Hey friends!! Its been a long while since I last posted. I must admit I have been extremely slack in my writings as of late. I was corrected by a faithful friend (or two) that I had been working way too much and need to re prioritize my life. I was also challenged by reading some of my older posts which I found personally convicting and encouraging. I'm not sure if this is 'acceptable' in the blog land, but I would highly recommend going back and reading the "Seeking God and..." post. Not to somehow make me feel better about myself or in some way seek your approval, but that God would use it to encourage you to see beyond the things of this world, and to look solely to him.
Now to this post.
I can't remember where I was coming back from, but I was in my car listening to talk radio when a gentleman came on from an Apologetics ministry (the name escapes me). The topic escapes me as well, but one thing has stuck with me that has completely revolutionized my walk with Christ. The idea of faith came up and what exactly does that mean. That's a great, question, because I'm not sure I've personally ever heard a satisfactory answer that truly encapsulates the meaning of faith. What he said though has truly shaken (or shook?) the foundations on my belief in God.
The gentleman responded "faith is acting upon established truth."
Let me repeat that for affect: "faith is acting upon established truth."
Does the weight of that definition hit the very center of your soul like it did mine? This definition challenges my very paradigm of what it means to be a Christian. Much to my shame, I have put off action with the excuse of faith. Oh I have faith that God will provide, so I'm not going to do this or that.
I was specifically challenged one Sunday morning when it came to my finances. I hadn't been tithing for a while, but I had just started again. Money was getting tight and as the baskets were coming around i was battling with myself. Sure i have faith that God will provide my needs, but things are really tight right now, I'm sure he'll understand. Thoughts like this were dominating my mind.
Then, the definition of faith was brought to the forefront of my thoughts as if the Spirit was bringing it back to remembrance. It was almost as if he gently whispered to me "faith is acting upon established truth. How can you say you have faith in God yet don't act on his established truth? Are you just giving lip service to God?" I was stuck. Here I professed to believe God's word as true, and have 'faith,' yet I didn't want to act upon that established truth. My faith wasn't real that morning until I acted on it. In my opinion, my faith wasn't genuine until I placed that check (by God's grace alone) in that offering basket.
Lets make this personal. Where have you said you have had 'faith' in God, but have failed to act upon his established truth? Better yet, lets recount the victories where you have exercised this faith and God, of course, was faithful. Remember those times? Let those past victories inform future decisions.
You see, this definition of faith demands an active pursuit of God and his word. It does not leave any room for passivity. Sitting on the sidelines is not an option. Not taking God at his full word is unthinkable. Belief without action, is at best, is a self denial of our true state. Take my situation for example. I tried to tell myself I had faith in God, and by not tithing I wasn't actually acting in faith. It wasn't until i was confronted by the Spirit with that definition of faith that I realized my so called faith was actually unbelief.
It doesn't have to be about money either. It could be not confronting someone in their sin, not sharing the Gospel with that coworker. Or it could be God prompting you to step out of your comfort zone to be used by him in a new way. Whatever you are facing right now, I beseech you to ask the Lord to examine your heart in light of this all encompassing definition of faith (acting upon established truth). I pray the Lord would show you, as he has for me, where you have been passive and where unbelief has set in.
Acting upon established Truth - Faith
