You Gotta Have Faith!
6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’ (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 ‘or “Who will descend into the deep?”’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 if you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ (Romans 10:6-13)
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith. ‘ (Romans 1:17)
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:17)
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)
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith. ‘ (Romans 1:17)
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:17)
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)
Imagine that you had inherited a magnificent mansion. The title deed of ownership is in your pocket and the keys are in your hand. That may not be a very sensible thought to start this week’s devotions with because your mind may now be drifting off into day dreams about exploring the beautiful rooms. It’s unthinkable that having opened the front door, you’d simply camp on the door mat and go no further. And yet that describes many Christians’ experience of what it means to be a child of God.
As we learned last week, once you have put your trust in Jesus to save you, you are a new creation and nothing can ever change your status as a child of God since it depends entirely on what Jesus has done! But your experience of the fulfilment and fruitfulness that should flow from this, depends on one thing above all else; whether or not you are living by faith!
So the crucial questions that we are going to explore this week are, what is faith and what does it mean to live by faith? The common use of the word “faith” in English doesn’t always help us. A small boy once said, “Faith is trying really hard to believe something that you know isn’t really true”. Actually, faith in the Bible is the complete opposite; it’s determining what is true, choosing to believe it and then acting accordingly even in the face of doubt and opposition.
As we learned last week, once you have put your trust in Jesus to save you, you are a new creation and nothing can ever change your status as a child of God since it depends entirely on what Jesus has done! But your experience of the fulfilment and fruitfulness that should flow from this, depends on one thing above all else; whether or not you are living by faith!
So the crucial questions that we are going to explore this week are, what is faith and what does it mean to live by faith? The common use of the word “faith” in English doesn’t always help us. A small boy once said, “Faith is trying really hard to believe something that you know isn’t really true”. Actually, faith in the Bible is the complete opposite; it’s determining what is true, choosing to believe it and then acting accordingly even in the face of doubt and opposition.
- Looking back on your life since you became a Christian, have you experienced the fulfilment, peace and joy that you expected to? Have you been as fruitful as you would have liked to have been?
- What do you think it means to “live by faith”? Do you think this is something that just a few “special” Christians are called to do or is it meant for all of us?
- How open are you to growth and change in your relationship with God and the way that you live for him?
Father, I come to you as your child knowing that you will never turn me away. As I begin this week of exploring what it means to live by faith, I bring to you my experiences thus far; good and bad, joys and disappointments. Wherever I am right now, I thank you that you are committed to my good and my growth. I, in turn, commit myself to seeking you and listening out for all the truth that you have teach to me this week.
If you have time, consider carrying on your conversation with God using one of our helpful Prayer Pathways.
Today’s Everyday Devotions have also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube channel.
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Today’s Everyday Devotions have also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube channel.
Join our online service at everyday.online