Why is it that we often are hit with the unpleasant realities of living in a fallen world? (a pretty obvious answer to that question!) Why do we at times, have the sense of being overwhelmed, or maybe in a blue funk? It's all related to helping us in the ongoing walk of faith which is to be a part of our every day life in this world, in Jesus.
As we look at Scripture, we see that faith involves commitment, trust, acts or works, resting, waiting, a living hope, etc. And it's necessary in all the circumstances of life. The good times and bad times. When we do well and when we fail. When we seem to be doing what is good and right, and when we sin. When we have plenty and when we are in need. All of these times and circumstances are occasions of faith.
There are difficult parts of our life journey which seem particularly dark, other parts seem to have much light, and most parts have for me, a sense of ambiguity- not knowing a lot, while walking with the light God gives us, such as with the lamp or light of God's word, or walking/living by faith and not by sight.
Faith is ongoing. It's faith in that it requires ongoing trust in God and his promises in Jesus. We realize that while God is doing a work that is beyond us in us, it's not about us or confidence in ourselves. But we are to grow in this ongoing faith so that in the end our faith will grow and be stronger than it was when we first received Christ as Lord. This faith is a reality, but it's often stronger when we are weaker. And faith is relational in nature as well, both to God and to each other, in Jesus.
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8 comments:
well, perhaps we receive faith when we see our need for God and our need of Jesus as the Son of God.
so, as believers, as we go along we are "continually" reminded in places in our own life where we recgonize this need and then we are renewed in supply of faith.
it seems like this may be part of the process of continuing in this life of haveing the Holy Spirit within us.
Faith is ongoing - it is a gift from God and He sustains it in us
Faith is ongoing. True. And sometimes I'm tired and don't feel like going on. :) (This is when it helps to have strong friends).
Nancy,
Yes. The gospel is ever new to us in Jesus. I mean the reality of it. And really the message with that reality will resonate well, as well. And of the work of the Spirit, to be sure.
ESI,
Yes, it's a gift from God, but we must receive it. One would say that's part of the gift- that we indeed partake of it, that we do receive it. But I don't look at it precisely that way.
L.L.,
I hear you. There are times nearly every day when I'm at the end of my faith, and just don't seem to have any more. Good to have my wife praying for me, to know Jesus is interceding for us, and to fall back on friends when need be.
i wonder...
maybe we are given the most faith when we feel that indeed we have none.
Nancy,
That reminds me of "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." It's a paradox, and God seems to work in paradoxes, but we are indeed most open to a greater faith when we are more cast on God. And we're more cast on God when we find ourselves most lacking and needy.
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