2020 Daily Devotion - Day 174
I like to think of faith like a cup holding an extremely expensive pearl or diamond. Faith is a container of the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Grace is a free gift purchased at the cross of Jesus. And not only is grace a free gift, but so is faith. Many people think faith is their contribution to salvation. They think faith is their “decision”. However, if that were true, then faith would be a subtle way to earn salvation. We call this “works righteousness” – the effort to be righteous before God by our good works. So, if faith is our contribution to grace, then faith is a subtle form of works righteousness.
Here is the thing. You are not born with faith in Jesus as your Savior. It is supernatural. It has to be spoken into you. This is what is says in the epistle to the Romans.
Romans 10:17 NRS
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.
Someone had to proclaim the Word of God into you so that faith could be created within you. Here is how the Prophet Isaiah explains it:
Isaiah 55:10-13
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Hearing God’s Word preached or reading the Bible is never merely an intellectual experience. Just as when the rain falls, the hills of southern California turn green – so too, when God’s Word is proclaimed, it never returns empty. Something always happens. This is how faith is created.
Dr. Fredrick Dale Brunner, whose writings have helped me through the years understand God’s Word, says this about faith. “Faith is required, but because it is more than a law, it comes giving what it requires.”
So God gets all of the credit. Not only is He the one who purchased salvation, but He is the one who creates the faith to hold it. He does it all.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, sometimes we think faith is our doing, and as a result, we can become burdened. Either we don’t think our faith is strong enough or we don’t believe it is faithful enough. But You are the One who creates faith through Your Holy Word being read and proclaimed. Help us to be stronger students of Your Word, so our faith may be strengthened. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
Here is the thing. You are not born with faith in Jesus as your Savior. It is supernatural. It has to be spoken into you. This is what is says in the epistle to the Romans.
Romans 10:17 NRS
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.
Someone had to proclaim the Word of God into you so that faith could be created within you. Here is how the Prophet Isaiah explains it:
Isaiah 55:10-13
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Hearing God’s Word preached or reading the Bible is never merely an intellectual experience. Just as when the rain falls, the hills of southern California turn green – so too, when God’s Word is proclaimed, it never returns empty. Something always happens. This is how faith is created.
Dr. Fredrick Dale Brunner, whose writings have helped me through the years understand God’s Word, says this about faith. “Faith is required, but because it is more than a law, it comes giving what it requires.”
So God gets all of the credit. Not only is He the one who purchased salvation, but He is the one who creates the faith to hold it. He does it all.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, sometimes we think faith is our doing, and as a result, we can become burdened. Either we don’t think our faith is strong enough or we don’t believe it is faithful enough. But You are the One who creates faith through Your Holy Word being read and proclaimed. Help us to be stronger students of Your Word, so our faith may be strengthened. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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