Living Our Faith
“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed,
a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The
righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)
The type of faith described in the Bible can transform your life, and enable
you to enjoy a close, personal relationship with God. Faith can offer freedom
from worry, doubt and fear. It can bring strength, hope and wisdom in the face
of problems and challenges.
No one wrote more books of the New Testament than the
apostle Paul. Through them we get a clear picture of the role faith plays in
genuine Christianity.
Paul had his share of trials after becoming a Christian.
More than once he was unjustly thrown into prison for his beliefs and
preaching. He experienced shipwrecks and attacks, and opposition from those he
tried to help. He was familiar with pain and weariness, loss of sleep, lack of
food, water, shelter and even clothing. You can find a list of various trials
he endured in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27.
What did all these unpleasant events make of Paul? A
depressed, discouraged, defeated individual? No! In Philippians 4:11-12, we see
that Paul was a very positive person, one who navigated difficult times with a
triumphant faith, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I
know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
Paul could handle all these challenges and more because
he had faith in Jesus Christ. He wrote, “I can do everything through him who
gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) And
he knew the God he served would make all things work out for good in his life.
(Romans 8:28)
Living a Christian life will be filled with difficulties. We don’t leave God at
church, nor do we leave Him at home. Unlike society’s idea that God and
religion don’t belong in the public sphere, Christians believe and understand
that their lives include all they are in Jesus Christ.
As God’s redeemed children, we live life with the
understanding that we take Jesus with us everywhere we go and include Him in
everything we do and say. He is the One who guides our plans and gives us
purpose in our lives, whether at home, in church, at work, at school, and in
politics; wherever He might lead us to be a witness of God’s grace, love, and
forgiveness in Christ.
We are redeemed from the power of Sin and Death by Jesus Christ. We have the
hope and sure promise of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God by
faith in Jesus, no matter what happens to us in this world. We are held in the
very palm of God’s hand, and have the power of His Word and Spirit living in us
in each moment of our lives so that we can boldly live our faith
in any and all circumstances of life. We take courage, and have peace and joy,
in God’s promise to be with us, to support us in our lives of faith, and to
shield us from every snare that the Evil One would set to take us away from
God’s love in Christ.
In Jesus, we are strengthened each day to boldly live as
the people of God, sharing the Word boldly and faithfully so that others might
hear and believe, and be saved.
Can God change
your life?
God has made it
possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing
change in your own
life.
Discover how you
can find peace with God.
