The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Romans 10:17,
"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."
We read in Hebrews that faith is that trust or confidence in what is not perceived through the senses God has given us to relate to the world around us. As such, faith defines and expresses the attitudes and perspectives of our inner heart revealing what is in our spirit. The writer in Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.". He goes on to say that this certainty of what is unseen is what "the ancients" were commended for, verse 2. This reminds me of what I consider to be one of the most important statements in the Old Testament, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6. Paul quotes this passage and observes, "The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." Romans 4:23-24.
Faith informs our thoughts on things and shapes our opinions and the choices we make. Most are well aware that information and education do not aways persuade. As we have carefully and clearly presented the facts of an issue with someone we disagree, we are all too startled to realize we are unable to persuade with truthful information. This is the case not just with things of a religious nature but also politics, morals, social issues, etc. Faith appears to hold a key role in our perspective on all sorts of things.
God has chosen it will be faith that determines if someone is given a place in his family. Faith and trust in him. It is belief in the resurrection and the embrace of Jesus Christ in faith that brings eternal life. As our verse above tells us, it is God's invitation through the gospel that provides the context for faith to exist. When we are offered eternal life through "the message" or the gospel, we can trust in it or reject it.
Receiving eternal life is not a matter of my performance or good deeds. It is all about whether I trust in God. Because it is by faith, I receive it as a gift freely given me. Can you think of a greater gift than this?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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