Living by Faith (2)

The Crossing

The Bible uses the symbol of crossing over, or crossing into, repeatedly. It signifies a level shift. A shift from dream to action, from vision to mission and ultimately fulfillment. Thus the Israelites on leaving Egypt, crossed the Red Sea. Leaving the wilderness behind, they crossed the Jordan into the promised land. When Elijah was going to be raptured, he crossed the Jordan. When Elisha was beginning his ministry, he again crossed the Jordan. Crossing is done on a revelation, by faith. Crossing is a very significant time. Usually with so much happening, the enemy will attempt to bring opposition by bringing diversions, offences, irritations, disagreements or even disunity. It takes the heart of faith that has cultivated listening to the Holy Spirit, and a disciplined mind that can stay focused on the vision and mission, to keep moving at appointed times which are supernaturally graced by the spirit. Prayer is key to access this grace, as Jesus said, Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” We see Jesus at His “crossing” i.e. the crucifixion, that He was focused on the vision and mission, but not so His disciples, to whom He gave this teaching. Beloved as we anticipate breakthroughs which often will double as significant crossings, let us ‘not be weary of well doing, but putting our hands on the plow, ‘let us not look back.’ Let us pray without ceasing, refresh the vision and mission often, stay in fellowship, encourage one another and manage well in the momentum of the crossing to the glory of God. It says of Jesus in Psalm 110:3, “When you go to war, your people will serve you willingly. You are arrayed in holy garments, and your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew.”

The CROSSING

Leaving the wilderness behind
And breaking through at Jordan
Is the decision of my will
To obey the voice of destiny
Today
Through years of manna
Having learned to walk
At the trumpet sound
Weaned yet dependent
Submitted yet empowered
Because He is
And so are we in him
Blessed
Of basket and bowl
In country and city
In family and labour
In life and death
By this awesome WORD
Of first priority
And final authority
Believed….

Living By Faith

The Necessity of Faith 2

Hebrews 11:39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Even though these men and women earned good reputations, God withheld from them perfection because He wanted all believers in every age to get it together in the end. 1 John 3:2-3 “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” Perfection is being like Christ which will happen when we see Him at His second coming and receive that glorified body. Every believer is appointed unto this. Perfection is by grace- Christ righteousness. Until then to be more like Him (after salvation), we purify our hearts. Matthew 5:8 “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” We purify our hearts by living openly before God, and praying sincerely: Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Finally, Enter Hope and Love along with Faith, 1 Corinthians 13: 13 “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” Notice the relationship: 1 John 4: 18 “Perfect love casts out fear,” and , in that atmosphere hope will not disappoint you, but will obtain substance-faith which will please God and give you a good reputation. Galatians 5: 6b “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Faith works by love!

The Necessity of Faith (1)

Hebrews 11:39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

A closer look at these verses and the implication is that faith takes us toward perfection. Therefore the faith of all these discussed in Hebrews 11, named and unnamed, whether they received miracles, or died, earned them a good reputation before God primarily, and in some cases before men, too. Interesting that word “earned”. You see salvation is by grace and not earned at all, but faith can earn. Faith earns a good reputation before God. Faith earns heavenly rewards in the hereafter and rewards on this earth, too. Faith is what pleases God. He takes pleasure in every act of faith in Him, trusting in His goodness, standing on His word. God will establish His presence and His power, His kingdom , rule, and reign wherever there is a man or woman who will believe Him in faith. Hebrews 11:6 “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Our faith begins with (1) believing He exists and (2) believing that He gives rewards to sincere seekers or followers. Selah! He is a Rewarder not a Disappointer. He wants us to understand that He does not only operate grace, but that He also desires and encourages faith, giving rewards for our faith acts. The grace we receive in salvation is because of the faith and love of Christ. And God gave Him a reward, a name above all names. Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Resurrection Faith

Hebrews 11:35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.

I find this to be such an interesting statement attesting to the faith of unnamed women, and specifically toward resurrection from the dead, and perhaps near dead events. It tells me that women have a tenacious faith when it comes to their desire for loved ones. Loved ones will include members of close family, particularly children, husbands, siblings, parents, relatives and friends. It tells me that women have great capacity to stand as intercessors to ask for amazing concessions and miracles from God, and also that women have faith to receive such miracles from God. Therefore I am greatly encouraged and I trust that you are, too.

The Faith of the Others

Hebrews 11:35 …But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half,[d] and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

The last few paragraphs of Hebrews 11 are a stark reminder that this faith we profess is precious. It is a faith which cost God, who gave of Himself in Christ, to die for sins, that He might save the sinner eternally through grace. This faith by grace is a commitment to the confession of truth, that Jesus is Lord, and that He saved us by sacrifice and resurrected to assure us of eternal life. All who truly know this truth will stand for it, because whereas there is much of living to do here on earth, through awesome promises, the goal of this grace is ETERNITY. Hebrews 12:16 “See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.” In defence of these inheritance rights of the kingdom, some have had to apply their faith to uphold the confession that Jesus is Lord, costing them their homes, citizenship, family, jobs and even their very lives. It takes placing your faith in the resurrection, to die for the truth of Christ. The Bible says of these persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ that, “they were too good for this world.” And all these will await with us the second coming of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”