Faith That Gives Life Meaning
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8: 1 – 6
Jesus offers hope to the hopeless. He gives a viable alternative to defeat, despair and depression. He is one worthy of our trust, one who offers us something in which to believe.
To people stripped of strength, robbed or reason, and void of victory He extends a loving hand of help. He who embodied truth shared truths that transform lives.
Upon passing Columbia University our guide gestured toward the bars across the street and said: “Each four years they have a new clientele. They come here their first year as Democrats, their second year they are Republicans, their third year they are Communists and by their fourth they are so confused they don’t know what they are. By the time they are 35 or 40 most of them have found something in which they can believe.” Have you?
One of our nation’s leading Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton, stated: “He who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” Currently this describes the plight of many. Have you ever paused and said to yourself, “This I believe.”
Regrettably all too many can say with American lyrical poet and playwright, and Pulitzer Prize winner Edward St. Vincent Benay confessed: “I must keep on living, but I forget just now why.” What is your purpose for living?
Albert Schweitzer was a theologian, organist, musicologist, writer, humanitarian, and philosopher, yet he expressed the challenge of finding fulfillment in life before his commitment to Jesus: “Only in my quietest moments can I determine what life is all about.”
May these lives motivate you to personally review your life and conclude that there are certain basics worth living by and dying for. Thus, you can determine you have something in which to believe. It gives purpose to life.
Many adults are trying to do combat with the wiles of the devil with knowledge they gained in childhood. They compare their youthful knowledge gained through a juvenile reading of Scripture with their adult reading of false philosophies. It is necessary to give Christianity a mature adult reading.
You may own a Bible and hold it in your hand. Thus, to you it is a POSSESSION. As such, it may be nothing more than a status symbol. You may have read and memorized passages. Thus, to you it is a PRECEPT. That is good. “Thy Word have I hid in my heart…” By owning a copy and memorizing passages you are in a position to make it a PRACTICE.
Write your own statement of faith. Take your time and use the Bible in support of your confession.
With the dark clouds on the horizons of our tomorrows it is not safe to look into the future except through eyes of faith. Do you have a faith for living?
Abide
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15: 4)
What does it mean to “abide?” There are several Greek words in the Bible that are properly translated “abide.” By gaining the meaning of each depending on how it is used a fuller understanding can be gained about what it means. In Acts 11: 23 it is used metaphorically indicating persistent loyalty.
The Greek word “meno” often translated abide indicates perseverance in continuing.
Another Greek word “prosmeno” translated abide means to continue with.
Abiding is a combination of love and faithfulness.
An example of abiding in Jesus is the group of twenty-three South Korean missionaries who were captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan and sentenced to death. The group knew that the Taliban had decided to kill them, one at a time. One by one the missionaries surrendered their lives again to Jesus saying, “Lord, if you want me to die for your sake I’ll do it.” Then the pastor said, “I’ve talked to [the Taliban] because they are going to start killing us and I’ve told their leaders that if anyone dies, I die first because I am your pastor.” Another said, “No, because I also am a pastor and I am your elder. I die first.” That is abiding in Jesus.
A Sudanese court sentenced a twenty-seven year old pregnant woman to death for refusing to recant her Christian faith. The court also convicted her of adultery and sentenced her to one hundred lashes because her marriage to a Christian man is considered void under sharia law. Mariam Yaha Ibrahim Ishag told the court: “I am a Christian and I will remain a Christian.”
She has since given birth to a baby girl and is allowed to care for her for two years before the sentence is implemented. Mariam was shackled in prison along with her new baby awaiting execution. That is an example of abiding in Jesus.
Hopefully no one reading this will ever suffer such persecution. However, there are daily examples all around us of people abiding in Jesus.
There is a young business man who will not compromise and be a party to a scheme to defraud another company under the threat of losing his job if he doesn’t.
There is a teenager refusing to compromise sexually under the pressure of “everybody is doing it,” knowing popularity will be lost as a result of the decision.
There is the couple trying to sell their house unwilling to hide a flaw that will result in losing the sale or not getting the asking price.
There is the builder who will not use compromised building material and cheating the owner for whom the house is being built.
There is the person when alone won’t compromise and watch sexually explicit material.
You fill in the blank. “There is the ….”
What the above text means is Jesus will be loyal to us (abide). We should be loyal (abide in) Him.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before you.” Hebrews 12: 1
This metaphor is often used to describe living saints as being on a playing field with the stands filled with Old Testament people of faith and those who have since died with faith watching to see how we perform.
That misses the point. The Greek for witnesses is “martyres,” which at the time meant a witness. A witness is a person who testifies of what they have heard or seen. Therefore, the cloud of witnesses are people of faith who have preceded us testifying of the sufficiencies of the Lord. They are there to encourage us. In chorus they shout “HE IS ABLE.”
“Every weight” spoken of as applied to an athlete was to take off anything that would hinder the race. There are certain attitudes and actions we must put aside if we are to spiritually compete in the race of faith.
