The Sermon on Sunday was out of the book of 1st John. Our guest pastor mentioned to the congregation three things that are absolutely fundamental to the christian faith, three character traits that serve as evidence and proof of true saving faith.
They are,
Belief
Obedience
Love
I ought to believe because You, O Lord, are trustworthy and dependable. The bible has been proven historically, ethically, morally and prophetically. Jesus You said in John 17:17 “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.” Since You, God, are dependable, I than know also that every promise You make You will also keep. You are true to Your promises and do not lie. So I than believe because I know I can trust You and the things You say You will do - You will do.
I ought to obey because You, God, are righteous, good, and above all You are Lord. You do ask what is at times most difficult and can often indeed thought of as impossible (although “For with God nothing will be impossible” Luke 1:37) Yet my obedience is good, because it is through my obedience that I begin to reflect the perfect nature of a righteous God. And so I ought to obey, because You command me too. Though I do not always understand why, I do, and You will bless me because of it. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
“We love Him because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19. And I ought to love the community of brothers because I am commanded to do so. 1 John 5:1 “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ in born of God, and everyone who love Him who begot also loves him who is begotten by Him.” Here lies another example of what is impossible to do with out God's help, but I can have faith knowing that You do offer help. If I trust that You, Jesus, showed the example of love, that You set the standard of love, and paid the price of true love, than I can have the faith to believe that you will also provide the means for me to love as you love. You being the “Author and Finisher of our faith” (hebrews 12:2) I know that You will finish the good work You started here.
This morning my heart was convicted again during the Tuesday morning Bible study our church offers.
You Lord have established realms of authority,
The Family
The Church
The Government (Bosses, Masters, Teachers, Politicians...etc.)
Your heart is that I obey You in all circumstances. Here is an area of my life where I am in disobedience, my heart is often filled with pride and I do not easily submit to those who you have placed in charge of my life. I know You are with me where ever I go, for You say “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” A promise, as all your words are promises, that I can trust and believe. When I am unjustly persecuted, so were You, when I am unkindly treated, so were You. And since You are with me always, through the thick of life, than I can trust that You are aware of all my circumstances, You are holding my hand through them all. What a fool I have been to not trust in You O God. You have not called me to a life of worldly riches or one of fame and glory, but rather to a humble life of obedience and submission. Though times be unfair and unkind, You are just and the One who justifies all who have been wronged.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourself; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9). You provided the faith in the beginning that even led me unto Your salvation, for indeed it was You all these many years who has been knocking on the door of my heart (Rev 3:20). I can trust that you will also continue to provide the faith necessary for me to be obedient to the life you have called me to live. Let your word rest in my heart, that I may be obedient to You in all circumstance, as You see what is done is secret and in truth.
They are,
Belief
Obedience
Love
I ought to believe because You, O Lord, are trustworthy and dependable. The bible has been proven historically, ethically, morally and prophetically. Jesus You said in John 17:17 “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.” Since You, God, are dependable, I than know also that every promise You make You will also keep. You are true to Your promises and do not lie. So I than believe because I know I can trust You and the things You say You will do - You will do.
I ought to obey because You, God, are righteous, good, and above all You are Lord. You do ask what is at times most difficult and can often indeed thought of as impossible (although “For with God nothing will be impossible” Luke 1:37) Yet my obedience is good, because it is through my obedience that I begin to reflect the perfect nature of a righteous God. And so I ought to obey, because You command me too. Though I do not always understand why, I do, and You will bless me because of it. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
“We love Him because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19. And I ought to love the community of brothers because I am commanded to do so. 1 John 5:1 “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ in born of God, and everyone who love Him who begot also loves him who is begotten by Him.” Here lies another example of what is impossible to do with out God's help, but I can have faith knowing that You do offer help. If I trust that You, Jesus, showed the example of love, that You set the standard of love, and paid the price of true love, than I can have the faith to believe that you will also provide the means for me to love as you love. You being the “Author and Finisher of our faith” (hebrews 12:2) I know that You will finish the good work You started here.
This morning my heart was convicted again during the Tuesday morning Bible study our church offers.
You Lord have established realms of authority,
The Family
The Church
The Government (Bosses, Masters, Teachers, Politicians...etc.)
Your heart is that I obey You in all circumstances. Here is an area of my life where I am in disobedience, my heart is often filled with pride and I do not easily submit to those who you have placed in charge of my life. I know You are with me where ever I go, for You say “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” A promise, as all your words are promises, that I can trust and believe. When I am unjustly persecuted, so were You, when I am unkindly treated, so were You. And since You are with me always, through the thick of life, than I can trust that You are aware of all my circumstances, You are holding my hand through them all. What a fool I have been to not trust in You O God. You have not called me to a life of worldly riches or one of fame and glory, but rather to a humble life of obedience and submission. Though times be unfair and unkind, You are just and the One who justifies all who have been wronged.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourself; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9). You provided the faith in the beginning that even led me unto Your salvation, for indeed it was You all these many years who has been knocking on the door of my heart (Rev 3:20). I can trust that you will also continue to provide the faith necessary for me to be obedient to the life you have called me to live. Let your word rest in my heart, that I may be obedient to You in all circumstance, as You see what is done is secret and in truth.
“Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ. Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.”
Ephesians 6:6
Ephesians 6:6
