Saturday, June 22, 2019

Orange Moon Cafe "Bare Faith"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Bare Faith"


    Much of the Christian life consists of what we might call "bare faith."  

    "We walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7).

    Our Heavenly Father works mightily and incessantly  to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts and along the pathways of our lives.  The expectant believer will see many evidences of such grace as the Holy Spirit confirms and affirms God's living presence in countless bestowals of Divine goodness.  However, even the most trusting Christian must live much of life with no overt evidence, emotion, or experience.  Our present existence in a fallen world precludes constant sight of the truth that "God… worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 3:1; 11).  The physical realm composed of trillions upon trillions of atoms that form the physical structure of all things reflects the spiritual reality we consider.  We cannot see atoms and their wondrous composition, energy, and movement.  They nevertheless exist as the substance of the entire universe.  Just like their Maker, who dwells in the entirety of His creation with loving and living involvement whereby He "upholds all things by the word of His power" (Hebrews 1:3).  Indeed, if our eyes could see in finer detail the myriad of atoms that compose the universe, our senses would be overwhelmed.  Even more, if we could perceive God's reality in greater awareness, His presence and working in all things would overwhelm our spirits.  "God... doeth great things past finding out, yea, and wonders without number" (Job 9:2; 10).

   The life of faith consists of discovering the glory of God's heart more than the power of His hand.  This requires our "walk by faith, not by sight."  If we constantly witnessed our Lord's doings, we would become enamored and titillated by His capability rather than His character.  What He can do would supersede who He is.  In our present existence, much sensory deprivation is required in order to reveal that "this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).  This means "bare faith," or many moments when we cannot see, feel, comprehend, or sense in any manner the Great Fact of our existence.  We nevertheless believe, based on God's Word and His Spirit working in our hearts.  The way is hard.  But to those who realize that our Heavenly Father offers His heart to all who will trust Him in both light and darkness, the reward is great.  The gift of Himself - this is the glory of grace awaiting  us as we trust His heart when we cannot see His hand.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
(Hebrews 11:6)

Weekly Memory Verse
  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.
(II Peter 1:2)



  






















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