There is a sin …”which does so easily beset us …. (Hebrews 12: 1) That is, a “ sin that so easily entangles,” meaning we all have an area of weakness. Knowing ours we should stay off the plane if we are not going on the flight. More clearly put, if you don’t want to sin, flee it at the first hint of temptation. Avoid those situations and circumstances that furnish an occasion for sinning.
The sin which so easily ensnares us or besets us, is the one that is most appealing and enticing to an individual. Satan is no less a strategist than a brilliant military general who scouts his opponent to find the weakest point to attack. Satan knows yours, do you? Pause and contemplate that question.
Lay aside that sin. The illustration might be to a runner who refused to put off a garment which the crowd admired, though such an encumbrance must cause him to fail of the prize. This depicts a person’s sin the crowd approves of, actually admires. It gaining the wearer popularity makes it difficult to abandon. It is a you approve of my sin, I will applaud yours. Approval by others is a strong enticement not to abandon the popular sin.
The race that is set before you, not that race of someone else. In a competitive race, each runner runs in his own lane and never looks to see how other competitors are doing. They keep their eyes on the goal. We should not look around at others, and compare ourselves, just accept Jesus’ charge to Peter to follow me.
Our example for running the race set before us is found in the next verse: “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12: 2)
Then What…
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live….” Deuteronomy 30: 19
Joshua issued this option: “Choose you this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24: 15)
These and other verses confirm one of the greatest blessings God has given human beings is the privilege of choice. It must be kept in mind that choices have consequences. Not facing the consequences has consequences.
From the scientific world comes this confirmation. Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion states: “For every action there is a reaction.”
A question serving as a sentinel guarding our thoughts and actions is: Then what…
If I do or say this what will be the result. Not only how will it affect me, but those around me as well. Then what… should guard our reasoning.
You are free to make your choices, but you are not free to choose the consequences of that choice. In making a decision, always anticipate the consequences.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.
Consequences are outcomes, either negative or positive, of our actions. There are always consequences to our actions or lack of action. Alfred Montepart, an American engineer, philosopher, and author said: “Nobody ever did or will escape the consequences of his choices.”
From antiquity Job speaks: “As I have observed those who plough evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” (Job 4:8)
Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Then what….
Bridle your impulses, it is they that often gets us into our greatest difficulties.
Start at the root of an action to determine the fruit of an action. Had David controlled his impulses when he first lusted over Bathsheba five lives could have been spared and his character not been impugned.
It is important that though conduct has irreversible consequence contrition should prompt efforts of ameliorate the influence by:
First, accept the blame and acknowledge you deserve it. Don’t try to blame anything or anybody. Deal with the issue as soon as possible. Validate the feelings of others and apologize.
With a contrite spirit seek God’s pardon and avow your renewed commitment. Thereafter, seek His guidance in decision making.
A Farmer’s Life
“The hard-working farmer must be the first to partake of the fruit.” II Timothy 2:6
Metaphors are used throughout the Bible to aid our understanding. Athletic metaphors are favorites in the Epistles. The world of athletics is often used to illustrate the Christian life. Mention is made of track and field (1 Corinthians 9:12), boxing (1 Corinthians 9:26), and wrestling (Ephesians 6:12).
One with much meaning that is rarely mentioned is the farmer. The farmer is used as an illustration of a good Christian. Having been reared on a family farm in an agrarian society, and having a degree in horticulture, I know a bit about farming. Consider some similarities between a farmer’s life and that of your life as a commendable Christian life.
A farmer (Christian) knows that occasional failure is inevitable. Regardless of how hard and smart he works, forces of nature can work against him causing failure. Still he does not become defeated, he perseveres. Perseverance is listed along with faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love in order to avoid being barren and unfruitful. (II Peter 1:5-9)
A farmer (Christians) must have a lot of patience which is definitely needed in order to deal with the surprises that may come his way. He knows what the Bible means “to wait on the Lord.”
A farmer (Christian) must have a passion for and commitment to the work. Some years and seasons are worse than others and require more work. But farmers keep on going and work through the tough times in order to be productive.
A farmer (Christian) must be committed to life-long learning. Things change so fast it is imperative for him to be a continual-learner. Study to show yourself approved unto God.
A farmer (Christian) must be ingenious, creative and adaptable. As a good musician must master the fundamentals before improvising, so a farmer must master the fundamentals of his craft in order to improvise, adapt, and creatively respond to changing circumstances.
A farmer (Christian) must be a problem solver, the challenges are many. A farmer who thinks a constant stage of life will be arrived at presenting no new challenges is in a state of self-deception. New problems needing a solution arise daily. The problems demand creative solutions.
A farmer (Christian) must be a good time manager. Deferred action can result in crop loss.
A farmer (Christian) knows three things: you reap what you sow, you reap later than you sow, and you reap more than you sow. Therefore, sow wisely, that is always consider “What then….” when acting.