by Patrick Lennox
Living by faith is a multi-faceted endeavor. Trusting in the all-sufficient redeeming work of Christ is where we begin a life of faith. From there, the brilliance of this glorious reality is reflected and displayed in every area of our lives. Or at least it ought to.
We know that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6), and we know that all people do not have it (2 Thess 3:2). Faith is not a natural endowment embedded in the DNA of our souls; rather, it is a bona fide supernatural gift of God (Eph. 2:8). It is given to his children, in measure, with the expressed purpose of laying hold of the otherwise unattainable — salvation, even Christ Himself. Without it we are lost. With it we Where is Your Faith?
by Patrick Lennox
Living by faith is a multi-faceted endeavor. Trusting in the all-sufficient redeeming work of Christ is where we begin a life of faith. From there, the brilliance of this glorious reality is reflected and displayed in every area of our lives. Or at least it ought to.
We know that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6), and we know that all people do not have it (2 Thess 3:2). Faith is not a natural endowment embedded in the DNA of our souls; rather, it is a bona fide supernatural gift of God (Eph. 2:8). It is given to his children, in measure, with the expressed purpose of laying hold of the otherwise unattainable — salvation, even Christ Himself. Without it we are lost. With it we can move mountains.
True faith, although indestructible, has the potential of increase or decrease, until perfected. Lack of faith is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ as Redeemer and Provider. It is distrust of who He is and His promises. When we distrust the spiritual realities promised to those in the faith, it will be revealed in our mundane earthly lives.
Consider the disciples’ response when they were in the boat during a fierce storm (Luke 8:22–25). The Lord of Creation was resting peacefully in their midst. Fearing for their lives, the disciples rushed to wake Jesus, and cried, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Pause for a moment and consider: Did they really believe that Jesus was their Savior, and that He was going to die that night in a boating accident? Their lack of faith led them to unwarranted thoughts and actions.
No matter what the life situation, whether common or crisis, how we react to it is a testimony of how much faith we possess. Every moment is an opportunity for either growth or atrophy. When you doubt your salvation, do you take inventory of all your pious deeds with the hopes of merit? Or do you consider the redeeming work of Christ and His promises for assurance? Do you resort to worldly ways for position or advancement for fear of not getting what is yours? All that we do is a reflection of our faith, and that faith bears the name of Christ.
Even in the midst of the disciples’ unbelief, the Captain of their salvation was able to increase their faith with a rebuke to the wind and waves. Perfect faith would have let Jesus sleep that night. Instead, He awoke with a stern rebuke for the disciples, “Where is your faith?” Jesus is still in the midst of His people, and the question still stands.
can move mountains.
True faith, although indestructible, has the potential of increase or decrease, until perfected. Lack of faith is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ as Redeemer and Provider. It is distrust of who He is and His promises. When we distrust the spiritual realities promised to those in the faith, it will be revealed in our mundane earthly lives.
Consider the disciples’ response when they were in the boat during a fierce storm (Luke 8:22–25). The Lord of Creation was resting peacefully in their midst. Fearing for their lives, the disciples rushed to wake Jesus, and cried, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Pause for a moment and consider: Did they really believe that Jesus was their Savior, and that He was going to die that night in a boating accident? Their lack of faith led them to unwarranted thoughts and actions.
No matter what the life situation, whether common or crisis, how we react to it is a testimony of how much faith we possess. Every moment is an opportunity for either growth or atrophy. When you doubt your salvation, do you take inventory of all your pious deeds with the hopes of merit? Or do you consider the redeeming work of Christ and His promises for assurance? Do you resort to worldly ways for position or advancement for fear of not getting what is yours? All that we do is a reflection of our faith, and that faith bears the name of Christ.
Even in the midst of the disciples’ unbelief, the Captain of their salvation was able to increase their faith with a rebuke to the wind and waves. Perfect faith would have let Jesus sleep that night. Instead, He awoke with a stern rebuke for the disciples, “Where is your faith?” Jesus is still in the midst of His people, and the question still stands.
