Faith or Nothing

“By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.” (Hebrews 11:4)

Infidel’s often say, if God is just He would not send anyone to Hell for eternity. Some will suggest He wouldn’t send a child to Hell, which is true as children have not reached the age of accountability and are not responsible for their sins, although they demonstrate a fallen human nature with sin. The objection is usually related to the secular/humanist idea of severity such that the penalty (Eternal Hell) does not fit the crime (Sin). Secular values and thought are independent of God, His law, true justice, His nature or the entire factual context of sin. Humanist can justify murder, lying, stealing, child abuse and practically anything they desire based on situational ethics. Therefore, based on their values Hell is unjust and they emphatically deny it exists.

Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:3-7) Cain then killed Able and was sent away as an outcast by God.

God knows everything about everyone even their unspoken thoughts. In the law of Moses both animal and plant offerings are made to God. The distinction of Able’s offering was his faith. Cain was ruled over by sin which produced death. The judgement against Cain was just as God knows everything before it happens and every intention of the heart. Similarly, at the final judgement those without faith will be sent away to eternal separation in Hell. God knows they reject Him completely and forever as they look to their own values of right or wrong. Moreover, He has given everyone a warning and opportunity to turn away from sin. Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Heb. 11:6) Those with faith in Yeshua Messiah will be forgiven their sins, acquitted, though all have sinned. Believing, trusting, accepting God and His love, mercy and truth makes all the difference between Cain and Able, and Heaven and Hell. 

Honoring God as Holy

“But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” (Numbers 20:12)

This is an interesting scriptural conclusion after Moses struck the rock at Kadesh in the desert rather than speaking to it as God commanded. Striking the rock dishonored God, speaking to it would have been a greater miracle. In my mind I have wondered that an underground stream was just behind the rock with great pressure as it “gushed out”. God didn’t command them what to speak, apparently He left that up to Moses who did speak, but to the people, not the rock. Did Moses think speaking would look silly? Was he too mad at the rebellious people to ignore them? We don’t know, but it dishonored God.

Our leaders today, are faulty and at times lead rebellious people. How many have refused God’s command that might have made them look silly or placed them completely at the mercy of God’s provision? Who are those who have enough trust in God to do what He says, irrespective of their reputation or position? Ministers guard their reputation and rightfully so, but there are occasions when they must risk their reputation and livelihood in the world at the expense of honoring God. Pauls said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10) He could say this as it was the cost of serving faithfully and trusting completely God. 

God does not share His glory and He guards His honor. This fact is important for all of us to respect. If we touch His glory, even with our good intentions, we may windup like Uzzah. (1 Chron. 13:9-10) Certain disobedience robs God of honor and brings disaster to the whole congregation like Achan. (Joshua 7:19-25) Positive illustrations are important as well. ”Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:15-16) Joseph believed and gave honor to God. When the people of God, both high and low, give glory and honor to Him we will see His goodness and might. 

Choosing God

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”  (John 15:16)  

“For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.” (Romans 11:32) If you think you chose God and by virtue of your choice you have been given mercy and salvation, you have no scripture to support it. “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus… For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” (Romans 3:22-24, 28) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Not only did He chose us, but we are His handiwork created to do good works prepared in advance by God. No one can boast of anything they’ve done; choosing God, doing good works, being obedient, having faith. (1 Cor. 1:29; Eph. 2:8-9) These are all by grace and faith given to us while we were yet sinners. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 4:6) Human reasoning seeks to address our responsibility to God and explain our fallen human nature existing in the world around us by “freewill.”  However, with human reasoning freewill becomes powerful enough to grant salvation to those who chose God. Pride seeks to empower humanity’s freewill over God’s word and grace. Human freewill is temporal in space and time on earth, it cannot affect anything of eternal significance, to do so exalts man over God. If you choose to wear a blue shirt today it is your choice; it doesn’t effect eternity. Things which have eternal ramifications are decided by God, who raises the dead and shows mercy to whom He chooses. (John 5:21; Rom. 9:15) People want to control others, particularly with their good intensions, suggesting we have virtue within ourselves, but scripture does not support it. “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18)

Responsibility for Seeing Glory

“Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.” (Numbers 14:21-23)

There is a consequence of witnessing God’s glory, signs and deliverance and then disobeying Him. Almighty merciful God decided on oath to give His people a land exceedingly good, flowing with milk and honey. In spite of seeing His deliverance over nations that came against them, feeding them angels food, dwelling in their midst with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, the people rejected, disbelieved, considered stoning their appointed leaders and sought to return to captivity. 

Have we the Congregation of Believers participated in any of this? We must not think we are better than the Israelites. We must not consider ourselves beyond selfish behavior, but hold firm to His goodness, kindness, not forgetting all His mercies. What is the wilderness, but a place were no faith abounds; where the promises of God are delayed and not realized; where the choices and decisions of men lead, instead of God’s best; a place which does not reflect God’s promises.

