In Faith...

"In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't."  -Blaise Pascal

The word "faith" is used around 336 times in the King James Version, even more in other translations. This alone proves its significance. God placed great importance on it for good reason. Without faith in Him we would be lost (Hebrews 11:6).

It can also be described as: belief, trust, and hope. And while faith may be many other things, I'll tell you what it's not: it isn't a convenient, off-the-shelf, remedy for whatever ails now, then put away until next time (James 1:6).

For those who are accustomed to instant-gratification be forewarned! It isn't a cure-all or a magic bullet, if you will. Faith in Jesus Christ doesn't work this way.  It requires time, patience, and devotion to develop. 

What if you have a strong faith, but you feel it ebbing and flowing from time to time? This is not uncommon, after all, we are only human. The surest treatment for a wobbly faith is earnest prayer (Romans 8:26).

Keep in mind that faith must be tempered by trial and tribulation (1 Peter 4:12). And nothing tests our faith more than fully trusting God to see us through whatever obstacles life may set before us (Romans 12:12; Exodus 14:14).

Let us also not forget that salvation is a gift freely given to us by God's grace through our faith, or belief in Him (Ephesians 2:8). Faith in God relies on our acceptance, it will never be forced on us (2 Peter 3:9).

Martin Luther, the father of the protestant Reformation, said: "Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times."

Certainly God could simply make everyone have faith or believe in Him, but this would defeat its purpose. Hebrews 11:1 tells us: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

God desires that we first see him with our heart rather than our eyes. And once we have faithfully accepted Him in our hearts and minds, we will surely see the true reward of our faith in Him (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Scripture: Romans 10:17; Luke 17:5; 1 John 5:4; John 3:36; Proverbs 3:5 

Prayer: Dear Lord, by Your grace I have been saved through faith. I trust in You with all my heart and soul, and pray that You will increase my faith all the days of my life, amen.

In Christ,

JoAnna