revealed by faith and for faith. In other words, we receive it by faith, and it becomes a testimony of the faith by which to live. Our conviction of the love of God must be fully believed and demonstrated, otherwise, it will just be an abstract concept, void of impact. Faith, however, is tangible and effective, designed to totally transform our circumstances if we become as children who love, admire, believe, and obey him.
When I taught my children how to swim, the first thing I did was dive into the water cannonball style. That simple action broke every uncertainty they were feeling and opened the door to all the fun they could have. Seeing me with that attitude of complete control of the situation gave them confidence, to the point that I almost did not make it back to the edge because they wanted to jump in right on top of me. The same thing would not have happened had I entered cautiously into the pool, step by step, little by little, allowing the water to make me shudder in shock. That is what a life of faith is like, total immersion into a new environment that requires audacity and blind obedience, coupled with the conviction that the instructions we receive come from the One who truly knows what he is doing and has our best interests in mind.
In Hebrew, the word faith means faithfulness. Having faith in God means expressing our faithfulness, which in turn makes us just, or in other words, without reproach. No wonder the Word of God mentions more than once that the just shall live by faith. Why is it so important to be totally convinced that living by faith makes us just? Because accepting it implies humility, an acknowledgment that it is not our works, but our attitude of complete trust that grants us salvation and abundant life. We need to be faithful to God and never hesitate in obeying his simple instructions. Everything in his written Word applies to our lives; it is not an archaic, irrelevant book. Take hold of his promises! If the Bible says that those who honor their parents can expect a long life and a wonderful future, embrace that promise and obey it. If it says that life, riches, and honor are the reward for being humble and fearing the Lord, then that is how it is! These instructions seem clear and simple, right? Of course, applying them is not so easy, and that is why living by faith requires strength and resolve. It is a life designed for those who want to see great results!
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Everything in his written Word applies to our lives; it is not an archaic, irrelevant book. Take hold of his promises!
The second meaning of the word faith is firmness. Those who believe
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