Initial Faith

(A measure of faith)

Rom. 10: 5-17; Acts 13: 38-42; 15: 7-9; Eph. 2: 5,8-9; Hab. 2: 4; Rom, 1: 16-17;; Gal. 2: 16; 2: 20; 3: 11-12; Heb. 10: 38; 1st John 5: 10-12

Hebrews 11:1 “Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

I cannot begin to tell you how many sermons I have heard on Hebrews 11. I would be willing to bet dollars to doughnuts you’ve heard just as many. However, we need to look at what the book of Hebrews teaches and its message for the 21st century Christian.

As we begin our new life as children of God, we find that things may seem topsy-turvy at first. Imagine going on vacation to a country unknown to you, an entirely different culture. Naturally, one of the first things you would want to know about this country is what type of currency would be needed here? When I’m watching a movie or television program filmed in the UK, I’ve seen actors pull out wads of cash seemingly of different denominations. Still, I don’t know what their cash value might translate into American dollars or vice versa. Somehow I would have to find out what those red, blue, and yellow bills mean in that country, or I will have some serious financial issues. Fortunately, there are Currency Exchange Centers in most airports.

Such is becoming a born-again Christian. Christ shoed us into His Kingdom. It is by His FAITH and through His cleansing blood, much like traveling to a new Country or Culture. In His Kingdom, you must understand how to use said Faith and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. FAITH must come first because HIS Faith gets us into the Kingdom as previously mentioned, then the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ must be applied to our lives. We will discuss that later because that’s another aspect of His Faith (Rev. 12:11). The one overcome in that verse is Satan. The method of their victory is the consistent application of the blood of the Lamb. Confessing God’s Word on their lips (Acknowledging what Christ has done in and through us) is the expression of Faith.

Faith is the currency within the Kingdom/Heaven. It opens the door into the throne room of God. The Bible tells us plainly that Faith Works by love (Gal. 5: 6). Who’s love? God’s love! So forget about having one without the other.

In the book of Ephesians, we find that we’re called Citizens of Heaven, encompassing the entirety of God’s Kingdom, NOT OF THIS WORLD. So, for example, some preach and teach about one world religion, never giving a thought about the word world.

Some believe He already Reigns on this Earth. However, if that were, there wouldn’t be so much evil and corruption in this world (kosmos). Christ would be in power, and we would be reigning together with Him as Kings and Priests. That’s just a snapshot of what His Millennial Reign here on Earth should look like, but if you look around and you’ll see that we are nowhere near that image. As you read what I write, you will find that I don’t play games. I’m saying nobody should have a problem with a harmless joke here and there. But when it comes to the Word of God, there is no time for games; it’s not even in the ballpark.

Eph. 2: 18 “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

I know that God’s Word is so beautifully written and can sometimes sound like nothing but poetry. And this is not to say that there aren’t songs and poetry on those pages. So many of us take it no more seriously than Ain’t Too Proud to Beg by The Temptations. But, on the other hand, be a good cheer, my friends, because you don’t have to beg Our Heavenly Father for anything. We’ve managed to bring His Word down to the level of the Bands we used to listen to when we were citizens of this world. You don’t build your life based on your favorite songs, poems, or even your favorite artist; that mindset is full of all sorts of idolatry. What I’ve seen in the body of Christ, and I’m sure you’ve seen it too, people don’t take the Word of God as the Words of their God (1st. Cor. 6:20; 7:23-24). So one day, we will have no choice but to take it seriously.

The Apostle Paul quotes this passage on two occasions, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that He (Christ) is LORD to the glory of God the Father (Rom. 14:11: Php. 2:10). Unfortunately, the majority of people that have walked on the face of Planet Earth will end up in the Lake of Fire that burns with brimstone (Matt. 7: 9-14).

Christ said that we are not of this world even as He is not of this world. He made that statement in the LORD’S PRAYER, not the prayer that we’ve called The LORD’S Prayer. Please read John chapter 17 in its entirety. Study that chapter and let it speak to you.

Although it saddens me to say that this will ruffle some traditional feathers, I have to be labeled the bad guy, a heretic and speak out. He was not speaking to or praying for Bread and Wine. Let that thought sink in for a while. He was speaking to and praying for his disciples. In John chapter 17, He mentions that many will believe in His name because of their (disciples) word. That is where we come in. That same promise applies to those who believe in His name because of their testimony.

1st John 3:13 “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1st. John 3: 14)

Let’s distinguish between the different uses of the word world in the Greek language. The following is an excerpt from https://www.preceptaustin.org/world-kosmos. To be continued…

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