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“Faith and its Reward”
On Sunday February 11th, the Lord willing, we will be discussing in our morning lesson the question "What is 'the faith'?" Faith is an intersting word as it has two uses in the New Testament. It is used to describe one's personal conviction as well as to describe what doctrine one follows. We need to be people of faith. The Greek word used for faith most commonly is PISTIS. This faith should develop strength as we study His word. What God wants for His children is for them to grow in their belief in Him ans His abilities. He has planned to save us from the dawn of time and executed that plan in the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. If we accept that then we must accept His offer of salvation. We must accept it, though, on His terms. When we decide to do that our faith develops real strength and real depth. It is that strong faith that will lead us to live for Christ and actually be able to say as Paul did in Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;..." This is the feeling that we want to develop. We also want to develop a confidence that comes from that faith. Not an arrogance, rather the confidence that Paul exuded in 2 Tim. 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." That strength will lead us to have that home in heaven that is promised to us. That faith will only develop, though, through constant exposure to God. We accomplish that in the reading and study of His word. Paul encouraged this in Timothy in 2 Tim. 2:15. We want to be that same type of student realizing that it will lead to a strong faith in God and an active faith in God. God bless us in our efforts to grow in strength and faith in Him.
