Pastor’s Corner: “Faith on Display”
Hebrews 10:38 (NIV) – 38 And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”
The Christian life is a life of faith from start to finish. How do we get saved? We get saved by putting our little mustard seed hand of faith in God’s great big hand of grace. How do we walk with God? We walk with God by walking in faith, believing God and obeying God and stepping out on His word. Faith is so critical. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Did you catch that? It is not questionable 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! 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 that Your promises.” Ouch! What a slam on the person and character of God. No wonder it is impossible to please Him unless you walk by faith.
Mark 3:1-6 (NIV) – Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. 5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” Jesus said to the man, “ Stand up in front of everyone,” and then He said “Stretch out your hand.” How cruel! Can’t Jesus see that this man’s hand is withered? How could he possibly stretch it out? With a measure of fear and trepidation, the man did as Jesus commanded… and his withered hand was restored. WOW! He stepped out in faith… and God did a miracle. Not only was this man asked to step out in faith, but to do it with an audience. Why did Jesus ask this man to stand up in front of everyone? This could have been done in private. FAITH ON DISPLAY. The miracle was not just for this man, but for the benefit of those that witnessed it at that time and for us today who are reading about it. God is asking you and me to STAND UP IN FRONT OF EVERYONE and to step out in Faith. It is not just for you, but I believe more for those who are watching you. Who would benefit from seeing God work in your life by faith today?
HOW ARE YOU FAITHING? The Lord works in direct response to our faith. The man with the withered hand 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. How about you? What is the Lord commanding you to do that you do not feel you can do, and in response to your fear, you do not obey? Is it in the area of tithing, giving 10% of your income to His work? 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?
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 every day. Believe His Word over your circumstances!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton