"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain," - Hebrews 11:4 (KJV)Faith can be viewed from many different sides and angles. We have also listened to, and read about, various stories having to do with other's experiences with faith. But what do we really know about faith? Our own?
John Newton, an 18th century English Anglican clergyman, said this regarding faith, "This is faith: a renouncing of everything we are apt to call our own and relying wholly upon the blood, righteousness and intercession of Jesus."
This basically means that faith requires self-sacrifice on our part, without which, it is only a word. We also see this in Hebrews 11:11 (NIV), "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
As you might recall in the story of Cain and Abel, God was far and away more pleased with the offering he received from Abel, than that of his brother, Cain (Genesis 4:4-5). Abel understood, by faith, what God desired; while Cain was just going through the motions.
We will never truly receive God's full blessings, as he intends, if we merely walk through faith without fully giving of ourselves to God. Need more proof? How about when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his own son Isaac in order to prove his faith to God (Genesis 22:1-19).
Far too many of us today talk a big talk, but do we really mean it, when it comes to faith? A strong, unshakable faith is based on our willingness to give it all to God. Half-way, kinda-sorta faith simply will not do. Faith is more than just a word, it is an eagerness to surrender all to Him.
Scripture: Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 5:7; John 5:24; John 3:16
Prayer: Dear God, I pray that I may always stand firm in my faith, amen.
Blessings always,
Cyndy
Cyndy
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