HOW ARE YOU FAITHING?
From Hebrews 10:38 we read these words, “BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.”
HOW ARE YOU FAITHING? Jesus said to a man one day, "Stretch out your hand." When you first read that, it seems kinda cruel! Couldn’t Jesus see that man's hand was withered? How could he have possibly stretched it out? But with a measure of fear and, maybe a little embarrassment, the man did as Jesus commanded... and his withered hand was restored. WOW! He stepped out in faith... and God did a miracle.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH. The Christian life is a life of faith... from start to finish. How does one get saved? He gets saved by putting his little mustard seed of faith in God’s great big hands of grace. How does one walk with God? He walks with God by walking in faith, believing God, obeying God and stepping out on His Word. As it is with any meaningful relationship, faith is so critical in your relationship with the Lord. You take away faith and trust in any relationship and that relationship becomes meaningless. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." Did you catch that? It is not improbable or highly unlikely that you will please God without faith... it is impossible to please Him without faith.
WHY IS THAT? Think for a moment about the difference between faith and unbelief... what do those two opposite responses say to God? Faith says, "I believe You, Lord. I believe You can be trusted and are not lying to me when You make a promise. I believe that You are able to make a way... even when there seems to be no way." God loves it when we say those things to Him! Faith is acting like I believe what God promises me in His Word!
Unbelief, on the other hand, says to God, "I do not think I can trust You. I think You are a liar. Present circumstances are much more real and true than Your promises." Oh my! What an insult on the Person and character of God. No wonder it is impossible to please Him unless you walk by faith.
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOD’S WAY. The Lord works in direct response to our faith. The man with the withered hand in the verse above would never have been healed unless he had acted in faith and obeyed the Lord's command... even though it seemed impossible for him to do so. This is seen in many instances throughout the Bible. The Lord asks for action before he does a miracle. Moses stretched a staff out before the sea parted. Joshua marched around Jericho before the walls fell. Peter obeyed the call to “Come” and he stepped out of the boat before he walked on water. So it was with the man with the withered hand. His healing followed obedience, not the other way around.
IS GOD WAITING ON YOU? What is the Lord commanding you to do that you do not feel you can do... and, therefore, do not obey? Is it in the area of witnessing, telling others about Jesus? Is it in the area of forgiveness, releasing that someone who hurt you? Is it in the area of worry, giving that problem over to Him? Is it in the area of guilt, believing God will forgive you the moment you truly repent? Is it in the area of the impossible, believing God despite the circumstances? Is it in the area of tithing, giving 10% of your income to His work? The walk of faith is the only walk for a Christian. Take the promises of God and start to believe them enough to act on them. You will be amazed at how your life takes on new meaning, direction and power as you trust Him everyday, believing His Word over your circumstances. So ask yourself today…”How am I faithing?” I realize that’s not good English, but it’s real good theology! Think it over…🙏