How many times has someone asked you, “Why are you a Christian?” Well to be honest, I cannot recall one time anyone asked me that question, but do you have the answer if they do? I guess my first response would be that my mom was a member of the Church. But is that a valid answer? No! Our parents’ faith is not our faith. Yes, they can pass their faith down to you; look at the example of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, we need our own faith to be able to live out our faith. Faith is something that is visible. It is not like our clothes that we take off and put on, because you can see real faith.
So what does faith look like? We are in the middle of a study on Wednesday nights about heroes of faith. It is impossible to please God without faith. Faith looks like Abel giving God a more perfect sacrifice (Heb. 11:4). Faith looks like Enoch, who walked with God (Heb. 11:5). Faith is Noah, who being divinely warned, built an ark (Heb. 11:7). It looks like Abraham going, not knowing where, but just trusting (Heb. 11:8). Faith looks like Sarah, first believing she was too old to bear a child, then she bore Issac (Heb. 11:11). Faith looks like Isaac, who blessed his sons and exhorted them to obey the covenant laid out before them (Heb. 11:20). Faith looks like Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, and so many others who trusted and walked with God.
Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (NKJV)
What does your faith look like? Do you own it? Philippians 2:15-16 states, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (NKJV)
Let’s press on to the goal! Let’s continue working to please God and be able to give a reason why we are Christians. Folks we encounter should recognize we are trying to be godly.
LET’S OWN IT!
-Russell Simpson
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