"Through Him we have received grace and apostleship
for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name."
for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name."
Romans 1:5
A minister was explaining to a man how to become a Christian. He made it clear from several verses of Scripture that our relationship with God is by faith through Christ. The man asked, "What is faith?" The minister explained that it was a gift of God. The man needed a practical explanation, so the minister said, "Let me tell you what faith does. It obeys the word of God that we read in the Bible. Faith is our obedient response to God." The minister went on to explain what God wanted him to do. He was willing to obey the gospel of Christ. That day, he committed his life to become a Christian.
Faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith includes receiving a saving knowledge of Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Faith also includes obedience to the word of God as recorded in the Bible. "Obedience to the faith" is doing the word. We are to be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22). So, faith is more than mental assent. It is more than Bible knowledge. Faith is willing to act on the word of God.
Our faith is released when we obey God's word. Faith is active and not passive (James 2:14-20). A dead faith talks but never walks. It's words only. A living faith motivates us to do the will of God. It is actually God working in us to do that which is well-pleasing in His sight (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Our faith is released when we obey God's word. Faith is active and not passive (James 2:14-20). A dead faith talks but never walks. It's words only. A living faith motivates us to do the will of God. It is actually God working in us to do that which is well-pleasing in His sight (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of faith according to the Bible. As we read the Scripture, give us more understanding, that we may know and obey Your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
