Tag: 1 John 5:4

Thought for Today – Faith

Thought for Today

Faith is Demonstrative

“And they come unto him, bringing
one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press,
they uncovered the roof where he was:
and when they had broken it up,
they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
When Jesus saw their faith…”
Mark 2:3-5

The folly of the religious world with the idea that faith can be reduced to a “statement of faith”, hung on a wall, discussed at will and held within the intellect is an indictment of our generation.

Faith is the dynamic living expression of Christ Himself within the life of His own. It is the power to produce expressions that affect His moving in the situations of life. They tore the roof apart and broke into the meeting because of the power of love for their friend and their faith in God! Faith is that which is demonstrative in the sight of God. It is the very assurance of our living hope (Hebrews 11:1). It is the divine enablement to please, honor and validate our confidence in God. It is not a teaching, doctrine or some vain religious hope; FAITH is HIS life within moving us to His fulfillment.

To the disciples who marveled at the withering fig tree:

“And Jesus answering saith unto them,
Have faith in God”
Matthew 11:22

Regardless of the situation each one of His own are facing at this moment the answer and the victory is our faith. “This IS the victory… even our faith” (1 John 5:4). This is not about trying to work up a faith; it is about seeking the One who is the “author and finisher” of our faith. It is His life, His person and by His love dwelling within our hearts that faith arises through the hearing of His word. Do not be discouraged or dismayed for He is come to be unto us our Saviour in every situation. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

“Looking unto Jesus
the author and finisher of our faith”
Hebrews 12:2

Brian Troxel
www.aword.info

He is Able – Another Spirit –

He is Able

PART SIX

Another Spirit

“But my servant Caleb,
because he had another spirit with him,
and hath followed me fully,
him will I bring into the land whereinto he went;
and his seed shall possess it.”
Numbers 14:24

What a testimony of God! Is not this the very purpose and wonder of Life; to please God by “fully” following Him, believing His promises and persistently standing true to His word and His ways. Caleb saw the same enemies (as the 10 other spies) and their great strength but he never took his eyes off his God! There are different faiths within the household of God; those who believe and rise up to follow and those who see the enemies within and without and are unable to believe God. It is in “following Him fully” that He will bring us in and cause us to possess the land of promise.

The question is what do we behold, or rather, whom do we behold? The majority of God’s people beheld the stature and the strength of the giants of the land, while Joshua and Caleb beheld their God. What do we see when we look into the depths of our hearts? Do we see envy, unforgiveness, jealously, anger, lust and a multitude of other things as unconquerable or do we see God? Do we allow these things to remain or do we know of His victory? His word declares that He has come to save us to the uttermost, that He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you” Romans 6:12-14

This is the Salvation of God and it is ours in Christ. Faith is the victory; not our own resolve or strength, but Faith. Actual, real, powerful and dynamic faith is able to take the fallen sons of Adam and make them stand in the strength and wonder of His Grace working within.

How is it that the church so readily concedes to the notion that the disobedience of Adam is of a greater consequence than the obedience of Christ! Is this called victory?

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:
and this is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith”
1 John 5:4

In which spirit do we walk?

In the faith of the ten unbelieving spies? Or in the faith of the two who beheld their God and declared:

“Only rebel not ye against the Lord,
neither fear ye the people of the land;
for they are bread for us… and the Lord is with us:
fear them not”
Numbers 14:9

What is the reaction of the unbelieving ones of God’s people toward those who walk in the true spirit of faith?

“But all the congregation bade stone them with stones”
Numbers 14:10

There are those who do not want to hear of victory and conquest. They would rather remain in a compromised life where victory is an ethereal concept rather than a life to be lived. It is time to face our enemies and declare to all… HE IS ABLE!

God will always bear testimony to those who “fully follow Him” and ardently trust in His ability to complete that which He has begun in Christ Jesus our Lord (Philippians 1:6). To the unbelieving ones God declares:

“And the Lord said unto Moses,
How long will this people provoke me?
and how long will it be ere they believe me…”
Numbers 14:11

What is the faith we hold within our hearts? It is to see the living Christ fully reigning in our lives. Do we walk in another spirit or do we resign ourselves to the futility of an impotent life devoid of His power and victory?

“…for I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able to keep
that which I have committed unto him
against that day”
2 Timothy 1:12

Brian Troxel
www.aword.info