FAITHFULNESS
“To them
who by patient continuance
in well doing seek
for glory and honour and immortality,
eternal life”
Romans 2:7
Those who are truly seeking God’s glory, honour, immortality and eternal life reveal themselves as such by the patient and continual walk of well doing. It is in the reality of daily life the hearts of God’s own are revealed. Their very conduct day in and day out reveals the hearts of those who live unto Him. There are many who shine and seek to portray themselves as spiritual in the special moments when others are watching. In the sight of God it is by what we do in the mundane of life, out of the sight of others, that true disciples are revealed. It is what we do when we are discouraged, tempted and weary with the way that matters.
“I know thy works”
Revelation 2:2, 2:9, 2:13, 2:19, 3:1, 3:8, 3:15
Contrary to the popular teaching of today, God beholds our works. He knows that what we do reveals who we are. The foolish notion that a man can have faith without works is fully acceptable in many churches today. These are not works to earn our salvation; they are works that REVEAL our salvation. These are the works produced by a living faith within the hearts of His own; works which are inspired by the moving and prompting of the Holy Spirit; works of such a nature that the heart and love of God are evident. It is in the patient continuance of such things we seek for “glory and honour and immortality, eternal life”.
“But wilt thou know,
O vain man,
that faith without works
is dead?
James 2:20
The true and living faith in our hearts must produce the works of faith just as the electrical current running through a light bulb must produce light.
Brian Troxel
Ever so many times in the good book we read of Jesus exclaiming the faithfulness of a follower. They came from all walks of life and were dealing with their own trials. So it is that we walk this walk carrying those things that He has allowed that we may grow in the mystery of faithfulness. Sometimes I think He patiently waits till we in desperation cry out of our own inabilities. Then the answer is even that much sweeter to the mouth and again our faith becomes that tangible thing. So often I find it fading in the day to day walk like the glow on the face of Moses. Why is it that the faith we receive for one trial fades till once again we are crying out for another touch in the next trial. I think of david who when running away from saul finds himself once again picking up goliaths sword to meet the next trial. It is like an alusive friend that one only sees out of the corner of ones eye. Yet it is as we turn and walk towards that place we glimpsed we find yet another way in which He meets our needs. It sometimes feels like walking through an old battlefield and picking up this piece and that piece till we a fully armed to do battle. I can’t describe how good it feels when there is liberty to speak of our Lord to those around me. To watch the reactions and to continually bring the conversation back to truth. I haven’t had a lot of success at this but tasted it a bit last Sunday. It is amazing to see how when the truth is spoken it is heard so incredibly different by each person. Sometimes I can see that the person most affected by what is said is the person who says nothing. It was at His unction that I was able to share as I had just suffered a low blood sugar which usually renders me useless for most of the day. His glory, His timing, His strength, His Word. Thank you God for using me. Thank-you for using worms to topple mountains. Harry.
[…] Faithfulness […]
Amen.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Grace teaches us to deny ungodly lusts and to live righteously, Whosoever has Grace will also grow into righteousness. They who receive grace and do not grow into righteousness turn the grace of God into lasciviousness and judgement.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world”
TITUS 2:11 – 12
We are saved by Grace through Faith UNTO good works. “Faith without works is dead”. We are not saved by works but the works of faith reveal our salvation.
“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” 1John 3:7
True Righteousness is the fruit of a true and living faith.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16
Our works reveal our Faith, many will say “Lord, Lord” in that day to which HE will reply I never knew you.