When we read new covenant scripture it contains marvelous promises of Yeshua through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts is filled with glorious demonstrations of God’s mercy through the disciples after Yeshua’s ascension. Scripture says clearly how gifts of the Spirit are to function within the body of Messiah. (1 Cor. 12) Yeshua said that we would do the things He did and greater because He was going to the Father. (John 14:12) The Holy Spirit’s work on earth through Yeshua and Believers was prophetically revealed to the prophets. Have these prophecies been fulfilled in our day? Has the suggestion that God never intended to dwell in glory and power among His Children, beyond the first century, lead generations of Believers into a wilderness existence? Are we standing in doubt attempting to describe why God cannot do what scriptures says He can? Is He willing to raise up a generation of faith like that of Joshua and Caleb? Is the Holy Spirit renewal our signal to enter into the promised land where faith in God is active and released? Our answer is always, Yes, in Yeshua. (2 Cor. 1:20)

Your Heavenly Reward

God is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him. Some scholars teach that Believers will not be judged along with the lost, but will be judged as to what their reward will be. Scripture says everyone will give an account of ourselves to God. (Rom. 14:12) The Bible teaches that God is Sovereign over Heaven and Earth, but some also offer a perspective of man’s free will. These two perspectives are at odds, but many will suggests they exist simultaneously, the only middle ground.

It may be a factor in understanding our Heavenly reward. Most agree no one can earn heaven, but a reward is a different matter. From a freewill perspective, we are duty bound to do good works earning our heavenly reward. Scripture says in judgement, whatever we do for the least of these we do also for Yeshua. (Matt. 25:45) James throws a bone to those who resist the scriptural concept of election, being chosen, predestined when he suggests faith is evidenced by works. (James 2:18, 26). On the election side, Jews who tried by effort to attain righteousness through works failed altogether. (Rom 9: 11-28; Gal. 2:16) Scripture and reality provide another dynamic to these questions – the work of the Holy Spirit. 

The indwelling Holy Spirit is our guarantee of Heaven and He is the enabler of all things good and righteous. Just as it is impossible to please God without faith; it is impossible to live a pleasing life without the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. (Heb. 12:8; Gal. 3:3) “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing….” (John 6:63) “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh…” (Phil. 3:3) “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Gal. 2:21) Are these scriptures about righteousness which saves, rather than good deeds? Can there be a distinction between righteousness that saves us and good deeds for which we are rewarded?

Complex theological issues have been touched upon, but I think there is a simple answer to our respective reward. To build with eternal substance requires the Holy Spirit, anything else is temporal and will not last God’s test of fire. (1 Cor. 3:13-15) God is the one who gives the rewards; ours is to seek Him with our whole heart, mind, soul, strength. Rather than trying to do good deeds in our own strength; trust God, keeping in step with the Spirit.

Your Source of Help

Do you feel overwhelmed or burdened by what is happening around you? Are there issues in your family or relationships that are troubling? Are you facing heath or financial issues that cast a cloud of uncertainty over your future? Do you seem caught in a malaise or routine with little hope of change, break or relief? Any one of these can bring oppression and a combination of them can become a horrible burden to bear. Where do you look for help? Who can you turn to for insight? “He said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me.” (2 Samuel 22:2-3) This was the testimony of king David about God Almighty. 

Recently, we were put to the test. My son had compartment syndrome, but we didn’t know it. Among other symptoms He had kidney failure. I asked the nurse what his CK lab number was, she said, “211,000” I asked what was normal, she said, from 20 to 170, and my heart sank. A week later after dialysis the CK went down to 6000, still non-functioning. One kidney Dr. said she had never seen a number as high as his. They recommended continuing dialysis. Many were praying, in another week they said his numbers were normal. Nothing is impossible with God. “The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.” (Psalms 6:9)

God works things out for our good, but not always in our time schedule or in the way we expect. We are often at least partly responsible for bad things that come our way, but the world is full of difficulty. God puts in families so we can help each other. The old adage, “Blood is thicker than water”, refers to this family bond. How healthy are your family bonds? 

The enemy works overtime to destroy families through temptation to unfaithfulness, divorce, bitterness and contempt from arguments. I’m praying for prodigals and division in families because the strength of any nation is measured by the health of its families. Do you want to see God move and come to your aid? Do you want to see God’s goodness and favor? Humble yourself and begin forgiving the grudges and offenses that exist in your family. We have power to forgive others and when we do it will release us from our own bondages. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Love is Reason

There are many reasons we do things with self-interest often topping the list. Our motives might distinguish more than the results of our actions. I learned that purpose is the greatest motivational factor when I was selling. Hard work s a virtue which our forefathers esteemed of great importance and it is very important, but it will not hold us to our task. Many have spent long hours and difficult labor in endeavors that ultimately failed. Some people laud ingenuity/knowledge as their key to success, suggesting a great idea and well though-out plan would lead to achievement, yet no amount of knowledge will carry us through great difficulty and adversity, particularly in a society of pirates and oligarchs with practically unlimited resources. Money is world’s prime motivator, but it is the most faulty and deceptive; it will let us down at the first windfall and fail when a higher calling is necessary. We deceive ourselves and must when money is our only goal. Brother Lawrence said, “he resolved to make the love of God the end of all his actions, he had found reasons to be well satisfied with his method. He was pleased when he could take up a straw from the ground for the love of God, seeking Him only, and nothing else, not even His gifts.” He continued, “I have no pain or difficulty about my state because I have no will but that of God. I endeavor to accomplish His will in all things. And I am so resigned that I would not take up a straw from the ground against His order or from any motive but that of pure love for Him.”

