Once again, I am writing our weekly letter to you knowing that when we feed our faith, our doubts will starve to death,
When Paul writes his letter to the Church of Galatia, he addresses an issue of great concern. In chapter one he tells them he is astonished at their desertion from the Gospel of Grace. Later in chapter three he calls them “Foolish Galatians!” He asks them, “Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?” As you read this letter you will see that Paul is speaking to them about spiritual restoration, in that a lack of faith is causing them to go astray. He is calling them back to faith and he does this by asking questions, such as: “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law… Having begun with the Spirit, are you ending in the flesh? Did you experience so many things in vain?”
Then he emphasizes for them,
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me; and the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
It is here that we are introduced to the LIFE OF FAITH. Look at it like this with me:
THE FIRST IS A FACT OF HISTORY – Christ as crucified for us. I am crucified with Christ. Paul is reminding them of what has already taken place.
THEN SECOND IS A FACT OF EXPERIENCE – It is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. I have been converted/I have been redeemed.
THIRD IS THE FACT OF FAITH – I live in the flesh, but I live by faith. It is here we can see we are not fighting for victory, but we are fighting from victory. Hudson Taylor had as this motto, HAVE FAITH IN GOD. He is known as the father of modern missions.
This brings us to an expanded understanding of what Faith really is. The essence of faith is a trustful obedience regarding what God says; our surrender to the Word of God. We could be learning this together when we remember what scripture says regarding Abraham; “By faith Abraham, when he was called OBEYED…” Therefore, we come to understand what a life of faith is:
THE LIFE OF FAITH IS TO OBEY WHAT GOD HAS SPOKEN”
HE ALONE IS OUR FIRM FOUNDATION!!!
I BELIEVE IN YOU,
Cleddie Keith