"For every detail of common sense in life, there is a truth God has revealed by which we can prove in our practical experience what we believe God to be."
"Faith is a tremendously active principle that always puts Jesus first."
"God brings us into particular circumstances to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make the object of our faith very real to us."
"Until we know Jesus, God is merely a concept, and we can't have faith in Him." [Oswald Chambers, My Umost For His Highest, October 30th]
Faith in Christ rewards us with the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. We learn as we grow. Grow in Christ. Grow in knowledge. Grow in faith, endurance, patience, and love. Love is paramount in the life of Believers. They will "know" we are Christians by the "love" we show one another in Christ. I think that is a gem to remember. People do not come to Christ as we lift up our knowledge of Him--how much we know about Him, or how succinctly we can explain each passage of the doctrinal issues in the Bible. They come to Christ when we lift Him up...when we show our love for the Savior by the love we have for one another.
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." 1 Corinthians 13:8
We do not have the perfect knowledge as long as we live on this earth. We only know "in part". The mysteries of God will be revealed to us when we join our Savior in Heaven. The knowledge we have here is to be used to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. "Whatsoever we say and do, do all to the glory of God." Can we glorify God without the fruit of the Spirit flowing through our every word and action to shed light on a darkened world? Jesus, living within us, is the Light within the "temple" of the Holy Spirit. Love, patience, forgiveness, goodness, kindness, steadfastness. These things are the light which pours forth from the windows of our souls to light the pathway for others living in darkness. The fruit of the Spirit is not knowledge...it is love...it is active...it is visible. It is not locked up inside the mind of learned men and women. Faith is not locked up inside the mind, heart and spirit of man. It is visible in what we do, how we do it, and in Whose name we proclaim it.
"For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away." 1 Corinthians 13:9,10
Notice that when our Savior comes to claim His own, He does not use what they "know" as the measuring stick by which to judge. He uses what they did. Did they give Him a drink? Feed Him? Clothe Him? Visit Him? Love does those things. Love reaches beyond itself. Love loves the unlovely--those who do not have all the knowledge, do not have hope, do not have faith, do not walk in the way of Christ. God is merely a concept till they know Jesus and experience His life within their own. We as Christians are given such a wonderful opportunity to love others in order that God can use us to draw others unto Himself.
May we each study to show ourselves approved. May we each grow in knowledge and then use it to show the love of Christ available to others. May we be broken as He was broken, and pierced as He was pierced--so that we share in His sufferings and be poured out as a love offering and fragrance for His glory. selahV
