The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Personal"
"The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).
Why faith? Why do we receive God's saving grace by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and why do we subsequently live in a manner that honors and pleases Him by placing confidence in His trustworthiness and promises?
"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Hebrews 11:5).
Our human relationships help to answer the question. Nothing more speaks of personal connection with another person than trustworthiness and trust. When one communicates commitment of heart and action to another, and the other believes in the integrity of the promise, relationship ensues. We do not and cannot trust someone apart from knowing them well enough to be confident in their trustworthiness. Or, we may place faith in another based on the faithfulness we see in their relationship and actions toward others. In either case, a heart to heart, mind to mind bond of personal relationship results from promises made, promises believed, and promises kept.
"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).
The reward received by seeking God is, by definition, God Himself. That is, through the Holy Spirit's working in our trusting hearts, we receive and will eternally enjoy spiritual union and communion with the Creator, Sustainer, and Life of our lives. "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3). We were made for this, and cannot view ourselves as truly alive apart from the presence of God, and fellowship with Him. "He is thy life" (Deuteronomy 30:20). Our role in the matter involves the faith whereby we engage in the experience of promises made - by God - and trust determined - by us. "God is faithful… I will trust in Thee" (I Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 56:3). The matter is deeply personal, as originated in the fathomless depths of the Person of our Heavenly Father, and faithful depths of those who trust Him through Christ and by the leading of the Holy Spirit into communion with "the deep things of God" (I Corinthians 2:10).
"His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature."
(II Peter 1:3-4)
Weekly Memory Verse
Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men.
(Psalm 31:19)
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