THE WALK OF FAITH Devotion #1 of 8

"For therein [the Gospel, v. 16) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38; Habakkuk 2:4)

INTRODUCTION

Theologians often have a tendency to oversimplify faith. Some, for example, have said it is simply believing the Bible. There is some truth to this, but it certainly does not exhaust the definition. Faith is not merely an exercise of the mind, or intellect--it has to do with our spirits, or essential persons. It also is our exclusive means of access to God, Christ, and the "things God has prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor. 2:9). Given this situation, faith cannot be considered independently of divine influence. Both the Object of faith and the effect of faith upon the individual transcend the natural capabilities of humanity. Some Bible students object to the postulate that Deity is involved in the generation and maintenance of faith. They conceive of faith as a purely human response--an outworking of analysis and logic. Nothing could be further from the truth! In this series we will see the clarity with which the Spirit speaks on this matter. The affirmations of the Word of God are clear on this point, and worthy of unreserved acceptance by everyone. As we peruse them, remember: if there were no God or Christ, faith would not be possible. Faith presumes both power and reality that are outside of your person. It refuses to trust in the arm of flesh, doing whatever is necessary to maintain a lively awareness of God's Person and favor.

What Is Your Life?

What is life all about? That is a question frequently asked in our time--and it is one receiving a variety of answers. For some, life is trying your best to be good. For others, it is a matter of doing the things that are most satisfying to the flesh. Still others consider the development of a career the preeminent matter. As the "offspring of God," however, we must obtain a higher view--one that will be valid when the world comes to an end. Our consideration of faith offers that higher view of life. It presumes the temporality of this world, the provision of salvation, and the inevitability of death and judgement. Given these postulates, there is no alternative to faith.

Faith Is A Requirement

It is not possible to please God, meet his requirements, or respond to His overatures apart from faith. This is the meaning of the affirmation, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God" (Heb 11:6). Faith substantizes spiritual reality to our souls, the chief of which is God and His only begotten Son. That is another way of saying faith makes God and the things of God real to us--it removes any question about their reality. As it is written, "NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen" (Heb 11:1). There is no progress in the Kingdom of God without faith--apart from a dominating persuasion of the reality of God, the accomplishments of Christ, and the accessibility of the promises of God. Confidence, persuasion, and assurance, are all aspects of faith.

-- TOMORROW: THE SOURCE OF FAITH --