To know love, which is a person, to seek Him, work for Him, surrender our mental faculties to Him, give our money to Him, and put love of Him our highest purpose is a life worth living and pursuing. 

Such is our journey, interrupted a thousand times, but never abandoned due to His rescue a thousand and one. Yeshua, Messiah “…the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” (Colossians 1:18) Love must require much faith as our enemies will oppose us and bring whatever adversity, threats, fears, and darkness can be contrived against the grace and providence of Almighty God. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Free In the Spirit

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)  

The Spirit is opposed to the Flesh, which refers to human power, facility, control, functions, such as human reasoning, presumption, doubt, physical desires and demands, etc. The Spirit is part of Holy God and does not subvert himself to human preference. Believers are born again in the Spirit, with His presence dwelling within. To align ourselves with the Spirit requires humility, surrender, and faith. He is unseen and people question how we can know and move in step with Him and each other. We are not left to ourselves, but we have the Word of God through which the Spirit works. The Spirit is never in conflict with the word, but opens our recollection and understanding of the Word.

What is this freedom in which Yeshua has set us? It is a freedom from “self” which captured us from birth. As Adam’s descendants we are born with a fallen human nature, captive to sin, individualistic obsession. In and through Yeshua we are set free and able to maintain that freedom through the Holy Spirit that connects and keeps us in Yeshua Messiah. Just as Yeshua talked about being in the Father, He describes us being in Him and He in us. (John 17:20-23) These words and concepts are meaningless to rational thinking – how can one person be in another. The key is that God is supernatural, therefore, He imbibes us just as He dwells simultaneously in three persons – Father, Son, and Spirit. His oneness is affirmed in the unity of three persons, not divided by it. “The Lord our God, The Lord is one.” (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29) Our difficulty is cured by Yeshua who made the Father known. (John 1:18) “Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:8-9)

Our selfish ego must die so we can live in freedom, love, Spirit and Yeshua. When the Spirit is leading, guiding, moving it may be said of us, “Anyone who has seen me, has seen Yeshua.” This is impossible in the natural, the old man can still speak, but God is greater and overcomes our weakness. (1 John 3:20; Gal. 2:20)

A Believer’s Future

A Believers whole life is laid out according to God’s perfect will. (Rom. 8:28) Good deeds have been prepared in advance for us to do our part. (Eph. 2:10) Spiritual gifts have been distributed to us as determined by the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:11) Just as Yeshua was lead into the wilderness to be tempted by the enemy, so we will face temptation, as well as from our fallen human nature, but these are areas where we can watch and pray for deliverance from it. (Matt. 6:13; 26:41; James 1:14) We will be engaged in Spiritual warfare and have been equipped with weapons for this purpose, effective to demolish strongholds, arguments, pretensions set against the knowledge of God. (2 Cor. 10:3-5) It goes without saying that we are to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit as it is God’s power that prevails “against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12) 

Just as Yeshua spent time in prayer, we too are called to pray, both together and individually. (Eph. 6:18; Acts 1:14) A follower of Yeshua will lead a life of prayer. A major purpose of the Spirit is to lead us to pray according to God’s will, transcending words. (Rom. 8:26-27) I believe there will be times when God will initiate the enemy’s defeat in response to prayer determined by His providence and mercy. Holy Spirit will call His people to pray releasing His power, “to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:7) This is the continuing ministry of Yeshua Messiah as He came to destroy the works of the enemy. (1 John 3:8) God is at work today. Yeshua worked as He saw His Father working for whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 5:17, 19-21) We are also called to follow Yeshua by the indwelling Holy Spirit. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Rom. 8:17)

God is writing His word on our hearts, the Spirit brings it to mind. (1 Cor. 2:10-11) God is putting worship and praise in our hearts and mouths so we can sing of His glory, kindness and majesty. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:28-29)

Where is Love

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

I was in a funk… is this permitted to admit. It felt that love was nowhere to be found, whether it was love for me or love from me to others. Though I recalled scripture refuting it and I knew the love, goodness and mercy of God are ever-present. This knowledge doesn’t deal effectively with a funk and it heaped a portion of condemnation on me. I remembered, Pilgrims Progress and the giants dungeon of depression which was unlocked by the key of faith. I committed to believe God’s love by faith even though it seemed far away at this time. Finally, I stopped talking in my head and listened, “God is love, He dwells in your heart by His Spirit.” This was encouragement speaking, perhaps His love is resident in the Holy Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)  The Spirit produces fruit.

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1) The way of love is in the Spirit.

”For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7) Love and Spirit are gifts.

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5) Love is through the Holy Spirit, not our efforts.

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” (Romans 15:30) There is love of the Spirit.

“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19) Love is all around and filling us as with Holy Spirit.

“…neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39)

The Holy Spirit is everything and He has been given to us with an accompanying download of love flowing in and out by His all surpassing power.   Thank you Spirit for lifting the funk and letting love flow.