they will do what they say. All with potential negative consequences of making life worse if their claims prove false.
When it comes to God however many people refuse to have faith in Him. Yet faith in God costs us nothing and is devoid of risk especially in this life.
Blaise Pascal said,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists. Blaise Pascal.
Please think about it.

Faith

Faith
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. 
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.  
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  
By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.  
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.  
And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.” Hebrews 11:1-13.
  The writer shows us men of faith, Able, Enoch, Noah, Abraham. All these men lived by faith. They did not see in their lifetime the fulfillment of God’s promise. Yet by their faith they believed God would bring about all he had promised them.
James writes,
“And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.” James 2:23.
So it is today. The apostle John writes,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
As I have said in previous blogs, faith is essential to entering heaven. Yet faith in someone you cannot feel, see or hear is difficult for most people.
This is why I believe God wants us to have faith in Him, because people of faith tend to be the strongest followers. They will follow no matter the circumstances.
Are you such a person. Are you willing to put your trust in Jesus, your trust in God?
Please think about it.

Faith

Faith
Matthew’s Gospel records,
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 
He called a little child and had him stand among them.  
And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18:1-5.
What is true greatness? According to Jesus, someone who is truly great is someone who humbles themselves like a child. That’s not to say we are to check our brain at the door so to speak when we choose to believe in God.
Quite the contrary. Becoming humble as a child means accepting things we may not fully understand by faith and acting on that faith. While at the same time asking questions that help us understand and strengthen our faith.
A Child is by nature inquisitive. Children accept what is told to them by adults in good faith. while still asking a lot of questions that they may fully know the truth.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope

 for and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

Faith is taking the first step 

even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Taking that first step of faith can take a lot of courage. However as someone who has taken that step I can testify that the rewards are worth it. Something I would urge everyone to consider doing.
Please think about it.

Faith

Faith

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.” 
                                                                                                                                    Job 13:15.
The above statement by Job is if you think about it very strong.
Job states even if God kills him, he will stand before God and defend his life to the face of God.
Think about it a man willing to stand up to almighty God and say to him I followed your rules. I had faith in you through all that happened to me.
That is some faith!
Do you have that kind of faith. Is your faith fully in God? Could you make the same statement to God.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                       Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”                                                                                                                                                 Hebrews 11:6.
Our faith must be completely in God. It must be as unwavering as humanly possible.
Someone once told me “of all the things man is called to do having faith in someone or something is the hardest.”
It is doubly hard when it comes to God because we cannot see Him but we are asked to have hope in Him.
That I believe is why God wants us to exercise faith. If we truly have faith in him then He can be certain that we are committed to Him.
Please think about it.